Triumph announced a number of new paint schemes for several of its models. While the new options are for the most part merely cosmetic, the lone exception is the new sulfur yellow 2012 Triumph Daytona 675.

We’re not quite sure it’s good marketing for a color scheme that reminds you of the smell of rotten eggs, but the sulfur yellow Daytona 675 also sports a number of upgrades. In addition to the new paint and matching pin-striped wheels, the sulfur yellow D675 gets new carbon fiber exhaust heat shield, cockpit infills and front fender like those on the Daytona 675R. The sulfur yellow model gets a quickshifter and billet levers.

The best news is the price, at least in the U.K. While the base 2012 Triumph Daytona 675 is priced at 8,599 British pounds (US$13,750), the sulfur yellow version with these upgrades is priced at 8,875 British pounds (US$14,200). A slight increase, but still less than buying those components separately. U.S. pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the MSRP is expected to remain close, if not level, at $10,999. Continue Reading »

Motorcycle tour operator EagleRider is launching a new program for non-riders. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, EagleRider offers motorcycle rentals and guided motorcycle tours. Until now however, you had to have a motorcycle license or ride as a passenger with another traveler who does.

The new Pillion Ride & Day Tours programs puts people on the passenger seat behind Motorcycle Safety Foundation certified tour guides who will show them the sights. As of now, the Pillion Ride & Day Tours are only offered from EagleRider’s Florida locations but the company plans to offer the program to other locations in the future. Continue Reading »

Harley-Davidson dealerships topped the rankings for the 2012 edition of the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, an industry benchmarking study examining how well dealerships treat customers, and turning shoppers into buyers.

The Pied Piper PSI rated different manufacturers’ dealerships in a number of categories to produce an overall score. The study was conducted between July 2011 and April 2012 with 1,653 anonymous “mystery shoppers” gathering information at different dealerships across the U.S.

The study gave Harley-Davidson dealers a score of 108, a four-point improvement from 2011 and five points above the industry average. According to researchers, Harley-Davidson dealers scored the highest of all brands in 16 different categories, including offering test rides, obtaining contact information and asking customers if for the sale. Continue Reading »

California-based aerospace company XCOR is using a Triumph Street Triple to test rocket components for a suborbital spacecraft.

Of course, what immediately comes to mind is a giant rocket strapped on to the Triumph, but the truth is much less dramatic, yet still fascinating. XCOR is using the Street Triple for endurance testing of bearings components for the rocket propellant piston pump of the Lynx suborbital spacecraft.

Normally, XCOR would use a pump test stand to test components like the bearings, which costs around $500 per minute to operate. The Triumph Street Triple and its Inline-Three engine produces similar enough characteristics to the Lynx’s liquid oxygen and kerosene fuel pumps, making it an effective, and much more affordable, option. Continue Reading »

Triumph Motorcycles has signed a sponsorship agreement with Jason DiSalvo‘s riding school.

The 2011 Daytona 200 winner rides a Triumph Daytona 675R for the Latus Motors AMA Daytona Sportbike team so it’s no surprise the British manufacturer is sponsoring the Jason DiSalvo Speed Academy. DiSalvo also raced for Triumph-backed BE1 World Supersport team, and though he left the team on rather murky terms, DiSalvo and Triumph enjoy a strong working relationship.

“As much as I enjoy racing, I love to help others improve their riding abilities,” says DiSalvo. “We created the Speed Academy to help riders raise their game at the track, and with Triumph’s re-emergence into racing this partnership was a natural fit for both of us.” Continue Reading »

With its on/off-road tires, spoke wheels, high rise dual exhaust, protective fork gators and flat one-piece seat and handlebar, Triumph’s Scrambler evokes notions of a McQueen-esque go anywhere, do anything machine in a modern motorcycle.

It’s probably safe to assume few Scrambler owners today put their retrofied rides to the test, seeing just how much abuse the 865cc parallel-Twin-powered Scrambler can take. However, in this Triumph North America video, freestyle rider Ernie Vigil (the video’s editor and co-creator) does what most Scrambler owners wish they were capable of with their new/old Trumpet.

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As with most contests of speed, it’s only a matter of time before a record falls. In 2011 Rev. Ray Biddiss’ set a Guinness World Record aboard his Triumph Rocket with hearse sidecar for the fastest motorcycle hearse, with a record speed of 114mph. But it seems the good Rev.’s record run is already under threat.

Pastor Paul Sinclair, aka Faster Pastor, founder of Motorcycle Funerals Ltd. of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, U.K., posted a video on his website, www.fasterpastor.com, as well as on YouTube, in which a motorcycle with attached hearse sidecar blasts down what appears an airfield runway. While the 31-second video doesn’t provide a clear view of the bike/hearse rig, Sinclair’s weapon of choice is a Suzuki Hayabusa.

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Latus Motors is honoring the late Gary Nixon with a special livery for its Triumph 675R entry in the 2012 Daytona 200.

Nixon passed away last year after a heart attack but his memory will live on at Daytona. Defending Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo will try to repeat on the Triumph Daytona 675R wearing leathers inspired by Nixon’s gear as well as the racing legend’s #9. The team will revert to its usual livery and DiSalvo to his usual #40 for the rest of the 2012 AMA Daytona Sportbike season.

Members of Nixon’s family will be in attendance to see the tribute to the AMA Hall of Famer. Nixon’s original Triumph race bike will also be on display at the Latus team’s garage while crew members will dress in uniforms inspired by the period in the ’70s when Nixon rode that bike.

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Former Ducati North America Chief Executive Officer Michael Lock has landed a job at another exotic Italian vehicle manufacturer: Lamborghini.

During his seven-year tenure with Ducati North America, Lock reorganized the company’s marketing, distribution and service operations, helping Ducati increase its share of the North American market to record highs. Lock is also believed to have been a driving force behind the development of the Ducati Diavel.

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Triumph will celebrate the 110th anniversary of the brand with a special edition version of the Bonneville T100.

The current Hinckley-based Triumph Motorcycle company has only been around since 1984 but the original Triumph Engineering Co. first began producing motorcycles in 1902.

For a company that proudly trumpets the brand’s heritage, an anniversary edition of the classically-styled Triumph Bonneville should come as no surprise.

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