The Superb Triumph Trophy

[@vzshadow1]

It does take a while to learn to effectively use the controls and recognize the icons and learn their meaning. However you do learn them soon enough and after 10,000 + miles I have to say it's just a magnificent machine!

[@suereed]

Oh great bike the Triumph Trophy SE 1200, I bought one. The bike is a lot of fun.

[@duncanmacster]

I have owned five BMWs (of which I still own two). I had the RT before a five year love affair with my GSA. The GSA I sold in March because my wife was complaining about the difficulty of climbing on and off multiple times a day. So, I immediately turned to the latest RT and just for fun tested the K1600GT. The RT was well mannered. A very good bike indeed. The K16 was absolutely exhilarating on the move, but in heavy traffic was a lumbering bovine. I accidentally happened across the Trophy SE and was blown away! I compare it to the K16 more than the RT. Suffice it to say I now have a Trophy in the garage.

[@calmoto9073]

Congratulations! You certainly know how to buy a motorcycle. You're right, the Triumph splits the difference between the two BMWs. Thank you for sharing....cheers.

[@dennism1919]

I know, I'm a little late to the party! LOL! I fell for this bike when I saw it and sat on it at the 2014 IMS but it was a bit too expensive for me then. Ironically I ended up buying a Victory Vision that year. Fast forward to 2020, I still have that Vision. I also found a great deal on a new '17 Trophy in August of that year and snapped it up! I couldn't believe my good fortune. And the guys were able to make adjustments that somehow solved the fitment issues I had some time back when I first tried one. Man, what a machine. It has a few niggles but overall I couldn't be happier. I fit in that group of riders who love the idea of the RT but do not want a BMW. I think the Trophy is better looking than the RT, I like that wonderful triple engine better than the flat twin, and after 3 years of pretty vigorous usage I have had ZERO problems. It's such a shame Triumph didn't even try to market this bike and develop it further. They had an absolute winner on their hands and they pissed it away so they could do 15 different models of "heritage". Stupid move. Well that and now everything Triumph is built in Thailand. So much for Triumph now. Oh well, at least I have my Trophy! I'll not be parting ways with it anytime soon.

[@123JumpingJacks]

Might be my next bike. Never had a chance to review one. Thanks for the honesty.

[@turbo311]

I actually cross shopped the Trophy with the updated 2016 FJR1300A. The Yamaha won for several good reasons, but I rode the Trophy again and it’s still awesome. It’s far more comfortable, has better wind protection, and that engine has a great on throttle sound. I don’t think it’s worth swapping, but I’d definitely be happy with the Trophy. Maybe Triumph will update it soon. Sadly I think it’s more likely to be discontinued as it’s not a strong seller. 2017 models are being sold at a massive discount.

[@threepot]

A great effort from Triumph considering the huge difference in resources available compared to BMW

[@PrinceKlutz]

I recently bought an older, 1996, Triumph Trophy, with only 22k miles. If it ever stops raining, I'm looking forward to putting some miles on it.

[@saddle8bag]

Many years ago I rented an ST. Loved the triple engine. Suspension was very flaccid. Rode several other Trumps and they all felt like that. Hard to test that kinda thing on city streets I suppose. I would be interested in hearing about the mirrors. They seemed awfully tucked in. Don't need to know what my elbows look like.

[@dennism1919]

I had the same thoughts about the mirrors, but as it turns out they worked very well.

[@ZeebNinja]

Finally, a dealer who tells you the truth. Thank you for being candid about your likes and dislikes. Nothing worse than a liar.

[@dennism1919]

Love this bike and I wanted to buy it really bad, but I don't fit on it. The rider triangle is just too compact for me. I found it difficult to work the shift lever, even when adjusted. Hip angle was off as well. Same thing with the RT, though the RT was a little better. But I don't want an RT, I wanted this bike. It's not so much the bike's fault though, I'm just a big person and I don't fit on a lot of bikes. Apart from that, the Trophy SE is an amazing machine. Had I been able to get past the fitment issues, I would be riding one now.

