Triumph 2021 MY Range: What's new, what's updated, what's coming soon
It's been a big year for Triumph but 2021 could be even bigger for the British marque as it explores new segments and returns to motorsport as a factory...
As (a crummy) 2020 draws a conclusion and optimism turns to what will hopefully be a more fruitful 2021, we also await with interest the new wave of motorcycle machinery waiting in the wings as the bells ring in a new year.
We’ve already covered what to expect from Yamaha in 2021, so now it is the turn of Triumph, which will at the very least bring one of 2021’s most important new models in the Trident…
12 Motorcycles we can't WAIT to ride in 2021...
NAKED / ROADSTER
It’s not the biggest, nor the most powerful, nor the most extravagant Triumph ever made - in fact, it’s far from any of these three things - but in terms of significance, the mid-capacity TRIDENT 660 could be the British marque’s most important launch for some time.
Having sharpened its focus on more premium markets in recent years, Triumph is striking for a middleweight segment surprisingly lacking in model options given the number of sales those machines otherwise generate.
Now the most affordable way into Triumph roadster ownership at just over £7,000k, with the Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki Z650 in its direct line of fire, the three-cylinder Trident brings a premium feel and sporting edge to shake a rather staid segment up.
2021 TRIUMPH TRIDENT - THE BIG REVIEW
Overshadowed by the new young gun on the scene, both the STREET TWIN and SPEED TRIPLE remain fresh-faced following a recent facelift, while the former has never been more appealing than in its flagship Moto2-mirroring 765cc RS guise.
It is this model that will also form the basis of the firm’s surprise return to British Supersport in 2021 with a model based on the STREET TRIPLE RS, rather than the DAYTONA which has now sold out in its brief limited edition Moto2 765 run.
ADVENTURE
With the TRIUMPH TIGER 900 bouncing the venerable rugged Triumph right back towards the top of the ADV tree, the firm has now launched the TIGER 850 SPORT, a leaner, more agile road-focused version that trims the power and the kit levels, but also weight and the price, which is almost £2,000 cheaper than the base 900.
2021 TRIUMPH TIGER 850 SPORT - Everything you need to know...
Meanwhile, the TIGER 1200 soldiers on at the top of the Adventure range but is surely in for an overhaul to bring it into line with its more sprightly compatriots.
MODERN CLASSICS
Though there is nothing ‘new’ on the horizon in 2021 for Triumph’s trusty retro range, with such a classic look there isn’t much to be done to adjust what is clearly a winning formula.
The newest models in the range remain the special edition BUD EKINS BONNEVILLE T120 and T100, plus the updated THRUXTON RS, which form the basis of a plethora of different modern classic models - 11 in total - covering Scrambler, Bobbers, Cafe Racer and more.
ROCKET 3
A machine so unmistakable that we’ve given it its own eponymous category here, the Rocket 3 remains unchanged into 2021 but that’s certainly no bad thing. Big size, big power, even bigger torque… the 2020 ROCKET 3 is the ultimate statement motorcycle and will continue to remain so for a long time yet without even a tinker.
THE FUTURE?
So what’s in store for Triumph as a company in 2021 and beyond? Well, first and foremost, it is hard to believe Triumph would go to the expense of developing a new 660cc platform (even if it is loosely based on the old A2 compliant Speed Triple) without spinning off one or two models from the Trident.
Despite some rather telling leaked documents appearing to prove this, Triumph is remaining very silent on the topic for the time being so we’ll give them benefit of the doubt. Until January 1st, anyway..
In the meantime, the firm’s return to British Supersport with a machine that will be Street Triple RS under the skin but dressed as a Daytona will no doubt turn heads. The British firm is the litmus test for the FIM’s plan to change the global Supersport regulations by increasing the engine size allowance for prospective competitors.
If equalisation is a success - ie. Triumph isn’t woefully slow or utterly dominates - and the new rules are passed, Triumph plans to return to the international stage in 2022 as a result… but if the Daytona is out of production, which model could it use?
Also, should the James Bond ‘No Time To Die’ ever make it to the screen after persistent COVID-19 delays, Triumph’s limited edition Scrambler should appear, while we expect to find out more about the firm’s new collaboration with Bajaj to develop lower displacement, affordable models for both Europe and Asia.
