Triumph TurnoverUP 42% in 2005

Monday, November 28th

The latest from Triumph UK;

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES TURNOVER GROWS BY 42% IN THE 2005 FINANCIAL YEAR

Triumph Motorcycles global success continues.

The Triumph Group continued its strong growth trajectory in the 2005 financial year that ended on June 30th 2005.

Group turnover rose by 42% from GBP 125 million (USD 225m) to GBP 177 million (USD 318m). The operating profit, before interest and tax, rose from GBP 1.5 million (USD 2.7m) to GBP 10.7 million (USD 19.2m).

In the year under review, unit sales of Triumph motorcycles rose to 31,600. This represents a growth of 29% compared to the previous years sales of 24,500 units.

The growth of Triumph Motorcycles is the result of an increase in sales across all Triumphs markets. Tue Mantoni, Commercial Director says, Our growth does not stem from an entry into any new, major markets. Triumphs popularity with customers is growing across the board and it is satisfactory to see that all our markets have performed well above the levels of the previous year.

The new Speed Triple and Sprint ST have been important drivers behind Triumphs increased sales together with the continued demand for the Rocket III. Tue Mantoni, Commercial Director says,

Our recent sales growth shows that our focus on distinctively designed motorcycles with a lot of character has been very successful and this is where our focus will continue in the future. Consumer reaction to the recently unveiled new models - the Daytona 675 Triple, the Bonneville Scrambler and the Rocket III Classic has been superb.

Tue Mantoni says about the three models:

In many ways the Daytona Triple epitomises the strategy change that has taken place in our sport range, where we now focus on distinctively designed three-cylinder bikes. The first three-cylinder middleweight, the Daytona Triple stands apart immediately with its exceptional attention to detail and high quality finish. It also looks and sounds like nothing else.

The Scrambler is both a modern classic and a fun lifestyle machine that will appeal to young and old. We have seen more and more people catch on to the retro-wave and Triumph is the only manufacturer that could build this bike.

The Rocket III Classic is a derivative of the Rocket III, which has proven to be the most important Triumph motorcycle ever built. The Classic derivative shares the same engine and chassis as the standard model but has a more comfortable riding position and a look which is more in tune with the classic cruiser market.

The three models represent a significant strengthening of each of the families in Triumphs product range; Urban Sports, Modern Classics and Cruisers. All three models are available in dealers from early next year.

Promising start to the 2006 financial year.

Triumph has registered unit sales growth during the first four months of the current financial year of approximately 23% and the majority of the production volume for this financial year is already pre-sold.

Tue Mantoni says: While this is a good position to be in, we remain focused on sustainable growth and our primary objectives are to grow value for our customers and our dealers and further strengthen the brand.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)
GT on 28.11.05 @ 11:18 AM GMT [link]

Thursday, November 24th

Supercross Cancelled

This just in from the ACU;

Brian Higgins of the ACUs Motocross Committee regrets to inform you that the ACU Datatag British Supercross Championship scheduled to run over the next 3 weeks, 26th November, 3rd December and 10th December has unfortunately been cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

The ACU received a copy of a press release at 1400hrs on Tuesday 22nd November 2005 by Gareth Hockey of promoters RHL Activities Ltd.

Brian Higgins said, Obviously, the ACU are very disappointed the Championship has had to be cancelled, at this late stage as many riders, both Youth and Adult, have made special arrangements for travelling to the events. Whilst we have to respect the commercial decision of Promoters who make a huge financial commitment in staging this type of event, the ACU would normally expect to be involved in such an important decision.

Initially, the priority is now being given to ensuring all riders and Teams are informed prior to any making their journey to the 1st Round at the NEC, Birmingham this weekend, 26th November 2005. Once this has been completed, attention will be given to reimbursing monies to all Teams/riders.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)
GT on 24.11.05 @ 11:16 AM GMT [link]

Monday, November 21st

BMF Events 2006

BMF Events 2006 Putting The Fun Into Fund Raising!

Dates have now been finalised for the BMFs 2006 schedule of well-established bike shows.

Putting the fun into fund-raising, the BMFs events raise money for its wide-ranging lobbying activities by offering a popular mix of entertainment and a marketplace for biking bargains difficult to match. Four events span next year from May to September.

The BMF SHOW, 20-21 May, East of England Showground, Peterborough.

A permanent fixture in the biking calendar and the biggest show of its type in Europe, around 90,000 people regularly attend this massive event.

Its unique and its big, but it retains a friendly laid-back atmosphere while still offering the best value in biking. Typically around 700 trade stalls will be there offering the widest range and best prices of biking accessories and clothing anywhere in the UK - and a full programme of arena events will be running too.

