Triumphrat

Old Scratcher

I've always said the oil leak was minor, but it wouldn't make any difference if the motor was siezed, I'd still have to wait 3 weeks to get it looked at. & it's not like they're unusualy busy, there's always a 3 week wait for service. By comparrisson my Suzuki Swift is one of the most common cars in Cairns, & the dealer also has Hyundai & Subaru, which are also very popular. Yet the longest I've ever had to wait for a service is 3 days. In fact I had my first warranty issue with them a couple of weeks ago, when the lumbar support broke in my seat. It took them 1 day to authorise the warranty with Suzuki, 3 days to ship a new seat from down south, & they fitted it the next day. The whole thing was fixed within a week. Can anybody seriously tell me that would have happened with a bike company (any of 'em)? Why? That's what I'd like to know. Are we bikers 2'nd class citizens or something? Or is it that we consider agitating for consumer rights beneath our dignity? I don't know. In fact it's always been a puzzle to me, why we put up with such a poor standard of service from our dealers.
I'd just like to add that this whole problem could be easilly cured, if my dealer employed some more mechanics & expanded his workshop. He's got the room, & definitely the work to justify the expense. & he just might keep a few more customers.

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

Old Scratcher

BTW Monte. You are right about the Duke being high on my "wants" list. & the fact that the dealer's a little tryer, is definitely swaying my opinions. But in truth, I decided long ago that I wouldn't like a Hypermotard as my only bike, as it's too narrow in its focus (& extreme) & would annoy me greatly if I had to use it outside of its natural environment (i.e. the local range rds.). That's why I want both bikes in my garage. So I can stop grinding away the footpegs on the Scrambler, & finally give those young blokes on their R1's & Blackbird's, a run for their money

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

BrianM

Sorry your Triumph dealer's a let-down but I think bike work is more seasonal so maintaining a larger staff might be difficult come winter.

I think there's a lot of satisfaction in learning to do the work yourself and at least you know it's been done properly. There always seems to be something wrong when a bike comes out of a dealership's workshop. My old H-D (only ever in for warranty required service work) once came back with a near dry transmission and my Bonnie's chain was so tight (from new) I could've played 'duelling banjos' on it. I could list others... One of the advantages of the Triumph at least is that it's simple enough for anybody to look after.

Oh, and I agree that some main agent bike shops can sometimes offer crap, overpriced service but not all by any means. They'd go out of business fast. Best to find a recommended independent maybe?

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'06 Scrambler: TORs, AI / baffle plate removed, 19t sprocket, 115 mains. No blueing, no popping.

Tbirdnz

As OS is living in Cairns I don't think his trouble is 'winter' and it also doesn't appear that other bike dealers have such a long service wait. I suggest OS you put the question to the Dealers Forum on what should a customer expect in wait time for a service from his dealer. If three weeks is the norm in Cairns then I am sure Triumph International would be interested.

Or we can move the entire thread there and both forums can take swings at it. Your call OS.

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Ride on !

Old Scratcher

I've got nothing but admiration for those of you who have the ability to do your own spannering. But I long ago discovered that I don't have the temprement for mechanical tinkering. & I also think that modern machines (Triumph classics incl) are highly speciallised machines, with lots of technical details that are unique to each bike. That's why the dealership's mechanics go to specialised workshops at the distribitors. To learn the ins & outs of each model. & I'd much rather pay such a person to take care of my bike, than let me loose on it with a socket set.
& there is no difference in the waiting time during our off-riding season (the wet), as I had to wait 3 weeks for my first service in March, when it was raining an average of 100mm a day, & no one was riding anywhere much.
I think my biggest problem is that I'm in a provincial city with no other dealers within cooee. So it's just a simple lack of competition, & unless I'm prepared to put my money where my mouth is, & open another dealership (if Triumph would let me), I'm either going to have to move, sell the bike or put up with the dealer's slackness. Only, I'll never move. I love the bike too much to sell it. & I don't believe in rewarding incompetance either. So what's a man to do?

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

Old Scratcher

I'm fine with moving the thread Tbirdz. Especially if it stands a chance of being seen by Triumph International & causes them to fire off a couple of rockets at my dealer. That's just the kind of positive action I'm hoping to instigate

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

Tbirdnz

Ok OS, both the Dealer and TT forums can see this thread.


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Ride on !

Diego

> ...Especially if it stands a chance of being seen by Triumph International & causes them to fire off a couple of rockets at my dealer.

Well, maybe, if "rockets" is Aussie slang for bras.

But seriously, even if anyone from Triumph Motorcycles Ltd ever lurked here, the most they could do is mention the matter in passing to the importer, as Hinckley does not oversee your national dealer network. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to make your dealer-related concerns known to the importer.

A thread like this makes those of us blessed with concerned, attentive dealers feel very grateful. Apparently your Ducati dealer falls into that category as well. But then, for a minimum of $250 per visit, I'd be trying to get people into my shop as quickly as possible too!

Good luck with your Scrambler!

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John

modre

the old joke was:
"what's the difference between a Triumph and a Harley?"

A Triumph has one light on the back...doesn't work... and it leaks oil.
a Harley has 50 lights on the back...they all work...and it leaks oil.

sidortiz

I love the Triumph Bonn, but gee I had a hard time at the beginning with the dealership I bought it from. Initial upgrades, mods and servicing were done by them and the bike always came back feeling the same if not worse. I had these dramas for a while, going back and forth with leaks and rahspy sounds. I'm not mechanically minded but I do know when shody work is done. I was that close to selling the bike thinking it was just the way Triumphs were till I was told about a certain guy here in Melb who is the guru with Trumps. As soon as he first worked on my bike he pointed out all the bad points of my previous service (again work I knew wasn't done well), then he promised to me that I would be riding a brand new feeling bike. Which he came through with. The Bonn has way too much power now, and is a dream to ride. So I guess what I'm saying is, some dealerships are great to get your bike work done others aren't! If you can do it yourself cool, but if not take the bike to someone who cares once your warranty on the bike runs out. My guy does bikes from all over Australia by the way.