Triumphrat

eurobikesean · 09-18-2007, 03:24 PM

I just got an email for the 2007-2008 International Motorcycle Shows (www.motorcycleshows.com) and it looks like Triumph is not on the exhibitor list this year. This is an event I have gone to every year for over a decade to check out the new models. What is wrong with Triumph! I have both a Triumph and a Ducati and I get 100% more customer support from Ducati. Ducati is always sending me invites to track days, bike shows and race track events. Triumph never has. Triumph makes a great product, but they do a poor job of marketing and customer support. Am I the only one who feels this way?
(also posted at SpeedFour.Org)

Diego · 09-18-2007, 05:28 PM

"This is an event I have gone to every year for over a decade..." and you've just now noticed the absence of Triumph???? Must be proof their strategy is correct!

It's old news. Triumph's marketing efforts have done just fine for about three years now without throwing money down that particular pit. There have been threads whining about it each year since they put their feet down, including one in the BHO a few weeks back. Other makers have started ignoring IMS as well, or at least scaling back to smaller booths.

With what you pay for your Duc, its parts, and possibly service, they can afford to be a bit more extravagant with "free" stuff.

DavePreston · 09-18-2007, 10:10 PM

I asked the rep for Southern Cal this question a month ago and he said the decision had not yet been made. (Why am I taking to him in Seattle? A long story, and not very interesting)

My guess would be it will be a no go. They say they have put the money saved (figure a cool million for the entire series) into an expanded demo truck program, and into the RAT Pack program. If the money has gone into the RAT program it has found a dark hole. What RAT Program? What magazine? Also, there have been some accidents with the demo truck visits this year, including a fatality (not at ours, I hasten to add - and I am grateful) so that program might be under review as well. I would imagine all of these topics are being hashed over in depth.

Having said that, it is little secret that sales of all brands of street bikes are down all over the country (not for us with Triumph, I hasten to add again, and happily) and that will be a consideration as well.

I should also include a bias. At the Seattle show, we will be the only Triumph dealer represented with a display, so if there will be no official Triumph display - ours will be the only one, and I am not too sad about that. We will have several interesting things to look at, including our own world's fastest Bonneville champion Rocket III.

As for Ducati, they are always bankrupt or near to it, so I do not take too much stock in their marketing genius. Genius motorcycles? For sure. No disrespect to the brand intended.

Diego · 09-19-2007, 02:42 AM

> ...so if there will be no official Triumph display - ours will be the only one, and I am not too sad about that. We will have several interesting things to look at, including our own world's fastest Bonneville champion Rocket III.

I dare say that will probably be more interesting anyway.

I hope other major dealers will do the same when the show is in their area.

BigAl8295 · 09-19-2007, 08:02 AM

Don't we have this thread every year?

eurobikesean · 09-20-2007, 05:11 PM

I have noticed the absence of Triumph in the past, but not consistently. KTM was usually the only constant no show, and they will be there this year.

I was glad to see Triumph at MotoGP with the new 675 Street Triple, but there are a lot of people, especially cruiser riders, who don't go to MotoGP but do go to the motorcycle shows every year. I guess I was just bummed because I think Triumph has a good product, but they just don't market it very well. I bet they don't miss the motorcycle shows in Milan or Berlin every year.

Silverado57 · 09-20-2007, 10:15 PM

I'm tired of hearing what a brilliant marketing strategy it is for Triumph to avoid the shows. It's a load. Every other major brand, and several also-rans, show up to display their goods. For Triumph to not be involved is ridiculous.

Diego · 09-21-2007, 04:14 PM

No one calls it "brilliant," just practical and effective, given their targets and the results they're currently achieving without all the hassle. IMO, the really tiresome argument is "everyone else is doing it."

Should they find it practical and effective to return, then, like KTM, they'll probably do so. Otherwise, what earthly difference does it make? Clearly, not much, if they're on track to produce 50,000 units this year, and have a backlog of orders on certain models that have never been shown at IMS at all.

I have no idea about Milan, Sean; but no, Triumph wouldn't think of missing the Berlin show. However, it's a real, full-fledged trade show at a certain place and time, with all the media from Europe and major journalists from other continents in attendance; not a single-magazine-sponsored traveling circus like the IMS that requires factory manpower for months on end, moving around from city to city until it's all done.

Shawn · 09-24-2007, 10:36 PM

I jump on this particular discussion every year, because of my annual trek to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I post the photos online here:

http://www.triumphrat.net/photogallery/v/shows/

Triumph is missed at the shows. They should re-engage.

Brooksie · 09-25-2007, 10:03 AM

While it is not news that Triumph does not participate in the shows, it becomes more clear to me each year why they do not. Why subject your dealers and bikes to an onslaught of careless tire kickers who are there to get a good deal on flea market left over accessories anyway? Real buyers will find the bikes at the dealer, where a sale can be made. If it's a "good will" thing that Triumph should show up and let bikes get trashed, I don't see any good in it. While I've never been to a Euro bike show, from what I have read about them those shows concentrate more on new technology and models (both bike and human). I don't think it's a diabilically brilliant strategy not to be at the shows, just plain good sense. Would you buy a bike that sat there and needed everything from mirrors for fuel tank replacement before it could be sold?