Triumphrat

denoose · 01-05-2009, 08:51 AM

Well, my 2008 Graphite St was delivered this past Saturday, trading places in the garage with the '06. I am pleased with my decision but I do have a couple of minor (!!) issues:

The fuel gauge reads half full (or half empty, depending on how you view these things), while the tank is full

I cannot remove the hard bags from the bike! It appears that the lock cylinders were rotated 180 degrees on installation and the release mechanism isn't popping the handle up all the way, which typically retracts the fingers on the bottom of the rail to retract. The dealer is picking the bike up on Wednesday so we shall see how they handles this but it is an inconvenience. I suppose I could have been more thorough in my delivery inspection but I missed this!

Ratboy1050 · 01-05-2009, 08:58 AM

Denoose

Congratulations - and also commiserations!

Sorry that the dealer didn't do a more thorough job and also the factory.

Anyway, I am sure you will love it when you get it back - since '08s are great bikes (

) and you have chosen what I think is the best colour!

Lazarus Long · 01-05-2009, 11:39 AM

The fuelgage does the same on mine when I fill it up but corrects itself after riding for a mile or so.
Panniers could be the same as mine and when brand spanking new there was a very tight fit and I had to apply a little force on the release handle the first few times for the bags to release, just don't overdo it.

:
If you get them off try applying some silicon spray on the hooks.

Ratboy1050 · 01-05-2009, 11:44 AM

Yes, sorry, my fuel guage does likewise (seemed really odd at first) but within a mile of filling up it shows Full beans.

as for the panniers, they too are stiff to get on and off, but practice and muttering seemed to help

:

Werks · 01-05-2009, 12:18 PM

My 08's fuel gauge does the same thing as described by others.
It always takes a few hundred yards of riding to register proper
fuel levels... and apparently this is not an isolated problem.

The OEM panniers can be very difficult to remove, lock, and open.
They are awkward at best, and very poorly designed at worst. My
opinion... your's may vary.

I opted out and got some Givi panniers ... so much better. I also
got a better saddle. I went from soft stock ( bad), to mushy Gel
(worse), and finally was forced to overspend on a Corbin... but now all is well.

The bike is great, but the 2008 OEM saddle and panniers are not.

Again... only my opinion, and limited to my 08 Sprint...so don't judge me too harshly

Tom

Calliway · 01-05-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werks

My 08's fuel gauge does the same thing as described by others.
It always takes a few hundred yards of riding to register proper
fuel levels... and apparently this is not an isolated problem.

The OEM panniers can be very difficult to remove, lock, and open.
They are awkward at best, and very poorly designed at worst. My
opinion... your's may vary.

I opted out and got some Givi panniers ... so much better. I also
got a better saddle. I went from soft stock ( bad), to mushy Gel
(worse), and finally was forced to overspend on a Corbin... but now all is well.

The bike is great, but the 2008 OEM saddle and panniers are not.

Again... only my opinion, and limited to my 08 Sprint...so don't judge me too harshly

Tom

I don't think anyone will judge you, there seems to be a consensus on those issues with the 08's.

denoose · 01-05-2009, 04:01 PM

Thanks for commiserating with me, gentlemen! I will attempt further negotiations with the bags this evening.

My '06 never had a problem with the luggage and I was fine with their operation/ capacity and appearance. I have not actually had an opportunity to ride the bike as we have had rather poor weather conditions here so hopefully the fuel gauge will miraculously right itself. I purchased the bike with the gel seat, heated grips and a rather tall "Aero" screen as it was set up this way on the sales floor. Not too sure about the screen height, but I do have the stock screen off this bike, and a mid- height screen from my '06 that slots in between these two in terms of height. I did splurge on Triumph's new anodized brake fluid reservoir, in black, which is a very nice alternative to the Tupperware reservoir. I also kept the hub cover set and my tankbag with the gas cap mount I bought from Twisted Throttle so I'm done for the moment. I'll probably keep the stock exhaust until I hear something I really like.

redonblack · 01-05-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denoose

I'll probably keep the stock exhaust until I hear something I really like.

Get the Ixil pipes.

I posted a thread the other day with a link to youtube with a quick ride by that my son took of me.

I also had one of my panniers that gave me trouble getting off. I had visions of me riding around with one pannier for a while....

DaveM · 01-05-2009, 06:59 PM

Congratulations denoose,

:

A bit disappointing as you say but not major issues hopefully.

It certainly sounds like they are known items pertaining to the '08 model.

Hoping they can fix your pannier locks.

cheers,
DaveM

denoose · 01-05-2009, 07:55 PM

Well thanks to the sage advice of this august panel, I have successfully removed the luggage from the Graphite Ghost. I used a bit of Gentle Persuasion, which merely involved pressing down on the fingers in the bottom/ back of the support rail, after using silicone spray like Holy Water, convincing them to retract like a turtle's head into its' shell. The bags are off and are now at room temperature, fully lubricated and cooperative.
Whew, that sounds a bit suggestive.

At any rate, thanks for the feedback, advice, empathy and support.