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Elvis Presley and Triumph Motorcycles

Elvis Presley, the music legend and motorcycle enthusiast, has been etched into history in a remarkable way by Triumph Motorcycles.

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The long-standing myth of Elvis gifting each member of his Memphis Mafia with a motorcycle in 1965 is now validated.

Original checks, personally signed by Elvis, have been discovered in the Graceland archives, while Jerry Shilling, a close friend of Elvis, has confirmed this generous act.

Elvis purchased nine Triumph motorcycles, enabling himself and his close friends to relish thrilling rides in Los Angeles’ scenic hills.

The Unveiled Story

Elvis Presley, with 31 films to his name and musical fame, transcended entertainment, becoming a cultural icon.

He was a passionate motorcyclist, often showcasing his love for two-wheelers in his films. He rode a vivid red and silver Triumph 650 Bonneville ‘Desert Sled’ in the 1968 comedy western “Stay Away Joe.”

However, the tale of Elvis and Triumph motorcycles has its roots in a more rock-and-roll setting. In June 1965, during the filming of “Frankie and Johnny” at Samuel Goldwyn Studios in Hollywood, Elvis gathered his friends, ‘The Memphis Mafia,’ at his Bel Air residence.

The story began when Jerry Schilling, a member of the ‘Memphis Mafia’, placed a down payment for a new Triumph T120 650 Bonneville at Bill Robertson & Sons on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Elvis’s Spontaneous Gift: A Midnight Ride through Bel Air

What followed was a delightful surprise – Elvis expressed a keen interest in taking it for a spin around Bel Air. Jerry obliged, and Elvis’s reaction was sheer admiration. Upon his return, he directed his transportation manager, Alan Fortis, to “order one for everyone, tonight!”

Bill Robertson & Sons rose to the challenge, delivering seven Triumph motorcycles that very night. The collection included a mix of 650 TR6’s and high-performance, twin-carbureted 650 T120’s.

They roared through the streets of Bel Air, riding deep into the night, halting only when neighbors called the police.

Two more motorcycles arrived shortly after. The close-knit group of nine friends enjoyed thrilling rides on the Pacific Coast Highway on Sundays.

Jerry Schilling recalled, “Elvis loved to ride, and I knew that when he saw my new Bonneville, he’d want to try it…and when he did, he wanted all the guys to have one so we could ride them together!”

Elvis’s motorcycles were likely 1964 Triumph models, the 650 TR6 and 650 Bonneville T120.

Although they were similar, with one or two carburetors and different tunes, the ’64 Bonneville had an elegant Gold and Alaskan White look.

The TR6 sported a striking ‘Hifi Scarlet and Silver Sheen’ design with gold pinstriping, a black frame, and forks.

The Bonneville T120, named after Triumph’s records at Bonneville salt flats, is a legendary design in the motorcycling world.

It played a pivotal role in establishing Triumph as the top choice in the ’60s for performance, handling, and style. The 1964 US-spec ‘Bonnie,’ with its raised handlebars, represents a classic era of motorcycling.

The confirmation of this motorcycle myth adds another layer of mystique to the legend of Elvis Presley, who, whether through his music or on two wheels, continues to captivate and inspire fans worldwide.