Triumph Speed Triple R

It was probably inevitable that at some point Triumph would introduce a higher spec ‘R’ version of its 1,050 cc Speed Triple.



Now, just over a year since the basic version of the streetfighter was revamped, it’s here.

The 133 bhp (99 kW / 135PS) three-cylinder engine may be unchanged, but the Speed Triple R gets upgraded Öhlins suspension, lightweight PVM five-spoke forged aluminium wheels and better Brembo brakes, which feature four-piston radial monoblock calipers.



Distinguishing the ‘R’ are gold-coloured front forks, a red subframe and a choice of Phantom Black or Crystal White paintwork.

The 2012 Triumph Speed Triple R will officially be unveiled at next month’s EICMA show in Milan. Prices and on-sale dates are to be confirmed.



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Triumph Tiger Explorer

Triumph has confirmed that the all-new Tiger Explorer will be making its public debut at next month’s EICMA bike show in Milan.

Undoubtedly it looks set to be one of 2012’s most important launches, as the Explorer will be competing directly against the benchmark model in the increasingly popular adventure-tourer sector: the BMW R 1200 GS.



Wisely, Triumph has decided to give its new arrival shaft drive, a critical factor if it is to steal sales away from either the BMW or other rivals such as the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré. Another aspect that’s similar to the GS is the styling, with certain elements - particularly around the back half of the bike - looking very familiar.

Not much is being said about the engine, although it will be a three-cylinder unit with ‘in excess of’ 1,200 cc which is claimed to offer class-leading performance. In a first for Triumph, control will be via a ride-by-wire throttle system.



A high specification is promised, and switchable anti-lock brakes, traction control and cruise control are all going to be included as standard. As expected, buyers will also be able to add a host of accessories to their Explorer, such as high or low seats and various bits of luggage.

There’s no word yet on price, but cost competitiveness is likely to be another key issue in deciding how successful the new Triumph becomes.



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Steve McQueen Bonneville

Triumph has announced the Steve McQueen Edition, a Bonneville T100-based special that’ll be limited to just 1,100 examples worldwide.



Its design mimics that of the Triumph Trophy TR6 that McQueen’s character, Captain Virgil Hilts, rode in the 1963 film The Great Escape - and the result looks rather good.

Bespoke parts include a single seat unit, skid plate, small headlight and luggage rack. The colour scheme meanwhile combines Matt Khaki Green paintwork with a black finish for most of the bike’s components.



As a finishing touch, a plaque showing the build number is attached to the handlebar clamp, and there are facsimiles of McQueen’s signature on the side covers. Owners will also receive a certificate of authenticity.



Pricing has yet to be confirmed.



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2012 Triumph Tiger 1050

Triumph has tweaked its Tiger 1050 and 1050 SE ABS models for 2012.

The major difference is the suspension, which has been recalibrated in an effort to improve riding characteristics and reduce braking dive. Changes made include different internals, revised dampers and a stiffer rear spring.



There’s also a sportier riding position, thanks to handlebars - now made from aluminium instead of steel - that sit 20 mm lower than before.



Visually, lots of components including the brake calipers, sprocket carrier, wheels and handlebars have a new black finish. The exhaust silencers and heel guards meanwhile are now made from brushed aluminium, rather than being polished, and completing the new look are updated fairing graphics.



The standard Tiger 1050 is only available in Phantom Black, and its UK price has been set at £9,099 on the road.



Although the Tiger 1050 SE ABS is more expensive at £9,999, its additional specification comprises colour-coded panniers, hand guards and a centre stand, as well as anti-lock brakes. Buyers also get more paintwork choice, with Crystal White, Diablo Red or Matt Black/Matt Graphite two-tone on offer.



By comparison, the arch-rival BMW R 1200 GS costs £10,550 on the road, with ABS a £990 optional extra. For some, though, the further outlay required for the BMW will be worth it just for the benefits of shaft drive.



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2012 Triumph Daytona 675

2012 Triumph Daytona 675

Triumph has revealed the 2012 Daytona 675. Alterations are strictly cosmetic, the most obvious being the new graphics and black fairing lowers that were previously only seen on the 675R.

Other tweaks include a dark finish for the brake discs and footrest hangers, while the generator and clutch covers are now embossed with the Triumph logo. With the deletion of Caspian Blue from the spec sheet, colour choice has become restricted to Phantom Black or Diablo Red.



Although a more comprehensive update is expected for 2013, for now there are no technical changes. That means the three-cylinder 675 cc engine still produces 124 bhp (92 kW / 125 PS) and a peak torque figure of 72 Nm (53 lb/ft).

The good news is that there’s no price increase for the UK, so the 2012 Triumph Daytona 675 will cost £8,499 on the road. Sales begin this month.



