Triumphrat

04-26-2005

I would like to hook up with some folks in eastern mass to ride with

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-06-14 08:26 ]

brit3 · 05-23-2005

spdfreak,
a great place to meet a ton of Triumph riders is Acton mass on Thursday nights. People all over Mass, NH and even Vermont show up at Motomart in Acton. http://motomkt.com/

Great place to meet people and find rides for he weekends. thursday night is Euro night so you get everything, but lots are on S3s and 955s. good time from 5-whenever thursday nights.

[ This message was edited by: brit3 on 2005-05-23 22:50 ]

cafetbird · 05-24-2005

Mass RATs has a photo album in the RAT albums here.... so there must be something going on!

Triumph has recently updated the pack albums on their site. go check it out: Triumph
Looks like one is listed in Salem.

T-595Greg · 05-26-2005

Quote:

On 2005-05-25 17:46, cafetbird wrote:
Why not contact your dealer and start one??

why does it have to be centered around a dealer?
just curious.....

:chug: :-D

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-06-14 08:21 ]

T-595Greg · 05-26-2005

Quote:

On 2005-05-25 17:46, cafetbird wrote:
Why not contact your dealer and start one??

why does it have to be centered around a dealer?
just curious.....

:chug: :-D

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-06-14 08:21 ]

cafetbird · 05-26-2005

That is the way RAT is designed - a sort of "symbiosis", if you will. The dealer sponsors a pack, and the pack supports the dealer.

This has worked great for us. Since RAT is the only factory-supported Triumph organization, we get the promotional suport of the "mothership" to help get the word out and draw in new riders. In turn, Triumph gets a active group of local enthusiasts - we help to promote the brand and sell more bikes. As local Triumph riders, we have developed a GREAT rapport with our dealer.

In short - A RAT pack is much more than a "riding club", it helps assure the success of Triumph. AS Brit bike riders, we all want THAT, right?

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-05-26 21:15 ]

T-595Greg · 06-08-2005

Quote:

On 2005-05-25 17:46, cafetbird wrote:
Looks like the one in the album might be defunct. Why not contact your dealer and start one??

they aren't defunct, just not very active...

cafetbird · 06-13-2005

Well, the best answer to that, Greg... get involved! We are looking for folks all the time that are interested in leading a ride... and have lots of great volunteers now after three years of existence. Some RAT member sponsors a pack ride at least every other month.

In my experience, the best packs have a leader who is a volunteer, NOT a dealer employee. But, that being said, maybe you can volunteer to be a co-leader if your pack is not as active as you'd like?

T-595Greg · 06-14-2005

Quote:

On 2005-06-13 10:31, cafetbird wrote:
Well, the best answer to that, Greg... get involved! We are looking for folks all the time that are interested in leading a ride... and have lots of great volunteers now after three years of existence. Some RAT member sponsors a pack ride at least every other month.

In my experience, the best packs have a leader who is a volunteer, NOT a dealer employee. But, that being said, maybe you can volunteer to be a co-leader if your pack is not as active as you'd like?

that's Performance Cyles, they aren't my dealer....

Like I tried to explain before, we have a great group of Triumph riders here in New England. Most of the riders have either the sport or sport-touring offerings from Triumph. We have pretty regular rides (30 of us will be off to Vermont for a 3 day weekend this week), and we don't seem to need any dealer support or involvement.

We all love our Triumphs very much, most of us belong to "Rat" and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I think it's just a different situation....

"if two Triumph riders get together & go for a ride is it a big deal that it's not called a RAT event?"

Anyway, when I get back from Vermont I'll post a good trip report & maybe you'll see that we aren't "anti-RAT" just pro Triumph. :upthumb:

cafetbird · 06-14-2005

Quote:

"if two Triumph riders get together & go for a ride is it a big deal that it's not called a RAT event?"

Anyway, when I get back from Vermont I'll post a good trip report & maybe you'll see that we aren't "anti-RAT" just pro Triumph. :upthumb:

Great question Greg - thanks for asking!

Nothing wrong with running with any Triumphs riders you choose, it is just more appropriate discussion for the "rides and events" forums. Feel free to post all you want on your independent group over there... this forum was formed to help promote RAT packs.

I realize that this might be a bit of a contrary or inflamatory idea for some, but if you are TRUELY "pro Triumph :upthumb: ", the best thing you can do is start a RAT pack. Just riding with a bunch of other folks on Triumphs is fun, but does only a little to help Triumph be more successful. Forming an active RAT pack has much, much more benefit!

I am not attacking you personally, man... it is cool that you are doing what you like. RAT packs just give riders the opportunity to develop better relationships with dealers. People come into TriumphRAT all the time and complain about this dealer and that dealer that "suck", and don't care about their customers, right?. Well, since forming our pack, the relationship with the dealer (already a pretty good one) has improved 120%.

RAT packs can breed respect from dealers for the needs of Triumph riders. A strong pack helps the dealer see the dedication of Triumph consumers, and helps them be more successful. Contrary to popular belief, motorcycle dealers generally barely get by, they don't make a killing selling bikes. It is a tough business to be in! Instead of bitchin', I'd like to see us help 'em be more successful.

Off my freakin' soap box now, sorry for the ragin'. And before anyone asks, I am really a lot more laid back than it sounds here.... :-D No reason that you can't align your group with your dealer and turn it into a pack if you want... :wink:

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-06-14 09:20 ]