Yeah, david-m, you could have fixed your bike
with a new front M.C. for about $150 bucks,
instead you bail on it, and complain about a 4k loss.
I real Triumph guy doesn't give up that easy, you
didn't want it bad enough.
It's impossible to have a complete brake failure, as the front and back systems are independent of each other.
At the time it was unclear what the braking problems were. Many suspected the MC, others (like me) suspected the pistons. Realistically, it's probably a combination of both.
My main problem with the Triumph (as I've stated numerous times) wasn't the mechanical issues on a new bike (although that was very irritating). Triumph refused to acknowledge my warranty. The FRONT brakes completely failed. The dealer submitted a warranty claim. Triumph refused it. I found this to be completely unacceptable. For the record, I never had any problems with the rear brakes.
After I fixed the braking problems, a few peripheral rubber parts rotted through. The bike was six months old. I waited and waited and waited for replacement parts. I was told by the dealership that the delay was due to Triumph deciding whether to accept or deny the claim. In the end I was able to sell my bike and buy something different before Triumph FINALLY sent the dealer replacement rubber parts.
As I've stated before, if it had been anything OTHER than brakes, then I would have kept the bike. However, I think it is assinine to keep a motorcycle that doesn't brake properly while the manufacturer refuse to fix the issue. Why is Triumph only now fixing this when it's been an issue for a significant period of time?
If it takes a real Triumph guy to spend $12k on a brand new bike and accept it when the manufacturer fails to acknowledge the warranty, then you're right; I'm not a real Triumph guy.
Did you even give them a chance to resolve it? I mean waiting for an answer not just,
identifying the problem,
posting about the problem,
bytching about the problem,
and then trading the bike.
All without giving Triumph ample time to respond with a solution.
I waited for approximately six weeks. During that time the warranty claim submitted by my delaer was refused. I passed email with and then spoke directly with Peter Carleo at Triumph. Again, he stated that there were no problems with Sprint brakes; despite the fact that I pulled my brake level to the handle without engaing the front brakes.
I searched this board and the Speed Triple board for days and days reading as much as I could about brake problems on both bikes. I read as many Triumph magazine reviews as I could find; "mushy", "spongy" and "soft" brakes were mentioned in many of them. I spoke with a Triumph sales person in LA who had done the piston swap on his Speed Triple with good results. According to him, he had unofficially spoken with someone at Triumph who acknowledged the brake problems and suggested the piston replacement as a fix. I had several discussios with the service manager at my dealership about differet things to try to fix my brakes. After collecting all of this information I ordered the parts and installed them myself. Then, I wrote detailed instructions about the procedure and posted them to this site.
I did not do anything rashly or too quickly. I was refused warranty assistance by Triumph on multiple occasions. I researched the issue to the best of my ability, selected a potential fix, shared my procedures and results with this board. This happened over the course of weeks. Triumph had ample opportunity to fix the issue and repeatedly refused to provide any help or acknowledge their warranty responsibility. When I sold the bike I was at my wit's end. I had no moral problem with selling the bike becuase I had fixed the issue to the best of my knowledge and ability. I was both happy and sad to be rid of that particular motorcycle.
PS. And when you say "complete brake failure" do you mean not working as well as other bikes, or got progressively worse but you kept riding anyway, or that two completely separate brake systems both failed at the same time leaving you with NO brakes whatsoever? (Which is VERY unlikely)
Please clarify.
To be compltely clear, only my front brakes failed. I pulled the brake lever handle to the bar without feeling any engagement of the front brakes. This happened during my commute in heavy traffic. Pumping the lever eventually engaged the front brakes, but with significantly reduced capabilities. I rode directly to the dealership, using a combination of engine braking, rear brakes and a now somewhat functioning front brake.
The service manager at the dealership checked out my bike, said that wasn't right and said they would fix it. Becuase my bike was my only way of getting home, I cautiously rode home. The next day, the service manger called me at work (I had driven my car) and said that Triumph refused the claim. He called Triumph in Georgia, and the person he spoke with said, "There are no problems with Sprint brakes, therefore the claim was refused." The service manager said he agreed that my brakes had big problems, but if I wanted the dealership to fix them it would be $88/hour out of my pocket.
If this happened to you, how would you feel and how would you react.
I am VERY GLAD that Triumph is now acknowleding this issue and that owners are not getting the same treatment I received. All's well that ends well. I got a faster and better handling motorcycle than the Sprint for the same money I received when selling the Triumph.
I still like the triple engine, and would consider a used Triumph in the future, but my personal experiecne with Triumph customer support precludes me from ever buying a new Triumph motorcycle.
On a different thread I said I would not rehash this unless specifically asked or sent a PM. If you're interested in reading more (although I don't know what more I could write) or just want to call me names or question my intelligence please make it a PM