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2012 Triumph Street Triple

2012 Triumph Street Triple

Updated versions of the Triumph Street Triple and Street Triple R are on their way.

Changes to the middleweight streetfighter are purely cosmetic, with the most obvious being the new headlights. Aping those already seen on the larger Speed Triple, the move away from circular units is bound to divide opinion.



To go with the new lighting are new handlebar clamps and revised instruments, while various components are now finished in brushed steel to add to a de-chromed look. Both versions will feature aluminium handlebars, which previously were only standard on the R spec bike.

Mechanically things remain unaltered, which means the same 675 cc three-cylinder engine as before producing 105 bhp (78 kW / 106PS) and 68 Nm (50 lb/ft) of torque.



The standard model will be available in white, black or - for the more daring - purple, with a price tag in the UK of £6,649.



Alternatively, the higher specification R is going to cost £7,349, and buyers will get a choice of white, black or red paintwork.



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2011 Kawasaki W800 price

Following a debut at 2010’s Cologne Intermot motorcycle show, Kawasaki has now confirmed pricing for its new W800.

In the UK it’s £6,649 which includes VAT at the new rate of 20%, but excludes on the road charges.



By comparison Triumph’s Bonneville - the obvious main rival - costs £6,149 in standard trim. The higher spec Bonneville SE is slightly more at £6,549, while the very retro Bonneville T100 model with its wire wheels, peashooter exhaust, fork gaiters and lots of chrome is £6,949.



However, an important difference to note is that those Triumph prices are all ‘on the road’.

Elsewhere, Australian buyers will have to pay $11,999 (plus on the road charges) for a Kawasaki W800, while in Germany the suggested list price is €8,190 plus freight and other costs.



Admirers of the W800 in the United States and Canada are going to be disappointed, though, as it seems that for now Kawasaki won’t be importing the bike into those markets.



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Kawasaki W800 revealed

19 January 2011 Update:

For confirmed Kawasaki W800 pricing, please click here.

Kawasaki has unveiled its retro W800 at the Cologne Intermot motorcycle show.

There are a few differences between this production-ready version and first image of the W800, which was released last month. The most obvious is that the limey-green paint has been ditched, replaced by a much more attractive dark green and silver metallic colour scheme.



Other changes include the seat unit, which looks a bit plusher but loses its contrast piping around the edge. There are now knee pads on each side of the fuel tank, too, that sit just behind very large chrome ‘W’ emblems.

No surprises in the engine department - it’s an air-cooled twin with a capacity of 773 cc, driving through a five-speed gearbox. Unfortunately Kawasaki hasn’t released any power or torque figures yet, but given that its W650 predecessor managed to get 49 bhp (37 kW / 50 PS) from its 675 cc, somewhere approaching 60 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS) shouldn’t be an unreasonable estimate for the W800.



Front suspension is taken care of by a 39 mm telescopic fork unit, which comes complete with rubber gaiters. Meanwhile, at the rear, there are twin shocks and five preload settings for the springs. The frame is a double-cradle item, made from high tensile steel.

Although the W800 gets a single 300 mm disc brake with twin-piston caliper at the front, the arrangement for the back wheel remains very old fashioned - it only has a 160 mm drum.



Ready to ride with all fluids and a full fuel tank, the W800 tips the scales at 216 kg, which is not bad considering that Kawasaki has tried to manufacture as many of the components as possible out of metal, rather than plastic. Seat height is 790 mm (31.1 inches).

Probably the one thing that most potential customers want to know about is the price but, in the UK at least, Kawasaki is keeping quiet about that for now. Seeing as the main rival for the W800, the Triumph Bonneville, costs £5,899 (or £6,699 in even more retro T100 guise), that surely has to be the kind of price that Kawasaki is aiming to sell the W800 for?

2011 Triumph Speed Triple

Triumph has unveiled an updated version of its Speed Triple at the Intermot Cologne motorcycle show.

The most obvious visual change is that the trademark twin circular headlights have been ditched in favour of more angular items. They make the bike look like it used to have a full sports fairing, which could be the effect Triumph is aiming for. It is a streetfighter after all, but the new arrangement might prove to be controversial among Speed Triple fans.

That’s not the only difference, though. The frame, swingarm and wheels are all new too, and are reckoned to make the bike around 3 kg lighter than the previous model, which weighed 217 kg ready to ride.



The engine is a development of the familiar 1050 cc triple-cylinder unit, and power output has been increased slightly over the 128bhp (96 kW / 130PS) that the 2010 version produced. More importantly, perhaps, maximum torque has also risen, up from 103 Nm to 111 Nm.



Pricing has yet to be confirmed.