I owned not the 900, but the 1200 Trophy, and apart from the extra cylinder, they are the same. After a car/wall interface that resulted in the death of my SprintST 955i and a dislocated wrist (aparently more serious than a break) I needed something that didn't put weight on my wrist, was reliable, had a light clutch action and would take me to the south of France and back whilst I regained wrist strength, 2 up with luggage. I found a clean 1998 example that was immaculate and bought it. Whilst it is top heavy, this meant off the bike manouvering was a bit laboursome, and slow speed turning, especially U-turns, were hazardous. But anything over 5mph, the bike was as stable as a barge. On still water. The review says it is less than planted in corners. This is absurd. The best part about the bikes handling was the fact that you turn the bike in, and nothing short of a force 15 hurricane will blow the bike off line! Stability on the move is the one thing that this bike has above any other bike I have ever ridden. The steering is neautral and the sure footedness is unimpeachable. I wore through the front lower fairing in a couple of weeks, mainly because that is the first thing to hit the deck and because the ease with which you can lean the bike right over and just leave it there indefinately made it almost impossible not to.
The fit and finish on the bike is excellent. My 1998 example had paint so deep you could swim in it. Being left outside, and relatively abused by myself, with a quick hose off, it looked like new. No furrings, no rust, no pitting, no flaking paint, not even scuff marks on the tank from leather trousers. It was kind to tyres and chains and sprokets, although the weight of it does mean you have to check chain tension regularly, and stopping a lot of weight means you need to use good brake pads. But the hoses were metal and stopping power pretty good. Rear shock needed hardening, and with my fat arse, plus the wife and luggage, it really could have done with being replaced for a dedicated aftermarket unit.
The performance was pretty impressive. There was always a surfit of torque at any revs in any gear. No discernable power step, just pure linear power delivery right from tickover to red line. The best way to describe the motion is turbine like. Open the throttle and you'll take off surprisingly fast. Doesn't matter what speed or revs, you'll accellerate at the same rate everytime. The gearbox was smooth apart from a notchy 1st gear, and in over 2500 miles in 6 months, it never once had a single issue. The seat is comfortable for hour upon hour, and it will happily sit on a motorway all day with you coccooned in a bubble of rain free air. The only gripe is the Triumph aftermarket touring screen is a bit rubbish. It keeps you dry, but gets wet and vision deteriorates, especially with motorway grime, and stops airflow in the heat when you want it. The standard screen is a brazillion times better.
It's a bit thirsty when you ride with the throttle fully open all the time, but then so is everything. Used no oil at all and was utterly reliable. The 900 has one less cylinder that gives the bike a different sound, and more vibration and people have told me "character". I found there was very little difference, just the 1200 was smoother and a bit faster. There's really not much in it. They look the same, and they are handsome in refined and understated way. I swopped the Trophy for a Blackbird for three reasons.
1)The turning circle of the bike, on a narrow angled drive at work made me nearly drop the bike on many occasions, especially with my weakened wrist.
2)The wife hated the pillion seat; said it was like sitting on a baby seat, perched up high behind the driver.
3)I wanted something with a bit more sportyness. Whilst the Blackbird isn't exactly a sports bike, it is ferociously fast, handles well, is all day comfortable and will take me and the wife to the other side of Germany and back with ease.
The Trophy is definately something to test ride if you are in the market for a fully dressed tourer and want something different to a Pan European. Reliable, quick, classy, different, uncommon and refined. A very underrated and forgotten bike.
Posted: 11/11/2009 at 10:51
