Forum

[Alan R]

Hi guys------ The thinking is that maybe the market is now ready for a British-made, British-retro design, single cylinder bike for entry-level and "second-bike" use ie Going to work etc.. Any ideas on that one ??--- I think that HONDA / YAMAHA 125 machines have the training area covered BUT}--- why not a VERY simple 4 stroke single in 350cc (for lower tax costs) with a 4-speed unit construction, push-rod engine ( in the same engineering style as the Honda CG125 set-up ) using an iconic name -- if available ---such as Norton or Ariel..?? Can you see a sustainable market to warrant design, tooling etc ??

[sofiaspin]

Alan, pushrods are history, apart from early 2000 Enfields. The only nod to pushrod has been Triumph Bonnevilles with a false pushrod tube and fake carbs (latterly with Efi). It ain't going to happen. Long stroke single is the market gap. KTM has the short stroke single and Japs have the boring commuter stuff, what we want is a performance long stroke single in the Brit tradition with the reliability of a modern Triumph. That is it, will they deliver? No

[STU]

The latest Bullet 350 UCE (drum brake model) as sold on the Indian market fits that bill perfectly. Now if the new RE importers could get it through type approval and into the UK at £2995 then the job is done.
However, what is the size of the market, how many would sell?
200-400 p.a? Would it be viable?
Les Harris tried this with the Matchless Rotax 500 25 years ago. It was a nice bike but a sales flop.

[Bullet Whisperer]

Discussing just such a thing a few years ago, I said I reckoned Triumph could build a 350 single, with OHC, 5 speeds etc and a degree of off road capabilityn, neat high level stainless exhaust, alloy rims and not too tall. They could call it the Tiger Cub [rather obviously] and it would probably sell well. A larger [500cc?] version could also be offered, as well as a 650cc 180 degree twin in a more traditional road going style to round things off nicely. Unfortunately [or should that be fortunately] I am not Mr Bloor, so it may not happen. Cheers, Paul.

[apparently lucky eddie]

The parameters were for a British made/designed machine, not an Austrian/Indian mongrol! Some of the famous names are already in use elsewhere, Norton, Ariel, AJS, Matchless. Is the Panther brand name available? Surely that's the name in old brit long stroke singles. Maybe a clone of those beautiful 1960/70's OHC Ducati singles is the way to go, bevel drive cams and desmodromic valves - oooh pass me the tissues!

[PeteF]

reports suggest that triumph have a 250/350 planned in the near future

[MadMike]

PeterF, "Reports suggest that Triumph have a 250/350 planned...." I don't know about reports but this has been a RUMOUR or merely the creation of an urban myth for some years now. I had "reports" that their far east and then their Indian facory would be mass producing such a machine some years ago. I don't know if such a bike will ever see the light of day. It would have to compete head on with the current crop of generic Honda clones coming from China for about £1.55 each. Plus VAT of course. Would the sales numbers make it a viable propostion? I don't know. However their current business plan, acknowledging that they make great bikes incidentally, does make sense and so they continue to grow and become even more profitable. Well done Triumph.

[apparently lucky eddie]

I recall this rumour going back to the 1970's when BSA/Triumph had a range of "modular" bikes planned, 250 single, 500 twin, 750 triple, 1000 four, all using the same engine components. I'm still waiting...

[Alan R]

Hi Guys----------- AL EDDIE, the first generation Hinkley machines had 3-cyl and 4cyl engines using common parts at that time.. We were shown them during a Factory Tour organised by my then local Triumph dealer...The 4cyl was later dropped ( as was my dealer !!) and the 3cyl adapted into several different guises ( I'd just bought the 3cyl Thunderbird at the time).....A lot has happened since then though at Mr Bloor's Emporium .........