[2] Triumph's development team had originally designed a prototype they called the 9O8MD project in April 1997, an 'entry-level' medium displacement motorcycle for the export market.

[3] In March 1999, the new engine was run in the prototype chassis for the first time and full scale road testing began, with the first six development bikes built in July 1999.

This allows the traditional Triumph twin layout of small triangular engine cover on the right and larger clutch case on the left.

[1] Instead of fuel injection the team opted for a pair of 36 mm Keihin carburettors with electric heaters to help cold starting and a throttle-position sensor linked to digital ignition to optimise throttle response.

The 'peashooter' twin exhausts were designed longer than usual to meet the silencing requirements, and a kink was added to improve ground clearance.