The Bentley of Motorcycles (Triumph Trophy 1200)

Member Name: mortarake

Product:	Triumph Trophy 1200
Date:	04/12/08 (707 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good value. Very powerful.

Disadvantages: Thirsty 1200. Tall and heavy

Hi, I've had three of these big bikes. Two I still have. Plus I had a 900 before any of the 1200's. I have a blue 2002 model I bought from new which now has 80k on the clock. I also bought a grey 2003 model with 9k on the clock as I knew Triumph had discontinued the model and I wanted to ensure that the bikes outlasted me. That one is in storage and used for the annual holiday only.

The bike is tall so you really need to be approaching 6 feet to get on it. It's heavy to get onto the stand but I've had worse (T160). Twice I've lost it in the garage after a beer or two while getting it onto the centre stand - the freezer came to my rescue but now bears the scars of catching the falling bike for me. If you fall off it on the road forget trying to lift it alone.

The standard screen rushes the airflow right past your ears so earplugs are an absolute must above 50. The turbulence on your helmet can be extreme so wear a helmet a little on the big side and let it move around on your head. This cuts the helmet vibes a lot. Sidewinds? No problem.

Vibration through the pegs and bars is low. I sometimes get slightly tingly fingers after 100+ miles. Severe and painful bum tingles after hours of driving (standard seat).

The ride improves the faster you go, getting really smooth around the 80 mark. At 120 the airflow starts to lift your helmet off your head and faster still you start to lift out of the seat too.

The engine is very smooth at any speed.

The ride with a passenger and luggage on board is less comfortable. I suppose it is because the airflow over bike and bikers is disrupted. 60 can get very uncomfortable if the wind is in the wrong direction. Remove the top box, panniers and passenger and it gets much cleaner. With new tyres it's an absolute joy to drive and throw around. But it's tall, heavy, and no sports bike.

35-45 mpg. (45-55 on the 900). Oil change service every 6000. Oil consumption nil. Mobil synthetic oil is expensive. Tyres last to 12,000 miles
I suffer from a bad back, but never on the Trophy. In find the riding position very comfortable and I've done journeys up to 15 hours on it.

The bike has six gears and for most purposes you only use the sixth gear. It pulls smoothly all the way through the speed range with no noticeable flat spot or vib patch (which the 3 cylinder 900 suffers from).The dealer said it was really an automatic on two wheels and I have to agree with him. The torque is tremendous and the acceleration for overtaking is quite something. All that from a measly 110hp. I'd love to have tried the early 150hp Trophy!

Because it's heavy and so fast it's easy to drive straight up the rear of the vehicle in front. The brakes are adequate but not for the out and out risk taker. They need good servicing. There is no ABS and its chain drive. That means you get a lot of bike for your money. I've got an aftermarket chain full cover on mine which keeps it nice and clean and makes it last a long time.

It will quite happily keep up with any car under 5 litres though to be honest nowadays I just pop in behind and wait until the next traffic jam. it won't keep up with sports bikes away from the lights, but they soon tire!
It will also go through quite deep water. I once rescued a car driver from a swollen river.

I do my own servicing where I can to keep the cost down and to make sure it gets done correctly and without damage to the bike. An oil change is easy as is a brake pad change. The top front fairing comes off to allow access to the front light. Tank has to come off to gain access to the spark plugs and top-end. I'm about to change my first air filter which means the carbs have to come off, I'm told. I bought a valve shim replacement tool from America.

Problems in ten years of Trophy driving? Rear tyre punctures. Stone chipped headlight. My first 1200 was never quite right so I got rid of it after 30k miles and bought another. Only then did the dealer who had serviced it all along find the fault in the first bike! My first Trophy, a 900, broke down after 5 miles because the dealer had snagged the petrol pipes while putting the tank on the new bike. Electrical problems? One oil pressure switch failure and one headlamp bulb. Engine problems? None. Brakes? Worn out due to high mileage and salty roads. Bodywork: Some fairing rattles due to loose fasteners - easily rectified. Panniers rattle due to wear. One failed speedo cable.

The best British Bike that will ever be made. Certainly the best value bike ever made. To be loved or hated.

Summary: To be loved or hated.

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