This was released to meet the demand for higher-capacity motorcycles, particularly from the United States, Triumph's largest export market.

[6] Another feature taken from the TR5 was the quick-detachable headlamp, which was ideal for bikes ridden to competitive events and back again.

[8] After Edward Turner, the fabled Triumph designer, witnessed the death of a young rider on a TR6, at the 1960 Big Bear Run, due to frame failure, it immediately received a stronger steering head.

On the west coast desert racing become very popular and Johnson Motors, the Triumph distributor for the western states saw the impending demand, and communicated with the Triumph Meridan Manufacturing Plant for a desert spec bike, that had improved suspension, Dunlop Universal Trails tires, different gear ratios, an ET ignition with no battery, no running lights, no mufflers and no speedometer.

The TR6SC model gained a bit more fame in 1964 as Steve McQueen(actor/part time racer)represented team U.S.A. Competed in the International Six Day Trials (I.S.D.T.

In 1965, a locating pin for finding top dead center was added to allow timing without the use of a dial gauge.

Early 66 models (made in late 65)ordered by Johnson Distributors for the west coast were equipped with alloy fenders no running lights and the exhaust was on the left side and slash cut with no mufflers.

[11] Compression was raised to 9:1. and Bonneville exhaust valves and camshaft were adopted, resulting in a 5-bhp increase.

The TR6C Trophy Special was built at the request of Triumph's sole US distributor at the time, Johnson Motors in southern California, as a way to target the growing number of desert riders.

It was fitted with Dunlop Trials Universal block-tread tires and was the model referred to as the "Desert Sled".

The oil capacity was reduced, causing the engine to run hot and the new 'conical' hub front brake required frequent adjustment to avoid fade.

Before using the Trophy, UK police forces successfully deployed Speed Twin and Thunderbird models.

The Trophy version, codenamed the TR6P, carried the model name "Saint" (Stop Anything In No Time).

[15] These had a special petrol tank which typically accommodated a PYE radio telephone.

The factory varied the specification slightly according to the needs of the individual police force.

[18] In 1964, the US ISDT team, including the Ekins brothers and Steve McQueen travelled to East Germany.

The Steve McQueen bike has been rediscovered and is now owned by Sean and Catherine Kelly of Johnson Motors.

[19] Pin-striper and artist Von Dutch converted the motorcycles for the movie while working at Ekins' shop.