[@room2376]

Dennis M I e been thinking of checking one of these out but closest dealer is 3 hours away. And the fit is one of my concerns. How big are you? I’m 6’3” 275lbs. And wondering if I’m too big

[@erikarneberg11]

I think they has some different options for seat height- there were/are definitely aftermarket options… Would a taller seat make enough of a difference to change your mind? I think there’s some easy mods for the shift & brake levers to help those of us with big feet get a better fit/angle, and not that I need or want to, but did anyone offer bar risers for this bike? There’s quite a few aftermarket windscreens in different sizes for the Trophy, so taller or shorter riders who feel that the electric adjustment still didn’t go high or low enough for them have options… Personally, at 6’ 1, I found the Trophy to be extremely comfortable for me, with less wind noise, buffeting, turbulence and better protection from rain than just about any bike I’ve ever ridden. I’d get off the Trophy after some very long days in the saddle with noticeably less fatigue. I could ride further & faster without the feeling that somebody had been hitting me in the back & shoulders, yelling in my ears and trying to pull my head off all day… but that was after the divorce, so maybe that explains it…

[@Crana]

great video as usual, I envy you for having access to so many bikes, I'd love to just test ride bikes whenever i wanted

[@calmoto9073]

Thanks man, I'm glad you liked it!

[@bobbycurzon8319]

Abirritant riding style Dude , did you forget you were on a bike an cars are not as fast to get out of your way! these luxury bikes with lot of options take time to learn, your inpatient riding style tells me you did not take time to set up the bikes personal settings. I suggest you check out the reviews on this bike from the UK they respect the road users and conduct a professional review.

[@khendrdik]

Amen. Really sloppy.

[@michaelparnell2876]

would better pads improve the breaking?

[@calmoto9073]

Sure.

[@damianwoolfallmusdal7255]

Nice review Cal. Clunky instruments aside how do you compare overall build quality compared to the Beemers?

[@calmoto9073]

Hey Damian, overall quality is very good. That said, the drive shaft is big, ugly, and heavy. It functions just fine, but why so massive? I hope Triumph can clean that up a bit and knock a few pounds off the bike. Same goes for the Explorer.

[@stardustdreamfactory1947]

A BMW fan riding a Triumph LOL!!! Love both bikes but prefer Triumphs...

[@billybuttons4298]

I know the 1200RT has some vibration when you ride it. How does the triumph compare?

[@dennisduchmann6782]

Thanks for your review. I just put a deposit on a leftover Lunar Silver TTSE at CalMoto in Mt. View and couldn't be happier!

[@calmoto9073]

Dennis Duchmann You're welcome! Tell Arlie Ray he owes me half the commission;) Congrats!

[@tommybruce1000]

Trying to decide on Triumph Trophy SE or new 2014 BMW r1200rt. What's your take? Thanks

[@calmoto9073]

The RT is the better motorcycle; the Trophy is the better value. If you know how to buy, there is close to a $4k+ delta right now. If the Trophy were a bit lighter, and had better controls, it would be a head to head competition.

[@funk-n-groovin6779]

Takes 10mins with the downloadable manual to learn the controls.

[@123JumpingJacks]

Liked and subbed

[@calmoto9073]

Thanks for the support!

[@Cantabinexile]

The RT??? At least the Trophy is reliable. All you need to do is read the BMW owners forums to find out the problems with the RT and the GT1600 and as far as the controls are concerned it took me about 5 minutes of mucking about without the owners manual and I had it all sorted. The Trophy for it size is also a fantastic handling bike (although I'm guessing looking at the roads you have over your way there did seem to be a lack of decent corners) I have borrowed a Trophy the other weekend and was annoying the hell out of a R6 owner as I was keeping up with him on the some rather twisty roads (priceless). Triumph also have panniers that are not hard mounted so they compared to the BMW's which state that you should not ride over 80mph with them whereas the Triumph can be ridden up to top speed. Also the Triumph has a far better transmission than the BMW's. The best way to describe changing gear on a BMW shaft drive is like kicking a box of spanners. The Trophy is a great deal smoother. So in summary the Triumph costs a lot less the the BMW's, is a lot more reliable than the BMW's. The Trophy is also is as comfortable as the BMW's and is great fun to ride!! Job done.

[@calmoto9073]

Stephen Johnstone Yikes!

[@Cantabinexile]

Cal Moto Just wanted to clear up a few points as I feel the Trophy is a very under-rated bike. ;)

[@Cantabinexile]

Yes of course it's a copy ... Apart from the fact that the Trophy does everything much better than the BMW. Of course that 3 cylinder engine is a complete copy of a BMW design isn't it? I believe that Triumph also tried to copy the transmission from the RT but they were unable to reproduce the sheer awfulness of the BMW's gear change action and ability to hide so many false neutrals in 6 gears.

