Triumphrat

ChuckofTahoe · 07-13-2005, 05:57 PM

Dear Triumph People:

I am shopping for a Triumph Bonneville as my returning to biking ride. Basically I had ridden smaller bikes (CB 250 etc.) throughout high school, college and through my mid twenties. I am taking the MSF safety course next month and hope to be on a new Triumph shortly thereafter.

I am starting the process of locating a bike. I pretty much know what I want by visiting the factory and various other web sites: A 2005 Goodwood Green Bonneville with a few extras added on.

My question relates to how the Triumph dealer network operates and the best way to source the particular bike that I want. Any feedback you can give me will be appreciated.

I started out by going to my local dealer Triumph Reno, NV (Freedom Cycle). Basically they have three or four Bonnevilles in there, all of them black or black variant such as the white and black T100. So then I ask them if they can source a Goodwood Green Bonneville. The answer to my question was "I don't think they are any available but I will make a few calls".

So I am wondering about the following:

1. Can new Triumphs be ordered? It is only July 2005. It would seem that a 2005 could be had from the factory given a few months? Are Triumphs in short supply?

2. Do Triumph Dealers network among themselves to locate inventory for customers or is a free for all, dog eat dog type of situation?

3. I found a Goodwood Green Triumph on the Internet in another dealer's inventory. What is the protocol for getting this bike delivered through the Reno dealer? Or is this completely taboo as in the later part of #2 above.

4. Does anyone know what the 2006 Triumph model line up and color schemes will be? If I can't get a 2005 Green Bonneville, I would just as soon wait for the next model year. But back to #1, it seems crazy that in July of '05 there aren't new Triumphs coming out of the factory every month.

I understand that the dealers want to sell me a bike out of the current inventory. But I would hope this does not effect the service level in terms of trying to fit the customers needs and wants.

Certainly, I want to buy a bike ASAP but it has to be one that suits me and am willing to work and wait for it.

I am also going to post this in the Twins Forum to get more coverage.

Thank you.

[ This message was edited by: ChuckofTahoe on 2005-07-13 16:17 ]

Diego · 07-13-2005, 07:29 PM

Triumphs in general are not necessarily in short supply, but quantities are limited. Each model is built in batches, and there are times when the production line shuts down for model year re-tooling.

Best to ask your own dealer if they are willing to go through another dealer to obtain a specific bike. If not, you may need to deal with the other folks directly.

Triumph have not said yet what the new color choices will be. They'll announce them in September. Even so, that's no guarantee all will be available during the coming year.

[ This message was edited by: Diego on 2005-07-13 17:34 ]

ChuckofTahoe · 07-13-2005, 08:47 PM

Thanks. I have found several GG Bonnevilles at other dealers. I am going to talk to the local dealer tomorrow about them.

Quote:

On 2005-07-13 17:29, Diego wrote:
Triumphs in general are not necessarily in short supply, but quantities are limited. Each model is built in batches, and there are times when the production line shuts down for model year re-tooling.

Best to ask your own dealer if they are willing to go through another dealer to obtain a specific bike. If not, you may need to deal with the other folks directly.

Triumph have not said yet what the new color choices will be. They'll announce them in September. Even so, that's no guarantee all will be available during the coming year.

Beemie · 07-17-2005, 10:43 PM

Service need not be at the selling dealer, so make separate arrangements if necessary.

My local dealers couldn't be bothered searching, even though they said they did. Soooo, I couldn't be bothered spending my money there.

DaveC · 07-19-2005, 12:35 AM

I bought my Sprint on a dealer-dealer transfer and it worked fine. You just negotiate with your local dealer and he delivers the bike you want. You shouldn't have to pay for any extra freight. I was going to do the same thing with the Speed Four, but made the mistake of calling the holding dealer which caused him to hang onto the bike when my local dealer called for the transfer. So I wound up travelling 100 miles to pick it up, but for a good price.

I got my Bonne, Sprint, and S4 very late in the year when the next year's models were coming in. For that reason, I got a better deal than buying at the beginning of the model year. Besides, the models were identical.

Dave

ChuckofTahoe · 07-24-2005, 08:25 PM

My local dealer was not very pro-active about contacting other dealers searching for the bike I wanted.

He did find a green Bonnville but wanted about $8,900 for it out the door. I felt this was almost $1K too much.

When I inquired about a white and tangerine T100 he claimed that "there were none of this color available in the country". I made two or three phone calls and found one in an adjoining state which I have subsequently purchased.

Quote:

On 2005-07-18 22:35, DaveC wrote:
I bought my Sprint on a dealer-dealer transfer and it worked fine. You just negotiate with your local dealer and he delivers the bike you want. You shouldn't have to pay for any extra freight. I was going to do the same thing with the Speed Four, but made the mistake of calling the holding dealer which caused him to hang onto the bike when my local dealer called for the transfer. So I wound up travelling 100 miles to pick it up, but for a good price.

I got my Bonne, Sprint, and S4 very late in the year when the next year's models were coming in. For that reason, I got a better deal than buying at the beginning of the model year. Besides, the models were identical.

Dave

DaveC · 07-28-2005, 11:10 PM

I guess you did what you had to. That works too, as long as you got what you wanted.

It would give me some satisfaction to prove the dealer wrong like that. I'm spiteful enough that I would consider taking the bike to the dealer who wouldn't help me locate it and have some minor service performed, or maybe just stroll around.

I've seen that color scheme. Very nice.

Dave

ChuckofTahoe · 07-31-2005, 12:31 AM

Actually he is the only dealer in Northern Nevada so I plan on dealing with him on service. It's that or riding the bike over 200 miles round trip to the Sac dealer whom I have heard is not much better.

So I hope to be on good terms.

I doubt he will even remember me as far as the purchase inquiries and I don't really plan on reminding him. When I do any modifications such as new pipes or retuning he will likely get my business.

Probably they make more money on the service and add ons/modifications than on the initial sale of the bike.

Regards,

Chuck

Quote:

On 2005-07-28 21:10, DaveC wrote:
I guess you did what you had to. That works too, as long as you got what you wanted.

It would give me some satisfaction to prove the dealer wrong like that. I'm spiteful enough that I would consider taking the bike to the dealer who wouldn't help me locate it and have some minor service performed, or maybe just stroll around.

I've seen that color scheme. Very nice.

Dave

DaveC · 07-31-2005, 11:24 PM

Normally, the dealer where you bought your bike will give you a 10% discount on accessories. That's how I got the Staintunes and the Corbin for my Bonne. But you may be able to also get that discount from your local dealer if he knows you have the option of getting the 10% elsewhere. Or in the interest of friendship, you could forego the discount. But around here, there's no such thing as friendship with a dealer. With them, it's strictly business.

Shawn · 08-02-2005, 01:28 AM

Many dealers prefer to keep things on a business level. Others want to form relationships.

It doesn't look like the local dealer will care either way.