Triumph Quit Ignoring Your Ignition Problems

[Rocket Scientist]

The EB relays look like this. I put mine inside the headlight shell. Others put them under the tank. You'll have to follow the wires back from the headlights and see if you find them.

 

[EnglishRider]

The ignition switch just failed on my rocket cutting off all electrical power yesterday while I was in the middle of a left hand turn at about 40 mph. **** near crashing the bike...After seeing this as a common problem with other rocket owners. I had a chat with triumph reps. They don't seam to think of this kind of part failure as a real concern. And it "isn't our responsibility to repair a bikes failures when it is out of warrenty" the question I have to everyone is, is this a typical answer for triumph?

Just took a call from my dealer saying "we have tried but cannot replicate the problem you have told us about; when do you want to come and collect your bike?" We had a brief exchange of views and the upshot is that they are going to put a goodwill claim through to Triumph and see if they will put the switch through under warranty despite the bike being 4 months out of time. Will post up when I hear what Triumph's response is.

 

[Colorado]

Rocket lll failure

I recently bought a Rocket lll Touring 2008 with 4,000. miles on it. Here I am 2 months later with 8,500 miles and an ignition failure that left me stranded and had to be towed. Holy smoke I didn't want a V twin. My Valkrie has a failed hydrolock repair (pending court date) so I figured I would get something more unique that I can depend on ...NOT.
I have read the stream and am wondering if there is an updated solution that the members have come up with. I can even live with a non-keyed fix if I can depend on it Thank You

 

[martym52]

Rocket Touring E.B.

Which kit do you use for the touring model? (Single Headlight)
Will the one for the Bonneville,Speedmaster, and America work?

 

[Ygransom]

Which kit do you use for the touring model? (Single Headlight)
Will the one for the Bonneville,Speedmaster, and America work?

I used the H4 single headlight relay kit with the fairing option (16" leads on relays) and direct to battery power leads with fuse holder. Model No. H4RK. It has the H4 plugs so you just unplug headlight, plug in EB kit, than connect the battery. I got the long relay leads so relays are under tank not in headlight shell.

 

[EnglishRider]

Quick update - dealer rang today to say that Triumph have authorised a complete new lockset under warranty, despite being 4 months out, without a single quibble . Only thing is dealer can't fit it until 2 August - oh well; gives the Guzzi a chance to shine.

 

[HansO]

That's a good out come

 

[EnglishRider]

Picked bike up yesterday and a quick 30 mile blat home; off it for only 2 weeks but forgotten just how effortless a beast it is to ride. Good to have it back

 

[Colorado]

Triumph....NOT so much!!

My ignition failed a few days after returning from a long trip, Rocket lll Touring 2008. I had to have the bike towed. Instead of going through what happened I will rely what happened with Triumph.
I called the dealer, Foothills Triumph in Lakewood Colorado. They told me the new switch is $180 and if I wanted a matching keyed switch it was close to $400. I asked if the switch had been upgraded and the issues resolved and the staff member gave me the # for Triumph customer service. Within a minute of being on the call with Triumph the rep immediately knew of the problem and told me depending on the dealer they may or may not participate in fixing the item. Triumph also told me where to have the dealer look in the bulletin. The fix it turns out is to bypass the switch with some of the current so it does not overload. The unbelievable part is they are still selling the defective unit and not disclosing the problem. Imagine going around a curve or some such thing and the bike dies.....Triumph KNOWS about this issue and is putting us all at risk just to save $$$$$$. Truly unconscionable behavior.
Anyway, when I called the dealer back he said he could not find the item in the bulletin and had never heard of the problem. I assume that means he is not much of a Triumph fan or is lying. Either way...not impressive..I bought a keyless entry unit for $35 and a rely $9 and some misc items and my engineer friend and I bypassed the switch. This is my second Triumph since my original Bonneville when I was a kid and my last one.

 

[Bergentomr3]

Same ignition problems -- now solved, but it is a strike against Triumph

I wont be longwinded, as this issue is well documented in this forum -- but I do appreciate the history in the forum, so I wanted to add mine. My 2006 R3 started dying during rides (after owning/riding for 5k miles) when I would turn, every so slightly to the left. Conditioned worsened within a few months, then bike had to sit for almost 1.5 years, both out of my stubbornness to not have this addressed by my dealers, and, the cost (had other priorities for my funds). What upset me with my local Triumph dealers in the Tri State NY/NJ area -- two I contacted would tell me "What ignition problem-- I haven't heard of any". The internet is flooded with posts of this problem, and there should have been a recall. So, I was committed to not give them my money. NET NET, I rather the independent speed shop get my money, they rewired the bike, new ignition and relay and whatever other wiring needs-- total just under 800 (parts+lab). They said they got solid assistance from the Triumph techs on the phone. That cost hurts when we add no new value to the bike, and its just fixing a bad design. But, the good news I am back riding the hell out of the bike. The mechanic said no other bike mfr ever wires their bikes this way.
Very pleased with the local mechanic -- however, when its time to add another bike to my garage, I will think long and hard about Triumph -- I love the bikes -- but I am very surprised at their lack of attention to this, from Mfr down to dealer.