GARDEN OF ENGLAND MOTORCYCLE SHOW (GEMS) 10-11 June

Hop Farm Country Park, Paddock Wood, Kent

The Garden of England Motorcycle Show (GEMS) is all set to continue its well-earned reputation as a show that really sparkles! One of the friendliest bike shows in the UK, with weekend camping open to all, this well established event builds on a successful formulae of arena activities, trade stalls and dozens of side-shows.

KELSO BIKEFEST 15-16 July Springwood Park, Kelso, Scotland.

Now a two day event for 2006, Bikefest, held in Kelsos Springwood Park on the banks of the river Tweed, is in fantastic biking country and with camping facilities open to all, it makes a great base. Whether its a biking holiday people are after, or just an excuse to jump on the bike and escape for a few days, Kelso Bikefest is the place to be!

Always providing a good range of stands and attractions, special organised ride-outs on the Saturday are an especially popular attraction.

TAIL END 16-17 September, East of England Showground, Peterborough.

Tail End wraps up the BMFs events season. Same place as the BMF Show but smaller and this time, with camping open to all. An end of season party atmosphere is the theme with the bike content covering a full two days of arena events, but this time its supplemented by live bands rounding out the hundreds of trade stalls and side shows catering for all tastes.

There are savings to be made for booking in advance for all BMF events and even bigger savings for BMF members. Bookings can be made via www.bmf.co.uk

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

GT on 21.11.05 @ 12:31 PM GMT [link]

Thursday, November 17th

October 2005 UK Bike Stats

New motorcycle and scooter sales dropped by around 5% overall in October, according to latest figures from the MCIA.

The combined registrations so far are about 118,000 units, which is more or less the same as this time in 2004. Supersport sales are pretty flat, adventure type bikes are on the up, whilst sport-touring sales are down, along with scooter sales - despite severe price hikes in the cost of petrol.

It is baffling why the industry seems unable to sell the benefits of scooter ownership to disgruntled motorists paying almost a pound a litre for fuel.

With few ground-breaking sportbikes on the horizon next year, sportbiike sales as a class look set for another flat year - apart from the Triumph 675 which would seems destined to sell out early in 2006. With funky styled machines like the FZ1 Yamaha and GSR600 Suzi attracting interest at the NEC, the only prospect for growth would appear to be in the naked bikes class, as well as adventure sports like the GS BMW bikes, or niche retro bikes like the CCM flat-tracker, or Triumph Street Scrambler.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

GT on 17.11.05 @ 11:37 AM GMT [link]

Monday, November 14th

Triumph 675 Triple Info

Here's the official press release from Triumph GB, announcing the Daytona 675 triple, plus the factory accessory list;

The Daytona 675 stands alone in the hotly contested sports bike arena and while others might compare it to a myriad of motorcycles, its very much a statement of how a pure Triumph sports bike should look and, just as importantly, feel. In one single stroke it has redefined just how a middleweight sports bike should perform, packing as it does a large amount of power and torque into a small, nimble package.

In the sports bike market many machines are seen almost as disposable by their owners and treated accordingly. In contrast Triumphs wish for the 675 Daytona was to create an exciting bike that owners will never tire of looking at, cherishing and above all else, riding. Added to this was a desire not only to build the most exciting and useable sports bike thats ever left the Hinckley factory, but also to steal the crown for the most beautiful sports bike in the market.

The first three-cylinder middleweight, the Daytona 675 stands apart immediately with its inimitable, spine-tingling sound and feel. Integral to this is the triples inherent advantage of masses of bottom-end torque, linked to a heavy mid-range punch thats topped with a searing burst of peak power.

Alongside the desire for a strong, torquey engine, a key part of the design brief for the brand new 675cc power plant was to make the water-cooled, three-cylinder, 12-valve unit extremely compact and narrow, contributing to the overall slimness of the bike. The stacked six-speed gearbox considerably shortens the engine and is the first from Triumph to feature a truly close ratio set-up for all six speeds, maximising the engines power and torque perfectly. Bore and stroke is 74.0mm x 52.3mm and peak power of 125PS is delivered at 12,500rpm, with 72Nm torque at 11,750rpm.

A great deal of work went into refining the Daytona 675s new engine without removing any of the triples innate character and while it may perform like a racing thoroughbred theres typical Triumph toughness engineered into every part this motors meant to be used, and used hard again and again.

