Triumphrat

DUG · 12-03-2012, 03:40 AM

Hi
I have been out for a few test rides on a Thunderbird Storm.
I am impressed.
I'm waiting to see what the next model is like with the fatter front tyre and footboards, and hopefully a better seat.
In the mean while I thought it would be interesting to see how some of the higher mileage bikes are fairing, and what maintainance costs have been, for instance replaceing the drive belt, which can be expensive on Harley's.

Cheers

PS: here's a pic of the last time I went out.

b1rdman · 12-03-2012, 11:47 AM

I have 35700 miles on my 2010. I don't like service departments so I dealt with a few initial minor issues. Other than that, great bike with excellent ABS brakes, and I like the seat too. All day comfortable

dazco · 12-03-2012, 11:53 AM

The highest i know of is Dave at that other forum. (they don't let us mention it here) He has over 50000 miles on his which to you would be 80467 Km. He has had no issues. I only have 26000, but no problems here either. These have so far been shown to be very reliable and should go very far before needing major work. Like ANY brand/model, there are always a few lemons. But we've seen very few. It's indisputably reliable.

Costs ARE expensive. You're fooling yourself if you think any big bike might be reasonable in that area. Big bikes are heavy and eat tires quickly, tires are more expensive due to size, brakes wear quicker, all stressed parts like bearings won't last as long, valve adjustment is around $400, etc etc etc. Tho many have gone way past the recommended valve adjust point and when they DID have them adjusted they weren't way out. Seems after the first one they stop wearing so you can go much further too. And yes, belts are crazy expensive. About $600 (USD....not sure what you pay there but it's likely much more judging by what bikes cost there) to have the belt replaced, about $300 if you do it yourself. (swingarm removal) But thats cheap compared to what you'll pay if you need the pulleys too. Add another i think $800-900 plus labor for those. However, our pulleys are coated with a new coating developed just for the Tbird by Gates in conjunction with triumph and are said to last as much as 5 times that of conventional pulleys. So you may be able to use the same pulleys thru the life of several belts. But yes, maintenance is a wallet killer. But like they say, fun costs money and you will find any big bike will cost you big. be prepared to be shocked after your T100.

zippyburgertush · 12-03-2012, 12:42 PM

I too rode H.D. for years and my reasons for change to Triumph were mainly based upon the H.D. dealer maintenance costs. The older I get , the less maintenance that I can perform myself , and it seems that the more maintenance I have the H.D. dealer do---I realize that almost $100.00 an hour for labor is beyond that which I am willing to lay out to someone with few credentials -- not to mention a healthy mark up on parts ! A lawyer only expects about $175.00 an hour and that is after at least seven years of college and a respectable internship !
Anyway---- Triumph dealers are not near as expensive , they traditionally provide very good work and are much more customer sensitive ! They also are willing to discount their product which after years of paying , at least , full retail-------is very refreshing !
A fine product , friendly customer oriented dealers and good reliable maintenance work has convinced me that Triumph is worthy of serious consideration.................................

Wells · 12-03-2012, 01:37 PM

37,500 or so on mine now... and it looks like it might be time for me to replace the rear rotor (I let my brake pads go too long one time...)

dazco · 12-03-2012, 01:51 PM

Oh, thanks to wells for reminding me....dave DID have a issue with his now that wells mentioned rotors. He had a warped rotor that was a warranty issue. Other than that tho he's been good. Triumph by the way IS good when it comes to issues out of warranty that they know are defect issues. I've seen them warranty things sometimes way out of the warranty period because they knew it was a design defect or such. And i may be wrong, but i think dave's rotor issue was recent and therefore out of warranty but they warranteed it. Not sure tho.

Monte · 12-03-2012, 03:28 PM

2010 SE purchased new March of 2011. I have a little over 41,000 m iles on the bike now. The only issue I have had was in the first month was the coolant leak which was taken care of by tightening the hose clamps. The long haul seat suits me just fine.

THUNDERBANGER · 12-03-2012, 06:29 PM

Wow I thought I had a lot of miles on my 2010 Blue Haze. 13200 after two seasons. Got the T-Bird in 2011, coolant leak which was a loose clamp, tranny cover replaced as it blued in one spot" covered replacement", one set of tires - plus one " big screw in the front tire" and a set of rear brakes. But the bike is awsome and the big bore kit really pulls down low. :

DUG · 12-03-2012, 06:41 PM

Hi fella's
Thanks for the responces, cricky Monte you have'nt been mucking around. You do a fair bit of touring? Be good to see a pic of your ride, seat in particular.
To be honest,(and I don't want to start a HD bashing thread) I did my own oil changes on my previous Roadking, (I change all the oil's heaps more than the book say's), and there wasn't any thing else to adjust, hydrolic tappets, electronic feul & spark's.
Just I had a mate who's belt broke because of a stone, an he crapped him self when he got the bill, the whole primary needs to come off. And bugger me it happened again three weeks later!!
Bloody road works and those little blue-metal rocks covered in tar.
That's the sort of thing I mean, I've seen the sparkplug thread, so I imagine that adds a little bit to a servise if it 'must' be done in a shop for waranty issue's.
Cheers Doug

Wells · 12-04-2012, 11:34 AM

The only issue I have had is the Speedometer sticking problem. I am on my third speedo right now, and the bike is now out of warranty. If it sticks again like before, I will be trying to get yet another one via warranty, because there is simply something WRONG with that sort of thing if it goes yet again.

I may also be having a bearing problem in the rear, but that would also be my own fault for going through some pretty rough terrain at times and getting some amount of contamination in there. I am hearing a sound from the rear that is not normal, but haven't quite pin-pointed what it was yet... I am still leaning towards a messed up rotor and brake pad that is worn away, though.