Looking at buying a 2001 Trophy 900

[Fred W]

After our family, week long foray to West Virginia and back it has become clear that the VFR800, while a very nice little day tourer, is not the right machine for spending a week on, 'specially 2-up and with fully loaded bags.

I have considered picking up another FJR (that cheap 2006 in the for sale section had me thinking hard) , but then what would be the fun in that? I'd only likely ever ride one of them since there would really be no reason to ride the other one. The primary goal is to have a touring ready ride for my son to use (2-up) but I also want something that I will want to climb on for a change of pace now and then.

I found a 2001 Triumph Trophy 900 for sale at one of the local BMW / Triumph dealerships. linky Just got off the phone with the sales guy there and made a verbal commitment to buy it, pending a test ride tomorrow morning.

I know the Trophys have a reputation as being a little top heavy, but the 900 version only weighs 485lbs (dry) which is similar to the VFR.

I will be keeping the VFR no matter what, and probably just sell off my GIVI luggage set-up. Also, I'm still working on selling off the antique BMW (price is steadily declining) to keep it down to 3 bikes if the Trumpet comes home.

Anyway, looking for first hand experience from past Trophy owners, especially those that had the 900 triple. I was especially looking for a triple as the 4 cylinder 1200's have a reputation for being buzzier.

 

[rushes]

No experience with the Trophy, but I love my 98 Sprint Sport. It does feel a bit big and heavy, but not once in motion. And the engine not only has a lot of torque, but it makes cool noise too.

I think you'll like it.

 

[Fred W]

Thanks. My understanding is that it should be the same engine as your Sprint, with some extra touring oriented stuff added (and weight), right?

The only thing that has me hesitant is going back to the flat slide carbs. FI is so precise and neat.

 

[rushes]

Thanks. My understanding is that it should be the same engine as your Sprint, with some extra touring oriented stuff added (and weight), right?
The only thing that has me hesitant is going back to the flat slide carbs. FI is so precise and neat.

Pretty sure it's the same. At that point (98) they had based the complete line up on the same basic frame.

It's not given me a bit of trouble carbs, or other. It's actually pretty comfortable too. I did my SS1000 on that bike, and had looked at finding a 900 Trophy for longer rides. Didn't find one at the time and bought a Concours.

 

[BwanaDik]

I've got a '96 Trophy 900 an love it! And am using it exactly in the manner you intend to. It handles great (slides really well :blink: ), good comfort, no buzz, the only minor problem is that the stock windshield tends to give a lot of buffeting. I saw a 1200 at the shop the other day (same bike as the 900) and the guy had cut the flip off the top of it. Probably what I'll do eventually. Don't get a 1200, the added weight is not worth the extra 10 HP or so.

We rode it thu Glacier and Yellowstone and had a blast. Also rode it a lot in England when we were there.

The carbs are fine, just had them gone thru because I let it sit too long. The only problem I've ever had was the f#^king "automatic" fuel valve off the tank is poor at best. There's not much engine vacuum and that is what the fuel valves relys on to pull it open after the engine starts. So at elevations above 5000', sometimes the valve won't open and the carbs starve. Also, you have to be very watchful to be sure the vacuum lines are not kinked or broken, something to chech when you buy it. I'm thinking about "breaking" the valve in some manner to defeat this "safety" device so it will operate just like the old three position valves.

Other than that one complaint, I love it. Perfect second bike for visitors. Mine is supposed to be worth about $4000 so it's not worth it for me to sell it.

 

[Fred W]

Thanks for the info and encouragement, guys. I'm thinking this one is going to happen. One of the more attractive features about the bike is the relatively low price considering the very low mileage.

Yeah, the vacuum operated petcocks were a weak link on the old style Connie's as I recall too. But there the problem isn't that they won't open, but rather that they leak and if you happen to get a stuck float valve you get hydro-locked cylinders. Ungood. :angry:

I wonder if you could tee off of multiple carbs to get more vacuum for the petcock? Otherwise, I'll bet there is some sort of a manual petcock that can be adapted to it.

