Triumphrat

Caffeine · 03-30-2008

Hi, I'm lurking here because I'm thinking of picking up a good used Triumph sport tourer. I just looked at a '99 Trophy 1200, and wondered what you all thought. I'll describe it...

It's got just over 13,000 miles on it. That's not bad, but wow, it looks like they were hard miles! There are a multitude of little nicks and dings all over, and the lower portion of the fairing has blemishes on both sides, one not so bad, one quite nasty. Other than that, there are no cracks in the plastic, and the silver finish is rather handsome.

The bike's overall appearance however left something to be desired. Many little nuts and bolts were a solid shade of rust, a few (unimportant) cosmetic bits were missing, and the bike was filthy, as if the owner hadn't cleaned it before putting it away for the winter.

The owner told me a fan had been installed for the radiator, and I was shocked to hear that radiator fans are an option on Triumphs! Is this true??

He said there was some carburetor trouble when he bought it, but that had finally been solved by some expert or other. When he started the bike, he really had to mess with the choke quite a bit for a few minutes before it would idle on it's own. Perhaps he hadn't started it in a while and it was just cold, or is this a sign of trouble?

My test ride went fine - I loved the bike, it handled well and rode straight and true. It seemed, as far as I could tell, quite mechanically sound. It was fitted with a Corbin dual saddle and passenger backrest. The stock seat was also there. It was also fitted with handlebar risers that made for a more comfy riding position.

Finally, his asking price is $4450 or best offer. I think 4450 is WAY high, but I think the bike has potential if it were to be shown some TLC. What would you offer, if anything?

Thanks for any advice!

tubby885 · 03-30-2008

!3,000 miles seems too little for the condition and age of the bike.
Ask to see the owners handbook,this should show the bikes service history,when it was serviced by a Triumph dealer,and the mileage.
In the UK when a bike is over 3 years old it has to get a certificate of road worthiness - M.O.T. Test.Do you have a similar test in the States?
The cooling fan is standard not optional.
To start the bike pull the choke lever towards you,press the starter and close the choke slowly until the bike starts.It should be almost instant.Leave the choke slightly open so the bike will tickover,as it warms up close the choke.Tickover is about 1000 rpm.
Ask for a test ride.

Mark62 · 03-30-2008

Sounds a little steep...with the cosmetic damage. BUT with so few miles, custom saddle ($400), risers ($100), and backrest ($???) it is worth a very hard look! Without pictures I wouldn't want to guess on a price with YOUR money (but I will).
You will probally spend close to $1000 to get it road worthy; tires, fuel hoses, changing fluids, fork oil, rust in tank(?), and cosmetics'.
You can see 1200's that have been pampered for $4-5k on ebay....
Offer $3000 ish.
Mark

gundog · 03-30-2008

I would walk away. For that kind of money, you should be able to pick up a bike with 15 to 25k miles and
a full service record. I bought one last summer for less money
with a service record, two fairings and a Corbin seat.
From what you have described, you would spend less cash
buying a well maintained example, as opposed to fixing this one up.

Caffeine · 03-31-2008

Thanks a million for the replies and advice.

Is is roadworthy and rides/runs great, but cosmetically it's just soooo rough, like it was ridden hard and put away wet its entire life. I've seen bikes with three times as many miles that look better. And as Mark mentioned, there are pampered, later models on eBay for the same price he's asking.

And then there's the question of that mystery "fan option" that was installed (operated by a toggle switch, btw).

I offered him $2000, but I don't expect him to accept.

mnmrosen · 03-31-2008

I'd pass too, unless you got it dirt cheap. And maybe even then. Obviously the fan sensor died and they hotwired it through a switch. Huge mistake for a bike with no temp gauge, unless you run the fan on the whole time it's running. In which case you'll be buying a new fan soon. And you don't know how many times the engine has been cooked.

In fact I just changed my mind. I would pass, period. If you've got $4400 you can get a very nice one, maybe with more miles but if it's been taken care of, they don't matter.

rgbeard · 04-02-2008

Simple decision for me.

PASS.

If you pick it up for not a penny more than $2k you have a buffer to right the wrongs. But there are so many.

Spend the $4-ish on something nice.

Medic09 · 04-03-2008

There's one listed in the classifieds here.

Clint · 04-05-2008

Point of reference: My 96 with 7000 miles in perfect condition (and a Givi trunk and Corbin seat) cost me $2900.

You can certainly find a much better Trophy than that one.

threepot · 04-05-2008

Don't mean to offend you 1200 riders,but.. I would go for a 900 Sprint. A friend has a 1200 Trophy,he says it lacks the soul of the triple (he bought my 900 Trident) and it's thirsty. If you want a 1200,walk away from this one and look for another. I do like the 1200 Daytona though!