Using the modular chassis concept, Triumph based its entire first and second generation on the same basic underpinnings. Brilliant now, looking back upon the first (and so far, only) successful rebirth, the strategy streamlined production and encouraged function. From the standard Trident to the edgy Speed Triple, T-Bird and the long-legged Tiger, these early Bloor’s changed personality by dipping behind the curtain. This make over included Hinckley’s vision of over-the-road luxury and VMOL’s February BOTM: the fully-appointed Trophy tourer.

With an impressive decade of production, Bloor’s version of the Trophy began in 1991 as a streamlined sport-tourer, a role it relinquished in 1996 once the Sprint model split the series down the middle; one a sporty traveler, the other a dedicated road sofa with standard panniers and increased coverage. Never a top seller, the Trophy nonetheless rounded the range impressively. With all respect given to the heroic 1200 Daytona, the big Trophy was probably the best application of Hinckley’s monster multi, its edges filed slightly for more mid-range grunt. 

With 40-hp chopped off the Daytona's tune, the Trophy makes good use of the remaining 107, offering 10 more horsepower and 16 ft-lb of torque than the available 885cc triple. Other than capacity, weight, and price the 1200 Trophy is identical to the 900 in all respects. Using a capital ‘H’ for hefty, the Trophy (and it’s owner) is happier rolling under its own power than being pushed, a task that causes one to feel every ounce of the machine’s 517 pound dry weight. The normally aspirated, liquid cooled DOHC four is a smooth, humming engine, and like the triple allowed just enough Old English charm to creep up from below. 3800 rpm in top gear means you’re roughly halfway through the Trophy’s speed capacity, easily capable of sustaining that and much more until the machine’s 200 mile range is extinguished. As one might expect, life behind the Trophy’s screen is a comfortable place to pass the time with generous seating for both rider and passenger, plenty of storage and well above average protection from the elements.

Implemented into the mechanical DNA of Bloor’s early line, the Trophy’s under-stressed, over-engineered philosophy might add weight and compromise performance to a degree, but in turn nearly guarantees exceptional reliability and longevity. Combined with Triumph’s almost fastidious attention to detail, the use of top quality materials and the industry’s best finishing process reaps a crop of motorcycles that even aged, magically retain a good percentage of their factory freshness and shine. Plentiful and generally affordable, the Trophy 1200 might never reach the collectible status of the Daytona or Speed Triple, but most owners could care less. For the traveler looking for a high quality modern classic, the Trophy 1200 takes it place alongside BMW’s K-series and the Honda Goldwing as brilliant examples of the genera. Hail Britannia! Nolan Woodbury

1997-2003 Triumph Trophy 1200
Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC inline 4
Displacement:1180cc
Max. Power:108-hp @ 9,000rpm
Max. Torque: 77 ft-lb @ 5,000rpm