Triumphrat

JimmyCanuck

Triumph has a lot to learn from Harley Davidson. I am the proud owner of a Triumph R3T, the better Road King. But as a Triumph owner, I'm missing a lot compared to what I enjoyed as a Harley owner.

As a HOG member, I could hook up with a HOG group in any Canadian or American city. I could attend their monthly meetings (sponsored by a dealer) or join them on weekly rides, dinner rides, etc. At Sturgis, Harley hosts a pin stop with free food and beverages where you have the opportunity to see the new bikes and get deals on Harley clothing.

Pin stops are not limited to Sturgis either. Recently Harley added the Friday the 13th rally at Port Dover ON to their long list.

There are state, provincial and national rallies. Triumph has none of this.

At the Phoenix Motorcycle Show last November ('08), you could test ride just about any major motorcycle line that you wanted - except Triumph. They weren't even represented there and Phoenix has two dealers, the total number in Alberta.

Anyone else feel like a neglected orphan?

35yearson

Your comment about HD being much more sophisticated has at lot in my opinion to do with the consistent market presence, early 1900's to now and the nostalgia associated with HD for the Grey Hairs,( of which I am one). Timing is everything and in HD'S case they were on the money and could develop the HD Club with dealership and technology innovation over many decades.

Triumph has the opportunity to build through its dealerships and bike owners in a potentially shorter time line.
In my opinion Triumph, the Company should be able to communicate directly as they are of events by email.
Greater dealership support to stage events and cross market with other bike focused events would help broaden the exposure of the Triumph logo. As typical most people don't realize that the Bonneville I ride now is new.
For Triumph to link up with a major international market brand, ie transportation sector manufacturer for cross marketing purposes or even raising the profile in racing circles initially would help.
As corporations go through their various stages, start, midlife and close, their focus varies with the maturity level of the corporation and its leadership focus at a period of time.

Short answer yes Triumph can help reduce disappointment with Key dealership support to promote the Triumph name and hold events to attract current and future owners.
As with any organization of common interest, ie RAT, it does start with the individual owner to push the issue, through organizing individual rides and advising Triumph of events to see if they bite.

Calliway

Edmonton RAT Group Rides every second Sunday. We leave from the Second Cup on Gateway and 34th Ave.

Western Canadian ralley is in Nelson BC every July. Lots of bikes, lots of beer and lots of laughs.

As a RAT Leader it is very difficult to please everyone not to mention extremely time consuming.

Canuck

two thing's

Firstly - Caliway always has the best pin up girls as an avitar

Secondly - I live in Calgary and I am jealous of the Edmonton RAT's group. It seems that here in Calgary our dealership forgets about you and the RAT organization after you sign the bottom line on the sales agreement.
If we could have stronger RAT presentation in Calgary we could be stronger province wide.
Caliway, as you are a RAT group leader is there any avenues we can take to organize an annual Alberta RAT event ? Maybe dealer to dealer across the province talks to help out.
I would support a stronger RAT movement in our province if we had help from local dealers. if not, I am going north for my next Triumph.

Calliway

Canuck,
Despite me getting stuff every second weekend for group members, I rarely get more 4-5 bikes who show up. I have about 100 on my mailing list and it grows by 4 or so every week.

I always look forward to the Nelson Raid because of the turn out. That is the Western Raid and the Alberta Dealships support that raid. I am not sure if we could get them to help out with another Raid.

That being said I am all for trying to get an annual ride and bbq together for Alberta Rats.

I believe that Haggis is the local leader for your Calgary group. Your dealership unfortunately just wants to sell bikes and doesnt care (imo) about you once you leave the door.

Fitz

Word.

TBirdVI

Hey Canuck
I'm the pack leader for Island RATs on Vancouver Island. Caliway is right, it's very time consuming if you do it right. And it's impossible to please everyone. We have a unique situation here too, in that most members are in Victoria but there are lots up Island, like 3 hours away. So organizing inclusive rides is a challenge. But we do have lots of support from Savage Cycles.

But, the main thing I can say is if you don't like the way it's being done, take on the challenge and make it better. If you build it they will come. People like being told what to do, and when to do it. Seriously.

__________________
Vern . . .
Vancouver Island

daveysew

Canada's largest city can't even support a dealer in the city proper (yes I know there is Hamilton, Ajax, and Wasaga) so there is pretty much no RAT action around here. But as has been said, if the group action is part of what you want in motorcycle ownership, take the bit between your teeth and run with it. My $0.02 is that HD spends way too much of it's time creating pins, T-shirts, shot glasses, and meet and greets to help sell their rubbish bikes. I'd rather have a good bike (Triumph / BMW) and not have marketing rammed down my throat. Again just my 2 cents.

Keeping it rubber side down...
dave

__________________
"Pain is temporary, pride is forever"

RolexBeav

Locally here in Chicago, the dealer is awesome and puts a free RAT keychain and welcome paper from the RAT group into your Triumph folder when you purchase. I really liked this at the point of sale and felt like I was "part of something" by purchasing a Triumph (I own 2). I am envious of the HD culture every time I enter a dealership (up to the point that they treat me like a turd.)

Unfortunately, the RAT group here is not very well organized - buch a great bunch of guys. I have sent a few emails to the president asking him to accept me on their Yahoo groups site to no avail. A few folks are trying to organize monthly rides, but we normally get only a few bikes. I know the dealer is pumping more into the market than that! As a last resort I have actually joined the local Ducati group. When events approach, the president of the group calls me or texts me to join them. There are two rides per month and a bike night during the week. They have a fantastic web site with a message board, pictures, events, etc.

Anyone with successful groups in the US/Canada have any ideas on how I can organize the riders here? I was thinking of approaching the group and seeing if I can help with organization. Do the successful groups use Meet-up?

Thanks in advance.

Greaser

I have bought 2 new Triumph's in the last 9 years and I have never gotten ANYTHING from RAT. No magazine, no patches, no nothing.

DO I care?

No, the bike is fantastic.