Triumphrat

Brooksie · 08-31-2007

My Daytona 955i was built in late 2004. I purchased the bike in August of 2006. Since the day I picked up the bike, it has been hard starting. It would take 5 or 6 attempts for the bike to start, even when warmed up. I told my dealer about the problem several times, including when it went in for break-in maintenance a few weeks after I bought it. The problem seems to have gotten worse this year and fuel performance (mileage, acceleration) have been steadily declining. I took the bike in last week to get it looked at before I leave for a trip from Chicago to Deals Gap and back next week. I was going to have a $300.00 Triumph imobilizer installed. The bike would not even start at the dealers and they had to push it into the shop. They excellent technicians at the shop got into the problem and found the fuel pump to be the problem. Also, the factory had pretty much munched the fuel pump housing gasket on the tank. I just got off the phone with the dealer, who sated that he had to really plea my case to get the pump covered by warranty, that Triumph said it's because I let the bike sit too long (mid-December to early March) and that the pump either works or doesn't. To my understanding, the bike sat with for a year and a half before it was purchased. While the dealer was able to advocate my case and get it covered, I am very disappointed that Triumph took this stance. This will seriously weigh my decision about the next bike I buy, and I will be doing that next spring. I love the bike, when it is running well. Just a word to the many riders who have threaded their hard starting problems here: Get the bike taken care of and consider trading it in on another manufacturer as soon as possible

sagaris · 08-31-2007

Brooksie, it's interesting that your fuel pump was the culprit. I had my 05 in the shop for the same hard starting issue earlier this year. I also bought mine after it had sat at the dealer for a year. The shop replaced it with a dual-rail pump from a T595 Daytona, thinking that the new pump, new gasket and dual-rails would help. Now I don't have the hard starting issue any more, but mileage (esp city) isn't the same as new.
Thankfully all was covered under warranty, my view of Triumph has improved and I'm not sure this is enough to scare me away from Trumpets.

rickster · 09-01-2007

Hmmm, that's interesting, Brooksie. It's great that Triumph fixed it for you, but I would've liked to slap the one who said "it either works or it doesn't". I also have a bike that I'm pretty sure sat on my dealer's floor for about six months, and I suspect a fuel pump problem (see the posts under "another problem"). A friend of mine who is the service manager at a Triumph dealership in CA said it's common for the fuel filters to plug up on bikes that sita for a long time inoperative or run very little.
I had the tank off nosing around a couple of weeks ago and cycled the fuel pump several times with my finger plugging the outlet pipe. It didn't take much to block the flow, yet the fuel pressure is supposed to be around 3 bar (approx. 45 psi.). At 45 psi it should be very difficult to contain the flow! Now you have me thinking that I might have a very real problem with my fuel pump. I may have to forget for the moment that it's under warranty and do some more clandestine troubleshooting of my own; I've had to do it before. Thanks for the post!

Brooksie · 09-01-2007

rickster-have the dealer do it. Unless the dealer is like mine and very cool, Triumph may say you did the damage. I have cooled off since yesterday, but I will NEVER purchase another left over bike. The 955 is a great bike and performs really well. I just am very disappointed in the Mfgs. initial reaction. I hear that most big four (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki & Kawasaki) are even worse. Just a little BEWARE to my friends at Daytona Deliberations.

triumphtimes · 09-01-2007

Brooksie,

Interesting info. If these bikes have a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. What could an owner possibly do to damage a fuel pump? What does the warranty cover and why in the hell is or would it be difficult to use the warranty they offer. I know I had to replace mine years ago on my RS and it was about 180.00 four years ago. Don't know if they use the same fuel pump, but I will have my dealer check into this. I was starting to think I have a problem with fueling and a non standard tune in the bike, but maybe an older fuel pump losing it's pressure is a possibility.

TT

rickster · 09-02-2007

Good points each, Brooksie and triumphtimes. I guess the place to start is to politely but firmly insist that my dealer check the fuel pump. I got good vibes from these guys from the very start, so I hope my initial impressions of them are accurate. Still, I can't help myself; I'm gonna pull the tank tomorrow and see how difficult it would be to rig up a pressure testing tee, gauge, etc. At least then I'll know whether or not to waste my time trying to get them to test/change the pump. I'm just still not satisfied with the bike; I've seen too many other FI bikes from too many other makes run too well to be satisfied with this situation. BTW, I didn't find any contact info. on Triumph USA's website, as in someone to call if you have something to complain about. Anyone know anything about this? Are we just left to deal with the dealers?

triumphtimes · 09-02-2007

Main Telephone: (678) 854-2010 Good luck calling them. Last time I had a technical issue I couldn't get a return call. I don't think the US representatives of Triumph want to honor waranties or work with it's customers. If one could call the main headquarters in England you'd probably have better luck. I shouldn't even have to be dealing with this problem and I certainly shouldn't have to have a dealer plead a case right or wrong to anyone after I paid good money for an inferior product that has a warranty.

TT

Brooksie · 09-02-2007

This is about the only place where you can voice your opinion. That and $4.95 will get you a latte. Triumph is not very open to comunicating directly with its customers and seems to leave that for the dealers, which I agree with. If your dealer gives you less than satisfactory service, you have very little recourse until your next purchase. I like the dealer I have very much and they have been good guys so far. I bought a Bonnie from them in 2004 and their service and knowledge is what tipped the scale toward the 955i last summer. The bike is great and if this upcoming trip to Deals Gap comes off without a hitch somehow I will consider their help paramount in choosing a new Triumph in the spring (if there is a 1050 Daytona coming) or keeping the 955 for another season.

Colin955Devon · 09-03-2007

Hey Brooksie,

Give them a call in the UK,

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd
Normandy Way
Hinckley
Leicestershire
LE10 3BZ
United Kingdom

Telephone +44(0) 1455 251700
Fascimile +44(0) 1455 453005

I called and spoke about an electrical issue that the dealer turned its back on, they were very helpful and instructed me what to tell the dealer, I would explain that you are calling from the US, and that you are getting bad service, let us know how you get on !!

Colin.

triumphtimes · 09-03-2007

Is there an email address to contact anyone there. I find the voice mail extremely irritating at the US offices. At least with email you don't haver to listen to a recording and never get service.