Triumph aims BMW with Trophy 1215cc Sports Touring Motorcycle

Triumph motorcycle of UK is now ready to create its own space with new Trophy 1200 in German’s BMW Motorrad dominated sports touring motorcycle segment.  Triumph has launched Trophy 1200 to take on BMW R 1200 RT , K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL. Triumph revealed this motorcycle at the Tridays festival held in Austria.

The new Triumph Trophy has been powered by 1215 cc, three cylinder, shaft driven engine which produces maximum power of 132 bhp at 8,000 rpm and maximum torque of 120Nm at 8,900 rpm. The gear ratio are designed in such a way that the sixth gear will last long for better crusing. Trophy 1200 comes in two options, Trophy and Trophy SE. Trophy is standard model while SE is advanced and high tech model of Trophy 1200 which has features like electronically adjustable suspension, ride by wire throttle, traction control system, electronic cruise control, Tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS, sophisticated audio system, heated seats and grips, electronically adjustable wind screen, Triumph Dynamic luggage system,  GPS system and number of features.

It comes with longest service interval of 16,000 kilometers for the best service interval in sports touring motorcycles.  Triumph dynamic luggage system offers space of 31 liters which is enough for carrying stuffs. It also ensures that you have better handling and ride experience as the luggage adjusts itself while driving. According to Triumph, “In fixed luggage systems, large loads cause small movements and vibrations in the chassis – these can actually de-stabilise the bike and cause weaving. The trophy’s system prevents this, keeping the bike stable. This makes the ride much more comfortable for riders and passengers.”

Triumph Trophy Price

Triumph has definitely done lot of homework before rivaling in sports touring segment against BMW Motorrad . The motorcycle is expected to hit showroom by January 2013. Triumph has not announced any pricing detail yet, however it is expected that it will undercut BMW’s base model pricing. Let’s see how it works against already established and well known BMW brand.

-Mahavir Kothari

Triumph Trophy Technical Specification

Engine and Transmission
Type		Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity		1215cc
Bore/Stroke		85 x 71.4mm
Fuel System		Ride by wire, fuel injection
Exhaust		Stainless steel 3 into 1, side mounted stainless steel silencer
Final Drive		Shaft Drive
Clutch		Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox		6 Speed Constant Mesh
Oil Capacity		4.0 litres (1.1 US gals)
Chassis, Running Gear and Displays
Frame		Aluminium beam twin-spar
Swingarm		Single-sided, cast aluminium alloy with shaft drive
Wheel	Front	Cast aluminium 5-spoke 17 x 3.5in
	Rear	Cast aluminium 5-spoke 17 x 6.0in
Tyre	Front	120/70 ZR17
	Rear	190/55 ZR17
Suspension	Front	WP 43mm upside down forks, manually adjustable rebound damping, with 130mm travel. <br />SE – WP 43mm upside down forks, electronically adjustable rebound damping (sport/normal/comfort) with 127mm travel.
	Rear	WP monoshock with remote oil reservoir, manually adjustable hydraulic preload, manually adjustable rebound damping, 120mm rear wheel travel. (SE electronically adjustable hydraulic preload, electronically adjustable rebound damping.WP monoshock with remot
Brakes	Front	Twin 320mm floating discs, Nissin 4-piston calipers, linked brakes (front brakes partially activated by rear), ABS (non-switchable)
	Rear	Single 282mm disc, Nissin 2-piston sliding caliper, ABS (non-switchable)
Instrument Display/Functions		Dual analogue gauges and trip computers, range to empty indication, service indicator, gear position indication, air temperature, frost warning, accessory heated seats/grips status display, cruise control (SE Audio system information, TES/TPMS status).
Dimensions and Capacities
Length		2235mm (87.9in)
Width (handlebars)		975mm (38.4in)
Height without mirrors		1435mm (56.5in) – 1555mm (61.2in)
Seat Height		800mm (31.5in) – 820mm (32.3in)
Wheelbase		1542mm (60.7in)
Rake/Trail		27.0º / 119.0mm
Fuel Tank Capacity		26 litres (6.9 US gals)
Wet Weight (ready to ride)		301kg (662lbs)
Performance (measured at crankshaft to 95/1/EC)
Maximum Power		134PS / 132bhp / 99kW @ 8900rpm
Maximum Torque		120Nm / 89ft.lbs @ 6450rpm

 
Trophy SE Enhanced Audio System

• 2 x 20W speakers with digital signal processing and 3-band (bass, mid-range and treble) equalization
• Automatic volume control (AVC) adjusts volume based on bike speed
• USB port, flash drive, MP3 player support
• iPhone and iPod compatible (selected devices)
• FM/MW/LW radio tuner with 15 pre-sets per band
• RDS functionality, alternative frequencies (AF)traffic alerts (TA) regional tuning (RG)
• Programme type tuning (PTY)
• Auxiliary input allowing sat nav to play through the audio system
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR giving output to up to two compatible head sets
• Incoming phone call support (compatible phone and headset required)
• Low voltage detection shuts down power automatically to preserve battery the new triumph trophy.

Color Options:

• Lunar Silver
• Pacific Blue

Optional Accessories:

• Molded Tank Bag
• Heated Rider and Passenger Seats
• CNC Machines GPS Mounting Kit (designed for Garmin Zumo 660)
• Quantum Coated Touring Screen
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Powered Top Box (55 liter; will swallow two full-face helmets; eatures a 12V charging socket; color matched to bike; fully waterproof; keys to match motorcycle ignition)

via Triumph

Bosch To Open Express Bike Service Centers All Across India

Hi Readers! As you know Bosch is among the world’s finest auto component makers, they are now all set to enter the Indian two wheeler service industry and pioneering it. Recently, as a part of their service footprint expansion in India they have introduced workshop concept for motorcycle industry.

