Upcoming Triumph Electric Motorcycle: What Will It Be?

Triumph will be announcing its update on the upcoming electric motorcycle soon. We analyse what it could be

At the unveiling event of the 2021 Triumph Bonneville range, the British bikemaker revealed that it will provide an update on its upcoming electric motorcycle soon. It really got us thinking, what approach would Triumph have taken for its debut into the electric motorcycle segment? We analyse:

A modern electric naked?

One approach for Triumph would be to bring out a naked electric motorcycle -- something along the lines of the Triumph Trident 660, but a whole lot greener. Naked bikes are inherently more comfortable, while maintaining the style quotient. So bringing out an electric motorcycle in this segment makes perfect sense. 

It would cater to the needs of the urban rider, and with larger (optional) battery packs, it should be great for occasional weekend getaways as well. This should help the brand compete against popular electric nakeds like the Zero SR/F, Energica Eva Ribelle and even the Harley-Davidson LiveWire.

What about a retro electric motorcycle?

Most of Triumph’s best-selling motorcycles have been from its Bonneville range, which has a rich history spanning several decades. In recent years, Triumph has been following the tradition of making the bikes look old-school but has been sprinkling them with enough contemporary technology to give modern bikes a run for their money. 

Going electric will take this formula a notch higher, and it also seems to be the perfect way for the sub-brand to survive in an age of fast-depleting fossil fuels. An retro-looking electric motorcycle will also stand apart from the rest of the electric bikes, giving Triumph a distinct advantage in the market. Moreover, it will also have a strong brand recall thanks to the Bonneville moniker. 

Or perhaps an electrified Daytona?

Triumph could also go down the supersport route. The Daytona has epitomised the brand’s prowess in performance and racing, so Triumph could bring out a sporty, fully-faired electric motorcycle to take on the likes of the Zero SR/S and Energica Ego. However, this approach might limit its audience: aggressive ergonomics wrapped in a high-performance electric package may not be everyone’s cup of tea. 

Now we just have to wait and see what Triumph does. Expect the brand to make an announcement in the coming months. We hope it’s a retro electric. It’ll be a fantastic opportunity for Triumph to create a segment and have its own fan following. 

And if you’re into retro motorcycles, check out how the Kawasaki W800 feels to ride in the real world. But if you’re looking for something a lot more affordable, do read our detailed review of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 here.

Petrol-powered Triumph motorcycles shown for representation.