The year 2014 has been quite eventful for British Motorcycle manufacturer Triumph, with the win at the Isle of Man TT 2014 and their big step towards the Indian automotive market.
Ever since they first showcased their motorcycle range the Auto Expo in 2012, in New Delhi, the British motorcycle manufacturer, had set quite some conversations going about their launch in India, and though it took them two years, they’ve gladdened the hearts of hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts in country waiting patiently for a big upgrade. The wait ends finally, Triumph brings to India its huge entry range. Over five categories – the Classics, the Roadsters, Adventure, Cruisers and Supersports, the motorcycle giant will launch models like the Triumph Bonneville, Bonneville T100, Speed Triple, Thruxton, Tiger 800XC, Tiger Explorer, Thunderbird Storm, Daytona 675R and the Rocket III Roadster.
The Bonneville is one of Triumphs legendary models and is one of the motorcycles that the company will be selling in India. Named after the famous American record holding ground – Bonneville Salt Flats, the Bonnevile was first introduced in 1959 and since then has gone through numerous engine and aesthetic changes except for its classic design and build.
With an iconic image and classic design language, the Bonneville comes powered with an analgoue speedo and odo, but the Indian version will come without a tachometer. It is powered by an 865cc air cooled, fuel injected parallel twin engine, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Telescopic forks in the front and chromed shocks in the rear provide for a fair suspension. The fuel tank could’ve been bigger and at a capacity of just 16 litres is quite small for a motorcycle like the Bonneville. Launched in India at 5.57 lakhs, the Bonneville will be sold brought as a Completely Knocked down unit and assembled at the unit in Gurgaon.
Being the only sport bike in the Triumph range does not make the Daytona 675R a half-hearted effort to merely stay present in the segment. It is a very capable and lethal machine that replaced the original Daytona 650 in 2008. The 2013 model that would be launched in India is however leaner, meaner and meatier in terms of power.
With the looks of a typical Triumph – quite subtle – even for a sports motorcycle, a well shaped tank, a “600 cc motorcycle” split faired headlamp and quite an elegant, tapering rear end, the Daytona comes powered by a three cylinder 675 cc engine that churns out madness at 126 bhp. With the mouthful amount of power and displacement, the Daytona comes with switchable ABS as a standard.
It comes with quite a price tag of 11.8 lakhs, the Daytona will be imported, also as CKD unit and assembled at the plant in Gurgaon.
The first thing that almost anyone will notice about the Triumph Street triple, is the twin headlamp setup which – to many is somewhat of a turnoff. Take that in along with the entire profile of the bike, its stance and other visual features, and you see a very radical trait in its styling.
Powered by, again, a 675 cc 107 bhp producing, three cyclinder engine, inverted forks front suspension and adjustable mono in the rear, the Street Triple is one of the most aggressively styled streetfighters. Like its other Triumph counterparts, The Street Triple will also be brought as CKD and assembled in Gurgaon. It will carry a price tag of approximately 8 lakhs for being sold in India.
The last but not the least – that I would be writing about is another one of Triumph’s biggest flagship models. The big daddy of cruisers and a road dominator – the Triumph Rocket III.
Easily the largest production motorcycle from the iconic British bike maker, the Rocket II shall be brought to India in its latest avatar. The first thing that you notice is its massiveness. The seat is behind most of the engine area and the rider sits low into it. There are abundant amounts of chrome all over, including the twin pod instrument gauge and the dual exhaust pipes to keep the premium feel and exclusivity of the motorcycle very much alive.
The Rocket III comes with a 2.3-litre three-cylinder engine churning out 146 bhp that is mated to a five-speed sequential gearbox that transmits power to the rear wheel via shaft drive – a first on Indian roads. The Road Hog will come at an equally massive price tag of 20 lakhs and unlike the rest will be brought as an assembled unit and sold from Gurgaon.