As a part of their strategy they are already planning to open two wheeler service centers throughout the country. As the component maker announces its foray in the two wheeler industry, they have already opened 10 EBS (Express Bike Service) outlets in Coimbatore city following the lines of sole service center in Delhi.

Bosch Vice President S.Murlidharan said that the company plans to open as many as 50 outlets throughout the country by the end of 2012 with 10 outlets in the important cities. Murlidharan was of the view that these service outlets are aimed at filling a huge service network gap in the country.

Murlidharan also said that the no of EBS service centers could go up to 500 in the future since the company has already got 500 car service centers throughout the country. The company will aim to provide good service to multi brand two wheelers and offer various high quality and genuine two wheeler parts and equipments. Further he said that the company itself is a manufacturer of the auto components and thus the quality will remain high as far as meeting the benchmark standards are concerned.

Murlidharan was of the opinion that though the prices of petrol are uncertain these days in India, there will be a massive increase in the two wheeler service space in tire II and III towns including the rural areas and thus the company sees a lot of scope in the industry. Lastly speaking on the future of the initiative; Mr. V.P said that the company is under stages of planning for 24*7 mobile service centers in the future.

Therefore one could say that the company has its vision and mission clear and that is to serve the two wheeler space. We wish Bosch all the very best and hope that they will serve our bikes better.

TVS to Surprise with Array of New Motorcycle and Scooter Launches

The Indian two–wheeler market is the right proof for Darwin’s theory of ’Survival Of The Fittest’. While every single company is eyeing for the top slot, the slow movers are forced to stay away from this competition as the customers tend to support these top contestants to a very greater extent.

It is not only the Honda and Bajaj that are giving a tough fight to other manufacturers in this competition. TVS Motors is also creeping in slowly with its set of newly framed strategies. On one side you find the company getting geared up to tie up with the German giant – BMW Motorrad to come up with whole new basket of technologies and advancement. On the other the company is concentrating on more fuel efficient engines predicting the future of these cleaner technologies.

TVS Motors has also decided to come up with more products in the market, besides upgrading its existing portfolio. TVS Motors has allotted a budget o0f close to 400 crores of INR for this cause. This is seriously a mind boggling figure considering the stiff competitio0n it faces from the Japanese giants.

It is also reported that TVS is currently working on two whole new concepts built right from ground zero that would be the trump cards for the company in the coming future. It is expected that these two models (which we’ve no idea as of now whether they are scoots or bikes) will incorporate the latest technology in terms of coming up with a greener and a cleaner environment.

The highlight of this post is the fact that TVS Motors is forecasting around six new launches in the years to come. This will also include bikes in the quarter litre segment which will make use of BMW’s aid in building engines for TVS bikes. While the Quarter litre segment is literally heating up, this year should just be ideal for the company to step in into this segment. However these bikes are only expected to hit the roads by 2014-15.

Commenting on this, Mr. Vinay Harne, President, NPI, TVS Motor Company said, “Currently we produce only up to 180 cc and below; we will be entering the bigger bikes segment. There is a trend of moving towards bigger bikes; while the numbers are small, the growth is quite high.”

Right now the Apache RTR 180 is the highest displacement bike that the company offers for its Indian customers. This was in fact the first Indian bike to come up with ABS (Anti – Lock Braking System) installed.

The Economic Times has reported: While the company is mum on the exact engine configurations, one engine family will be used across the existing product range; and another will go beyond 200 cc and perhaps even beyond 250 cc. When questioned on a specific engine category of 250 cc, Harne said: “Yeah sure that range and then bigger ones.”

The new breed of engines that is in the conceptual stage is expected to be environment friendly by controlling the Green-House emissions by as much as 20 percent. This reduction in emission will also consistently aid in delivering better fuel efficiency to the bike. It is also believed that TVS has worked closely with international players like AVL and Ricardo to develop these new engines.

In the meanwhile, TVS has also been working on Continuous Auto – Transmission that would enable TVS bikes to be ideal for city commutes.  By September of this year, the trial runs for these bikes should begin. Let’s wait to see what this South Indian giant is up to.

Another interesting piece of info that is worth sharing here at this point of time is that TVS is seriously considering the launch of its hybrid scooter – ‘Qube’ that was the show–stopper in Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year. The company is considering all possible measures to get this model production ready. The pricing of this model is expected to be in the band of 55 to 60 thousand rupees. Though it is priced at a premium, it is expected to be a unique player in the market considering its performance. The only issue being that the company should be able to develop a niche market exclusively in the hybrid scooter segment.

Mr. Harne added, “We have done a lot of things to reduce costs- effective material, reduced weight, adopted a low-cost manufacturing process, and the whole controller is locally developed.”

Let’s not get into things that are really far from us. Guess what the plan is for this year. Two whole new bikes and one scoot is what TVS Motors has got for its loyal set of fans. However, we’re not aware of the displacement and the segment that these models would fit into.

In the Financial year of 2012, TVS Motors’ share in the two–wheeler market had seen a major dip with a numerical figure of 14 per cent. But seeing the way TVS Motors is all set to progress in the next couple of years’ time, it is sure that the company will see great heights in terms of sales and performance.

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