future of Rockets

[laraza]

did they just not make the new triumph 2013 trophy se loaded????? yes they did....so yes they can do it... and over here that niche product you talk about is big.. go to some poker runs or rally's here there are a ton of them and I may be on that victory some time next year.. but I am really hopping that Triumph will come out with one of there own or word that are very soon ..

ED

Ed, the market for the Trophy is much bigger than the market for the R3T both at home and abroad. In the US there may be a market for a fully loaded 'classic' tourer but the numbers that will buy 'non American' are much lower and then have to be divided amongst all the brands in that market. Economies of scale rule, especially in a shrinking marketplace. Don't hold your breath!!

 

[echoraven]

Personally I like that they kept it (relatively) affordable

20k+ for a new Victory or BMW is FAR more than I was willing (honestly able) to spend. I got my R3T for 15.5k with 2k in extras free. I've added a couple of power sockets, tender cable and roll bag in the back. Modified my wife's seat and backrest.

Glad they didn't add a sound system, between my Scalarider G4, rock n roll ear plugs I get great sound and I can listen to Motorhead or Led Zep while my misses listens to Keith Urban or whatever the heck is popular on American Idol. No compromise, less weight, and less stuff that may break.

Fairings look cool, but I like to be able to remove my windshield for those shorter rides during the summer, 'cause these **** Rockets get hot.

 

[BIKER]

this summer after I put on my faring and trunk..I ran into 6 different new HD rider who had just got full HD dressers..who had also looked at the R3T all wanted to know how I got my tour like that was told that triumph did not do that ...told them yes that is right but it could be done and that there were after market company's now making fairings for this bike ..but here's the story these guys may have come this way if triumph made a true tour and you know I am right...

now I have made some calls and was told ...yes they are looking at this.. but this may 2 year away or 5 or not at all..Triumph is very slow to bring thing to market..

and I see some of you seem to have taking this as a personal attack on the Rocket ..not at all I still have mine road it today it a great bike one of a kind this is me thinking out loud and hoping That some one at Triumph is reading and going hey I think we should look at this

will there be a victory in my drive way in the next year .... well triumph that the big question hope your listening???

ED

 

[KingOfFleece]

Ed,
You and I both know that you are correct having done the dealer demo events that we have.
I bet I heard 1000 times that potential R3T buyers would get the bike EXCEPT it does not offer all the "stuff" that H-D, Victory, and Honda offer. Most american tour riders want that stuff. Having worked at a Triumph dealership I can tell you my experience is that the ones who buy the bike don't see it that way and don't really get that most other riders want that stuff. I know I don't-but talking on the sales floor and at shows most do want the bells and whistles. Most big bike tour riders want/need (or think they do) that stuff. I know, it's not a lot of the folks here but I believe it's tha vast majority of riders.

Triumph is missing the boat big time in not offering a "Limited" or whatever loaded for the american rider

Here is an example: when you ride in the great twisties of PA there are very few places to pass. As the roads are few and far between a rider can often find themselves in a long line behind a large truck, or two, or three! When you find a window to get around, it's small. The R3T makes short work of it and you'd think that would be important to most. Who wants to sit behind a truck for 30 miles. Well, having been there many times I see TONS of H-D riders who simply cannot make the pass in the space allowed two up. They just shrug it off when we chat about it. They'd rather kick back and turn up the tunes! WHAT? That would drive me nuts and I'd figure most of you, too. But, that's the market. Ed's right on. Every day Triumph serves up sales to the other brands on a silver platter.

Our dealer now has Victory. All kinds of riders of all brands stop to check them out. When they ask about the R3T they get interested as the $$$$ is reasonable. As soon as they ask about all the doo-dads..end of story. They will talk with the wife and justify 20+ large for the Polaris product and say "...but look at what all you get!"

My .02. YMMV.

 

[laraza]

and I see some of you seem to have taking this as a personal attack on the Rocket ..

I don't see it that way at all, its just that most economies are down the hole (the ones that aren't yet are heading that way) the US market would be the main (only?) one for that sort of bike, so, how many years would it take for Triumph to recoup the investment on a bike like that when they can produce volume sellers and increase their profits and market share? And lets not kid ourselves that a few bolt ons would do it,as the bike would need a proper re design to compete in that sector.

I'll tell you what, if Triumph bring out the bike you want in our lifetimes I'll fly over and buy you a beer

 

[JoseyR3Wales]

Local Honda dealer called and had their sales girl whisper 2008 Gold Wing All White with 27,000 miles for asking price of $17,895 in my ear over the phone and asked if I wanted to test ride Saturday and I said


HELL YEAH.

 

[9secondsflat]

Yes and no....that is for the earlier 100 cubic inch engines...that upgrade is a stroker made by S&S for lloyds. A big bore kit for the 106 would be 116

well that's what they call it..Lloyd'z 106" STROKER KIT


ED

 

[CanberraR3]

Guess we're all different. I got home from Hervey Bay and couldn't wait to get the bags off. Did the same up there in fact. If your bike's only for trips then I can see why you want all that stuff bolted to it. But I ride mine every day and I like it as naked as possible most of the time but with the option of loading it up when I need to. Best analogy I can think of is either having a nice car and towing a caravan when needed or driving around in a Winnebago all the time. But that's me.

Triumph perhaps its missing an opportunity in America but the market must sure be different over there. You hardly ever see Harley/Victory/GW "Winnebagos" in the bike parks around town and not that common on the open road either. More common are the BMW, Guzzi and Jap touring bikes. If RDU is any guide, 1 Touring out of 25 Rockets sort of says it all.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

I ride mine every day and I like it as naked as possible

I dont even let mine get dressed anymore!

( Did you really think I was gonna let that one go?)

 

[Evil Mitch]

Guess we're all different. I got home from Hervey Bay and couldn't wait to get the bags off. Did the same up there in fact. If your bike's only for trips then I can see why you want all that stuff bolted to it. But I ride mine every day and I like it as naked as possible most of the time but with the option of loading it up when I need to. Best analogy I can think of is either having a nice car and towing a caravan when needed or driving around in a Winnebago all the time. But that's me.

Triumph perhaps its missing an opportunity in America but the market must sure be different over there. You hardly ever see Harley/Victory/GW "Winnebagos" in the bike parks around town and not that common on the open road either. More common are the BMW, Guzzi and Jap touring bikes. If RDU is any guide, 1 Touring out of 25 Rockets sort of says it all.

Yep i hate all that bull**** people bolt on their bikes its one step away from driving a car i think . bags screens heated this and fluffy that radios trailers . Just buy a **** campervan already and be done with it . But each to their own i guess definitely not my thing though