TRIUMPHANT!

Since late 1990, the Hinckley Triumph concern has produced some stonking bikes - many are now classics ...

In this issue we've been lucky enough to have two of the second generation Hinckley Triumphs under the spotlight: the Speed Triple from 2000 and the T595 Daytona from 1997.

Now, we're big fans of all modern-classic Triumphs here at CMM and you will be seeing a celebratory issue coming before the end of the year. Why? Well, 1990 was the year - at the Cologne Show - where the 'new' Triumph marque was launched, so it's well deserving of a celebration when the coronavirus (hopefu Ily) is kicked into touch.

The first 'modular' Triumphs made the largest number of machines from the same basic platform with long-stroke motors (300cc per cylinder) and short-stroke machines (250cc per cylinder.) These included the long-stroke Trophy 1200 four-cylinder (square headlight), the Trident 900 triple (naked, round headlight), and the Trophy 900 three cylinder. The short-stroke models were the Daytona 1000 Sport four-cylinder, Trident 750 and Daytona 750 triple.

These first generation bikes were portly, but quick. The 900 Trophy and Trident put out just under 100bhp (the Trident even as a 'naked' was 212 kilos 'dry') and the Daytona 750 around 90bhp, the same as the Trident 750 and the 1000 120bhp. The Trophy 4 1200 (270 kilos 'wet') had around 135bhp; all figures are 'claimed' and at the crank.

An idea of values then was that the Daytona 750 triple cost £6149 back in 1991. These early Daytonas are rare with only around 1000 of both capacities sold, so they're worth a look. Today, prices are really firming up after some time in the doldrums for some of these really early bikes. While some chancers are still touting stripped-down ' cafe racers' bu iit from modular Trumpets from the very early 1990s for £5000+, we'd say 'stay away' and build your own to your own spec from a ratty example (you can still find these bikes with lots of miles on them from a grand minimum, £2000 for a half-decent, useable bike). Instead, if you want a slice of history that is appreciating, then look at as standard a bike as you can find, carrying as few miles as you can.

Examples we saw included a Daytona 750 from 1991, in very good, standard order for £4295 with 10k on the clocks. But do shop around. How does a Daytona 1000 from the same year sound with just 4470 miles and one owner for just £3995? I'd buy that and stash it, in case Triumph themselves ever want to build a historic fleet of their own machines...

Later into the 1990s Triumph began to have some real fun with the model range - hence the coming of the first 'Speed Triple' of 1994. You will now pay a premium for these, so don't be palmed off with a sports bike with the fairing ripped off and bars attached.

This era included some hidden gems, such as the Tiger 885cc 'adventure' bike, we'd call it today. These may have seen high miles (launched in 1993), but are often found at bargain prices. The likes of the Daytona 900 and 1200cc models from the mid-1990s are still out there for a snip. We've seen 1200s (147bhp claimed at the time) with anything between 20-35,000 miles on them for £2-£3000. Rare versions like the Super III 900 come in higher, for obvious reasons ...

The big issue with T300s is the sprag clutch (ask for proof of repair), but other than that for maintenance/restoration invest in the official Triumph manuals, use genuine parts (apart from pads/chain/sprockets), invest in a shim/bucket tool, and don't over-tighten the oil filter cover retaining bolt!

The next generation were the T500 models and, boy, are there still some bargains out there. Head to page 88 for our mate Jim Lindsay's part one on his T595 project. Now, these were real gamechangers for the manufacturer, receiving some amazing press (and some not so amazing) but today, a sorted one is still such a good bike.

Jim more than likely paid no more than £1100 or so for his example (crashed by Niall Mackenzie no less), but even a good one today won't really shift for more than £2500 (see the timeline on Jim's piece for more details). We think this is a shame, as the bike is a cracker in all its guises, hence why we say: ' Buy one NOW!' These will go the same way as earlier Daytonas ...

Finally, the late 1990s/early 2000s Speed Triples. Very lovely, superb fun and they came in some seriously cool colours. Check out page 32 for our feedback on how these ride. Again, like the earlier models (and the Yamaha RD350 F/N models), it seems naked ones are more desirable; so often you will find a T595/daytona masquerading as a Speed Triple. Most are signalled and it's obvious, but there are some clever madded bikes out there. With Mk.1 T300 Speed Triples starting around £3000 and heading oh-so-far north from there, it's nice to see the later (and better) bikes kicking off at around £2000-£3500, which will get you a really good one.