Stuck in France

How do you hook a battery up wrong?

Moogus said:

Update time!

My Rocket arrived at my local dealer on Monday 16th Oct. The dealer carried out a health check on it and found the battery had been connected incorrectly (by Rennes Triumph?), they also sorted a battery fuse recall. I found some scratches on the exhaust silencers and the fuel tank, which was photographed. The actual breakdown fault was a broken starter motor solenoid!

So….Tiger handed back, grandson loaded onto Rocket and off we went with much delight.

Unfortunately, on the ride home, a ‘check engine’ amber light came on. The Rocket was returned, I rode the Tiger back home again.

Maybe I’m just unlucky or I’ve got a Friday afternoon bike. Hopefully this fault will be sorted this week.

On a positive note, Triumph UK and my local dealer Total Triumph have been brilliant throughout.

Moogus

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The saga continues.
That must take the shine well and truly off the ownership experience. Sorry to read that.
I suppose looking on the bright side, at least you didn't have the added hassle and annoyance of breaking down at the side of the road again.
I can imagine having a good dealer, makes the inconvenience and stress of circumstances like this a lot less painful, so that's a fortunate aspect.

Tripps said:

How do you hook a battery up wrong?

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Loose terminals?

I have no idea re the terminals, it was fine before it broke down then went to Triumph Rennes. My dealer (sounds like an illicit drugs transaction) told the battery was hooked up incorrectly????

The ownership experience is certainly tarnished. I’m beginning to have serious doubts with trusting the bike to not break down again, especially as I’ve already booked several trips away on it for 2024. The bike was health checked before I collected it then this happened. It has less than 1800 miles on it…..if it breaks again I think I’ll ask for another one

Moogus said:

I have no idea re the terminals, it was fine before it broke down then went to Triumph Rennes. My dealer (sounds like an illicit drugs transaction) told the battery was hooked up incorrectly????

The ownership experience is certainly tarnished. I’m beginning to have serious doubts with trusting the bike to not break down again, especially as I’ve already booked several trips away on it for 2024. The bike was health checked before I collected it then this happened. It has less than 1800 miles on it…..if it breaks again I think I’ll ask for another one

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Tell them that they need to leave the courtesy bike with you on permanent loan until you have been fully convinced that your Rocket is bullet proof......or alternatively......just give you a new Rocket.

If you are traveling then it is best to take a 12 volt test light and a multimeter and if you don't know how to use it i would learn
It is best to have someone to teach you but they come with directions or post your questions on here and someone will help.
I have not worked on the later rockets but Iam sure there is a way to bypass all the safetys and engage the starter.
Also I would search the threads on the fob malfunction so you can be ready for a problem.
Hth

Finale?

Collected my Rocket on 31st October. The issue concerned the clutch switch, loose wires apparently. Triumph replaced the chrome tank and fitted new silencers, they finally refunded expenses, as promised, today.

The whole experience has left me wondering whether the bike will continue to let me down, so much so that I’ve taken test rides on machines other than Triumph…however none were as comfy nor fulfilling as the Rocket.

Next task, get Triumph to address both fork seals leaking!

Moogus said:

Next task, get Triumph to address both fork seals leaking!

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When did you first notice the front forks leaking?
I'm just wondering if this might have been something that could have been caused during transit.... i.e. over zealous strapping down maybe?

Noticed the oily/greasy ring within days of riding it away new from the dealer.

Was told it’s the remnants of a transport/assembly grease and should be gone by 1000miles or so…..1900 miles in and it’s still there despite cleaning

Moogus said:

Noticed the oily/greasy ring within days of riding it away new from the dealer.

Was told it’s the remnants of a transport/assembly grease and should be gone by 1000miles or so…..1900 miles in and it’s still there despite cleaning

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Is it too late to reject the bike in favour of a new replacement?
It might cost a bit of extra dosh seeing as you've done 2k on this one, but in doing so you could maybe have a better outlook going forward. I mean better peace of mind.
Many years ago I got caught out with a Kawasaki which turned out to be a Friday afternoon build but I was young and inexperienced and as a result got inconvenienced and somewhat financially burned because I didn't push the right legal buttons to reject the bike.
It doesn't matter what make you go for, there is always a chance of a Friday build...... just saying.
At least you have some experience now, so you can check more closely on any new replacement Rocket that the dealer might offer you. ...so it might result in a better mindset regarding reliability of a new replacement bike than a dealer repaired/rectified current bike.
That said, replacing fork seals isn't the end of the world for either you or the dealer....as long as the seals aren't being damaged by a poorly machined fork leg.....so that should be checked and confirmed by the mechanic when the seals are swapped out.

It's not great that the dealer hasn't already noted the seal leakage and recalled the bike in order to make good. It is after all an MOT fail if you have a leaking fork seal.