Too Many, Too Complicated

[otherwise]

Late Boxing Day afternoon, sitting with a G&T (first today, I'm not p*ssed) and decided to look in, check out what's going down. I was taken back by the LONGGG list of Triumph models covered when scrolling through and was reminded of the old adage, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid), Triumph appear to be stuffing up in this area. I'm sure some here will confirm or correct me when I add what I've heard, Triumph are now producing all (or most) of their bikes on foreign shores.
My Triumph riding friends are saying (speculation?) that Triumph's position is becoming shaky since management decided to build in all kinds of unnecessary and cost adding gizmos to the ever expanding range.
This year my two riding friends and I have added to our Triumph stables, one purchased a new Thruxton and two of us purchased Royal Enfield Continental GTs. Two out of the three of us think Enfield have out Triumphed Triumph and neither see and difference between bikes being built in Thailand or India, made in England is a different thing but ...
Am I out of step with TT members here or do others feel the same way?

Apologies if this has been discussed, I don't travel this road often.

 

[DaveM]

With the added restriction they brought out to be a dealer we have seen a number just closing down or switching to other brands.

We dont have a dealer in our citynow and it is not as if we a small city. I think we might be fourth in the country as far assize goes.

So if I were to purchase a new bike now the closest Triumph dealer would be around 800km away.

This brings in all sorts of support issues and especially when it comes to servicing. So with all this I think I would end up with a Honda.

 

[Qship]

From what I have seen over the past little while, Triumph is indeed shooting themselves in the foot. Trying to sell upscale bikes at upscale prices will cost them quite a bit in sales. There's not a lot of choices in the simple catagories(Street Twin, T100). The one bright star I have seen lately from them is the new Tiger 850. Simpler and more affordable. They have also been not without reliability issues at times. Many of those issues have been wiring issues. Seems The Prince of Darkness(Lucas) may still be haunting the halls of Triumph.
Also, they want a lot from dealers, making it hard for the smaller shops to carry them, even as a second line. Triumph wants so much floor space, so much decorations, clothing line up, etc. There used to be a dealer in my neighbouring province of Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada, but Triumph wanted more from them than was feasible, and they dropped the brand. Too bad 'cause that dealer was selling Triumph for quite a few years since they tried coming back into the North American market. The only Triumph dealer in Atlantic Canada is now in Moncton, New Brunswick, and they are a hugh multi brand dealer selling Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW, Ducati, Triumph, Polaris, Indian.
The biking world is changing, and if they don't adapt, they'll be in financial troubles soon again. Ask Harley Davidson.

 

[brooke]

From what I have seen over the past little while, Triumph is indeed shooting themselves in the foot. Trying to sell upscale bikes at upscale prices will cost them quite a bit in sales. There's not a lot of choices in the simple catagories(Street Twin, T100). The one bright star I have seen lately from them is the new Tiger 850. Simpler and more affordable. They have also been not without reliability issues at times. Many of those issues have been wiring issues. Seems The Prince of Darkness(Lucas) may still be haunting the halls of Triumph.
Also, they want a lot from dealers, making it hard for the smaller shops to carry them, even as a second line. Triumph wants so much floor space, so much decorations, clothing line up, etc. There used to be a dealer in my neighbouring province of Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada, but Triumph wanted more from them than was feasible, and they dropped the brand. Too bad 'cause that dealer was selling Triumph for quite a few years since they tried coming back into the North American market. The only Triumph dealer in Atlantic Canada is now in Moncton, New Brunswick, and they are a hugh multi brand dealer selling Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW, Ducati, Triumph, Polaris, Indian.
The biking world is changing, and if they don't adapt, they'll be in financial troubles soon again. Ask Harley Davidson.

Totally agree Q , I think Bruce was selling more Triumphs out of his little shop than Motoplex sells now . Even on PEI we have one dealer with Honda , Yamaha and Suzuki , that leaves me with Bolgers Kawasaki which has a real motorcycle history going back to Uncle Joe who as you know is an AMA Hall of Famer . They are committed to the industry have experienced mechanics and that z 900 gets some excellent reviews . Could be going back to where I started (The Bushwacker 175 )

 

[otherwise]

"and that z 900 gets some excellent reviews"

I also looked long and hard at the new Z900RS (like them a lot). In the end while less in some areas I chose the 650 Enfield on it's value for money. Here in Australia it sells for half to two thirds of it's competition. Example, ride away ... Enfield 650 GT $9,995 ... Z900RS $17,750.

