Unrideable and unsellable Rocket...what would you do?

9Ball

Supercharged
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
422
Location
South Jersey
Ride
2007 Rocket 3 Standard
Sorry for the long story, but here goes.

I bought my '07 standard new in July of '07. Bought just about every option available, TORS, classic bars and floorboards, clock, fuel gauge, complete sissy bar setup, upgraded seat and backrest, and so on.

As of today, the bike is in the shop and won't stay in first gear. Took the bike in to a dealer last June and Triumph authorized the "Update Kit" where I paid for 1/2 the labor...even though the bike is out of warranty. 9 weeks later, on the ride home from the dealer, the bike did the same thing....pops out of gear as soon as throttle is applied.

The bike has 2,046 miles on it when it was dropped off and today it has 2.090 miles (only ridden home last August and parked since then).

Both the dealer that did the work and Triumph have abandoned me....Triumph corporate has said they are unwilling to do any more to adress my problem. Just in case anyone asks or suggests that I was somehow rude, crude, or nasty....that's not the case at all. I'll admit I was pissed that the dealer didn't do what it was taken it for and essentially told me the only way they could guarantee a fix is "to replace the entire drivetrain from the tranny through the final drive." Obvoiusly, they only know how to throw parts at the problem instead of applying their mechanical skills.

Here's my dilemma.....the new dealer went through the clutch just to make sure it wasn't something simple like a spring and the bike still won't stay in first gear. It's not weak shifting that is contributing to the problem, it's a mechanical defect verified by two independent dealers.

I've been quoted $1,500 for labor to tear the engine down and a total repair bill of at least $2,300. I have over $17k into the bike as it sits. I still owe 2 years on the bank note....

My question, would you sink another $2k to $3k into this bike? I think I could only recoup 1/2 to 2/3 of the remaining value by parting it out...and it will be a major PITA stripping, selling, and shipping the parts.

Sorry for the long post....I'm at wits' end. I have a 4 year old bike with 2000 miles on it that can't be ridden or sold.

Appreciate all the sympathy and advice....I've posted this on both sites (want more feedback).

John
 
John,

I am sure some of the seasoned Rocket Sages will have plenty of solid wisdom you can sieve through to make a wise decision. As for me, it's a lot of money. I am preparing to switch from ex-pat pay, globetrotting to normal person money (Lord willing and I can find something, anything) and I value the things I have and do not plan on replacing them soon. We both know allot of Rocket Captains on here, who love this bike, and had had zero issue’s putting allot more miles than we both have. You can find a few that have had some pretty tough issues and hung in and worked it out. I don't think I would be happy on another scooter, sure if I could keep the Rocket and have a couple other toys yes, but this is the bike we ride, the one that’s different from the rest, it's motorcycle crack. You spent allot of money customizing and adding the bling and performance parts you wanted to that bike, and you stand to loose more walking away, than the repairs plus buying something else that can't satisfy and then spending more money adding new bling and performance parts. Just my 50 cents bro.... You gotta a bum deal for sure, maybe someone on here knows someone who can help? I would bite the bullet and fix it, if I had the cash. I can only pray mine continues to perform well myself.
 
That's a **** shame, sorry for your problem. It's not typical to have this much trouble with Triumph.

If it was me, I'd fix it and ride it. Obviously it should have been immediately returned to the dealer if it wasn't fixed right back then, waiting over a year to go back is probably why they won't honor the repair.

But based on your usage, (2000 miles in 4 years?!?) you don't ride it anyway. I'm actually amazed you still have it since it seems to just be taking up space.

My suggestion would be to fix it and sell it to someone who might ride it more. It's going to be near impossible to sell in it's current condition.

Good luck and I hope you can get it made right. :(
 
That's a **** shame, sorry for your trouble. It's not typical to have this much problem with Triumph.

If it was me, I'd fix it and ride it. Obviously it should have been immediately returned to the dealer if it wasn't fixed right back then, waiting over a year to go back is probably why they won't honor the repair warranty.

But based on your usage, (2000 miles in 4 years?!?) you don't ride it anyway. I'm actually amazed you still have it since it seems to just be taking up space.

My suggestion would be to fix it and sell it to someone who might ride it more. It's going to be near impossible to sell in it's current condition.

Good luck and I hope you can get it made right. :(

Well, just so all the info is out there....

