[SPTRIP]

I own a number of motorcycles. I purchased my 2006 T100 because of the retro look and like my S3, it was built in England.

There was a thread recently about buying a new '06 or '07. Most replies regarding the '07's being built in Thailand focused on build quality.

Build quality? I'm not sure that's a Brit strong suit in the first place. Put any Triumph up against a BMW or a Ducati. The Triumphs aren't close in build quality. My new Harley's fit and finish is better than my 2006 T100. You don't hear about the spokes on a Harley breaking. Is buying a Triumph primarily about build quality?

One of the main things that the technologically antiquated Bonneville had going for it was that it was designed (styled)/engineered/manufactured) in Britain. It's all about the image and the retro styling.

That's the only reason I bought mine. My T100 (in stock trim) pales in comparison to my Harley, BMW, and Suzuki DL650 for a comfortable ride if going over 200 miles. It lacks the performance and edge of my S3.

Now that it's made in Thailand, why bother owning one? No image, no mystique, no essence of what a Brit made Bonneville was meant to be. Maybe I'm in the minority on this one? I've gone back and forth about selling my T100.

Will this affect how well a Bonneville holds it's perceived value?

Opinions?

[ This message was edited by: SPTRIP on 2006-12-28 11:54 ]

 

[Hogtied]

I have a buddy who works at the Triumph dealer in Atlanta. They have '07 Bonnies from both the UK ("J") and Thailand ("T") in their shop. According to him, the quality of the bikes built in Thailand is (much) better than the quality of those built in the UK.

The letters in quotations above are included in the VIN number - they'll tell you where the bike was built.

One thing he also said was that the front fender on the new Bonnies is... (drum roll...) "Plastic!" (ala the Thruxton front fender).

Oh, the humanity....

 

[SPTRIP]

On 2006-12-28 12:09, Hogtied wrote:
I have a buddy who works at the Triumph dealer in Atlanta. They have '07 Bonnies from both the UK ("J") and Thailand ("T") in their shop. According to him, the quality of the bikes built in Thailand is (much) better than the quality of those built in the UK.

The letters in quotations above are included in the VIN number - they'll tell you where the bike was built.

One thing he also said was that the front fender on the new Bonnies is... (drum roll...) "Plastic!" (ala the Thruxton front fender).

Oh, the humanity....

My point is that is it really about build quality or the image?

Our dealers here in MN that have setup the Thai bikes don't see any difference in build quality. They did state that a number of components did not easily "line up" well on the Thai bikes as they were being assembled.

 

[walt]

Quote: "One of the main things that the technologically antiquated Bonneville had going for it was that it was designed (styled)/engineered/manufactured) in Britain. It's all about the image and the retro styling."

Maybe for some, but not for me. I bought my Bonneville because it is the closest bike to what I had in the 60's. Back then I started out with a 1954 Triumph 650cc twin, a year later dropped a '59 Bonnie engine that I had "slightly" modified into it, and rode it until about 1970. My new Bonneville is 100 - 150 pounds heavier, shift lever on the "wrong" side, and other oddities, but for me and some others that are getting back into riding, we want what we had back then. We're maybe part reliving our past, and part trying to stick with what we're familiar with to keep us out of trouble while relearning old skills.

Not once did I want this one because it was engineered or manufactured in Britain, or because I expected it to retain its value better than other bikes. Maybe it will retain its value, and maybe it won't. What it will do - I hope - is give me the best shot at finding the same enjoyment in riding I had 35 plus years ago.
I've given myself one year to find out, so at that time I'll either be adding a well engineered and good quality bike from where ever, or ---- well, we won't think about that part, will we.

 

[SCCTrim]

I think everyone at some level is concerned about this...( I'm sure there are exceptions )...mainly because it's new. For myself I've always had a thing for..."British" bikes....that meant BSA, Norton, and of course Triumph.

I wanted to buy a HD, and after much haggling and shopping around it was painfully obvious that it was gonna cost me 19K otd for a '06 deuce. Theres something about that bike for me, when I sit in the saddle, it just feels natural.

I couldn't swallow the 19k for a new bike. Then I started reading about the new Triumph's and the Bonneville's. I went to a shop in Frederick MD, and seen a Bonnie Black sitting there...it was all over. I learned to ride on a BSA, similar to the Bonnie I seen in the dealership. I loved that bike, it was different. You don't see BSA's or Norton's or Triumph's everyday like other manufacturer's bikes.

Buying a new Triumph was no different than buying one 30 year's ago, Made in England. The bike felt very familiar, aside from the shifter being on the wrong side of the bike, and having electric start, and no oil leaks, and the electrics actually worked!

Had the bike been assembled in Thai, I'm not so sure it would have had the same attraction for me. I think as time passe's, as more people become accustomed to this, it will have less of a negative effect than it has presently.

My feeling's on it are as long as the build quality improves or at least stays the same, I'll buy the bike. It won't hold the same mystique for me personally, but I'd still buy the bike.

 

[Iceseven]

When talk started about the Thailand plant I heard that those bikes were for the Asian market only but it sounds like that is not the case anymore.

What a shame! I have had four Hinckley's and one Meriden Triumph and will not buy a Taiwan built Triumph or probably not another Triumph all together. I would rather see the price go up than see Triumph's built in Asia.

Wonder what the patent plate on the engine will now say "Made in Great Britain" or "Made in Thailand"?

Oh well I'll buy a BMW next time and burn my Phillipine made Triumph jacket in protest.