The Daytona 675s Keihin closed-loop fuel-injection system uses a trio of 44mm throttle bodies and three 12-point multi-spray injectors. Air is drawn from a port between the headlights and passes directly through the headstock to the airbox. An electronically controlled flap in the front of the airbox optimises both acoustics and performance at low, mid and high rpm ranges. The free-flowing exhaust features an underseat silencer and also utilises a secondary valve to boost torque low down. The engine meets stringent Euro-3 emission regulations.

Designed around the Daytona 675s engine the spars of the fabricated, open-back, aluminium cast frame wrap over the top of the motor, accentuating further the benefits of the narrow three-cylinder design. Rake is set at 23.5°, trail at 86.8mm trail with a wheelbase of 1392mm. The Kayaba 41mm upside down forks are fully adjustable for spring preload and rebound and compression damping, as is the Kayaba piggyback reservoir rear shock. The aluminium swingarm itself is a two-piece casting and measures 574mm from rear wheel spindle to pivot point, greatly improving suspension and rear wheel control. Dry weight is 165kg (363lbs).

The front brakes use a radial master cylinder as well as twin radial four-piston calipers and the fully floating 308mm front discs are matched by a 220mm rear. The new wheels are a lightweight five-spoke design and wear super-sticky Pirelli Dragon Super Corsa Pro tyres. Front tyre size is 120/70 ZR17 while the rear is 180/55 ZR17.

The Daytona 675s digital instrument console has the usual trip functions as well as displaying average fuel economy. Also featured is a 99-lap memory timer useful for comparing successive laps on a circuit as well as average and maximum speed for each lap. Gear position and programmable gear change shift light indicators are also included. Stylish twin projector beam front headlights (one for dip and one for main beam) give an excellent spread of light and are matched with a lightweight LED (Light Emitting Diode) rear light unit.

Colour options for the Daytona 675 are Scorched Yellow, Tornado Red and Graphite Grey. A full range of accessories will be available for the 675 Daytona, including carbon fibre front mudguard, infills, heel guards and silencer cover. A non-restrictive Triumph exhaust end-can will be available (for circuit use only) and racing specialists Arrow Exhausts are producing a full titanium system that saves over 6kg in weight and adds 5PS, again for circuit use only.

Also, while the Daytona 675 is very much a premium product with top quality components, exceptional attention to detail and high quality finish, its final retail price has been deliberately pegged at an affordable level.

Very few motorcycles can be seen as mould-breaking but the Daytona 675 is definitely one of them.

Colour Options;

Graphite Tornado Red Scorched Yellow

Triumph Accessories;

Full Titanium Race Exhaust System*

Union Flag Custom Paint Cockpit

- developed in partnership with Arrow

Paddock Stand Bobbins

Aftermarket Silencer* (*off road use only)

Aero Screen

Carbon Fibre Front Mudguard

Seat Cowl

Carbon Fibre Rear Hugger

Gel Seat - Rider

Carbon Fibre Cockpit Infill Panels

Gel Seat - Pillion

Carbon Fibre Heel Guards

Tank Bag - 15 litres

Carbon Fibre Silencer Cover

Tank Bag 20 litres (exp to 30)

Carbon Fibre Lower Chain Guard

Throwover Panniers

Carbon Fibre Heat Shield

All Weather Bike Cover

Carbon Fibre Tank Pad

Alarm/Immobiliser

Carbon Fibre Upper Chain Guard

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)
GT on 14.11.05 @ 10:49 AM GMT [link]

Thursday, November 10th

Charity Ride for Milward

Here's news from BMW, who are backing a charity ride to Africa, dedicated to the memory of campaigner Simon Milward;

African charity ride begins

Craig Carey-Clinch and David French will depart the UK tomorrow Thursday 10 November on a motorcycling adventure and memorial charity ride to Africa. Their aim is to raise awareness for healthcare charities in developing countries through Riders for Health and a new programme, Motorcycle Outreach.

Public affairs director of the Motorcycle Industry Association, Craig Carey-Clinch, and founder of the Irish Motorcyclists Action Group, David French will ride through Africa on BMW F650 GS Dakar machines. Their ride is dedicated to the memory of Simon Milward a well-known motorcycle humanitarian who died in West Africa earlier this year.

We are really keen to get on the road now, said Carey-Clinch. We will have a police escort out of London and our only concern now is bad weather at sea. Our trip is well organised and it has been great to have a company like BMW Motorrad on board at an early stage because they have helped us with a lot of the preparation details.

Over the past few weeks we have been busy in our full time jobs and getting the final details arranged. But we have already put over 1,000 miles on each of the bikes by doing practice runs from London to areas of England.

Coincidentally, Charley Boorman, Simon Pavey and Matt Hall will be riding the same model of BMW motorcycle the F650 GS Dakar in the arduous 2006 Dakar Rally starting on 31 December 2005. The competitors will cover over 5,200-miles over 16 days and ride over some of the toughest off-road terrain imaginable.

