TRIUMPH CELEBRATES 120TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A PARADE LAP AT SILVERSTONE GP

On Sunday 7^th August, just before the Moto2 race at the Monster Energy British GP, Triumph motorcycle celebrated their 120-year anniversary with a parade lap where some of the most significant and historic Triumph models, ridden in front a cheering Silverstone crowd. 

The parade included priceless motorcycles such as the original Steve McQueen ‘Great Escape’ TR6, from the classic wartime movie epic, ridden by Triumph collector Dick Shepherd, the very first Moto2 Triumph Mule bike, ridden by Triumph’s Chief Product Officer, Steve Sargent and current models including the latest generation Speed Triple 1200 RS. Five-time World Enduro Champion Ivan Cervantes joined the parade lap riding a Daytona 675.

Additional legendary motorcycles were also displayed within the British GP paddock. Those included the recently discovered original 1901 first Triumph prototype, the Scrambler 1200 used in the latest 007 movie No Time To Die and the legendary 1920’s Model H “Trusty” Triumph.

Triumph parade and display bikes:

1901 PROTOTYPE
1901
Long rumoured to exist and referenced within advertising and reviews that appeared in 1901, this first Triumph prototype was developed from a standard Triumph bicycle, with a 172cc 0.8 PS engine provided by Belgian manufacturer Minerva, in order to generate interest and gauge the public’s demand for a Triumph motorcycle. With an engine number that is consistent with references in Minerva’s engine records of a 1901 first Triumph engagement, the historic significance of this motorcycle is incredibly clear.

MODEL H (TRUSTY)
1915
The ‘Trusty’ was Triumph’s first big success. At the start of the First World War in 1914, the British government needed effective communication with the front line troops, and replaced messengers on horses with dispatch riders on motorcycles. A number of models were tested for suitability and the Triumph Model H was selected. The Model H was nicknamed the ‘Trusty’ because of its unparalleled capability in the most challenging riding conditions imaginable.

6T THUNDERBIRD
1949
Triumph’s first post-war twin, the 6T Thunderbird was renowned for its reliability and enhanced power. This was proven at its launch when three machines were ridden from Meriden to France, maintaining 90mph over 500 miles on the banked Montlhéry circuit, and over 100mph in several flying laps, before being ridden home. Edward Turner named the bike after the mythical eagle-like creature from Native American folklore which was said to unleash thunder, lightning and rain. A Thunderbird famously featured in the controversial 1953 film The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando.

KEN HEANS – ISDT
TR6 DUPLEX
1961
The 650cc TR6 Duplex was also used in the 1962 International Six Days’ Trial in Garmisch where Ken Heans won a Gold Medal. This bike was actually the bike that should have been used in The Great Escape as it has unique external suspension springs which meant increased suspension travel - just the sort of thing you need for the type of jump later attempted in The Great Escape.

ORIGINAL GREAT ESCAPE
TR6 TROPHY
1961
Ridden by Steve McQueen in the 1963 American World War II film The Great Escape, this Triumph TR6 is one of the most iconic movie motorcycles of all time. Although an international racer and avid motorcycle fan, McQueen didn’t actually perform the famous barbed-wire fence jump scene himself. This was instead the work of his friend and legendary racer Bud Ekins, who was paid just $1,000 for the 65-foot long, 12-foot high jump. The TR6 delivered world-class off-road performance, and a genuine 100mph, as McQueen showed in the chase scenes. Nothing in the 1960s world could match it.

X-75 HURRICANE
1973
Credited with being the world’s first factory custom, the striking X-75 Hurricane was first displayed at Earls Court in 1972. Starting life as a BSA, this machine was specially styled for the American market by Craig Vetter of Illinois. Intended for sidewalk cruising, the new model handled well and had good brakes. However, financial problems soon after caused Triumph to drop the model, and so only a small number were actually built 

TR65T TIGER TRAIL
1982
One of six 650cc models built between 1982 and 1983. The 650cc TR65T Tiger Trail came out in early 1982 and was based around the newly introduced Triumph TR65 Thunderbird engine albeit suitably altered for the trail and with electronic ignition. 

SPEED TRIPLE
1994
Aggressive, agile and purposeful, this bike ignited a segment, defined a category and introduced the term “factory streetfighter”. The ‘94 Speed Triple was THE original hooligan. Unlike anything else on the market, the Speed Triple had the performance and capability of a sportsbike in a naked roadster package, with its distinctive and characterful triple engine. It was well regarded for its sophisticated suspension, delivering agile cornering without compromising high speed stability. 

