Stand by for more Triumphs

The Scrambler spied this week is one of the missing links from the all-new Bonneville range that the firm needs to complete by the start of 2017 when the last of the old air-cooled Bonnies will no longer be able to be sold as new bikes thanks to Euro 4 regs.

The firm already has several models – the 1200cc Bonneville T120, the sporty Thruxton and Thruxton R and the entry level 900cc Street Twin – but there are still just as many to come. As well as the Scrambler seen here we have already spied the firm testing a retro Bonneville 900 that combines the T120’s style with the Street Twin engine. We’ve also spied a Bobber custom bike version, which fits the water-cooled engine to a completely new frame with hidden rear suspension to give a faux-hardtail style.

There’s also sure to be a touring cruiser version to replace the existing America and Speedmaster. It might also use the Bobber’s frame, but in place of that bike’s tractor seat of a saddle plus wide, low bars it’s sure to have a more laid-back seat, high bars and foot boards. A comfy pillion seat – something the Bobber lacks entirely – will also be a feature.

First bike was ahead of its time

Triumph’s original Scrambler has just hit its 10th birthday, having first been revealed as a 2006 model, long before Ducati or BMW had considered the idea.

Initially sales in the UK were mediocre, with only 316 registered in its first year, and they went downhill from there, dropping below 200 per year and reaching a nadir of just 77 sales in 2012.

But since then the bike’s popularity has been on the rise in parallel with the revival of the wider scrambler scene. Despite its age, the first-generation Scrambler had its best UK sales ever in 2015 with 323 registered.

That pales in comparison to the much fresher Ducati Scrambler, though. In this country Ducati shifted 1015 of them during 2015 despite the fact the bike didn’t even reach showrooms until April. With a new engine, more performance and improved looks and tech the new Triumph will be looking to ride the same wave of popularity to sales success.