Icons of elegance in the modern-classic segment, Hinckley’s twin-cylinder motorcycles have been queens of off-road riding and trusted adventure companions of timeless legends.
Triumph, with the Scrambler 1200 and its participation in the Mexican 1000 2019 – the historic rally crossing Baja California, in Mexico – returned to the desert sand. A return to its roots, because not everyone knows that Triumph was for years a true dominant force in enduro, leading riders destined to become legends of motorcycling to success. But let’s take it step by step.
Triumph: the undisputed queen of enduro
The post-war years and the birth of the Trophy
The story begins in 1948, when Triumph prepared three special examples of the TR5 to take part in the International Six Days of Enduro, the Olympics of motorcycle off-road racing, held that year in Sanremo. The result was sensational: three gold medals, one in each category, and the manufacturers’ title.
A dominance that lasted for years and prompted the Hinckley-based manufacturer to bring road-going versions inspired by those race bikes to market: this is how the Trophy was born. High-level two-into-one exhaust, raised suspension and high front mudguard became the distinctive features of the TR5 Trophy, which remained in production until the 1970s.
The Trophy quickly became an icon outside competition too: it was James Dean’s favourite motorcycle and a permanent fixture in the American pop imagination.
Triumph and Hollywood
The link with Hollywood strengthened Triumph’s identity in the United States. It was right here that one of America’s most influential dealers decided to back a young off-road talent destined to become a legend: Bud Ekins.
Success made in the U.S.A.
Bill Johnson, owner of the Hollywood Triumph dealership, entrusted Ekins with a TR5 Trophy. The rider immediately repaid that trust by winning the Catalina Grand Prix, one of the most iconic races in American off-road motorcycling.
From then on, it was one success after another: Ekins became the most famous off-road rider in America, reached the podium in the gruelling Big Bear Motorcycle Run and turned Triumph into the benchmark brand of the Californian desert.
Bud Ekins: the most famous rider in American off-road racing
The stars’ motorcycle
The Bud Ekins dealership in North Hollywood soon became a meeting place for film stars. Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood and above all Steve McQueen are captivated by the motorcycles from Hinckley.
A deep friendship develops between McQueen and Ekins: the King of Cool gets increasingly involved in off-road racing, takes part in competitions (often under a pseudonym) and quickly sharpens his riding skills.
The big jump
In 1962, during the filming of “The Great Escape”, one of the most famous stunt scenes in cinema history was born: the fence jump.
The motorcycle, disguised as a BMW for script requirements, was actually a Triumph TR6 Trophy. McQueen did not perform the jump; it was Bud Ekins, the only one capable of carrying out a technical feat of that level.
The return to the ISDE
In 1964, Bud Ekins agrees to represent the United States at the International Six Days of Enduro in East Germany and also manages to involve Steve McQueen.
Despite the Cold War climate, McQueen sets off together with Dave Ekins, Johnny Steen and Cliff Coleman, all riding Triumph TR5 and TR6 Trophy motorcycles. They do not take victory, but they earn a permanent place in enduro legend.
Fancy the desert?
If this story has made you want to kick up dust and stones on every ride, then you cannot miss our article “How to build a scrambler”. And if DIY is not your strong point… we’ll be waiting for you in the workshop!
