A recall initially announced in Canada for turn signal stems on certain 2012-2013 Triumph motorcycles has now been announced for the U.S., affecting 3,799 units. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects the Triumph Tiger 800, Tiger 800XC, Tiger 1050, Speed Triple, Street Triple and Daytona 675,  as well as their various R versions.

As described in the Transport Canada recall, the supports for the front and rear turn signals may be prone to fracturing. In the case of a brake, the turn signals will remain attached to the motorcycle, but instead of staying in position, they would dangle by their electrical wiring. This not only puts a strain on the wires, it may also prevent other motorists from seeing the turn signals, creating a safety risk.

Triumph attributes the problem to a manufacturing error. According to documents released by NHTSA, Italian lighting supplier ECIE used an incorrect raw material that contains an excessive amount of ethanol. The material is prone to fracture after short periods of time.

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Latus Motors Racing announced it will compete in the 2013 Daytona 200 with Jason DiSalvo, Elena Myers and Kenny Riedmann on the Triumph Daytona 675R.

DiSalvo should be considered one of the favorites for the Daytona 200. DiSalvo won the 2011 edition of the race on a Ducati 848 for Latus, and nearly did it again in 2012, finishing second on a Triumph Daytona 675R sporting a special livery in tribute to Gary Nixon. Amazingly, DiSalvo was just 0.048 seconds behind the winner Joey Pascarella despite having to make an early pit stop to replace his rear tire.

“I’m really happy to be back on the Latus Motors Racing team and can’t wait to get back to Daytona’s high banks,” said DiSalvo. “I’m especially excited about the opportunity to have Kenny and Elena as teammates. The past few seasons with Latus and Triumph have been awesome, and I’m so happy to continue this great relationship. We’re going to have some great racing.” Continue Reading »

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has released an updated list of motorcycles homologated for the 2013 Superbike, Supersport, and Superstock racing season. Notable additions include the new BMW S1000RR HP4, the MV Agusta F3 and the Superbike-spec Ducati 1199 Panigale R.

To qualify a production-based racebike for FIM homologations, manufacturers have to meet certain production thresholds. Manufacturers must first produce 125 units ahead of a homologation inspection. After that, manufacturers have to produce a minimum of 500 units by June 30 and 1000 units by December 31 of the current year, and a minimum of 2000 units by the December 31 of the following year.

Production counts include both ABS and non-ABS versions of the same model, and at least 250 units of each version have to be produced. Production models must also be available for sale in either the U.S., Europe or Japan by the end of April of the current year to qualify. Continue Reading »

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 »

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 »

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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It’s moments like these that remind me how awesome my job is. These past two days I’ve had the pleasure of riding Triumph’s new Speed Triple and Daytona 675R through some of Southern California’s greatest roads and the region’s newest racetrack, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. Get a taste for my first ride impressions after the jump.

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