Craig and Davids 42-day, over 7,000-miles ride will be mostly on tarmac and take the duo across the Sahara Desert to the Riders for Health Headquarters in Gambia, West Africa and back to London again.

When we arrive in Gambia we will be spending time with Riders for Health to learn more about what they are doing there, take photographs and write a story. Our main aim is to promote the awareness of Riders for Health and the Motorcycle Outreach programmes through the media coverage we have obtained.

Riders for Health is a charity organisation that has worked for 15 years on the problem of delivery systems for healthcare in Africa. It works with ministries of health, UN agencies and focuses on using motorcycles to save lives in Africa.

At the time of his death in March 2005, Simon Milward was nearing the end of an around the world ride in support of projects aimed towards using motorcycles for the delivery of primary healthcare services in remote areas of developing countries. In partnership with Riders for Health, he had established a motorcycle based healthcare logistics project in Flores, Indonesia, and Motorcycle Outreach represents the continuation of his work.

To keep up to date on the Milward Memorial Motorcycle Ride, visit www.worldofbmw.com or www.motorcycleoutreach.org

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)
GT on 10.11.05 @ 03:10 PM GMT [link]

Monday, November 7th

Boost Brothers - Triumph Rocket Roadtest

Turbo Connection turns a Triumph Rocket III and a Harley-Davidson V-Rod into true boulevard badasses
Written by Roland Brown , Brian J. Nelson, article taken from motorcyclistonline.com

Triumphs Rocket III mega-cruiser is supposed to be electronically limited to 140 mph, but it sure doesnt seem that way right now. As I glance down at the speedo and watch the needle blow past the 140-mph mark and into the off-the-scale white zone beyond, the open-pipe, turbocharged triple just keeps howling and accelerating as I tuck behind its flyscreen to keep from being blown off the thing.

Moments later I have to slow for traffic, and my chance to feel the Triumph bashing up against its rev limiter in top gearas it was about to dois gone, and gone for good. Daytonas streets are clogged with bikes and police, and I dont need to be reminded that the last time I rode a turbo-bike here it cost me $250 after being speed-trapped at just over 100 mph. And the worlds first Rocket III turbo has the horsepower to be a whole lot more expensive than the Bonneville I was riding then.

The Hinckley-built triple is seriously fast in stock form and has sold quite well since its introduction two years ago. But some were disappointed its massive, 2294cc triple was tuned more for flexibility than balls-out performance. The Rocket makes a respectable 132 rear-wheel horsepower and a whopping 141 pound-feet of torque, but it isnt half as scary as it looks. Some might say it looks a bit tame.

Bolting on a turbo from Turbo Connection changes all that. Running just 8 psi of boost on standard pump gas, this Rocket III routes 202.8 horses to its rear tire along with 215 pound-feet of torque. Turbo Connection boss Brian Olson cant help grinning when he talks about the bike, which was like a Hinckley factory gift to someone specializing in turbocharged Triumphs. Its just a beautiful turbo motor, says the man from Rapid City, South Dakota. As well as its size and three-cylinder smoothness, it has low compression, just 8.7:1, which is what you want [when turbocharging], and a strong bottom end. It even has twin plugs per cylinder, which helps combustion. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be ideal [for a turbo].

Olson should know. Hes a 33-year-old motorcyclist and engineer who began turbocharging cars in the late 1980s, progressed to 200-horsepower turbo snowmobiles and then concentrated on Triumph triples after founding Turbo Connection in 1992. His blown Speed Triples and Sprint STs have been producing a Hayabusa-beating 160 bhp for years, but the Rocket III offers a dramatically different level of performance.

Olson says developing the Rocket kit was relatively straightforward. The turbo is from New York-based iBoost, formerly Aerocharger. The unit differs from many turbos because its a variable-vane unit, meaning boost is controlled not by a wastegate but by adjusting the position of the turbos vanes. For more boost theyre closed up; for less theyre opened slightly to allow more exhaust gas to escape straight into the exhaust.

The compact iBoost turbo unit lives below and behind the Rockets gargantuan inline triple. Even with a relatively conservative 8 psi of boost, it turns the volume all the way up to 203 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque.

Olson fitted the compact turbo beneath the huge engine, where its barely visible at first glance. His kit includes everything needed to get the bike running with about a days work for a typical owner, according to Olson. Besides the unit itself theres a special aluminum airbox, a stainless steel exhaust system and a boost computer to monitor the fuel-injection system.