 

[DaveM]

Example, ride away ... Enfield 650 GT $9,995 ... Z900RS $17,750.

That is a huge difference and somthing to really consider. I heard they were cheaper but I had no idea by that huge amount.

 

[Philois]

I also looked long and hard at the new Z900RS (like them a lot). In the end while less in some areas I chose the 650 Enfield on it's value for money. Here in Australia it sells for half to two thirds of it's competition. Example, ride away ... Enfield 650 GT $9,995 ... Z900RS $17,750.

I don’t believe you can compare the prices of these two bikes. Nothing wrong with the Enfield but the Kawasaki is a much more modern and powerful motorcycle and I believe better built motorcycle. You could do 100,000km on the Kawasaki with only normal servicing, I doubt you could do the same on the Enfield.

 

[otherwise]

I don’t believe you can compare the prices of these two bikes. Nothing wrong with the Enfield but the Kawasaki is a much more modern and powerful motorcycle and I believe better built motorcycle. You could do 100,000km on the Kawasaki with only normal servicing, I doubt you could do the same on the Enfield.

I do my own servicing, it's simple stuff for any old school mechanic. Not interested in the 3 year unlimited km warranty offered, but that shows how confident RE are. At my age I won't live long enough to find out what it's like at 100,000km. As long as the road isn't too straight and long I keep up with the modern bikes. After very long straight sections of road it takes a few corners and I'm back mixing it with them. Hey, if it's the different mode settings and onboard lap counters etc etc that you want stick with the Thai made Triumphs. I still have my "classic" Triumph and would happily own another Street Triple if they were value for money. I'm still very much a Triumph fan but observe the company doing things that I see as counter productive.

 

[triumph david]

I have some of the same feelings as you guys, i am in the process of selling my bikes and will keep my T-140 and buy a Enfield, due to age. I did at one time wanted to get a new Tri. but there is not a dealer around anymore and i just don't like the new chromeless Tri.'s.

 

[Qship]

If I ever decide to change bikes from my current ride, the Bonneville line up has a lot of choices. Love the T120 line. Has just enough chrome and style for me. You can add more chrome from the accessory line as well if you wish.
Also for those liking the simplicity of the Royal Enfield line up don't forget about the W 800 from Kawi.
https://www.kawasaki.ca/en-ca/motorcycle/w/retro-classic/w800

 

[triumph david]

Q, i am glad you reminded me of that W800, that is one of the best looking bikes around , i just pulled up the new ones for 2021 they are real nice and i like Kaw"s, i had a Vulcan that broke a oil pump drive gear they paid 100% of the cost to fix it and it was used when i bought it. I could not be-leave how well i was treated from the K people. If that had been HD, Tri., GM, Ford, or any body else i would not have gotten that kind of service. Its going to be awhile before i can get another bike due to having to get rid of all the vehicles i have but i think i will look at the W800 even if its higher priced than the Enfield, i am glad you reminded me of them

 

[otherwise]

and i just don't like the new chromeless Tri.'s.

You say you want chrome.
Does mine have enough for you? Haaa haaa

 

[Qship]

Q, i am glad you reminded me of that W800, that is one of the best looking bikes around , i just pulled up the new ones for 2021 they are real nice and i like Kaw"s, i had a Vulcan that broke a oil pump drive gear they paid 100% of the cost to fix it and it was used when i bought it. I could not be-leave how well i was treated from the K people. If that had been HD, Tri., GM, Ford, or any body else i would not have gotten that kind of service. Its going to be awhile before i can get another bike due to having to get rid of all the vehicles i have but i think i will look at the W800 even if its higher priced than the Enfield, i am glad you reminded me of them

Think one of the cool features of the W800 line is the bevel drive OHC. Don't see that everyday

 

[brooke]

I think that chrome thing looks nicer than the w 800 and are those Olin rear suspenders ? At that price you can’t lose , I’d have one in an instant if I had the space .