Triumph Dealers Closing? Has Yours?

[dearborn]

Went to local Hon/Yam/Kaw/Suz/Polaris, etc. "mega mall o' bikes" recently and used bike showroom had a very large number of new Triumphs, mostly Thunderbird twins in stock. One had been sold and the salesman was putting on a temporary plate. "Didn't know you sold Triumphs" I said.
"We don't" he said. "Got these at auction. Been doing pretty well with 'em, too. Gettin' 'em cheap, mostly in California and out West. Triumph dealers dropping like flies."
I haven't heard any of this, but local dealer, (I'm in Detroit area, SE Michigan), closed one of their 2 stores last fall. Triumph dealer in Toledo, Ohio, just across the State line, about 45 minutes away, closed a couple of years ago. Triumph dealer in Windsor, Ontario, just across the river from Detroit, long gone as is dealer in Dearborn. Met a guy at AMCA meet in Wauseon, Ohio last Saturday, he complained of the same thing; no local dealer. Population of Detroit/SE Michigan area is maybe 4 million, only 1 dealer in far NE suburb fringe. Next closest is halfway across the State in Kalamazoo or all the way across the State in Grand Rapids.
Funny, same number of Royal Enfield dealers as Triumph around here, (one!) and Triumph must sell way more bikes than Enfield!
What gives? Bad marketing? Thailand assembled bikes not "British" enough? "Stand alone" dealers can't make enough to stay in business? Too much "floor plan" overhead? PRICES TOO HIGH?
I like these bikes, but this sucks. Almost as frustrating as trying to buy a Moto Guzzi or get parts for one; 1 dealer in Grand Rapids or one(s) in Cleveland!

 

[Qship]

The two dealers serving Atlantic Canada still going. But i see a lot of 2015 and 2016 leftovers at the Mega dealer in Moncton, NB where I bought mine. Hopefully the writing is NOT on the wall.

 

[triumph david]

There are 2 dealers within driving distance of me one in Jackson and one in Hattisburg. Both have Honda, Can AM, Kaw. ect. mixed in, i don't think they could make it on there own. Neither one advertises the Tri. M/C's they have, one of them has 2014 factory advertisement info, no new info on the new bikes. They seem to sale a few bikes so with a little adv. they might make some $.

 

[mrmvolz]

Ours here in Atlanta going strong, two of my friends just bought bikes there last week. They are going to different places that have bike nights so folks can take a look and have had good response

 

[Trumpetlad]

great news for me here in Aus, there is a new dealership being built in Tamworth which is kind of local for me, about 100km down the road.
my nearest dealership at the moment is about 250 km {port macquarie].
I was down there yesterday and they showed me the floor plan, and the plan is to open next March, but they hope to be up and running before then.
it is being built onto the existing Harley,Suzuki and Honda dealership and they are also adding Ducati, so 5 premium brands under one roof.
with one brand being a bit more premium than the other brands, wink wink.
I am beyond excited.
I am going to have to buy a new Trumpet support local business an all

 

[dearborn]

Things seem to be going south for many Triumph dealers in USA Midwest. (I am in Detroit, Michigan area) Many giving up Triumph product line though may be normal "churn" or realignment/readjustment. Seems though that many "go" but no "new" dealers coming along. Since introduction here in USA in 1995 model year, about 6 in 100 mile radius have gone away. A good amount of resistance to Thailand built "British" bikes. Heard many times in conversation; "If I'm gonna buy an Asian built bike, why not just buy Japanese and save some money?"

 

[CenterTree]

The "local" Triumph dealer near me went out of business a few years back. Said he never sold enough. ?????
He kept the same location and now is selling those CanAm thingies.

 

[Mad On Triumphs]

I do think Triumph are making a mistake in deciding to build the T120 in Thailand. Such an iconic bike should be built in Britain.

 

[triumph david]

You are right MOT, i agree 100%, to me its a big turn off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dearborn]

I agree 100%! Adverts are full of UK flag imagery and references to "tradition". Hard to swallow for a built in Thailand product. If one wanted an Asian bike, a Hon/Kaw/Suz can be bought for a lot less money, with a vastly better dealer network for parts & service and a huge aftermarket, (though there is a sizable aftermarket, but mostly only for the twins). And it seems like every model year, there is more plastic; fake "chrome" plastic, plastic fenders, and so on. Sad.

 

[CenterTree]

Hmmm, I agree, it would be nice if these bikes were made In Britain instead of Thailand.
However, not everything from Thailand has a draw back...I mean just look at some of their WOMEN!

 

[trey3]

Houston, TX just opened a new dealership and it is phenomenal! If you live around the Houston area, forget your old dealership and go to Woodlands Triumph and you will not be disappointed. The facility is first class and the staff is super knowledgeable and very friendly. The owner is passionate about motorcycling and has a great vision for the business.

 

[dirtman]

Three dealers near me have closed in the last year. The one I bought from last January, the one closest to me in November. I won't be looking at buying another Triumph with no decent dealers nearby.

 

[George S.]

I'm in New Jersey. Well, I recently bought two used 2014 Bonnevilles. I visited 4 dealerships, two in my state, and two in two neighboring states. I saw heavy foot traffic and bikes being delivered one after another. I needed an appointment time to take delivery at both dealers I bought from. I did pick one up on MLK day Monday, so probably a lot of people had that day off and were able to visit.

Two of the four dealers are also Polaris dealers and that brand seemed to also be doing well.
One dealer is Triumph only, and he claimed to be selling a ton of them, and even stated that Triumph is the new leader in NY state for new registrations.

 

[triumph david]

Went by my favorite Triumph dealer in Hattiesburg yesterday and they have dropped that dealership, still have their CAN-AM, Indian, Yamaha and Suz dealership. I wish Tri had a good pr system.