New Spirint Snag List Goes On And On!

[PIP1980]

In the words of Victor Meldrew “I don’t believe it” I have to tell someone or im guna explode. To add to my ever growing list of problems, the paint on my standard screen has started to bubble. Beautiful! First it was the ***** luggage. They said “Don’t worry sir you can have a new set in a couple of months when we’ve finished testing” this I understand will in fact be Jan or Fed next year. Great! Then it was the £30 tank pad that’s like sand paper on the back and which took three attempts to get it to stick. Next the brakes went all soft. So with the help of you guys and all your info on ABS, and the few of you (UK) chaps who’d had this problem, I contacted my dealer. They in turn contacted Triumph who said they weren’t aware of any cases of spongy brakes and I quote “So long as they stopped me there was no cause to have them looked at” Under warranty that is! Yeah right. So even as I sit here typing, my bikes standing outside with a bloody cable tie on the brake leaver. How embarrassing! It gets better. After about the first week of having the bike I noticed some condensation in the rear light. This I traced to a small hair line crack in the top corner of the clear plastic. On closer inspection I concluded that the clear plastic had shattered most of the way round at the point were its glued to the black back section. Showed the nice man in parts who agreed. He showed his not so nice and very rude boss who said “No, it’s the hardened glue. That’s what it looks like, shame about the crack” He almost had me convinced too until I looked at another Sprint a few days later. The original crack has now started a family and is spreading like wild fire. Not to mention the two new cracks that has started on the bottom. Now how the hell do I go about getting that replaced under warranty? One thing in my favour is there are NO external marks or chips to indicate it started by a stone hitting it. It’s clear that vibration and possibly heat are making the whole thing worse and even with tape on, it’s not going to last much longer! And at over 60 quid for a new one im going fight it out and put the money to my first new tyre. (Finally be able to put something decent on like a Michelin and do twice the miles) Not forgetting of cause the rust that appears on discs after a wet day. Parked next to my 40k 99 Speed Triple with not a spot of rust, its clear that build quality had sadly gone down hill. Let’s just hope it not a sign of things to come. Don’t get me wrong I love the bikes and am proud to have British, it’s just at nearly 10k id hoped for more. Capped off with rude uncaring, unhelpful staff im not having much luck. Sorry for the really long rant folks. im sure i cant be the only person with so many probs!?Can’t tell you how good it feels to get it off my chest. You guys are great. :-D

[ST-ern]

Bummer PIP.

But don't take it lying down.

When I had faults on my new '04, I rang the store manager and very firmly outlined the problems and told him I could either forever be complaining about Triumphs or give him the opportunity to make good. He chose the latter, pulled out all stops to fix the faults and offered the next service free.

[monochrome_boy]

Winter is going to be an interesting test of build quality. As for your dealer, you have spent a lot of money and you deserve better treatment than you appear to be getting. I hope they sort it for you.

[Nelson955]

Pip,

Better batten down the hatches for a battle with the Triumph warranty department. They will twist and turn and blame you for problems which are down to THEIR poor quality control. I went from a 1999 ST to a 2004 ST, and the earlier bike was much better built. Several parts have corroded after a year, despite regular cleaning and coating the parts with a protective coating. Triumph have declined to replace most of the parts and have told me I should follow the cleaning instructions in the owners handbook!

And don't get me started on their refusal to do anything about a speedo that over reads between 15 and 20%!!
I have a feeling this could go to the small claims court.


Bob

[upnet]

I have 3300 miles on my Sprint ST. I have no problem so far with my taillight(condensation/cracking) Only the front brake has become a little spongy....but still plenty of braking power. Yes, I do have the paint bubbles in the black area of the windscreen. But I can't see them when I ride...neither can anyone else. Waiting to see if they come up with a fix. Still need to get the bike in for the recall. I did not get the luggage....I hear most people who bought them have had problems. All in all...do we consider this average for a new model year....or above average for the number of glitches. No signs of rust anywhere. But then I don't have time to wash it! I'm riding it! :razz:

[stevecro]

PIP180,
investigate what it takes in your country for goods to be pronounced "unsaleable quality"
and qualify for replacement.

[ST-ern]

Steve makes a good point.

Over here the consumer has rights that go beyond the warranty, namely that the retailer cannot sell goods that are not of merchantable quality without taking responsibility for rectification.

[Gavs]

Same issues are popping up everywhere. Bubbles in screen (Aero screen does it as well). Back to the dealer under warranty. I dont think it is Triumph fault, htese babys are made by Acerbis and they should bloddy know better than using cheap paint! Still, test and certify? what the?
Spongy brakes yes, got them bled, no change. Fitted dual braided brake lines and larger master cylinder. B e a utiful.
As far as luggage options, I went the good old Ventura rack and bag which is excellent and light. I had to turn it inwards, over the pillion seat or the bag fills with exhaust smoke on warm up. Dont care though, love the triple exhaust and I dont pillion much.
No problems with the engine so far, 2000 kms on it. Sad there are so many negatives coming out, but I still love it.

[bowillyard]

We have the same issues in the US. I have been told by my dealer that to fix the brakes he will have to replace the lines and master cylinder at my cost.

Windscreen & Aero screen, yes the same problems, at 7000 mine has cracked and the dealer says that it is because I have my radar detector suction cupped to it..

Heat destroying the lens, yes the same problem.

[RexxyPup]

Nelson955,

at last someone else who has had the same trouble as me. I must admit that my dealer (Taylor Racing in Chippenham) have been fantastic, but good grief, the squirming that Triumph have done about the Speedo over reading is driving me nuts. I was basically called a liar, and that SatNav is not accurate enough because it only works the speed out in 2D. Well, I shot those down, but barsteward at Triumph was having none of it. He said that the only way to prove it was to take it to a rolling road. That was after my comment that not only is the speedo not fit for purpose when reading an indicated 30 at a real 20, but it is illegal!!

It's a real shame, as I love the bike, and am proud that it's a brit product, but they really get my goat on the speedo thing.

Seems like they have c0cked up on the '05 Sprint too, judging by the number of complaints on this board, and the 'letter' thread that has appeared!

Rexx


Rexx