Triumphrat

doglanta · 01-18-2008

This is a pretty old thread but I am going to reply to it anyway. This afternoon after work I am going to the IMS here in Atlanta and I am like most everyone on this website who is puzzled and disappointed in Triumph's decision to be a no-show. Up until a couple of years ago I have owned nothing but Jap bikes having never even considered purchasing a Triumph. I bought my first bike in 1975. This all changed three IMS’s ago when Triumph had a nice display at the show. I was in the market for a new bike and I took advantage of seeing all of the models in one place being able to compare instantly bike-to-bike.

Again I have never thought about purchasing a Triumph but at that show I found myself going back to that Rocket III display again and again. It was on an elevated display that rotated. The spot lights made the bike glow. It was a fantastic display and selling tool. Sometimes it was hard to get close to look at it because there were so many people trying to look at it. I was hooked. The next day I gave a dealer a thousand dollars to reserve one for me when they became available nine months later. I was not alone either as the dealers I talked to all said that after the show they received many deposits on the Rocket III and other Triumph models.

My point is that without Triumph being at that show I would never have purchased a Triumph. Plus, if Triumph were not at that show the chances are great that I would not also be waiting for my new Street Triple to hit my dealership. Without a presence at the show a couple of years ago Triumph would have never sold me two new motorcycles and a lot of apparel and accessories. I guarantee you that I am not an isolated case as far as this goes. They may not literally sell bikes at the show but I guarantee that the buying decision is made for many, many bikes of all makes and models at the show.

I saw one comment in this thread I need to reply to. It was written here that Triumph is a European company and not an American company. I disagree. Triumph is a global company who just seems to care more about their European market. I believe it is a true statement that companies that are not growing are in fact losing ground. I think this is why so many people see the decision to not represent at the show the past couple of years troubling. It is also true that Triumph can do whatever they want to do with their company and the consumer can weigh the pro’s and con’s of purchasing a Triumph and then act as they see fit. I think it just bothers a lot of people who like the Triumph brand and would like to be enthusiastic Triumph loyalists see the company follow such questionable business tactics,

I have had the opportunity to talk to the marketing person from Triumph in Newnan at a Rat meeting. He seemed very passionate about his job (which was a great sign) but he also seemed very busy to the point of maybe being overwhelmed. I have nothing good or bad to say about Triumph Customer Service as I have never needed any help from them.

I have been very happy with my Rocket III. I honestly believe this is the first bike that I will never consider replacing. My happiness with this bike is the biggest reason I have a deposit down on a Street Triple without having seen one in person. But I still can’t say I am a Triumph exclusive purchaser and a lot of this has to do with I am not completely sure Triumph is serious about being successful anywhere but Europe. What this means is that if I see something at the IMS this afternoon that really grabs me like the Rocket III did at the show a few years ago I very well may cancel my Street Triple order and buy it. Would the opportunity to see the Triple on display and get the warm fuzzies by sitting on it lesson my chances of changing my mind about buying the Triumph instead of something else? Without a doubt, yes.

As I mentioned earlier I am eagerly looking forward to the Atlanta IMS that opens today.
Ken