 

[Brooksie]

Glad I have my two before they change. I agree with SCC. It is part of the mystic. If HD were made in Singapore, I doubt if they would sell so well here. Nothing personal, just fact. Build quality may be as good or better if "jobbed-out" to third world plants, and Triumph has to try and MAKE MONEY in a WORLD economy, so who can blame them. If you do not like where they build their bikes, then drop 20k on a Harley or buy a Big Four bike and hope for the best. When both my Daytona & Bonnie can no longer run, I'll buy a Ducati made in lord knows where.

[ This message was edited by: Brooksie on 2006-12-28 15:28 ]

 

[Fraederichs]

No worries here. Keep 'em cheap and of tip-top workmanship.

 

[RaceDweeb]

Excuse me but I didn't read through the entire thread. This may have been covered.

The 2007 Thai Bonnies have plastic front fenders.

 

[SPTRIP]

On 2006-12-28 15:37, RaceDweeb wrote:
Excuse me but I didn't read through the entire thread. This may have been covered.

The 2007 Thai Bonnies have plastic front fenders.

Then it's being covered again. Relevant to the fact that there is additional input from dealers who have had more experience setting up the bikes from Thailand. Your screen name is appropriate.

 

[FattRat]

I recently brought up "Triumphs made in Thailand" among my mates, and oddly enough they EXCLAIMED that the machining in Thailand (in general and 'bikes' made there) was "EXCELLENT!" They then began to discuss at great length about how well made (certain?) things in Thailand are manufactured. (?!?!?)

Well...... I'm an olde fart who is becoming more aware of his (my) traditional roots and bias'. I'm not in favor of 'Globalization', I hate that the United States is full of kids (now adults) who are terribly uneducated and incapable of independent thought, that we (Americans) have little class and lack (once "common") sense, and that our (the Western World) morals are increasingly more corrupt and left for lacking.
I also hate that we have grown greedy and dependent on the pimping off of cheap labor outside of our borders.
(rant off)

-- BUT --

Plastic fender or not, if the Bonneville made in Thailand ends up being a superior product..... well, that's gonna be one hell of a piece of *craftsmanship worth owning/riding..... the very word we (old guys like me who remember Rolls & XKE) once associated with the likes of an English made Coach.

It's ironic, and it's sad. We'll see.......

 

[sweatmachine]

F that stupid plastic fender BS.

That really sucks.

 

[Fast_Fashion]

I couldn't care less, I already have an 06 :lollol:

[ This message was edited by: Fast_Fashion on 2006-12-28 17:13 ]

 

[Kevin57]

Thai Bonnies lie over the ocean....
Thai Bonnies lie over the sea....
Thai Bonnies lie over the ocean...
Oh bring that Thai Bonnie to me!

 

[whoa]

I'd imagine whoever Triumph uses, they will have to meet their specs. So no, it don't matter to me. Although I'd rather they be made in Texas. Would love to be able to drop in and check out the factory.

 

[Panthermark]

I'm not concerned about the build quality. It may or may not be better.

BUT

I did buy this bike because it was "made in England". I could have purchased a faster bike or a more modern bike for less money....but I liked the idea of buying a British bike.

I'm glad I have a nice MADE IN ENGLAND sticker for my 05 Bonnie.

 

[ohiorider]

It will be interesting to see where all the pieces and parts come from on the Thai machines. Once, one of the BMW club mags published an article entitled "Where is your BMW GS Made"? it was surprising to find that very little of the bike's components were manufactured in Germany. Wheels came from Italy, aluminium engine castings came from Poland, other parts came from Austria, instruments came from Japan. The entire bike was then assembled at the Spandau (Berlin) plant.

I definitely liked the concept of owning a bike that was "Made in England" and putting said decal on my frame downtubes, but once I owned the bike, what I now enjoy is how it looks, feels, sounds, rides, and runs. That's part of the original design, and there's no way that's going to go away.

This may have been part of the plan from the beginning. Build the bikes in the UK and sell them at a near-break even point to get into the retro market, then switch manufacturing to a lower cost mfg country in an effort to keep the cost/price about where it is now, but make a few bucks for Triumph in the process.

I suspect that whatever John Bloor has decided, it's in an effort to keep supplying Triumphs to us at a price we can afford. It is a little tough to argue with the guy who invested $millions of his own money into the rebirth of Triumph motorcycles.

Having said that, it would be interesting if Triumph would publish a statement that really had some meat in it, or at least met with the editors of a couple of bike mags and had a discussion that would be published about the Thai thing.

We may need NB and BC to offer a new decal that says "Designed in England".

My .02 worth.

Bob

[ This message was edited by: ohiorider on 2006-12-28 20:08 ]

 

[CAPTDON]

He** look @ your 01-06 Bonne & see where all the parts on the bike were made? NOT in GB. Assembled there maybe. The motor in GB yes, the elec, wheels, carbs etc.. everywhere. I got my multinat'l 04 Bonne assembledin GB. Will be my last bike so who cares? The Bonnes have some quality issues w/ chro,me etc. Most Asian bikes dont have the same problems, so maybe not a bad decision. All aircooled bikes will soon be a thing of the past anyway. So we are riding REAL classics now. Enjoy!

 

[ohiorider]

CaptDon - I'm with ya! Ride and enjoy! Life is short!

Bob

 

[Anchorbend]

Speaking of broken spokes, try a Harley tank slap for fun and games.