 

[TheAxeman]

Sounds like it might be time to add Another Forum to your list Fred. Any more forums and you won't have time to ride! Good luck with new bike.

 

[BwanaDik]

Good link Axeman. Looks like both Fred and I can solve our problems Here

 

[scubatech]

After our family, week long foray to West Virginia and back it has become clear that the VFR800, while a very nice little day tourer, is not the right machine for spending a week on, 'specially 2-up and with fully loaded bags.
I have considered picking up another FJR (that cheap 2006 in the for sale section had me thinking hard) , but then what would be the fun in that? I'd only likely ever ride one of them since there would really be no reason to ride the other one. The primary goal is to have a touring ready ride for my son to use (2-up) but I also want something that I will want to climb on for a change of pace now and then.

I found a 2001 Triumph Trophy 900 for sale at one of the local BMW / Triumph dealerships. linky Just got off the phone with the sales guy there and made a verbal commitment to buy it, pending a test ride tomorrow morning.

I know the Trophys have a reputation as being a little top heavy, but the 900 version only weighs 485lbs (dry) which is similar to the VFR.

I will be keeping the VFR no matter what, and probably just sell off my GIVI luggage set-up. Also, I'm still working on selling off the antique BMW (price is steadily declining) to keep it down to 3 bikes if the Trumpet comes home.

Anyway, looking for first hand experience from past Trophy owners, especially those that had the 900 triple. I was especially looking for a triple as the 4 cylinder 1200's have a reputation for being buzzier.

I used to sell those back then Fred. We had good luck with the two models over all. I almost bought a 1200. I rode one at Laguna Seca and the crazy thing would wheely at sea level! It was a pretty comfy bike as I recall. That got me thinking about a sport tourer instead of the crotch rockets I was riding.

 

[Fred W]

Thanks for all the positive comments. It looks like if this one is as in good condition as it appears it will be coming home with me.

"But Hon', it just followed me home. It's such a cute lil' thing... Can't I keep it?!?"

Oh, and I just found the Triumph rat site via Google yesterday (on my crackberry while supposedly at work). I'm sure it will be a wealth of info on the beast, as the 3 or 4 VFR sites, couple of beemer sites, Concours Owners Group and Aprilia Forum sites have all been.

But none of them holds a candle to this forum, right here. You'se guys and gals are the best on the 'net! :drinks:

 

[Fred W]

Just got back. It's a done deal. Bike has no major problems or flaws. Should work out perfectly for my intended purpose. I'll go and pick it up later this afternoon. Sweet... :yahoo:

 

[Patriot]

What's Tyler have...just wonderin'...

"Hello Tyler, Hi this is Fred, Glad ya got that breathin' tube out today, How are ya, oh, can I interrupt ya a minute, what Triumph sport/tourer do you have, what year, do you like it????" <_<

 

[Fred W]

I think she might be a little busy right now...

Don't know the year, but I do know from prior conversations that Tyler has the 4 cylinder 1200.

 

[madmike2]

I think she might be a little busy right now...
Don't know the year, but I do know from prior conversations that Tyler has had the 4 cylinder 1200.

Correctamundo!

 

[Patriot]

OK, yep

still does as far as I know

the FZ1, well, not anymore it would seem

 

[madmike2]

OK, yepstill does as far as I know

the FZ1, well, not anymore it would seem

Uh-huh...that would be affirmative. The Trophy 1200 is still in her garage on the battery tender.

 

[Fred W]

Ah, yes. I forgot that tidbit from reading the gory details of the event. I was thinking she was on the Trumpet at the time. Somehow the bike she was riding was not of much significance...

 

[madmike2]

Ah, yes. I forgot that tidbit from reading the gory details of the event. I was thinking she was on the Trumpet at the time. Somehow the bike she was riding was not of much significance...

Just because some of happen to remember which bike she was on doesn't lessen our reaction to the personal side of the tragedy. Our brains must focus on some of the trivial secondary information.

PM sent...

 

[BwanaDik]

So Fred, what was the final chapter here? Did you pick it up? Did it meet your expectations?