IT doesn’t seem long ago that the idea of a list of the top 10 best-selling Triumph models would be ridiculous – the firm’s range didn’t even have that many machines in it.
But recent years have seen a massive expansion, with the Tiger 800 models, the Trophy, the Explorer and the Thunderbird all spawning new parts of the range.
During most of 2015 (prior to the launch of the all-new Bonneville range) there’s been a line-up of around 30 separate Triumph models, covering a vast slice of the potential bike market even though the firm still keeps clear of small-engined offerings, superbikes and scooters.
We’ve used the official Government new registration figures for our list, taken over the first six months of 2015, from the start of January to the end of June.
Bikes that just miss out on this list include the Scrambler (11th place) and, surprisingly, the ageing Sprint GT (12th), which is outselling the Speed Triple (15th) and even the basic Bonneville (16th). The surprising loser of the year so far is the Daytona 675, which achieved just 92 sales in ‘R’ form and 70 registrations for the base version, putting them in 19th and 20th places.
10. Thruxton (171 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
It’s being replaced by an all new model for 2016 – which, with a water-cooled 1200 engine instead of the old air-cooled 865cc motor, is going to be in another league in terms of performance – but the old Thruxton is still one of Triumph’s best-sellers even as it shuffles off this mortal coil. No wonder, then, that the firm is extending the Thruxton range in the next-generation to include the higher-spec ‘R’ model with all the Ohlins and Brembo goodness that single letter always entails.
9. Tiger Sport 1050 (179 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
Yep, it’s an old hand for Triumph but the Tiger Sport is still doing well. Very well, actually, since its sales outstrip those of the far higher-profile Speed Triple that shares the same engine. Given that, it’s unsurprising that spy pictures have revealed the firm is updating the Sport to meet Euro4 emissions laws by the start of 2017, ensuring it can remain on sale for years to come.
8. Tiger Explorer XC (236 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
A new version of the Explorer XC is coming for 2016 but the 2015 model still manages 8th place. Not that it’s an old bike, but one that has a handful of recognised flaws that will be addressed in the next version. The XC is, of course, the tougher-looking Explorer with wire wheels and off-road goodies.
7. Tiger Explorer 1215 (287 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
Just as the road-oriented BMW R1200GS tends to outsell the Adventure model, the tarmac-based version of the Explorer is a bigger hit than the XC model. Again, it’s being updated for 2016 so its sales are sure to jump higher in the list next year.
6. Street Triple RX (291 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
Given that the Street Triple RX is a bit of a hybrid, adding the arse end of a Daytona to the naked nose of the Street Triple R, effectively reducing its practicality and charging an extra £400 for the privilege, it’s something of a surprise to see how successful it’s been. But then again, the Street Triple in all its forms has been something of a golden goose for Triumph and with good reason – it’s a great idea at a good price.
5. Street Triple ABS (292 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
So… it’s no surprise to see the basic version of the Street Triple in the top five. It’s more than a grand cheaper than the RX model (see sixth place) and still a formidable machine. At £7,499 there really aren’t many other bikes out there that offer such a good combination of performance, handling and style.
4. Tiger 800 XCx (341 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
The sales figures for the Tiger 800 are, perhaps, a bit misleading, as there are now so many derivatives of the bike (XC, XCx, XCA, XR, XRx and XRT) but the XCx gets the number four spot on the list. It’s the middle-priced, middle-spec version of the wire-wheeled, off-road-ish XC line, and clearly hits the sweet spot as its registration figures far exceed the other XC derivatives.
3. Bonneville T100 (363 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
It might be its final fling before being replaced by the all-new, and far superior 2016 Bonneville T120, but the old T100 has still manged to reach the number three spot in this list. What’s more impressive, though, is the bike’s consistent performance over more than a decade on sale. Virtually every year from 2005 it’s sold well for Triumph, and in its final year it’s on track to achieve one of the best sales performances of its long career.
2. Street Triple R ABS (380 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
Despite costing £700 more than the base Street Triple, the R model (with radial callipers and flashy paint, but without the Ohlins that the bigger Speed Triple R gets) outsells the cheaper version fairly comprehensively. We’ve heard that, given the impressive sales performance of the Speed Triple, its replacement with a much improved, larger-capacity version and a wider range of models, is the firm’s next big project.
1. Tiger 800 XRx (476 registrations, Jan-June 2015)
Just as the middle-option Tiger 800 XCx is the most popular of the wire-wheeled Tigers, the XRx mid-line offering is the favourite of the alloy-wheeled XR versions – this time making it to the number one spot on the list. The extra kit including multiple riding modes and cruise control, plus an adjustable screen, comfier seat, hand-guards and a centre stand, clearly more than make up for its £1100 premium over the base XR.
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