When you think of Triumph, you might picture classic cruisers or rugged adventure bikes. And while they certainly excel in those areas, it's easy to forget that this venerable British manufacturer, with roots stretching back to 1902, has a surprisingly potent history when it comes to outright speed. They're not just about heritage; they've pushed boundaries, even setting land speed records.
Now, when we talk about speed, some folks are all about that 0-60 mph sprint – how quickly a bike can get off the line. But there's a different thrill in seeing just how fast a machine can go. Triumph, in its long history, has certainly given us plenty to marvel at in that regard.
Take the Triumph Daytona 675 R, for instance. While Triumph currently offers the Daytona 660, which is a capable machine hitting around 134 mph, it's not the ultimate Daytona. That title, for many, belongs to the 675 R. This wasn't just an upgrade; it was a dominant force in the mid-range sportbike market from 2013 to 2018. It proudly held its own, even outperforming rivals from Kawasaki, MV Agusta, and Yamaha in its class. What made it so special? A 675cc, DOHC, inline 3-cylinder engine. This was a departure from the typical four-cylinder setups common in other mid-range supersports. It churned out a healthy 126 horsepower at a screaming 12,600 RPM, with a solid 55 lb-ft of torque at 11,700 RPM. As Motorcyclist's Ari Hennig noted, "higher engine revs mean higher peak power, but a more efficient cylinder head and more precise fuel delivery also mean more torque." This combination allowed the Daytona 675 R to reach a very respectable top speed of 165 mph. Considering it was a production bike, that's a seriously impressive figure, especially when you look at some of the more extreme, record-breaking machines Triumph has built.
Speaking of those record-breakers, the Daytona 675 R is just one piece of Triumph's speed-focused narrative. The company has a fascinating history of chasing absolute velocity. You have machines like the Bonneville Streamliners, the "Devil's Arrow" and "Texas Cee-Gar," which set land speed records back in the 1950s, reaching speeds of 193 mph and 214 mph respectively. Then there's the Dudek Streamliner, a fusion of aircraft aerodynamics and a Bonneville engine, which hit a verified 225 mph. And let's not forget the Triumph Gyronaut X-1, a truly aircraft-like machine that blazed across the salt flats at an astonishing 246 mph in 1966.
Even more recently, Triumph has been involved in projects aiming for the stars, or rather, the salt flats. The Infor Rocket Streamliner, designed with input from Guy Martin, achieved a staggering 274 mph, making it the fastest Triumph motorcycle ever. While it didn't break the ultimate land speed record, it showcased the incredible engineering and sheer determination Triumph possesses when it comes to pushing the limits of two-wheeled velocity. It's a testament to their enduring spirit of innovation, proving that even a company known for its classic charm can build machines that truly fly.