Received this from Tampa dealer and link to Daily Herald ( UK)

[dandiego]

A quick reminder that some of the absolute coolest bikes were not good sellers. Think Valkyrie and Rune.

I considered those two before I bought my R3...because I don’t want what everyone else has.

HD Ultra? Oh, come on! Everyone here understands what I mean when I say, “The music stops, heads turn, panties drop...when my Rocket rolls into a motorcycle gathering.” Them’s the facts, Jack!

 

[Jag]

A quick reminder that some of the absolute coolest bikes were not good sellers. Think Valkyrie and Rune.

I considered those two before I bought my R3...because I don’t want what everyone else has.

HD Ultra? Oh, come on! Everyone here understands what I mean when I say, “The music stops, heads turn, panties drop...when my Rocket rolls into a motorcycle gathering.” Them’s the facts, Jack!

That great as long as @RKTNMYPKT not the one dropping his panties!!

 

[Dr.D]

Well I’ll just tell you I’m not married to Triumph, or Harley any more. I really like the new Indians but when any brand quits making stuff I like I’ll jump ship. I used to be ultra brand loyal but not so much any more. I started on the Japanese stuff I may end up on it.

I’ve got a nice Triumph now and it might be my last, so be it.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

That great as long as @RKTNMYPKT not the one dropping his panties!!

Not to worry, I’m officially pantyless after the last RAA and have been going Commando ever since....

 

[Dr.D]

Not to worry, I’m officially pantyless after the last RAA and have been going Commando ever since....

Watch that zipper bro.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

Watch that zipper bro.

I’m a bleeder too...

 

[sonny]

I just find it very difficult to believe that Truimph is just going with the Bonneville's and duel sport's to carry them through. Hopefully they come out with something special. I believe that they will.

 

[barbagris]

So then this may be my first and last Triumph . . .

In my case I know it is!.

 

[Ishrub]

Well, these aren't exactly eye candy, but people love them. Doesn't seem fair !
Link Removed

Here is your chance for love too Fred!

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[Bondysbike]

Unfortunately it seems they have. The 2019 model release will be our true answer but I personally am not expecting another Rocket. Triumph dropped the marketing ball so to speak here in the US. They could/should have sold tons. Now the bean counters will all concur that we make little or no money on this line...drop it like a hot potatoe.

Dead right...they have had a blind spot for the U.S and the U.S division obviously have very little or weak influence on the Hinkley folks.
My worry...sustainability...this range of ‘cafe racers’ is 1. Confusing- too many models too closely spec’d and looking all the same 2. It’s a fashion! I seriously think these small ( scaled too small for me...felt like a pimple sat on top of a bobber and my wife said it looked like a kids replica of a real bike...she’s right.)

This trend for this style of bike is exactly that...it’s a trend and like all trends it will pass. What ya got hen Triumph?

I think this is a very naive decision by the Triumph board and yes I have the termerity to say so...going down a fashion route and failing to capitalize on building on the ‘lifestyle ‘ route that is sustainable is shortsighted and wrong! This is a European urban fad...it will pass. Cruisers have a long established position in our hobby / passion and a brand with the potential of Triumph could have and should have stepped into the widening gap available for a fresh brand to succeed HD , Honda etc. Triumph could have done this because they have a brand personality that Honda for example simply does not. Just look for example the woeful selection of accessories Triumph produce...thier apparel line is OK for what it is but so limited you just don’t bother with it...imagination would have seen Triumph sell far more branded accessories eg Helmets refelecting the brand for example , thier half hearted effort to build a relevant merchandise division ( HD makes more profit from apparel than Bikes) has been pathetic.

Triumph...you have succumed to short sightedness and a lack of ambition. You have driven your brand into becoming a narrow niche fashion one with this decision and like all fashion trends today’s hero’s soon become tomorrow’s ‘old hat’. You have taken your eye off what your Global potetial was in favor of capitalizing on short term wins. You overlooked the biggest market for motorcycles on the planet - The USA in favor of urban Europe and Japan’s fickle trendiness...Good luck , you’re going to need it!

(Anyone remember Porsche 924 , 944 etc...good job they didn’t can the Carrera isn’t it...fashion vs icon)