Triumph Motorcycles

Triumph began as a British bicycle and motorcycle maker in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Meriden-era Bonneville became one of the most recognized motorcycles in the world. After the original company collapsed, John Bloor relaunched Triumph at Hinckley in the 1990s — the modern brand US riders buy today.

Hinckley Triumph kept the Bonneville name alive while building new platforms: liquid-cooled modern classics, Street Triple nakeds, Tiger adventure bikes, and the Rocket 3 muscle roadster. Triple-cylinder engines became a Triumph signature alongside parallel twins in the classic range.

In the US, Triumph competes with Ducati, BMW, Harley, and Japanese mid-size bikes depending on category. Bonneville and Speed Twin shoppers want style. Street Triple and Trident shoppers want sporty street manners. Tiger buyers cross-shop mid-size adventure bikes.

Key milestones

• 1902 — Early Triumph motorcycle production in Britain
• 1959 — Bonneville nameplate arrives and becomes a global icon
• 1983 — Original company era ends
• 1990 — John Bloor relaunches Triumph at Hinckley
• 2000s–2020s — Modern classic boom, Street Triple, Tiger, Trident, Rocket 3