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OUR STORY

TRIUMPH PRECISION, CRAFT AND ENGINEERING

Triumph Motorcycles Hand Painted Coach Lines

 


All Triumph motorcycles and accessories have been conceived, designed, prototyped, developed and tested by our own dedicated teams. From initial sketch to final assembly, each component of every motorcycle is precision-engineered for the perfect ride, and typically each new motorcycle undergoes six major stages of design and development.

This exacting process, outlined here, enables us to set the very highest of standards in precision, craft and engineering.  This takes thousands of hours of design and development – and it’s how every Triumph begins its life.

 

deconstructed bike parts on a white background

01 PRE-CONCEPT

Before any new Triumph turns its first wheel, we listen to motorcycle riders from all over the world to understand what they want for their perfect ride. We consider the latest innovations in engineering and technology and our product teams apply their knowledge and experience to identify and create an initial concept and specification.

CONSIDERATIONS


Triumph has a rich history of product design, so we need to make sure we take account of the DNA that has made our best-loved bikes special, while improving them with the very latest developments in motorcycle technology and engineering.  We must also consider how we can introduce new motorcycle models to delight both new customers and existing Triumph enthusiasts.

02 CONCEPT DESIGN

With a clear conceptual idea of our next developments, we begin to fully engage the expertise and experience of our engineering teams.  Initial Computer-Aided Design (CAD) layouts, including engine, chassis, and electronic systems are created, and first styling drawings and clay models are also produced.  Engine and gearbox performance, including power and torque predictions, are assessed by computer simulation and engine prototype testing. During this period, we still often seek the thoughts of the people who matter most in any product development: the customer.

Line Sketch of the Triumph Bonnerville Bobber

STYLING VISUALS

Hand-drawn sketches define the theme, proportions and ‘feel’ of the concept motorcycle. During the whole concept phase, the design team continuously evolve the motorcycle drawings to define the overall style and the specific design of each individual component to maximise the bike’s potential.

Triumph Bonneville Bobber Concept Design Sketch
Triumph Bonneville Bobber Clay Model

03 SCHEME DESIGN

The scheme design phase takes the previous specification and styling direction and develops this into a motorcycle design.  We evolve the initial sketch and clay model into a full-size representative model, and the accuracy of this model at this stage is such that it looks exactly like the finished production motorcycle.  In parallel, for every component, we develop the initial CAD models to a 3D model.

COMPONENT SPECIFICATION


One of the most important tasks for the engineering team in the scheming stage is to develop the specification for each component or system, pulling together all the required technical information that has been agreed prior to this crucial point.

04 DETAIL DESIGN

This is the point at which the technical engineering drawings and CAD for tooling and component manufacture are created, thus allowing all the engineering and design details to be accurately documented.  At this stage, the motorcycle and associated accessories move beyond the concept and onto a fully evolved piece of design ready for manufacture.

SIMULATION


Simulation is the process of mathematically modelling a complex motorcycle system or manufacturing process to predict and optimise a system’s performance, without the need for a physical component manufacture or testing.

Abstract image to show the design and simulation process for designing and constructing Triumph Motorcycles

05 TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT

Every motorcycle we produce goes through hundreds of tests at each stage of development and validation build. These tests are designed to prove the components’ function, durability and reliability and include engine tune development, engine rig testing, chassis handling and suspension setup, comfort and ergonomics development, road mileage, high speed track endurance, Pavé, off-road testing (if relevant), traction control and ABS development.

PRODUCTION VALIDATION BUILDS


In the final stage of design and development, we build up to 60 pre-production test bikes to validate the component design and the manufacturing process. During a typical new project, every one of these motorcycles undergoes more than 55 whole vehicle tests, which are repeated throughout the development phase.

Image on a white background with faint grey circles on the outer side with black text "Tested to perfection" in the centre.
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06 VOLUME PRODUCTION

Two or three years may have passed from initial pre-concept design.  But now, following thousands of hours of design, engineering, testing, and more testing – and having successfully satisfied the intensive demands of our approval processes – Triumph is ready to begin full volume production.

PRECISION, CRAFT AND ENGINEERING

At Triumph we ultimately want to create the best possible motorcycle for that precise moment in time, whether that’s through technical innovation, styling, ergonomics, or handling dynamics.  And, as each new model rolls off the production line, you can be sure that we’re already busy working on new product evolution and designs to develop the next generation of Triumph motorcycles for launch in two or three years’ time!

 

Triumph motorcycle factory line engines