Triumph Motorcycles

With the inclusion of our new motorcycle, the Triumph 800 Tiger, we thought it was a good time to talk about this brand of motorcycles. In Costa Rica, these English motorcycles are not very well known. But this hasn’t stopped Triumph from bringing out models of motorcycles that are so well suited to the roads of Central America.

Triumph has more than 140 years of history. They are not some newcomers to the market trying to carve out a niche. They cater to a niche that is looking for a certain type of off-road motorcycle that combines style and performance.

Let’s take a look at the history of this company and the 800 Tiger!

Triumph Tiger 800 XC on tour

History of the motorcycles Triumph

First years

The year was 1884 and Siegfried Bettmann was living in the town of Coventry, England. His business was importing sewing machines and selling bicycles.

With the investment of money coming from John Dunlop Bettman decided to change the name of the company from Bettmann to New Triumph Co, later marketed only as Triumph. Later Mauritz Schulte, a German engineer convinces Bettmann to manufacture his own products instead of importing. All this happens during the year 1887.

It was until 1902 that Triumph brought out its first motorcycle. They had been able to do so since 1895 but the laws regulating motorized vehicles in England were strict. This made this type of transportation unattractive to the general market.

The Great War and the Great Depression

During the First World War they sold more than 30,000 motorcycles to the Allied Army. This was a good business considering that the company had connections with the then enemy, Germany. In addition, they had a branch office in Germany.

Triumph was not unaffected by the stock market crash in 1929 and was forced to sell the German branch. Then, in 1936, the company was split in two, the automobile and motorcycle parts.

In 1946, the racing driver Ernie Lyons wins the Manx Grand Prix with a Triumph Tiger 100.

Success in the United States

Thanks to Johnson Motors, company based in the United States, Triumph motorcycle distribution is simplified. Triumph begins to sell more motorcycles in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, including the United Kingdom.

The creation of a model for the North American market, the TR6 Trophy, establishes the brand among racing enthusiasts. Sales success continued throughout the 1960s, as Triumph motorcycles set speed records at the Bonneville salt flats near Salt Lake City.

Add to this the victories of Triumph motorcycles on race circuits such as the Thruxton 500 and the Daytona 200.

The 70s and Japanese competition

Due to the incursion of Japanese motorcycles into world markets, it is difficult for BSA, the company that bought Triumph during the 1950s, to stay afloat. The British government comes up with a plan to merge Triumph with Norton Villiers in exchange for state funding.

The plan does not work out well as North Villiers ends up going bankrupt, Triumph remains alive thanks to the workers of the factory in Meriden. They buy the brand and continue to produce the classic models until 1988. It is in that year when the brand is acquired by Triumph Motorcycles Ltd and the manufacturing is taken to the English community of Hinckley.

Modern times

The official reintroduction of Triumph motorcycles in the United States happened in 1994 thanks to the founding of an American subsidiary. Since then Triumph has been launching new and improved versions of its classic models, such as the Daytona, the Boneville, the Tiger and the Rocket.

In 2010 they introduced the new Thunderbird model, a direct challenge to big bike manufacturers such as Harley Davidson, Honda, Victory and Kawasaki.

The Triumph Tiger 800

Introduced in 2010, production of the Tiger 800 continued until 2021 when it was replaced by the Tiger 900. During those 11 years the Tiger won praise from owners and outsiders alike.

These are the specifications of the motorcycle.
Displacement: 800cc
Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 12v, in-line triple
Frame type: Tubular steel trellis
Seat height 810mm
Bike weight: 208kg
Fuel capacity: 19 liters
Front suspension: Showa 43mm forks, rebound and compression adjustable
Rear Suspension: Showa single rear shock, for preload and rebound
Front brake: 2 x 305 mm discs with Brembo four-piston radial caliper
Rear brake: Single 255 mm disc with single-piston caliper
Front tire: 100/90 x 19
Rear tire: 150/70 x 17

Details about the Tiger 800

It is a dual purpose motorcycle, ready for high speed highway riding and at the same time, with the power to handle muddy roads and ballast.
Some sub-models feature an adjustable windshield to reduce wind resistance when riding at high speed.
Described by many as an adventure motorcycle, it allows for extra boxes on the sides and rear to carry luggage of all kinds. It accommodates the extra weight very well, without overdoing it of course.

But as a daily city bike it may be a bit of a liability because it is so maneuverable. The front tire is thinner than the rear and both can be switched between radial and offroad. The seat may be a bit high for people of a slightly shorter than average height.

It is not a motorcycle for making deliveries or maneuvering between cars. It is an offroad motorcycle with track and high speed capabilities. Like any English vehicle, parts can be expensive. However, many parts, especially accessories, can be exchanged for parts from other brands.

The Triumph Tiger 800 has arrived at Puravida Motobike because we want to take you on a unique adventure, with the best bikes to get to know Central America! Check our tours and our fleet!

Disclaimer

A human wrote this article. We aim to help our readers using our experience or trustworthy third parties.

Sources:
https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-triumph-motorcycle.html
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/triumph/tiger-800-xc/2015/
Review of the motorcycle in spanish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngdwJMbfLvY