Where to start?
Having had the bike less than a month, the front brake went from very good to spongy to non existant, with the brake lever coming back to the bars. Bleeding improved matters for a week, then back to non existant, faulty master cylinder seal to blame, replacement of m/c cured that one.
Next the clock died, connections checked, but was the clock unit itself, the fix - ignored it.
Starter motor started making crunchy noises, then stopped working altogether, needed an expensive strip down to fix a known problem with the starter clutch.
After a year of riding the fork springs had degenerated into jelly, again replaced and cured.
This is all in the space of 2 years summer riding, with most of that being long distance touring.
I've always wanted a Triumph since I got my first bike at the age of 17, ten years later I was able to afford one, which will definately be the last.
Look at the fault list for some indication of how much trouble this bike has been. I am really sad to say this, but the Trophy has shattered any illusion I possesed to the reliability and durability of the new Hinkley Triumphs.
On the flip side, when the bike works it is an excellent tourer, hugely torquey and able to go down to 25mph in 5th gear. Acceleration is a little staid for a bike of 1200cc, but I suppose it is a tourer and not a sportsbike.
Comfort is another plus point.
Handling is OK, heavy with a top heavy feel, but when the suspension is in good fettle, it can be hustled with the injection of some good old muscle power.
I have only ever owned the one Triumph from new & have mixed feeling about owning another one.
I purchased a new 1999 model Trophy from a main dealer. The machine is a little top heavy & this should be borne in mind when completing slow speed manouvering. Particularly if you're not used to a heavy machine.
I fitted a Scott oiler to mine to help prolong chain life; a modification I would recommend. Why haven't Triumph thought about a shaft drive on a sport tourer?
Mechanically it appeared to be reliable enough; although the servicing costs at the dealer nearly floored me when I received the bill!
The acceleration could be a little more brisk. However, the mid range torque is superb & you get a very satisfying growl in fourth if you snap the throttle open & nail the gas!
However, it was quality of finish that got me down in the end. Despite best efforts at keeping on top of cleaning, I noticed deterioration of the finish in places on the metalwork. Two years later I decided to sell her on before the finish went downhill any further.
I don't believe that I would purchase another Triumph again.
I recently (Feb. 2006) purchased a 1995 Triumph Trophy with only about original 11,000 miles on the machine. It is the Ocean Blue color, although I would call it a Royal Blue. The fit and finish of the machine is superb, and the fairing, plastics and other coverings are far superior in quality than my previous Honda ST1100 (2002 model year). Nothing about the machine seems flimsy or less than robust.
The motor is excellent in the performance area. While I can't yet speak to reliability, it seems to have gone the miles without mechanical or electrical difficulties thus far.
The ergonomics are well suited to me, and at 5'10", I don't have to stretch to reach the bars as I did on the Honda. While you have a slight lean forward, it is comfortable. I'll likely add some bar extenders to raise their height about 3/4 on an inch. That should provide just a bit more of an upright sitting position. Compared to previous motorcycles, one seems to sit in the Trophy as opposed to sitting on it. I am able to reach the ground flat footed, and this provides additional confidence when coming to a stop.
The sidestand is a bit strange as the machine leans over quite far. I imagine that when parking on a hill, this will help it from tipping should you choose to angle toward the hill's slant. It does take a bit more effort to right the machine though. The trick is to get a bit of momentum by standing up, and then as you seat yourself, rock a bit and the machine comes right up. When putting the bike on the sidestand, you'll have to remember that it isn't going to fall over, it just feels that way. On the subject of stands, I've yet to be able to get the machine up on the center stand. I couldn't do it with the Honda either. Accomplishing this with any machine over 500 pounds isn't going to be easy, but it sure would be great if manufacturers paid some attention to this.
For maintenance, everything seems to be within easy reach. Taking the seat off reveals easy access to the electrics, idle speed adjustment and a variety of connectors.
In slow, shallow turns, the Trophy tends to help you lean, which is a function of carrying its weight a bit high. Of course the ST1100 Honda and a previous V65 Sabre exhibited the same characteristic.
The gauges are easy to read and reasonably accurate. Lighting switches and other controls are easy to use, and have a positive feel to them.
Starting the machine after sitting in the cold is a simple procedure. A bit of choke and then off it goes, so that the big four rumbles along at idle. My Trophy came with carbon fiber D&D canister mufflers, and although I would prefer the original version, the D&Ds are not too loud. With a pair of saddlebags mounted, the exhaust note should fall behind the machine while riding, so everything is okay there.
The motor is smooth and provides very good power delivery. You'll not be left wanting in that area. You won't find yourself constantly changing gears to move at speed, since the motor provides good torque and horsepower for any need.
The power delivery of the motor makes for a relaxed feel, so covering distance should present no problem. What may hinder very long distance riding is the seat, but then, few motorcycles have a decent place to park your behind anyway. A switch to a Corbin seat is in order. Aside from being more comfortable for the driver, the scooped portions give the passenger some feeling of security as they aren't sliding into you every time the brakes are used.
On the subject of brakes, the force needed to apply the front binders is a little high. While it isn't too much to stop the machine, it could be lighter.
The transmission shifts effortlessly and the change from gear to the next is both light and positive. The ratios are well matched to the motor's power, and at speed the motor feels easy.
From my experience so far, I'd buy another without reservation.
I am very happy with my Trophy 1200, 1996, 10500 miles, £2250 via eBay in 2006.
Seems fine to me after NTV and FZR all good fun, but this is comfy, powerful, roomy and sensible, so a good alternative tourer at a favourable price.
I'm surprised by comments that say the bike is unreliable.
I belong to a Trophy group on the Internet with over 1,000 members, who all seem to agree that this is as bulletproof as a bike can be.
My 1996 Trophy 1200 now has over 60,000 flawless miles on it, only replacing what you'd expect over the years.
Service Bulletins have been issued for known problems, and if corrected, the bike should be like a tank.
Have a 1995 Trophy 1200 and have never had any problem whatsoever. After all these years, she is still my favorite ride. Traveling is great but so is a slow mellow drive. I hope I can keep on enjoying her for the years to come since all metals and plastic are in top shape as well as the engine, still very lively. All components are in great shape. After this experience, if I come to buy another bike, she'll be a Triumph.
I bought a brand new Triumph Trophy 1200 in 1995. Here it is 2008 and now the bike is costing me some serious dollars to maintain. It's not the mileage, as it has only 7,000 gentle miles on the clock. It's not the fact that I did not do routine maintenance. All was done on time and in good order. Regular oil changes, fluid changes, etc. I think it is simply that now the bike is 13 years old and is failing.
I took my Trophy to a new local dealer and it's been there for FOUR MONTHS!!! The original issue was for a fuel selector valve issue. The bike would only run on PRIME. They uncovered some broken vacuum hoses. Unfortunately, they stated the replacement parts would be weeks, if not months coming over from England.??? Two months later, they arrived, but were the wrong hoses.??? New hoses arrived 3 weeks later. The dealer then told me the clutch master cylinder was in danger of failure because the fluid was pink.??? They ordered a new clutch master cylinder. That took two weeks. They then told me the tires were cracking (even though only 2 years old) and had to be replaced, as did the brakes, the brake fluid, and one of the rotors. Another week.
Finally, the bike was supposedly ready yesterday, however, when they test rode it, they said when they shut it off the vacuum diaphragm on the fuel valve failed, leaking a huge quantity of fuel everywhere, and had to be replaced. Another week.
Total so far with parts and labor? $2,300.00.
Ridiculous.
PLUS, the TIME that the bike has been in the shop is a travesty!
I should have simply sold the bike last year when it was running well and worth selling before these repairs. I have lost my entire summer with this bike in the shop.
I'd not buy another.
Could be just a BAD dealer, but it's fouled my taste for Triumph bikes!
