Triumphrat

Arrybash · 02-09-2006, 04:17 PM

Hi Guys,

I need some support. See the commentary on the previous article Loose Bolts.

My dealer submitted a warranty claim to Triumph to repair the stripped thread in the frame and replace the left side footrest bracket. Triumph rejected the warranty claim. I have since written to Triumph and they have replied also rejecting the claim.

Triumph's reasoning is that the bolts are checked by them at manufacture and by the dealer at the PDI and 600 mile service, the problem is therefore not a manufacturing or design defect. They suggest I take it back to the dealer.

However the dealer believes the problem is being caused by the bolts attaching to the centre stand fixings. Hence using the centre stand continually (which I do) causes the bolts to slacken of.

If this is the case, its definitely a design fault and its Triumphs problem to resolve.

I therefore need to collect evidence to present to Triumph that there is a problem.

If you or anybody else you know have had the footrest bolts come loose on your Tiger please respond to this article.

Even better, Email me your VIN number.

Thanks in anticipation of your help.

Regards

Chris

toddt · 02-09-2006, 09:25 PM

_>>>>>If this is the case, its definitely a design fault and its Triumphs problem to resolve.

A poor design or "design fault" is not the same as a defect. Getting other owners to state that they have the same condition actually weakens your case. If all bikes are made that way, it is a characteristic of the bike by design (however poor). If only your bike is affected, it should probably be covered either by the dealer or by Triumph.

Arrybash · 02-10-2006, 02:03 PM

Hi guys,

Latest update. I sent a copy of the letter from Triumph to my dealer today, he is clearly getting rather frustrated with Triumph.

In the letter Triumph have stated:

'During manufacture the bolts would have be checked and double-checked for the correct tension. Then before the bike was sold these items were checked during its Pre-delivery inspection. Finally, the motorcycle was checked again under its 500m service.'

The dealer advised me that the PDI schedule and 500 mile service does NOT require the bolts to be checked for tension, only a visual inspection is required. (This is also what the owners handbook states).

Seems Triumph are trying to blame the dealer for not checking the bolts, but the dealer is actually only required to visually inspect them, not check them for tension. The last I heard was the dealer was having a heated conversation with Triumph over the issue.

Please reply if your footrest bolts have ever come slack. I need to get as much evidence as possible to present to Triumph.

Thanks in anticipation of your support.

Regards

Chris

Arrybash · 02-10-2006, 02:19 PM

In response to Toddt's comment on design.

I am not sure about USA law, but in the UK we have a law called product design liability (or something like that).

Basically what it means is that if a manufacturer designs something and a default transpires with the design or material specification, the manufacturer is liable to correct the defect in all of his products for a period of up to 6 years.

A real example that I had experience of: The dashboard in model year 1995 to 1998 Landrover Discovery's started to lift up by the windscreen after about 2 years, there was clearly a problem with the adhesive used in the manufacture. At first Landrover rejected claims, then the problem appeared on TV (watchdog), the next day Landrover issued a note to all dealers advising they would repair any Landrover with the problem irrespective of its age.

Hence if I can demonstrate to Triumph this is not a 1 off problem, they will have to correct all Tigers manufactured. Given that if both bolts came free the rear brake would fall of, its potentially a very serious issue.

Thanks in anticipation of your support

Regards

Chris

Tigerfeet · 02-10-2006, 02:54 PM

Arrrybash.
Keep up the pressure! its a bloody shame that Triumph are trying to duck this one!
If it was BMW they would have sorted it even out of warranty just to avoid the bad publicity.
I must confess though, my bolts also became loose on my 03, But it was after I had refitted them when I fitted the center stand. I noticed they had originally been put in with dreadlock and I had refitted them without! my fault I think.....
TF.

winger · 02-10-2006, 05:37 PM

I can't help with the actual problem,what i can tell you about dealing with Triumph,is do your homework because they will on you!!!

Is the bike on HP or did you pay cash?? cuz if it's on the drip,they'll know you ain't flush with money and you can get about as much justice as you can afford in this country.