Bought the bike in July '07...rode it for 650 miles before Wisconsin weather closed in (it turned out to be the snowiest winter on record in over 125 years)

Took a new job in NJ in March, '08. Wife stayed in Wisconsin while the house was on the market. House sold in June and bike was shipped to NJ (along with our other 2 bikes) and sat in a friends garage while buying new house and moving household belongings. Bikes finally at new house in August, '08. Managed to put only 400 miles on the Rocket before NJ winter. Rocket shifter was not returning to neutral and hanging up. Rode bike to dealer 70 miles away and on the ride there the shifter started acting normal. Mechanic could not find any problems during extended test ride. .

2009 was a normal year. Rode the Valkyrie to Americade and the Rocket around town. Put 4000 miles on Valkyrie and a 1000 miles on Rocket...Bikes laid up in October for NJ winter (snowiest winter in memory for NJ). Rocket started jumping out of first gear just before putting it up for the winter.

April 2010, took bikes out of hibernation and Rocket wouldn't stay in gear. Took bike to new, highly-recommended dealer and they verified the problem. Mechanic talked to Triumph HQ and they suggested disassembling clutch and looking for issues. Dealer reassembled, bike still jumping out of first, and got the authorization for the "Update Kit". Bike dropped off for repair on June 4th.

June 7th, had spinal surgery to fuse spine. Has fractured L5, herniated L5 disk, and bulging L3 and L4.

My Son rode the bike home 9 weeks later. On the ride home, the bike wouldn't stay in first gear under any throttle position. Parked bike, numerous calls to Triumph and dealer and got the word Triumph would not do any more to address my problem.

So here we are, 2011. Still not riding and still recuperating from back surgery. Had a friend bring her trailer over and we loaded the bike and took it to the new dealer. Head mechanic wanted to go back in to the clutch to see if it could possibly be something overlooked/simple. It isn't. New dealr spoke with Triumph HQ and they re-iterated that they are not willing to do anyting more for me. Any repairs are strictly on me.

As you can see, there's been a long, sad sob story here. Not looking for pity, but just a few more perspectives.

I have a 1999 Valkyrie I've had since new that has been no trouble, been coast to coast several times, and ridden in 26 states so far. The Rocket was a second bike for fun and it replaced a Yamaha Warrior that was only 14 months old a the time I sold it to buy the Rocket. I blame the test ride at the Honda Hoot (on our honeymoon...my new Wife rides a VTX) for the impulse. Bought the Rocket within 3 weeks of returning home.

So there it is....do I absolutely need the Rocket, no. I'll never sell the Valkyrie anyway. Just wanted something to fill the need for speed and acceleration.

Thanks for putting up with me....
 
For $50.00 you can ask an attorney if the situation is actionable (or ask Geek_Law on the .com forum). In my opinion you have a case where a dealer repair was improperly performed or not done at all (if it was fixed it wouldn't be doing it). Since you spent your money AND Triumph's at the dealership, you both have a case against the dealer if the work was substandard. Since the repairs are extensive (apparently for that kind of coin) the original repair should have found the problem (since it was a transmission repair). Get thee to the lawyer and ask questions.;)
 
Well, if it was mine I would fix it and ride it ....

Just reading your story and getting the impression that you don't have any particular feeling for the bike I would dispose of it.

In saying that you could sell it with full disclosure and still probably get a realistic deal from a Triumph enthusiast who is keen to find the issue. Worst case scenario strip it down and sell as parts...
 
I think I would be contacting Triumph UK and seeing if I could get them involved?

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd
Normandy Way
Hinckley
Leicestershire
LE10 3BZ
United Kingdom
Telephone +44(0) 1455 251700
Fax +44(0) 1455 453005

However you do have to love these things and as Binnsy says "if your hearts not in it......"
 
Well, if it was mine I would fix it and ride it ....

Just reading your story and getting the impression that you don't have any particular feeling for the bike I would dispose of it.

In saying that you could sell it with full disclosure and still probably get a realistic deal from a Triumph enthusiast who is keen to find the issue. Worst case scenario strip it down and sell as parts...

I guess it's just that I feel like I'm getting burnt and don't like being taken advantage of. I'm just afraid of throwing good money after bad and ending up with more of the same.

I fell in love with the Rocket on the test ride and sold a brand new Warrior to buy one...I like having two bikes. There's really nothing else out there that compares, so I'm really torn at this point.

Thanks all...all opinions are welcome.
 
Back
Top