New Modern Classics, ADVS, Roadsters and Factory Customs from Triumph Motorcycles India

We caught up with Shoeb Farooq, Business Head, Triumph Motorcycles India, to know what's in store for the Indian market. Be it the modern classic range, roadsters and adventure motorcycles, Triumph India has plans of launching new products catering to all these segments. While the ongoing pandemic did delay the launch of the new Street Triple RS in India, the launch plan for the rest of the range is on course, confirmed Shoeb. Interestingly, the premium British motorcycle brand is also planning to bring factory customs to India along with gearing up to lock horns with one of the oldest motorcycle brands, Royal Enfield.

Shoeb Farooq, Business-Head, Triumph-Motorcycles India

Modern Classics

Adding to the modern classic portfolio, Triumph Motorcycles will be introducing the Bonneville T120 and T100 Black editions in India on June 12, featuring blacked-out wheel rims, grab rails, engine covers, mirrors, headlamp bezel, indicators and exhaust.

Triumph T100 and T120 Black Editions

Unlike the motorcycles sold in the international markets that are listed with Euro 4 powertrains, the Black editions will be offered with the BSVI powertrains that are being offered on the current T120 and T100 range. The state of tune remains unchanged for the T120, with a slight drop in that of the T100. The standard versions of these motorcycles retail at Rs 8.87 lakh and Rs 9.97 lakh, ex-showroom India.

Both these motorcycles, along with the Bonneville Speedmaster and the Street Twin, are available with BSVI powertrains; launched earlier this year. Importantly, Triumph has deferred the price hike to July 2020 along with offering an extension on expiring warranties and service lapses during lockdown.

Triumph Thruxton RS

However, there is a downer for the ones eyeing the gorgeous Thruxton RS, that was unveiled last year, packed with a more powerful engine and tech. It is not coming to India, confirmed Shoeb. Considering that the Thruxton R, one of the popular offerings, wasn't a commercial success in the country, Triumph India has decided against launching the RS in the country.

Adventure plans

The most anticipated Triumph, the Tiger 900, will be launched in India with three variants - Rally Pro, Rally and GT. This also means that the GT Pro variant with electronically adjustable rear suspension will be given a miss and therefore the GT will be the entry-level model for the Tiger 900 in India and will allow the brand to have an attractive entry point and a competitive price tag. Shoeb mentioned that the hike in the prices could be in the same ballpark as the international models, which have gone up by four to seven per cent.

Triumph will be the range starter variant

We believe that the GT's prices could range between Rs 14 lakh and 14.35 lakh, whereas that of the Rally is expected to be between Rs 14.60 lakh and Rs 15 lakh, ex- showroom. Mentioning other variants, Shoeb stated that the company will be reviewing if there is a demand for other variants like the GT Low and could add them to the line-up at a later stage. Here's our detailed first ride review of the Triumph Tiger 900. 

Roadster and Supersport models

Unlike the previous Street Triple which was offered in a base S trim along with the R, the Roadster portfolio
of Triumph presently has the new RS priced at only Rs 11.13 lakh, ex- showroom. And this was according to
the brand's new strategy of bringing the top-spec variant first.

Triumph R

On being asked if Triumph will bring the entry- level S variant sold in the international market to India, Shoeb replied that the company is contemplating the same but will definitely add the R variant to the Street Triple range. Positioned below the RS, the R uses the same motor but with a lower state of tune and a different suspension unit, which is expected to be priced at around Rs 9 lakh, ex- showroom.

Triumph Daytona Moto2

Last year, Triumph pulled the wraps off the limited-edition Daytona 765 with 765 units, dubbed as the ultimate edition of the Daytona with a Moto2 sourced triple making 128PS. The reason for Triumph India to have ditched this one was its Euro 4 tune, which didn't make sense for the country due to the transition from BSIV to BSVI. Shoeb
also added that the premium pricing too was one of the reasons for the Daytona 765 to not arrive in India. And for the record, all the 765 units were sold out in a short duration post the unveiling at the Silverstone Race weekend.

Royal Enfield rival?

"Can we see a Triumph motorcycle rival Royal Enfield in the near future?" Shoeb explained, presently both the brands have a different line-up of motorcycles and operate at different scales and price points. However, with the 650cc twins, there is a new class of customers who can look at Triumph as their more premium larger-displacement upgrade, with the Street Twin and the Bonneville range.

Triumph-Bajaj motorcycle will be launched in 2022

He further explained that the Bajaj-Triumph non-equity partnership, which will be rolling out Triumph-branded motorcycles in the 200-750cc range will compete with the existing offerings in that space (hinting of an RE rival). He confirmed that these motorcycles will be engineered by Triumph and have the characteristics of the British brand in terms of sound and performance, and will also cater to all the segments. Further, the first motorcycle from this venture will be launched in 2022, and there are no changes in the plans due to the ongoing pandemic, he confirmed.

Special editions

Triumph Bond Edition

Triumph Motorcycles recently launched the Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition with a unique 007 design scheme, limited to just 250 models worldwide to celebrate the upcoming Bond movie, No Time to Die. Additionally, Triumph India will be adding four special edition offerings by the next financial year, confirmed Shoeb. This makes us believe that Triumph Factory Customs (TFC) could eventually arrive in the country. The international range of TFC models included the Bobber, Rocket 3 and the Thruxton TFC.

Triumph T100 and T120 Bud Ekins edition

Triumph also has the T120 Diamond, and T100 and T120 Bud Ekins editions in select markets. Considering the importance of exclusivity in the country, Shoeb believes that there is a strong market for such special and limited editions in India.

Business expansion

Presently, Triumph motorcycles brings its range to India through two routes. completely knocked down kits (CKDs) which are assembled at the company's facility in Manesar, Haryana, and as completely built units (CBU) that are imported from the Triumph factory in Thailand, thanks to the India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement. Shoeb tells us that both these routes have a 50/50 distribution. While the newly launched Street Triple along with the Tiger 900 range are being brought to the country via the CKD route, the Bonneville range and Rocket are being sourced as CBUs. In terms of going online with the whole business, Triumph Motorcycles has already initiated an online store
for clothing and accessories in the international market. The same will happen in India as well, stated Shoeb.

Triumph Rocket 3 TFC

While that will be the first phase, the company will also look at offering its motorcycles on a similar platform
at a later stage. To offer a more convenient ownership experience, Triumph India has worked on a more efficient method to source spares and other parts. While the dealerships will have a ready stock of frequently used commodities, they can now source any other spare in a period of seven days flat. The brand is also actively looking at entering the used premium motorcycle space with the Triumph Assured programme that will be launched in the next couple of months. Stating that the used premium bike segment is not organised in India yet, but is expected to have a strong growth in the future as it offers a lower entry point for the premium manufacturer.

Giving the example of Europe where the used motorcycle business has a contribution of 25 to 30 per cent in terms of business, the Indian model too can expect the same, commented Shoeb. With the Triumph Assured programme, the company wants to offer more confidence to its customers with thorough service checks, transparent pricing and also company warranty. Talking of increasing touchpoints in the country, Shoeb stated that all the plans on network expansion have been put on hold and will be reviewed in Dec 2020–Jan 2021