Do you have another bike??,i did, and they knew it,they asked the dealer!!,as the sales man said to me,when i had my blip with e'm(Triumph),yes you may be correct,yes you may get a replacement bike,but they'll make you wait 12 months for it!!!

You may well be a 100% right,just trying give you some idea that there's more to it than meets the eye!!!

[ This message was edited by: winger on 2006-02-10 15:38 ]

djr · 02-11-2006, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Triumph's reasoning is that the bolts are checked by them at manufacture and by the dealer at the PDI and 600 mile service, the problem is therefore not a manufacturing or design defect. They suggest I take it back to the dealer.

By that reasoning they should never have to deal with ANY warranty claim. My tac would be that they may well have checked the bolts during manufacture (although this would be doubtful and the dealer may well have checked them again at PDI (again doubtful IMHO) but that does not remove the need for said items to be up to the specified job, which they patently are not in this case. Now if you had fitted something non official at this point I could see where they could possibly reject the claim but....

The fact that the dealer even submitted the claim means he thinks there is an issue. I would demand it was sorted but would not be willing to pay. It is up to the dealer and Triumph to sort out who ultimately should.

I must admit that I have NEVER had an issue getting anything sorted out by Triumph and or my dealer. I did at one stage get a full new bike and no I didnt need to wait a year for it to happen.

Do not back away from this but ONLY threaten legal action IF you are prepared to carry it out!

blacktiger · 02-13-2006, 04:05 AM

These bolts on my 02 came loose soon after I got it. It had the c/stand fitted by the dealer before delivery. I cured a possible reoccurance by putting nuts on the back to act as locknuts.

Arrybash · 02-13-2006, 05:17 PM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the commentary.

I have since spoken with my dealer, he apparently had a right ding dong with Triumph. He's on my side and genuinely believes its a warranty claim.

I have written another letter to Triumph basically telling them that I believe there to be a design fault with the centre stand fixing arrangement and its up to Triumph to resolve, not the dealer.

I paid cash for the bike. The actual repair costs are trivial, and the Tiger is well down my list of essential transport. Its the principal. This is a warranty issue and if required I will take the dealer to court just to uphold the principal. Unfortunately my contract is with the dealer not Triumph.

At the end of the day I believe the dealer will resolve it at his cost. My dealer is excellent, hence I know in reality it will never end in court.

In the last letter to Triumph I hinted at raising the issue with Motor Cycle News, it may just get them to realise I am not going to back off this.

Blacktiger has virtually proven its a design issue as I would not expect his dealer to have left then slack, but his also came undone after a period of time.

The locknuts are clearly the easy fix, hence I recommend everybody fits them.

I will keep you informed of events.

Chris

02-15-2006, 01:16 PM

Hi Arrybash, had the same problem on my 05 Tiger, just back from a 4500 mile trip following some of the Dakar rally, was standing on footrests to stretch legs and noticed a lot of movement, both bolts on rear brake side were nearly out which could have caused a bit of a mess as i was travelling at a fair speed, managed to tighten them with the aid of a truckers tool kit, also both nuts on ignition housing had come loose, had to use good old masking tape to keep in place, both bolts in exhaust also came loose prior to this trip and on closer inspection i noticed that the exhaust was not totally sealed at the clamped joint, dealer fixed this with no fuss.

I think there is a bit of a problem with `fasteners`, loctite or lack of ! Maybe it was a Friday PM bike and it`s just unlucky, who knows.

I`m personally not going to go to the dealer with it as it`s an easy fix and i cant be arsed getting irate with someone who may just argue the case.

The trip was excellent and the Tiger performed without a hitch (bar above fault), was joined by 3 GS 1200s and a KTM 950 Adventure, all of which performed faultlesly so stuff the bike mag write ups !

Dodged passed the local polis and ended up at the start of the first special stage on a muddy track next to all the competition bikes, tempted to give it a go but thought the better of it! I`m sure the Tiger would managed. javascript: x()
:razz: