With year-end sales data from the Motorcycle Industry Council, motorcycle manufacturers are releasing their take on the numbers. Triumph Motorcycles reports a gain in market share and a “year-end increase in sales were a successful conclusion to a very challenging 2009.”

Touting MIC numbers, the gain in market share for Triumph extends a five year trend in the US, with 2009 marking the 15th anniversary of the British marque’s return to North America. Referring to the five-year market share growth, Triumph claims to be “one of only two marques that never lost market share in that time period.”

Triumph also boasts a 5.9% increase in sales for December 2009, compared to the same month in 2008. The optimism is relayed by Triumph’s North American CEO, Mark Kennedy, who said in the press statement:

“The Triumph team and our network of dealers did a fantastic job of keeping a positive attitude in 2009, and their efforts have paid off as customers continued to show strong support for Triumph. We are really optimistic about the New Year. Our all new 2010 Triumph Thunderbird has great momentum from being named Cruiser of the Year and we’re introducing some exciting new models to Triumph’s line of Urban Sport motorcycles.”

Triumph’s Urban Sport line includes the Daytona sportbike, Speed and Street Triple streetfighters, Sprint ST tourer and the Tiger. Rumors of new models include a smaller displacement version of the Tiger. New Triumph models released in 2009 include the aforementioned Thunderbird, Triumph’s bid for the mid-sized cruiser market, as well as its torque monster performance cruiser, the Rocket III Roadster.

“Triumph has a wonderful heritage,” Kennedy said. “As a company, we understand the importance of perseverance and working toward the future. It’s that culture that has enabled Triumph to be such as strong and resilient company. We’re ready for 2010.”