Dealers.

I really want to use my local dealer, I like the people, and I want them to stay in business. Do I need them, not really. But I try to purchase stuff locally, not just motorcycle parts. I have no idea what their mechanics make an hour, but I know they charge 89 dollars an hour. That may be good, it may be bad, this is the first new bike I have had in decades. Everything prior I did my own wrenching.

With that being said, I will not bend over and let them pound me in the butt just because I ride their "brand". By looking around, internet shopping, comparing parts, and little things like that I can save a substantial amount of money at times. I will sometimes go to the dealer and tell them what I found and see if he will come close to the price, if he can, I will often buy from them, if not, I don't. It is a two way street, I want them to succeed, but they also have to be willing to maintain my business by providing a service locally that is more attractive than somewhere else.

bob

Problem is they take us for granted. They should realise that we don't need them as much as they think and the time has come for them to put in a greater effort.

TOMCAT said:

I've always purchased bike tyres from Tyres4Bikes , my local small shop. I've done so for 20+ years .. and will continue to do so. The debate about dealers and profit margins isn't helped when it's common knowledge they mark-up 200% .. just think if you're going to f#ckin rob people try and be a little discreet about it. No doubt we will all pay down the track buying all sorts of items cheaper from the net .... then again i refuse to be ushered through the serve-yourself setup at the supermarket. Being a checkout chick has been the first job for generations of girls .... f#cked if i'll be a part of destroying employment opportunities for other Australians.

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Same here, I refuse. I refuse to be the cart boy, too, that was always a job for a kid, maybe a special ed kid that couldn't do much else. I'm 56 years old, I never signed on to be a cart boy or checkout girl. They say they do it to save you money, that's horse****, it's to increase their profit.

My dealer is pretty good about non Triumph brand stuff, he'll almost always match the best internet price I find, even on tires.

When I moved to San Antonio in Dec 2001, I was SO glad to be moving near a Triumph dealer! I had a 2000 Thunderbird Sport and no dealer support within 100 miles of Shreveport, LA at the time. Then a year later, Joe Harrison gave up Triumph!

So I had to resort to Austin if I needed anything (at that time LoneStar BMW was much more BMW and not so much Triumph). Then I THOUGHT I was in luck again in 2006, I think, when Alamo BMW picked up Triumph here in SA. But they moved to the otherside of San Antonio, 55 miles from my house.. ugh. But I strived to use them anyway because I was glad to have a local dealer. However, I have gave them 3 chances over the years with some major services and they have screwed my bike every time. The last time being the worst. I have given them about $1500 in just labor over that time for nothing. I have either had to redo everything they did.. or last time, I had to take it to LoneStar in Austin because I was so pissed I couldn't see the obvious things that Alamo screwed up. LoneStar really likes my bike and got it running as good as new last summer and still running great...

I try to do most labor myself, but some stuff just takes too much time that I don't have. I just replaced my clutch plates and springs and that took me 3 weekends! I do intend on taking her to LoneStar sometime this year for a valve clearance check and just a good going over since I will have 75K+ miles or so by then. I have had the valves checked once at 25K miles, or so i think.. by Alamo..

As far as tire prices though... I can't justify paying what the dealers ask for tires.. even if I have to pay someone $70 to change a tire.. I am still saving a butt load by buying tires on line. Especially the Bridgestone Excedra Max.. which I will be sticking with..

I have actually thought of trading the Rocket in for a Harley, since there are 2 dealers within a half hour from me.. and a 3rd next to our Triumph dealer.. but.. Then I take the Rocket for a ride.. and.. .I think not.. lol

Shoot.. if Alamo was closer, I would go to work there just to fix their Triumph reputation.. lol I know more about all of the Triumph models than most of their salesmen..

I guess that was a rant... but I guess I'm saying dealers have to bring some kind of game to the table. Show an interest in the bikes they sale. Triumph should have the mystique of Harley.. The salesman should be proud that he has something to offer that others don't. The service department should treat each customer's bike as if it was that customer's favorite posesseion, because in all likely hood, his/her Triumph ranks pretty far up there.

I have to agree deals have to do something mines about 64 miles for me and it seems the are into BMW more than triumph sales dept is great but service not so good called down for 10k mile service to see how much they quoted 875.00 now I'm new to this bike but hell there can't be that much to the service come on called on in louieville KY and they said 425 looks like a nice weekend trip is ahead

dealer in albuquerque n.m. about 3 hrs from me pissed me off bunch times never could do anything right (leaving claw loose **** near falling off after they finished always giving bike back right at closing time so i gotta spend night or make 6 hour round trip to get them to fix it right) i would and have and will still go 7 hrs one way to pheonix to get stuff done right the first time when they say it will be done it usually is hell they stayed late 4 hrs once to finish my bike mechanic gave me his personal phone # if i had any problems (i never have with these guys) someone here said service goes long after the sale i totally agree find a dealer you like &trust but you also need to let them know same with the ones you wouldnt let work on youre lawnmower

I love my rocket, but I remain significantly underwhelmed with the Triumph dealers I've dealt with. I have one 15 miles from me that is a Polaris / Suzuki / Triumph dealer. Very handy to have close but VERY expensive. I've spent a ****load of money with them over the last 6 months (close to $50k) and they wanted to charge me $175 to get baseline dyno numbers on the rocket. F#CK 'EM. As bad as I hate to say it the HD dealer I bought my Ultra Classic from has called me at least a dozen times since I bought the bike and I doubt the Triumph guy even has my number. With the kind assistance of the experts on here for tech support I will be turning my own wrenches from now on and if I have to buy parts it **** well won't be from the local guy.

I just wish a Triump rep way up high would read all these comments and pass them along to the triumph president

What's stopping us from generating a letter listing our issues and complaints and sending it to Bloore himself ... reckon he'd take notice if it was signed by a few hundred current Triumph owners ... what do you all reckon ?

Of course we'd need someone to oversee the process .. i nominate Richard .. seconded by ......