Triumph Trophy 1200 switchgear explained

Click here for our full Triumph Trophy 1200 review.

Ignore the conventional cluster on the very left. You all know what these buttons do. With the exception of the menu scroll-up-and-down rocker switch and the button marked 'i' at the bottom, that is. Both these buttons - the information buttons - allow you to scroll through various options. Scroll up and down through the options and press 'i' to select your preference. A long press resets the trip. It can also adjusts the values in the option menu like the brightness of the dot matrix screen display, the headlight level and electronic suspension settings.  

Give that information icon a quick jab with your thumb and it'll allow you to scroll between trip 1 and 2. A long press opens up the options menu and then a short press selects a menu option.

Still with me? 

Now see all that stuff to the right of the conventional left-hand switchgear? Well Triumph call this the Audio Cluster. Critics might also refer to it as a cluster but in a slightly different phrase and context.

With the exception of the uppy-downy screen button(helmet and windshield icon at the top) and the heated grip button (below it) the rest of the buttonry is for the SE's sound system. It's not super-easy to use it all when it involves you riding along single-handedly. This statment was supported on the launch by the large amount of journos riding round on full-beam after they'd accidentally thwacked the dip/full beam button with their gloved hands whilst twunting around with the hi-fi settings. 

The four-direction rocker switch is fairly self-explanatory if you're used to things like volume buttons and next-track, next-station technology. The two buttons at the bottom are much more complicated than their size or status would tend to suggest.

These two little fellers rule your listening experience. The button on the left is marked 'P' its neighbour on the right is marked 'M'. A long press on the P button brings up the preset menu and allows you to store your favourite radio channels. Or your least favourite if you're messing about with your mate's new Trophy and he's not watching.

A long press on the M Button brings up the audio menu and allows you to adjust bass/medium/treble, select speakers (or headsets) and lets you configure the automatic ambient volume control. A quick press of the M button allows you to turn the system on. Press it again to select between FM/MW/LW radio frequencies or MP3 usage. Incidentally, there's a handy waterproof cubby hole to stash your smartphone or MP3 in and it'll charge it too using the USB port inside.

The complexity of all this was obviously far more than my damaged, microscopic brain could cope with. Just when you think you've started to understand it. It'll let you know that you haven't. At least it's simple to switch off.

I find it hard enough to find an apex, never mind Aphex Twin on my iPod at 90mph. The SE's music system has tinny, bass-scared speakers that are only much use parked up. This fact and the pig-ugly switchgear would be enough for me to plump for the standard bike and to splurge what I saved on iTunes, some uber-trick earphones and several nice meals out.

Now what about the cruise control?

The round button at the bottom (with a little speedo icon on it) arms the cruise control system. Then, once armed,  you set your speed by pressing the SET /- button for at least half a second. You know it's set when the green light in the rev counter illuminates and the set speed is displayed in the digital display panel. It will set itself at the speed you were crusing at - like a car system. Plus and Minus switches adjust the cruise speed.

There are five ways to cancel the system: 1. Force throttle closed 2. Activate either brake pedal 3. Pull in the clutch lever 4. Press the round button again 5. Increase speed using throttle for more than 60 secsonds.

Cruise control is standard on both models of Trophy and it's a real boon on massive, barin-achingly boring motorway journeys once you get used to driving it.

Hurrah! for the right hand switchgear.