slartybartfarst
Scooter
I recall hearing a story about the early days of Triumphs developmental where the first Daytona Engine was modelled on the Kawasakis of the time, there were definite design similarities however I was lucky enough to take a factory tour in 93 or 94 where the guide was constantly pestered by one of our party to reveal the truth on the matter.
The guide ended up pulling open a curtain and showed us a Honda Fireblade in bits saying "that's the best bike in the world and that's what we benchmark against, now I haven't shown you that!".
I later talked to an ex Triumph employee who told me they held off making a Bonnie until they knew they could get it spot on and that the deign brief also included no similarities existed to any Lucas components of the past as the reputation in the US was so bad they dare not risk even a passing resemblance.
Probably a little un fair and I think detrimental to the look of the classic T100 as its resulted in the Chinese 125 look a like indicators and lighting, which I will be replacing back to Lucas style.
The guide ended up pulling open a curtain and showed us a Honda Fireblade in bits saying "that's the best bike in the world and that's what we benchmark against, now I haven't shown you that!".
I later talked to an ex Triumph employee who told me they held off making a Bonnie until they knew they could get it spot on and that the deign brief also included no similarities existed to any Lucas components of the past as the reputation in the US was so bad they dare not risk even a passing resemblance.
Probably a little un fair and I think detrimental to the look of the classic T100 as its resulted in the Chinese 125 look a like indicators and lighting, which I will be replacing back to Lucas style.
