Triumphrat

Welshdragon

Ok, I read the posts about the 07 Bonnie's being made outside of the U.K.

First off, that's a real bummer. I'm not from the U.K. (USA) but have been there a few times and would love to retire in Wales.

How do I check to see if the bike I plan to buy is made in the U.K. or elsewhere? When I go to the dealer, I want to inspect the product on the floor to see where it's made.

Can I demand my dealer to sell me one that's made in the U.K.? The lead time I think is about 3 weeks to get a Bonnie to my dealer. Is it even in their power to get a Bonnie of my choosing, in relation to where it's made?

This subject really botheris. I spent hours researching this bike only to find out that it's not authentic. Their website doesn't mention anything about farming work out to Thailand or anywhere else. It does talk about the Hinkley plant and that's where I thought I was going to get my bike from.

Final note. Remember Royal Enfield? I investigated those bikes a few years ago. The fit and finish was pretty poor but once I found they were made in India, I was broken. I loved their old school look but I couldn't stomach a 1 cyclinder bike that was made in India, not the U.K. I hope Triumph doesn't go down that path....EVER.

All answers to my questions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

CafeRcr

I can't help to much b/c I don't remember all the details but I read that it was in the serial number. I believe if it ends with the letter "T" it was made in Thailand or something of that nature. I know I read in on this forum but I don't remeber what page or when it was posted. sorry

LIJ

Yeah, you should be able to tell from the Vehicle Identification Number. The letter J somewhere in the middle supposedly stands for England and a T for Thailand. In my VIN number I have both Ts and Js so its a bit confusing.

But, to ad to the debate, I don't think its that big an issue. I bought my Bonneville for the British design, not because I thought that the whole bike was assembled by Englishmen (in fact a lot of the parts are from other countries - theres a big "Made in Japan" on the carburators).

I think the workers of Thailand are just as good at putting the bikes together as the ones in England. As long as I get that beautiful English design and good quality of the materials being used. But that is just one mans opinion. You are entiteled to yours.

Anyway, you should find what you are looking for if you search for "Thailand" in this forum.

CafeRcr

I would have to agree with LIJ on the issue of where it is made. These days its hard to find anything that is completely manufactured in one place. But then again, I can see where people are coming from.

Big_Rick

The last six digits of the vin are all numeric. It is the character right before these I believe that will tell the tale.
All in all though, I don't think it really makes a difference where it is assembled. For example, just because your Honda Accord is made in the States doesn't make it not a Japanese car. I don't see the problem if all the same parts, design, and specifications are being used, who cares where it is assembled.

Just my 2¢

__________________
Some people are a lot like Slinkys.
Not really good for anything, but bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

LIJ

And because some Cadillacs are assembled in Trollhättan, Sweden doesn't make it a Swedish car.

SCCTrim

I believe it is the 11th letter of the vin stamp on the bike...it will read like this.


SMTxxxxxxxT etc... for thai
SMTxxxxxxxJ etc.... for uk

There is a odd chance that some of the very early '07 model's will be labeled as made in the uk, and your dealership will have one. If not, and you want a uk made bike, see what they have in old stock. Look to ebay perhaps, or other dealerships for a '06 or older.

There are good deals to be had on older bike's out there.


For alot of the older crowd here, there is a mystique about Triumph and all thing's british, bsa, norton, triumph etc...

British bike's have always came from the uk, regarding the above named 3. At this point those days are over, theres a pretty wide variation of reaction to this. Some arent apparently bothered much by it, while others feel it's blasphemy.

For me theres something odd about a brit bike not being made in the uk. I'm somewhat torn in regards to my feeling's about this subject, on one hand I want triumph to thrive and succeed. Yet on the other hand, I'm friend's with one of the partner's at a dealership I frequent. They will be attending event's this coming season around the area, and I've been asked to lend a hand.

I did this last year at Carlilse during bikefest, I enjoyed helping them out. The difference now will be, when a prospective customer approache's me and look's at me and ask's...." are they still made in the uk? " ....I'll have to look at them and say..." we'll, the 3cylinder model's are, as are the older twin's, but these new twins your looking at are made in Thailand " ....

....I dont see myself doing this...maybe one day I'll feel differently.

__________________
Hated By All....cause thats just how it is.

LIJ

What if your VIN is SMTTJ900TM and then seven digits? Since mine is an '03 Bonnie it should be made in the UK. Maybe they use another letter system for the European market...

SCCTrim

They didnt begin assembly in Thai till this year.

The other thing to consider regarding a decision about buying a new triumph is that the part's on our new beloved twin's come from all over...it has been a long long time since Amal carbs, Lucas Electrics, and the like...outsourcing assembly is the final step.

__________________
Hated By All....cause thats just how it is.

kj4nt

The first character in the vin is the country of assembly, S meaning Great Britian and the plant ids T or J could be in the same building, If the Vin starts with S it is assembled in Great Britian, 1 is us , w is Germany , J is japan, etc . I will try to find out what Thailand is and report back, parts can come from anywhere but if it Starts with S it made in Great Britian. Ed