What do the tires have to do with the Trophy as far as quality is concerned. After two years, motorcycle tires should be changed. If the bike sits in the sun often, the tires will crack and rot.
Vacuum hoses are available at any car parts store. Cut them to length and you are done.
Yeah, you got a very bad dealer. Same thing happens with Hondas, BMWs and every other brand too. Learn about the bike you ride and you'll be much better off for it.
I was one that wouldn't own another Triumph.
My Trophy 1200 sat in the garage awaiting depreciation as the lemon law lawsuit took a rather long time and it became easier (and cheaper) to simply dump the motorcycle.
The problems were many- starting with mirrors that folded back on the fairing at speed - replaced three times before finding some that didn't have the problem.
Replaced front brake rotors, terribly warped after the first year.
An "unfixable" (by the dealership - there are work-arounds) stalling problem where the bike would simply starve the carbs at about 1/4 tank of gas. Above that, it was fine. Below that it was rather unreliable after a few minutes on the highway. Dealer wasn't able to reproduce, of course, but video tape evidence was admitted to the case...
Had to replace the fuel petcock knob the first time the bike did the stalling trick, too, as it broke as I twisted it.
In an effort to fix the trouble, the dealer did rebuild the carbs. Gas mileage which had been around 35 (I used to joke that my Mini Cooper got better mileage!) jumped to mid-high 40's and the terrible cold rideability problems went away, but the stalling persisted.
The instruments that fogged on the inside...
The unreliable speedo.
The second set of brake pads.
I could go on (really - I could - it had electrical problems, too)
I was involved with a club of Trophy owners, and there were many that had similar problems. I had them all, and in my 25 years of riding, I've never had a bike that has to go to the dealer more than once in the maintenance period (the last time was my R1200, with leaking fork seals at 20,000 miles.
I'd not buy another Triumph. I'll also not buy another bike from the dealership, and discourage friends from doing the same.
Of course there are plenty of comments like the above, where someone's bike can go forever without trouble, and to those I toast, and hope that my problems were unique.
I own a 2002 Triumph Trophy 1200 and has been very reliable. 100,000 kilometers (60,000 miles) and runs like new. Only fork seals and a speedometer cable have been the unexpected problems.
Other than that, tires, brakes pads, one chain and sprocket set. The usual things you would have to do to any bike.
Have seen other Triumph Trophy forums where one owner had 130,000 miles and another with 221,000 miles with no major repairs.
These bikes are overbuilt, and will run forever if looked after by riders that know what they're doing when it comes to maintenance.
I am a British Expatriate living & currently working in Brunei Darussalam. In 1994/95 I purchased a 1200 Triumph Trophy new from the UK & exported it to Brunei.
I have to say that it has performed impeccably over the years. It has only covered 16,000 miles as it's really only a toy to me. However, when it is called upon to perform, it's over some of the worst roads one can imagine, tropical heat & in heavy tropical downpours, two up, full of luggage.
There are no Triumph dealers here, hence I do all the work myself. Perhaps that's part of the secret... if it ain't broke don't fix it!
Problems. Tyres, brakes, batteries, chains. They're not problems, they are consumables to be expected. Starting at times can be a booger, these engines are susceptible to plug gaps. Keep the plugs clean & gapped correctly. Batteries also need full charge to jump the gaps with a fat spark. Front indicator plastic mounts to the frame turned to plasticine in the heat! Rear brake stop switch replaced twice, however, I now believe this to be an air issue in the hydraulics, shall check that first, the next time it plays up. Givi hard luggage fixing kit hasn't held up well to the roads, & the fixing point to the frame had to be welded up once!
I have changed the oil & filter every 3000 miles so far, but now intend increasing this up to the recommended 6000 miles. I run on Shell fully synthetic.
This bike has held up very well over the years & I have no intention of selling her. It does what it says on the can & does it very well. This is a bikers bike. It needs very little maintenance & very little cleaning.
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