Triumph Motorcycles launch adventure bikes in India

Triumph Motorcycles launch adventure bikes in India

With rising demand for high-priced motorbikes and more people keen on an outdoor lifestyle in the subcontinent, the legendary bike comes in with the right throttle

UK's largest bike manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles launched its India chapter in New Delhi on Thursday. The "iconic" automobile manufacturer comes to India with all six of its variants, including its vintage Bonneville model.

The company, which has set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in the country, will start delivering its bikes from January next year and aims to sell around 500 units in the first six months of the launch in the country.

"We are aiming to sell around 400-500 motorcycles in the first six months of the launch. In the next one year, we target to sell around 1,000 units in the Indian market," Triumph Motorcycles Director - Sales and Marketing (Global) - Paul Stroud told mediapersons during the launch.

Talking about the potential of the market Triumph was foraying into, Stroud added, "India is an exceptionally exciting market for us and the premium motorcycles segment in the country is seeing tremendous growth. This is the right time for us to establish out foothold here."

With their arms spread over 54 countries and 742 world dealers, Triumph aims to give to the high-spending biker-community a top-class and time tested machine. The legendary motorcycle firm was a dominant force in the two-wheeler segment since its establishment in 1902 before collapsing and reviving itself over the years. What makes this a potential competitor to other brands in India, like Harley Davidson and Ducati, is its in-house assembling facility in Manesar, some 60kms from New Delhi.

Among all of Triumph's machines, what caters to the outdoor community is their Adventure range. The Tiger 800 and Tiger Explorer come with a 800cc / 1215cc engine and claims to tackle all kinds of terrain - mud, gravel, rock or sand. Tiger 800 was also awarded the Best Adventure Bike of the year for 2011 by MCN (Motorcycle News, UK). Triumph is certainly bullish about these two models with Stroud labelling them as the "perfect vehicles for outdoor and off road adventurers in India".

Triumph's exclusive dealerships will be operational in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad over the coming few months.

Prices for Triumph Adventure Bikes in India:Tiger 800 - 12, 00, 000 INR

Tiger Explorer - 17, 90, 000 INR

The Outdoor Journal caught up with Paul for a quick chat on what the Triumph's adventure series meant for the outdoorsy:

Triumph-2
Image © The Outdoor Journal

# How does Triumph look to promote the Adventure series in the Indian market?

Paul: We have already presented it as a part of our fleet and it'll be a key proposition in each of our nine stores across the country. This is huge country and we have some amazing scenery for motorcycling - Goa to Ladakh - and these bikes are powerful enough for such adventures.

# Are you looking to promote motor sports in India? If yes, how?

Paul: Motor sport is an element of our proposition but we won't be actively creating a race series. We will be organizing riding trips so, some trips would definitely be to Goa & Ladakh. We see part of our role as a motorcycle brand, of actually being the catalyst creating the opportunity for our riders to enjoy the products and we'll be going out of our way to provide those opportunities.

# So, this is more like a club, like the Porsche driving experience.

Paul: Yeah, absolutely!

# How are you planning to differentiate Triumph in India from your competitors? What is your message going to be?

Paul: Triumph is truly an iconic British motorcycle brand and it has a huge heritage. As you've seen today, we'll be focusing on the genuine riding experience that Triumph gives compared to other motorcycles.

"When you ride a Triumph, you stay with the Triumph!"Place: New Delhi, India