Triumph Bandit
Encyclopedia
The Triumph Bandit was a British
motorcycle
manufactured as a prototype by Triumph in 1970. Designed by Edward Turner
(who was already retired) as his last project with help from Bert Hopwood
, the Bandit never went into commercial production, and only five have survived, making them very rare.
, The Bandit represented the factory's last attempt to compete against Japanese imports.
which purchased it from former Meriden worker and Triumph specialist Norman Hyde, who restored the Bandit to its current condition before it was presented to the Coventry Transport Museum
. The Chairman of the British Motorcycle Trust, John Kidson, decided it was an important motorcycle that should be kept for posterity, to show to the public what the British motorcycle industry were trying to do when things went wrong for them. This Bandit was entered in the 2008 VMCC’s Festival of 1,000 Bikes at Mallory Park
where it was reported to have run very well with smooth power all the way up to an indicated 8,000 rpm, and was a match for many bigger motorcycles, with good handling helped by the shallow steering head angle.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
manufactured as a prototype by Triumph in 1970. Designed by Edward Turner
Edward Turner
Edward Turner was a British motorcycle designer. He was born in Camberwell in the London Borough of Southwark, on the day King Edward VII was proclaimed King....
(who was already retired) as his last project with help from Bert Hopwood
Bert Hopwood
Herbert "Bert" Hopwood was a British motorcycle designer. He helped with some of the most influential designs for the British motorcycle industry and worked for Ariel, Norton, BSA and Triumph.-Motorcycle design career:...
, the Bandit never went into commercial production, and only five have survived, making them very rare.
Development
Launched in 1971 the 349cc double overhead cam twin Triumph Bandit delivered 34bhp and could reach 110mph. Essentially the same motorcycle as the BSA FuryBSA Fury
The BSA Fury was a British motorcycle manufactured as a prototype by Birmingham Small Arms Company in 1970 but by November 1972 BSA Group debts exceeded £20 million...
, The Bandit represented the factory's last attempt to compete against Japanese imports.
Surviving examples
There are only five surviving Triumph Bandits and one in full working order is owned by the British Motorcycle Charitable TrustBritish Motorcycle Charitable Trust
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust is a Charitable Trust dedicated to promoting and supporting the preservation and restoration of British motorcycles...
which purchased it from former Meriden worker and Triumph specialist Norman Hyde, who restored the Bandit to its current condition before it was presented to the Coventry Transport Museum
Coventry Transport Museum
The Coventry Transport Museum is a motor museum, located in Coventry City Centre, England. It houses a collection of British-made road transport. It is located in Coventry because the city was previously the centre of the British car industry...
. The Chairman of the British Motorcycle Trust, John Kidson, decided it was an important motorcycle that should be kept for posterity, to show to the public what the British motorcycle industry were trying to do when things went wrong for them. This Bandit was entered in the 2008 VMCC’s Festival of 1,000 Bikes at Mallory Park
Mallory Park
Mallory Park is a motor racing circuit situated in the village of Kirkby Mallory, just off the A47, between Leicester and Hinckley. With the full car circuit measuring only 1.35 miles it is amongst the shortest permanent race circuits in the UK...
where it was reported to have run very well with smooth power all the way up to an indicated 8,000 rpm, and was a match for many bigger motorcycles, with good handling helped by the shallow steering head angle.