[@Cantabinexile]

Oh I see as it says T595 on one of my bikes you think its a 600cc then? You may want to do a bit of research first old boy. And as far as Ugly bikes it is a bit rich coming from a owner of something that looks like a reject from a Transfomers movie. We are talking about the same manufacturer that brought us the K1!!! My T595 is now 20 years old and is currently my most modern bike I also have a 1993 Daytona 1000, a 1984 Honda VF1000R, 1979 Yamaha IT 250 and a 1978 Suzuki GS 750. As far as BMW goes I had a very good friend that was killed on a 2001 BMW GS as the engine cut out when he was going into a sharp corner and with these models if the engine stops then you have no brakes and he was unable to slow down and ended up in a tree. This was a horrible design fault and is responsible for his death. As for the bikes we have been discussing I have ridden both the RT and the Trophy. Have you?

[@michaelschutten5293]

Cal talked at the end of the video about some minor points from the Trophy vs. an BMW. Just very curious what those can be (heared you about the brakes...)? Besides that, I also want an reliable motorbike in the shed. Not just one where all those thousands of people think that BMW is the only and best brand in the world. For example, i love my older 1150RT, but hate the clutch/gas combination. Still can't used to them. But also the expensive costs when your ABS pumps are gonna give it up. Cost you at least 100 Euro's (800 USD) or more. And the new RT15 will eating a lot of brakepads (expensive parts when they are not going to last 10000 kilometers). The controls were bad at the GS.. and the list continues. BMW is a nice bike, but they say it's the world (let's use common sense). Other note, just curious what kind of options the Trophy has for navigation bars/clamps?

[@johnharris7353]

Like it a lot except- don't want a shaft drive and it weighs too much...guess I'll just have to keep my nineteen year old blackbird.

[@motoprojeckt2971]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@MarkJones-gd3nt]

love my05 rt.but now it's stuck in neutral,so its a trophy4me methinks!touring bikes should above all,be reliable!

[@johnmartin3139]

Regarding all the "Bullshit" on the handlebars it may not be as refined as the BMW but at least it works, I have had two left hand switch-gear units fitted to my K 1300 GT ( BMW refuses to accept there is any issue with them but Google it and see what owners say) and my friend who owns a K 1600 GT has had one, also both of us have had all the front end suspension bushes replaced, his at 6000 miles and mine at 11000 miles and had an advisory on my MOT for a rear wheel bearing. Not at all good Mr BMW that's why mine is going ASAP.................yeah goes like a train and handles well but I also want reliability on such an expensive bike.

[@calmoto9073]

No argument there; I just wish that Triumph put the extra effort into the finish.

[@johnmartin3139]

Cal Moto Yeah this is so true but I dont think it is so far behind, lets hope they get it together in later models etc, thanks for the review anyway, is the Trophy as good as the 1300 GT or just different.

[@calmoto9073]

John Martin You know, I think the Trophy is certainly a better bike; that said, the K1300GT has more power.

[@grabir01]

Install EBC Red stuff and your brakes will be fantastic!!

[@kbikerider8474]

Isnt it interesting how everyone compares the SE to a BMW. Maybe the BMW is the standard by which other bikes are judged? BTW, you are a bit on the side of danger the way you ride.

[@grampageorge3407]

Trophys are no more after 2017

[@00MONANA]

Excellent motorcycle but here in the municipality of Santa Lucía Spain, province of Gran Canaria tax charge € 120 bearing a year, more than a car the same displacement, who stole so great.

[@a.r.t.4611]

Stupid stunt going between the traffic as the lights changed!!

[@calmoto9073]

Oops....olo

[@ruiz3000]

only in American you seat on your bike waiting for a light to change behind a car.

[@kbikerider8474]

Its called lane splitting ARt.

[@turbo311]

Completely legal in California buddy. Chill out.

[@RickLincoln]

It's not that you "filtered" through the stopped cars...it's how it was done. I stopped watching the video immediately.

[@ronsmith9251]

It looks like a carbon copy of the previous generation R12ooRT

[@TheYamR6Sp]

Triumph: we need a new design for a sport/touring bike, any ideas? Designer: just coppy the BMW R1200RT

[@kbikerider8474]

K bikes dont dive. Neither do R's

[@sebrofc]

Buy a damn BMW if that's what you want but not everybody has 20 grand plus to spend on a bike.

[@MannyScoot]

the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned and went back to the Honda ST1300 .....