R3Touring Pics

So what you saying flip is that we should keep the R3's in good conditio because in 10 years the will be collectables
If your right I may get a nother on in a couple years before they phase them put.

RoadVenture said:

Triumph was not at any of the CYCLE WORLD INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW locations. They do not participate. The only Triumph presence at any ot the shows was whatever a local dealer wanted to bring, IF they paid for floor space.

The D.C. show had a Triumph dealer stuck up against the wall. They had a few bikes there, but, that's about it.

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In as much as I spend some time on the 'other side of the fence' as well as on this side, let me explain why Triumph chooses not to be at the Cycle World shows throughout the country. It's a simple matter of cost. If, a local dealer wants to participate at a local show, I believe Triumph will help defray some of the cost associated with the exhibit, but make no mistake, the CW show is very expensive as to floor space, the admission is high and the parking is high. CW makes a bundle on every show at the expense of the manufacturers as well as the show goers.

The only time I go to a CW show is if I get free passes. I equate the CW shows to big flea markets. That's it.

There is no way I'm parting with a sizeable wad of my almost worthless FRN's to line the pockets of CW's coffers. I can go to the newsstand and buy any rag for a buck or stand and read all the latest road tests and impressions while my wife grocery shops for free.

Paul, that's harsh and way over simplified.

Look at it this way, Triumph is trying to take a popular offering and expand on it in order
to appeal to another class of riders. The Power Cruiser class, which it sound like you are
a part of, should still be happy with the Std and Classic models. This will appeal to x
number of customers.

Triumph is, however, trying to reach out to the touring class of rider which I more readily
identify with. My main ride in the past was a '83 Yamaha Venture, a full dresser with all the
comforts but with a hint of sportiness, if you will. It fit the style of riding that I thoroughly
enjoy. Day rides aren't just a 100 mile loop around the local lake. No, they are 500 mile
jaunts over into the next state! My '06 Std Roc with a Corbin Fleetliner fairing and
Leatherlykes reminds me very much of my old Venture.

Speaking of the Venture, Yamaha tried something similar back in the '80s to broaden the
appeal of their 1200cc V-4 platform. They created the Vmax and I'm sure everyone
agrees that it shook up the market tremendously when it was introduced. Honda followed
the same pattern in the '90s when they created the Valkyrie out of the Goldwing line. I
know there are more than just a few Valkyrie fans on this board. Triumph is just trying to
cash in a similar manner.

Now, where I disagree with Triumph is their undeniable Road King clone approach to a
tourer. The single headlight just rips at the very soul of the Rocket along with other
items that I mentioned previously.

My point is be kind to the Touring class. No we don't want a Goldwing but we do want
something with a soul that still fits our style of riding. I want my factory cruise control. I
want my factory sound system (music that is). It works to the Rocket's advantage.

We'll just see how everything pans out. The European Union is in the same mess we are in over here. Next summer might just mean being able to put gasoline in your beast and not worrying about whether you can afford a new one.

I quit watching the market.....I'm out of Malox.

Sidecar Flip said:

It's a simple matter of cost. If, a local dealer wants to participate at a local show, I believe Triumph will help defray some of the cost associated with the exhibit, but make no mistake, the CW show is very expensive as to floor space, the admission is high and the parking is high.

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Absolutely. Any time you look for an answer to ANYTHING all you have to do is to "follow the money".

That said, I think Triumph makes a mistake by not buying into the Cycle World Show. Yes, it costs a lot of $$, but it seems that the returns in public awareness would be worthwhile.

Paul Hyland said:

I think when it comes to touring there are two class’s of people. There are people like you and me who like the challenge of a curve and the twist of the wrist and the wind in our face. We can throw a few things in a Riggs bag strap it to the back of the bike and go. Then you have the people who want a motorcycle but want the comforts of a car. The full windshields & fairings, radios, recliner for a seat, heated handle bars man I feel sorry for those people. So I think a cruiser is in the eye's of the rider. I bet if you ask the guy’s why they got a easy chair on wheels I’d bet 9 out of 10 would say my wife wanted something more comfortable.
Come on you can’t feel freedom threw a windshield and fairings, you can’t hear freedom with that radio/intercom blaring (honey slow down, you took that turn why too fast, I have to pee, if you don’t slow down your not getting any tonight).
Soory so what was this thread about??

