Triumphrat

DiscoStu · 03-07-2004

So I went to my motorcycle dealer right down the road (Power Motorsports in Palatine, IL) with my bonus check in hand ready to purchase a new Speed Triple, only to find out they dropped the line two months ago (I was last in before XMas to do a little dreaming). They had a few Daytonas left and one Sprint, but that's about it. They said they couldn't sell anything other than the Bonneville's here in Chicago.

I'm a little disappointed as I've dealt with these guys in the past on parts etc, and they seemed like pretty good guys. But I guess I can't complain too much as I've got two other dealers about 45 minutes away (at least according to Triumph's website).

I noticed in the "How Far You Go For Service" thread that a couple of other people have seen dealerships recently drop Triumph as a line. Is this kind of turnover a normal thing (I don't recall seeing dealerships drop Honda, Suzuki etc), or is Triumph having problems creating and sustaining their dealer network?

Will · 03-07-2004

Dealer attrition is really a concern right now, or should be. I was at my dealer yesterday for a number of things, and while the work was going on, I had a chance to find my favorite salesman there. He said that all last year, he couldn't sell much more than cruisers. They are a big multi-line dealership, so it isn't like he is just having a problem with Triumph. He said that they sell Bonnevilles as fast as they get them, Americas and Speedmasters just about as fast. Everything else just sits there. They still have a black 2002 TT600 on the floor, if anybody wants one. You could probably make a pretty good deal with them so they could just get it out of their hair. They have had a couple of S4s for a while, and a yellow 955 Daytona for quite a while. The D6 that they have had for what seems like a few months is silver, otherwise I might have been tempted to see about a deal!

I hope the Rocket III helps with Triumph sales volume, otherwise, we may see more dealers re-evaluating their committment to our favorite marque.

Shawn · 03-07-2004

It is normal these days to see some degree of Dealer churn. Especially if they also carry a Japenese Brand, or BMW. Ducati won't push back too hard if you're already established.

Part of it is competition. For example, if I were a dealer rep for Honda, and had some dealers that had Triumph bikes on the floor, I would negotiate favorable terms for dealers who dropped Triumph.

The other issue is that Triumph represents a lower percentage of the motorcycles sold in the US. A dealer has to work hard to sell what they are allotted every year; they don't sell themselves. Which may in turn result in floorplan interest charges and general dissatisfaction between both the dealer and distributor.

I started TriumphRat.Net in December 2001, when my local Triumph Dealer went out of business. So I feel your concern.

The bottom line is that Triumph is an evolving company, having to make several adjustments along the way; and not everyone handles change very well.

Hope this helps - Keep The Faith

DiscoStu · 03-08-2004

I definately agree with your point that "Triumphs don't sell themselves", at least the non-cruiser Triumphs don't. In this case it just seemed like a good match because the dealer in question was sort of a niche bike dealer. His main line was Aprillia, but then he also carried Malagutti (scooters) and Big Dog (custom cruisers).

Oh well, at least it will keep my bike (when I get it) that much more unique in the area.