DAYTONA 675
2004
From its unveiling, the Daytona 675 stood out from its rivals thanks to its astonishing refinement. With its high-set seat and a radical riding position tilted markedly forward, it immediately thrust the rider into a racing set-up.  Light and powerful, the Daytona astonished with its three-cylinder engine. Compared to the four-cylinder units that were the norm in its category, this new engine gave the rider unprecedented riding pleasure, thanks to a higher mid-range torque and, at the same time, a unique thrill. Its furious engine note rumbled all the way from 6,000rpm to 14,000rpm. 

Moto2 PROTOTYPE
2017
This unique prototype motorcycle was developed as the base for Triumph Moto2™ 765cc triple engine developed for the 2019 season. With a dedicated race chassis and ECU, its heavily developed race tuned prototype 765cc engine features a modified cylinder head, titanium valves and stiffer valve springs, low output race alternator, taller first gear ratio, slimmer profile engine covers, and race developed slipper clutch. This prototype was used in testing at the Ciudad del Motor de Aragón ridden by Julian Simon, former 125cc World Champion and Moto2™ runner-up. 

Scrambler 1200 XE Bond Bike (No Time to Die)
2019 – Displayed at MotoGP VIP Village
The original Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE which was used in the production of the 25th James Bond movie: No Time to Die, as seen in the Matera scene. The Scrambler 1200’s engine provides 90 PS @ 7,400rpm and is tuned to deliver ‘high torque’ off-road and on, low down and across the mid-range, with peak torque of 110 Nm at a low 3,950rpm, making it perfect for escaping from the bad guys. 

Rocket 3R 221 Edition
2021
The 221 Edition Rockets feature a distinctive new paint scheme with striking Red Hopper tank and front mudguard beautifully contrasting with the Sapphire Black of elements such as the side panels, rear bodywork and radiator cowls. The paint scheme is further enhanced by the subtle tank-top graphics which showcase all of the Rocket’s exceptional performance numbers, including 2458cc engine, 221 Nm torque, 167 PS power, 85.9mm stroke and 110.2mm bore. 

Speed Triple 1200 RS
2021
All-new in every dimension, the Speed Triple 1200 RS has been purpose-designed from the ground up to deliver an absolute revolution in terms of Speed Triple power, performance, handling and technology, giving the ultimate performance naked sports ride. With an all-new higher capacity 1160cc triple engine developed with insight from our Moto2™ race engine programme, the new Speed Triple 1200 RS delivers 180 PS peak power at 10,750rpm and 125 NM peak torque at 9,000rpm. 

Speed Triple 1200 RR
2022
The new Speed Triple 1200 RR has been designed to reflect the UK automotive world’s proud tradition of combining distinctive British elegance with exhilarating real-world performance. Creating a new dimension for riders who love the iconic nature of the Speed Triple with its unique character and road-focused sports performance, the new RR represents a step up in both beauty and capability, to deliver something more unique, more characterful, and truly authentic. In essence, a modern take on a café racer, and the ultimate sports bike for the road. 

Triumph Triple Trophy Street Triple 765 RS
2022 – Displayed at MotoGP VIP Village
The Triumph Triple Trophy #PoweredByTriumph will reward the highest points-finisher at the end of the 2022 season with this custom-liveried Triumph Street Triple RS, boasting the 765cc triple from which the Moto2™ engine is derived. Running alongside the Moto2™ World Championship, Triumph Triple Trophy points are awarded to rider[s] across three categories: 7 points for ‘best race progression from start to finish’, 6 points for ‘pole position’, and 5 points for ‘fastest race lap’.

– END –

For further information contact:
Lisa Jones, Global PR & Events Manager
lisa.jones@triumph.co.uk 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Triumph Motorcycles