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Ask me............... My most recent touring bike has been a 2001 Yamaha Royal Star Venture ("easy chair on wheels").

True, it is NOT a race bike, it is not a "power cruiser" and it is not a substitute for meager genitaila. It is however a superb touring motorcycle. I know that I can ride that bike as long as I choose to and at the end of the day feel relaxed and not beat-up.

My reason for buying it was that I wanted to ride long distances (400 - 1200 miles per day). I felt plenty of "freedom".

Remember, we are not all YOU. Please yourself and be happy.

RoadVenture said:

Absolutely. Any time you look for an answer to ANYTHING all you have to do is to "follow the money".

That said, I think Triumph makes a mistake by not buying into the Cycle World Show. Yes, it costs a lot of $$, but it seems that the returns in public awareness would be worthwhile.

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I wouldn't agree 100% with that. Triumph is very established in Europe where the Euro against the USD is very strong, hence Bloor's profit margins are too. In this country the ever weakening USD is cutting deeply into Bloor's profit margin so why should he implore the American public to buy his product. The less he shells out for publicity, especially expensive publicity like the CW shows the better his profit margin stays. He's competing against giant corporations and conglomerates like the Japanese big 3 who's motorcycles are but a very small part of their overall sales. Even the Italian makes are conglomerates, mostly owned by Piaggio. Bloor is standing alone with Triumph and every move he makes must be carefully gaged against the potential income it makes. I'm pretty sure that decisions as to whether or not Triumph, LTD attends various shows are based on careful calculations and discreet observers and Triumph uses that input to make their decisions. That's just good business practice. Triumph, for the most part, has stayed away from the public attended trade shows just as I do. They have, for the most part, left that venue to local dealer participation. There are a number of other shows that are dealer only attended, the biggest one is the Indy show in mid February. Though I've not checked the exhibitors book, I would presume Triumph will be there. The show in Indy is at least three times as big as any publicly attended CW show but the difference is it's a show with no admission at the door because it's a true trade show for dealers and suppliers only. Every supplier will be there from Rivco to Corbin. I'll be there too.

How Triumph calculates their business trajectory is basically what I do on a smaller scale.
That's why I query posters here about their positives and negatives. That gives me a yardstick to propagate my business which I base on their responses.

It's been discussed here at various times as well as on other forums as to whether the upper echelon at Triumph, LTD or the American counterparts in Neuman, Georgia actually read posts on these (or any other forums). From what I've observed and who I've had the pleasure of talking with in the past, that answer is yes. Yes they do read what transpires on various forums, the positive and the negative. Remember, we are all connected to each other by the electronic highway and just about everyone has access to it. That's why the Internet is such a great sales tool.

The Rocket and any variant were created solely for the American market. What they did with the tourING is change everything a HD rider comments about. How many times have you heard, "that tank is huge" "that tire is big" "that's too much power" "it looks like it has bug eyes" from an HD guy?

I would bet that Triumph will have a part in the next CW show. They seem to be stopping all of the national RAT events so, I bet they will focus marketing $$$'s elsewhere.

There is several ways to look at Triumph's place in the market. Flip is right on with the dollar game and playing with the big 3 Jap bikes. Bloors pockets don't go to those depths.
I don't want to drive another, on again off again Indian and if I decide to replace my bagger I now have a allturnative to the UltraClassic and the Royal Venture. I will test drive the new tourer when they arrive. I can see both in my stable. This is another bike not a reworked Rocket. Triumph mistake was calling it the Rocket tourer. Reconsider, if it had been another parallel twin, or triple. Its just another bike with the same piston configuration. If you don't like it nobody is going to make you own one. The numbers speak for themselves, Triumphs are not made for everyone, but the new tourer opens a whole new batch of wallets, If it only pisses of the HD guys I think it great. It just might be fun now, instesd of dust, you can throw chunks of rubber at them:soapbox:

R3 Touring Bags

Does anyone know if the hard bags on the new touring model can be easily fitted on the classic?