Rumours currently festering suggest that Triumph could ditch the Daytona 675 from its range in the not too distant future. Over its decade of existence, the 675 has been developed into the world’s greatest ‘600’ in standard trim, annihilating anything that Japan has had to offer with unrivalled handling and that sweet, sweet triple engine that could well incite mechaphilia.
It’s a well-known factoid that Mr John Bloor – the owner of Triumph – doesn’t give a chuff about racing, which is a shame given the 675’s success over the years and the massive potential on the world stage. Thanks to the Hinckley-based Aussie mafia of Paul Young, Glen Richards and more recently Billy Mcconnell, the Daytona claimed multiple British championships, with racing R&D filtering directly down into the production models for you and I to relish.
By Triumph’s own admittance, the latest incarnation of the Daytona – which now enters its fourth year unchanged – simply wouldn’t have gone ahead if the factory predicted the dire state of 600 supersport sales of recent years. The graft that went into the 2013 model is incomprehensible, fine tuning every last facet, shifting weight distribution (repositioning the exhaust), and making the engine even sexier. And, to coincide with the suggestions adding further substance, Triumph has pulled the plug on all official racing duties this season. Instead, the focus has been on adventure bikes and modern retros, plus the stalwart naked sector that’s been routinely prosperous. Basically, stuff that sells.
John Bloor has been a very private man over the years, rarely seen in public and declining any press interviews. But Mr Bloor has been awarded the Royal Automobile Club’s Diamond Jubilee Trophy for ‘Triumph’s outstanding contribution to the motorcycle industry.’ Joining auto royalty such as the inventor of the hovercraft, Sir Christopher Cockerell, and Sir Richard Noble for his land speed record exploits at over 600mph, this is only the fifth time the prestigious trophy has been awarded during its 58 year history – and was last presented 18 years ago…
Bloor rescued Triumph from administration in 1983, investing big bucks in rebuilding the business and transforming the company with great success – particularly evident in the past 10 years. 2015 saw a reported annual turnover of £341.3 million that generated a profit of £2.3m, while Triumph claims ‘the business has always seen R&D as a strategic priority, investing over £25m (approximately 7.5% of turnover) per annum in 2014 and 2015.’ During the previous financial year, the company, which employs 2,300 people globally, sold 53,812 units and continued investment in its manufacturing and distribution networks in India, Thailand and Brazil.
Let’s hope the rumours are solely rumours, as the Daytona 675 is a shit-kicking device that’s right up there with any British engineering feat. Plus, anyone with a bumhole would love to see a pukka 1050 superbike from Triumph, though that’s extremely unlikely given the circumstances.
