The Triumph TR6 motorcycle had been famous since a chase scene in the 1963 Steve McQueen film The Great Escape, although they were disguised to look like BMW R75s. For a bike that didn’t quite equal the Bonneville’s ultimate performance, the 1969 Triumph TR6 was nevertheless capable of about 100 mph and accelerated on just about on par through third gear. The lack of a second Amal Concentric carburetor was the main difference between the T120R Bonneville and TR6 models, but the rider still got zesty response and an easily maintained motorcycle, which could achieve nearly 60 mpg.

A twin-leading-shoe front brake helped the TR6 stop with authority, and whereas the Bonneville was fitted with a trendy peanut-size tank, the TR6R Tiger had a larger 3.5-gallon “touring” tank, painted Trophy Red with a sweep of white and with gold pinstriping. The tank-mounted cargo rack was also removed for 1969, and the fenders were also red with a white stripe.

Ostensibly meant for competition, the TR6C Trophy, aka the “Desert Sled”, had become more of a street scrambler after being unable to keep up with Husqvarnas in races. It shared the TR6R Tiger’s colors but had the smaller tank and a smaller headlamp, stainless steel fenders, and upswept pipes. The TR6R Tiger’s standard tachometer was optional on the TR6C Trophy along with a skidplate. The air-cooled 649cc parallel-twin engine used in all TR6 models adopted the same minor refinements as the Bonneville: revised Hepolite pistons, connecting rods with self-locking cap nuts, and strengthened wrist pins.