Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

NEW BIKES I~~ (Lett) The 1996 Trophy 90011200 enterthe~ model year with revisions aimed at touring comfort. (Below) The Thundelt)lrd-baeecl AdVenturer retains the same mechanlcals, but Is styled specifically for America. (Bottom) Like the rest of the sport range, the Ilmltededition Super III gets~ suspension pieces. By Mark Hoyer riumph has had a good measure of success since re-entering the motorcycle market in 1991, and each year has brought a cautious expansion of its line. In the reborn company's first year six models were offered; five years later that number is now 12. And as in years past, rather than a sweeping revolution in the product line, Triumph steps up for 1996 with a thoughtful evolution of their existing lineup. Triumph has thrown down the touring gauntlet with the introduction of the redesigned Trophy 900 and 1200 for 1996. And while this is certainly the highlight of the new Triumph models, you cannot dismiss the introduction of the Adventurer, a Trophy-based cruiser aimed squarely at the American market, featuring a host of styling cues distinctly from - and for - this side of the pond. The remainder of the lineup (sporties, fear not) gets more detail-oriented changes - an extra gear here, an extra adjustment there... A little less sport and a lot more tour, the Trophy shows up with a number of modifications to make it more suitable for the long haul. Topping the list is the addition of 32-liter (full-face-helmet-eating, they tell us) detachable hard cases, which are painted to match the available Briti h racing green, merlot red or Pacific blue colors. The large bags are well-integrated into the more organic, ovoid styling theme of the new machine, the highlight of which is the completely redesigned fairing. If nothing else the new twinheadlight bodywork offers quite a distinctive look for the Trophy, but it is also said to provide greater protection for the rider as well as being more aerodynamically clean than the one it replaces. A taller windscreen is available as an option. Last year's Trophy didn't have what we would call an aggressive seating position, but this year the ergonomics are further relaxed, with all the rider / bike points of contact being altered in some way - the seat is T chrome trim and a swoopy hot-rodlike, kickedup rear fender. Paint is called by Triumph "treacle thick" and while we're not sure as to why they would liken it to molasses, the violet and "heritage" gold (each part of a two-tone scheme allied with ivory) are nonetheless suitable for this type of bike. Power comes from the same 70horsepower triple found in the Thunderbird, but with twin, chrome megaphone exhausts and chrome-plated engine covers. A single seat comes stan- . dard, but

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