The Triumphs burly bottom end, lightly stressed in stock form, is more than capable of handling the extra performance, Olson says. His only strengthening mod is to fit stiffer clutch springs, included in the kit. Even so, lever action is surprisingly light as I climb aboard and press the starter button, setting the motor alight with a slightly high idle and a deep and very loud burble from the slash-cut silencer.

If my first impression is of how docile and normal the turbo-Rocket feels as I maneuver it from a parking lot out onto the street, the second is exactly the oppositebecause this bike is just crazy fast.

From a walking pace in first gear, a crack of the throttle has the front wheel leaping into the air in a way no long-wheelbase, 803-pound motorcycle has a right to. This bike is way quicker off the mark than the standard Rocket, itself one of the worlds hardest-launching street-legal motorcycles.

Equally impressive, the engine doesnt suffer from turbo-lag. The iBoosts design, doubtless helped by Olsons plumbing experience, has virtually eliminated lag. Boost is always available to send the bike rocketing forward at the touch of the throttle. That awesome, 200-plus peak horsepower is produced at 5500 rpm, with maximum torque arriving at just 3750. Those numbers come at higher points on the scale than the standard Rockets peak numbers, but the blown bikes curve is far higher along the chart from just off idle all the way to the 6500-rpm rev limit.

And it certainly feels that way. From almost any engine speed, hard acceleration results in a riot of blurred scenery and frantic gear-changing to avoid running out of revs. The roar from the slash-cut pipe makes it feel even faster. The drainpipe-like, 90mm-diameter tailpipe comes standard with the kit, but Olson offers a quieter unit if requested.

This black bikes flyscreen and stepped Corbin seat arent included in the kit, but I was glad of the way they kept me aboard as the Rocket demolished every vehicle it encountered on the straight roads in and around Daytona. Having the aerodynamics of a small building doesnt matter when youve got this much power at the end of the cable.

Olson left the Triumphs chassis standard, which isnt a problem. The Rocket stays plenty stable under ultra-hard acceleration, even while cranked over on the few fast corners I find. Thankfully, the bikes triple-disc brakes arent fazed by all that speed and weight. And the fat rear Metzeler does a pretty good job of putting power to the ground. Rubber and fuel costs would be considerable if this bike was used as its maker intends. But at least the kits $5395 price is reasonable.

My test ride was relatively short, which is probably just as well given this bikes performance and my previous dealings with the Florida Highway Patrol. But the memory of the Turbo Rocket will linger long.

GT on 07.11.05 @ 11:16 AM GMT [link]

Thursday, November 3rd

American Chopper Collectables

RC2 today announced the availability of its popular product line - American Chopper collectible toy bikes - in new miniature sizes.

The new bikes, available in all fine retailers, come in two new scales, 1:18th and 1:10th, and cost £6.99 and £19.99 respectively.

Ray Wootton, Head of Collectables Sales and Marketing for RC2, said, "The American Chopper model bikes are some of the most detailed motorbikes that any model manufacturer has produced for such an affordable price.

RC2 recreated the designs of the original bikes explicitly and worked extensively with both Discovery Channel and the Orange County Choppers to ensure that they were exact replicas."

American Chopper highlights the craft of building some of the most intricate, custom-made motorcycles ever. The show follows the Teutel family through both fun and fiery exchanges as they struggle to meet seemingly impossible deadlines for building incredible customised choppers.

See your local toy shop, or collectables retailer for the full range.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

GT on 03.11.05 @ 04:08 PM GMT [link]

Tuesday, November 1st

Real Classic Show 06.11.05.

Info from the show organisers;

The 15th REAL CLASSIC Malvern Classic Bike and 4X4 Show & Jumble.

Happening at:The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs. (Signposted from J7/J8 of the M5 and J1 of the M50)

Sunday 6th November 2005, 10AM -4PM

Admission:Adults £5.00. Senior Citizens £4.00 Children 7 14 £1, Under 7s FREE. Parking FREE, plus reduced Admission after 2PM

Web: www.classicshows.org. Email: [email protected]

The 14th REAL CLASSIC Malvern Classic Bike and 4X4 Show & Jumble is a gathering of Clubs and Private Enthusiasts as well as Trade stands and autojumble stands, where the public can go and buy parts for their classic vehicles as well as having a chance to see the many fully restored classic vehicles on display.

The Clubs:There will be displays from bike clubs, both local and from other regions, including the Leominster Classic Bike Club, the Dot Owners Club and the British Two Stroke Club. In the 4X4 section, the Ex Military 4X4 Vehicles Club and the Land Rover Series II Club will be in attendance.

(this bulletin taken from insidebikes.com)

GT on 01.11.05 @ 11:20 AM GMT [link]

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