Triumph No Show at Motorcycle Show

Guttermonkey · #1 (**permalink**) 12-04-2005

Yesterday I went to the Seattle Motorcycle show. Not the biggest, but okay. Virtually every two wheel manufacturer was represented except "Triumph." If it we not for the effort of one of the local dealers, there would have been no visibility at all. They had a couple of bikes and some clothes. That's it.
Asked one of the dealer guys. They said Triumph just decided to pull out. No reason given.
This causes me to wonder. Why did they pull out?
1.) Financial issues, simply an expense cutting issue. Are there issues that are being made public? Are further cutbacks coming? Is this the tip of the iceberg? Not a good signal to send.
2.) The market is significant enough. Owners of Triumphs in that market are of little or no concern to the company.
No good.
Having been a factory rep for a couple of different auto manufacturers I have attended and worked car shows in Large markets and small. The factory presence is important.
And to further add to my belief that Triumph is on the road to being infected with arrogance and disdain for the customer is the fact that niether the U.S. or U.K. headquarter have an e-mail address posted for customers to contact them. One must either call or write.
I continue to love my T-Bird. But not seeing your choice represented amongst all the other machines really leaves a bad taste and uneasy feeling.
jr

jaben · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2005

I share your concerns, and am unsure why TRIUMPH would not participate in a venue that attracts motorcyclists and future motorcyclists. Especially after introducing some truly unique machines this year.Are the trying to keep the 675 and Scrambler a secret? I am going to the Vancouver Motorcycle Show(Jan 26-29) and have heard that Triumph will be there. But we will see. If there is a reason, any reason, for not showing,it should be shared with the loyal following. Leaving such things to speculation and rumor can't be a good thing.
I also found out the hard way how difficult it is to contact the factory. I was told that there are no email addresses posted because they would be inundated with emails and unable to get to them all. Bu** **it! Many much bigger companies post a customer care email and sift through the mail without too much trouble. It is called Customer Service and it is something that Triumph is desperately lacking!!! If they need someone to do it I will.I have 25+ years in customer service management. The excuses don't wash. POST A CUSTOMER SERVICE EMAIL ADDRESS.

I love my bike and would even buy another. The dealer is great although very far from me. I just feel that Corporately Triumph leaves alot to be desired.
I guess my point is
No service = no customers = no sales = no Triumph
I would hate to see that as I don't think there is a more loyal customer than myself. But come on guys, lets get with it!
Thanks for reading my little rant, Carry on.
John

flybiker251 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2005

I was talking to a dealer and his slant is that Triumph did a survey and found that 98% of those in attendance at shows already own a bike. Therefore due to the cost Triumph felt it was money better spent by promoting free RAT membership complete with Torque magazine than going to shows and showing bikes to people who already had rides.

Maybe Triumph knows more than we give them credit for. After all they seem to be selling all they can build. Hopefully they won't sell so many that I have a hard time finding mine as one among many. I do like some notoriety. In a crowded parking lot, at times the crowd is around my bike.

[ This message was edited by: flybiker251 on 2005-12-08 07:42 ]

Shorty · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2005

I recently helped-out with the Triumph Demo Truck in this area, and the word I got was that it was not cost effective for Triumph to do the shows. They would rather tour their Demo Truck at various dealer"s locations.

Shorty

vonbonds · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2005

I would rather ride a demo bike than go to a show myself. I have gone to two IMS shows in the past and found them pretty boring actually. I personally don't care that they aren't attending this year.

jaben · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2005

I think it ia very valuable,especially with such a strong new product line, to be at shows. 98% own bikes ? thats good. They are ther to see who is up and coming.What is new etc. If Triumph was there AND advertized the demo program to all these non Triumph owners they would surely reap much more than just demos through local ads or word of mouth. If the masses see the future is in Triumph they will buy Triumph.
IMHO. John

cafetbird · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2005

You know the old saying, "opinions are like ***holes, everybody's got one"... Let's look at the facts instead:

Triumph did research in this area and decided that it was not money well spent to invest millions of dollars in the IMS shows when their impact is only on a very limited portion of the market. The analysis shows that these shows do not contribute greatly to overall motorcycle sales outside of the immediate market where the show is held.

Instead, Triumph are offering more promotional money to local dealers this year, who can use it directly to help sell more bikes.

I'd much rather RIDE a demo bike than to see one at a glitzy show, behind a rail where I can't even sit on it (like last year). The real faux pas for me is that if I walk into a Kawazukihammer dealer, or even a Harley "boutique", and ask to test ride a bike, they are going to say "no". Triumph demos are readily available however... BRILLIANT!!

Triumph production and sales numbers have been growing very well, they are not in financial trouble. Perhaps they are just SMARTER than the other guys??? (as if we didn't already know this...) ;-)

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-12-08 19:08 ]

#8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2005

I would have liked to have seen Triumph at the Seattle show. That been said I have seen Ads for the 675 Daytona popping up on a lot of websites lately. It is more important to have your name in view on a consistent basis then to blow your wad on several isolated events. Hopefully Triumph will use the money to become more of a presense in the motorcycle comunity. They have already reached out via this site in terms of free RAT membership for people who own Triumphs and to ask for suggestions for their website. Both very good signs. I think that they know what their doing. More and better RAT events and better relations with the Triumph buying public are a better benefit for the rider than the once yearly ego massage of seeing your brand at the Bike show. Still I would have liked to sit on a 675 Daytona if I could have waited in line that long. What a bike!

Gdsila · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005

I go to the NYC show every year just to ease my withdrawal symptoms. Its as good an excuse as any .And since i already have 2 bikes and no budget for a 3rd it's a day out with my pals that i havent seen in a while. So I get to sit on a lot of bikes and ask a 1000 questions of dealer reps .Maybe meet a famous (to us) author or something. all in all not a bad way to spend a winters day.

jimmyj900 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005

Well, it makes sense that it's too expensive for Triumph to visit the bike shows and also that it's more cost effective to have the Triumph truck visit dealers for special 'dealer days.'

It seems to me though, that Triumph should throw some bux at local dealers for the shows and let the dealers show the bikes. That would still be cheaper than bringing in the truck and could work well with a loaner set of factory banners, displays, etc.

Jim