Triumphrat

dave1068 · 03-20-2008

I was talking with a HD fat Boy rider today about the fit and finish of various bikes and thought I'd throw it out here.

For those you with only 1 bike or multiple bikes, how is the fit and finish holding up. I know my old hondas did well, very little rusting on 80's nighthawks and 900F. Triumphs have better paint I think but the chrome seems to pit and tarnish early. Also maybe a few more rattles at times than the Hondas. Ive seen some of the old cl360's from the 70's where good chrome over 35 yrs old.

mbalce · 03-20-2008

I have a 2002 T-100 and a 2002 HD ElectraGlide. Now the HD does have over 35k miles on it and I have had it since new and its always been in a garage. The Triumph by contrast only has 12k and I just got it two months ago, but my general impression is that the fit and finish on the Triumph is pretty good, but not quite as good overall as the HD.

I dont know if the T100 has always had a garage, or how much time its spent near the water which is always a problem living on the coast. It came with a cover, which always makes me think it may have been a parking lot or carport bike at least for some time in its life.

I agree the chrome seems a little thin, I have noticed a couple of small bubbles in the covers. The rims have some fog in them that seems to return too quickly after a good Never Dulling session.

Paint seems really good, I just put a new factory gas tank on, but have the old tank and the colours seem to match identically so no noticeable fade I can see. Also re-used the knee pads from the old tank and didnt see any discernible fade from where the knee pads protected the paint on the old tank. The seam on the tank seems kinda cheesy to me in a finish kind of way.

The sheet metal on the fenders (though I guess I am lucky they are metal) strikes me as very thin and easily deformed. If the HD's metal was that thin I think they might crumple under their own mass. Made them pretty easy to bob though

All in all though, I think for a low mileage 6 year old bike it looks really good, though since it is the new toy, it probably gets an inordinate amount of cleaning and polishing right now.

rangster · 03-20-2008

Hello Dave, I have a 98 TBird Sport with 22K on the clock and an 04 Thruxton. The finish on the Tbird is only let down by the clear coat on the alloy parts like front wheel hub, fork stanchions and yolks ( i think the american term is triple tree). The Thruxton is affected by the same snail trail curse. This could be due to salt penetration as the stuff is spread all over the roads in winter here. That apart the TBS is built like a battleship and the Thruxton is possibly the best looking bike i have owned.

Brooksie · 03-20-2008

Yes, I am. Wash bike and never ride in salt. Looks like new after 4 years.

CAPTDON · 03-20-2008

I live rite off the ocean, & the bike has a garage 4 mi inland. The factory chrome, & some galv bolts- pass!! Paint overall- soso? The wheels- well they have been well described here many times! Had MANY Hondas, & never a spot of rust! 1-10, Id give Thriumph a 4.5 - 5? They coulda done better! A Honda 919 sat in the open sun/ rain lot of my condo for a year- not a sign of deterioation at all! My Triumph woulda been a pile of crap by then!!
Still love the bike tho- a glutten for punishment I guess?

BonnieBob · 03-20-2008

I've had my Bonnie since new and have been very pleased with the fit and finish. Haven't seen any rust and the paint is holding up very well. It's garaged or in the basement during the winter. I think it still looks like new, with 27K miles on it. Love the chrome engine cases, added the chrome valve cover. I get compliments on it all the time and people stop me to admire the Triumph and ask what year it is, of course if you own a Bonnie, you know what I'm talking about. I keep mine very clean, using the Honda polish, doing a section at a time. In my opinion, they'll look as good as you maintain them. Keep em nice, they'll reward you with pride.

Ride hard, smart, and safe.

Pauljo · 03-20-2008

My T100 is quite new, I am just ready for my initial service. But already it appears that the paint (and possibly clearcoat) is nowhere near as durable as the Japanese bikes I've been riding for the last couple of decades. There are many fine scratches on the tank. Some were put there by the mounting pad for the Triumph tank bag. A few more from my Winter 3/4 length riding jacket, and yet a few more from the power cord for my electric vest, both of which must have had casual contact with the corners of the tank nearest the front of the seat. There is also a ring of scratches around the base of the gas cap, probably from the tips of my glove fingers dragging while wrestling off that balky gas cap. This is just in 530 miles of riding!

I love the riding the T100, but I can't ever remember a Honda, Kawasaki, or even a Suzuki of mine being this prone to paint scratching from light daily use. I'd definitely rate this aspect of the finish as substandard. It's over 20 years back to my BMW R65, but I don't recall this issue with it either. The more I think about it, this is the most feeble resistance to scratching that I've experienced with any motorcycle over the past 35 years. It is something that Triumph needs to improve on.

And yes, I waxed the tank with Meguiars wax early on. I've tried to keep it clean. I've not put this bike through anything that my others didn't handle with ease.

CAPTDON · 03-20-2008

Hey Bob I too put the chrome cases & v cover on mine. The engine (being a BB) - all has held up nice!! The frame (gotta look) has some rust as do the galv bolts, FOOT PEG MOUNTS ETC. Its not where she sleeps- its riding up the ocean drive that does it- SALT AIR~! Completely hosing the bike after a day long ride isnt an option , & would probably make it worse? The rims - well they are what they are??

sponger · 03-20-2008

I just sold my 2005 HD. I have owned 2 HD, a Yamaha, and Honda, in addition to my 2006 Bonneville.

Personally I think Harley has the best fit and finish of any of them, especially the quality of metal and paint. The Triumph fenders are pretty flimsy but the paint seems to be ok on mine. The chrome isn't near what Harley provides but as far as engineering and overall durability I think Triumph is right up there.

Keep in mind the Bonneville is pretty much a budget bike. Harley fit and finish is a little better but you will pay more for it.

I have more fun with my Bonnie than any other bike I've owned.

uzidzit · 03-20-2008

'01 at just over 100k mi ridden year round in east tennessee, fastners, as good as ujm honda, paint still good not faded and just normal scuffing, exhaust head pipes fair, pipes like new,rubber just a little worse than ujm, a little snail trailing and boot wear on the clutch cover, all powder coat like new, fork legs like new, small chrome parts like fender stays mirrors etc about 70%. (garage kept but ridden in all weather)

02 at 11k, looks like it will be about the same, wheels on both about 97% mainly wear from tire changes.

Harley has just as big a problem with the clear coat ok worse, their fork legs pit like mad instantly, my dyna sport forks finish was toast in 5k, and my dads lasted even less time. Their paint was smoother as was the chrome but at twice the price it should have been, Looks the HD is great.... Build quality on the other hand you know the running stuff, the Triumph is 100% better every where.

sorry but with all the improvements, HD is still 20 years behind, the new hidden abs system is pretty neat though.