• First established in 1902, Triumph Motorcycles celebrated 120 years of motorcycle manufacture in 2022. For more than three decades, Triumph Motorcycles has been based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and has produced iconic bikes that perfectly blend authentic design, character, charisma and performance.
• With more than 83,389 motorcycles delivered in calendar year 2022, and on track to reach a milestone 800 dealers across the world in 2023, Triumph is the largest British motorcycle manufacturer.
• This focus, innovation and engineering passion has today created a broad range of bikes suited to all motorcycle riders, including the stunning Speed Triple 1200 RR, Tiger Sport 660 and Trident 660, all-new transcontinental Tiger 1200 and epic Tiger 900, world leading Rocket 3 R and GT, the new high-performance Street Triple 765 RS, iconic Scrambler 1200, and the legendary Triumph Bonneville family including the Bonneville Bobber, Thruxton RS, Speed Twin 900 Twin, Scrambler 900, and the iconic Bonneville T120 and T100 and the stunning Chrome Collection modern classics.
• Triumph currently employs around 3,000 personnel worldwide and has subsidiary operations in the UK, North America, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Sweden (Scandinavia), Benelux, Brazil, India, China and Thailand as well as a network of independent distributors. Triumph has manufacturing facilities in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and Thailand plus CKD facilities in Brazil and India.
• The Triumph Bonneville, famously named to celebrate Triumph’s 1956 land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, was the original British superbike and a race-winner straight out of the crate, chosen by famous motorcyclists of the past for its legendary handling, style, and character. Recently updated with even more performance, capability and style, it’s that handling, character and iconic looks, married to modern rider-focused technology that makes the new Bonneville family THE authentic modern classic choice today.
• Triumph has a glorious racing history, competing in and winning races in almost every class and field of motorcycle sporting achievement. From winning the second ever Isle of Man TT in 1908, through to 1960s road and track domination in Europe and America, right up to contemporary racing achievements with the Triumph triple powered 2014 and 2015 Supersports titles and World SuperSport racing, Isle of Man Supersports TT wins in 2014 and 2019, courtesy of Gary Johnson and Peter Hickman, plus an average speed of over 130mph 2023 by Peter Hickman on his Triumph STR765, and a thrilling last-lap victory at the legendary Daytona 200 by Brandon Paasch on the Street Triple 765 in 2022.
• Triumph’s racing legend continues as the exclusive engine supplier to the FIM Moto2™ World Championship since the start of the 2019 season. Triumph Motorcycles provides all of the teams with race-tuned 765cc triples, each of which is based on the class-leading Street Triple RS powerplant. Redefining the class and breaking record after record in the inaugural year, including the first ever +300km/h Moto2™ top speed, the 2020 season got even faster with another 11 all-time lap records and seven different winners from 15 races. Reflecting these great successes, the wonderful feedback and partnerships that Triumph have had with the riders and their teams, and the incredible response from Triumph fans across the world, Triumph and Dorna, in 2021, decided to extend our relationship and sign a new contract for another three years of racing: 2022 – 2024. The 765 Triumph Triple has so far achieved 73 race and outright lap records, enabled 21 different riders to win a Moto2™ race, with 8 different winners in 2022 alone. A 300km/h top speed has been reached at least once in each season, with the bar being moved even higher during practice at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, when both Celestino Vietti and Darryn Binder recorded the highest ever top speed in Moto2™ of 301.6 km/h.  Triumph 765cc triples have raced more than one million kms, proving the engine’s outstanding performance and reliability.
• Triumph’s racing activities are further bolstered by a return to the World Superbike paddock in 2022 with a factory-supported race team, Dynavolt Triumph, in the World Supersport Championship.
• In 2021 Triumph announced their forthcoming entry into the Motocross and Enduro worlds as well as a new factory racing effort, with a commitment to top tier championship racing in both Motocross and Enduro series.
• In 2022 Triumph revealed their partnership with Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, one of the sport’s most experienced and successful team owners, who will field two of Triumph’s all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 MX2 class and will add an entry into the 450cc MXGP class in 2025, and with Team Principal Bobby Hewitt and Team Manager Stephen ‘Scuba’ Westfall to field its all-new Triumph 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship, which is comprised of the Monster Energy Supercross World Championship, and the Pro Motocross Championship, with three season-ending SuperMotocross rounds.  For the 2025 season Triumph will additionally field its new 450cc bike in the SuperMotocross World Championship.
• In July 2022, Iván Cervantes secured victory in the Baja Aragón. Cervantes dominated the 450km race and crossed the finish line 1 hour and 6 minutes ahead of his rivals in the Trail category. In the scratch classification, which included professional riders with light 450cc rally motorcycles, Cervantes achieved an even more remarkable 11th position, clearly demonstrating the Tiger’s ability to compete at an elite level of competition.
• In 2023 Triumph officially claimed the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for ‘The greatest distance on a motorcycle in 24 hours (individual)’.  Riding a factory-specification Tiger 1200 GT Explorer on the High-Speed Ring at the Nardò Technical Center in Italy, 5x Enduro World Champion and Triumph Global Ambassador Iván Cervantes travelled more than 4012km in a 24-hour period, beating the previous record of 3406km by a huge margin of more than 600km.
• In 2023, Triumph launched the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X: two all-new models. Designed from the ground-up with a brand-new single engine platform at their heart, these new models have been designed to deliver a fun, agile and confidence-inspiring ride for riders of all ages and experience levels. Conceived and designed in Hinckley, UK, these accessible new models represent incredible value for money and bring Triumph’s iconic style, quality and performance to a whole new generation of Triumph riders.