More Triumph trouble for Garner...

mrsimon said:
Britfan60 said:
If you're going by specs only, the Triumph might be the way for you to go, but its too early to tell how the overall build quality will compare. The Norton is a hell of a solid bike. Fittings, cables, pegs, dials, pressure hoses......top quality. And I doubt your going to get Ohlins without an optional premium price.
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As you say, time will tell. But even with the Ohlins and Brembo options I doubt whether it'd be more than 14K euros at the most. Look at the Speed Triple R which is in that ballpark area.
I've been to the Norton Factory, I've ridden the bike, and I took away an OK impression without being bowled over. There's an awful lot of image and marketing behind the bikes without us having to get blinded by holy light.
The Norton is attractive and the name is exclusive, and the ride quality is pretty good. The bike reliability, quality and dealer back-up is a 'Pass' at best. :? We'll see, but right now I'd put my bets on getting the Thruxton 'R'.
Time will tell ! :wink:
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Yes.
We shall see what we shall see.

But i hope it's called The Speed Twin. :lol:
 
Actually, so far, I can't even give the Norton a "pass" on reliability. With the problems I've had and having to blow off a whole season to waiting for repair work would make that impossible at this time. As for overall build quality, I give it "stellar" and for dealer or manufacturer customer support, well, I'll just reserve judgement until they get a chance to get off the ground. They after all, have a lot of catching up to do compared to Truimph. And wasn't it Ducati that was near out of business in the not too far past?
 
Britfan60 said:
Actually, so far, I can't even give the Norton a "pass" on reliability. With the problems I've had and having to blow off a whole season to waiting for repair work would make that impossible at this time. As for overall build quality, I give it "stellar"...
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How can they have the abysmal service record they have, and be "stallar" on overall build quality?

I think on the basis of SIGNIFICANT failures per "X" number of motorcycles produced (causing typically ridiculously lengthy delays to be repaired), the new Commandos must surely rate worse than (almost) any other make/model.
 
grandpaul said:
Britfan60 said:
Actually, so far, I can't even give the Norton a "pass" on reliability. With the problems I've had and having to blow off a whole season to waiting for repair work would make that impossible at this time. As for overall build quality, I give it "stellar"...
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How can they have the abysmal service record they have, and be "stallar" on overall build quality?

I think on the basis of SIGNIFICANT failures per "X" number of motorcycles produced (causing typically ridiculously lengthy delays to be repaired), the new Commandos must surely rate worse than (almost) any other make/model.
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For sure there are quite a few new Norton owners who have had issues with their bikes.

I think what Britfan refers to as overall build quality is the componentry used on the bike: i.e. quality suspension, brakes, wheels, controls, and fit/finish/general workmanship of the total assembly. I believe in this sense, most owners would agree with him.
Also, he did say he would reserve judgment on customer support. Which has been frustrating at times for me as well.
 
Thank you, BritTwit. That's exactly what I meant and have previously posted many times. There isn't a bike in its class, sans horse power, that I've found with a better build quality. Actually, practically all of my friends had problems. Two Aprilia rsv 4's with total engine replacement with less than 300 mi. on them, New Ducati 1200S with major oil gasket leaks that took a month to get the gasket and a few more weeks to get the "special" tool needed for the repair. Oh....and the gasket was shipped from a dealer in California to NY as a favor. It never came from Ducati. So did the tool, for that matter. The good thing for them, they didn't wait as long as I did. The Nine T...nice...not nearly put together as well nor as good components as the Norton. We still have to see how reliable they are but I've seen a few preowned for sale already. Wonder why? Thruxton probably as reliable as a Swiss watch at 67 HP and over 500 lbs with loads of lovely plastic. Get what you pay for there. I still like it, but, c'mon. So I'll just love my Norton until it breaks again. Then I can change my tune and start a new rant.
 
I have nine motorcycles and only 2 of them are air cooled.

Liquid cooling has a lot of advantages. Engine life is at the top of the list.

They run cooler, quieter, smoother and last longer. Having a radiator is not a drawback...even on my cruisers and naked bikes.

We've been talking large piston to cylinder clearance in a number of threads on this forum...a critical factor that needs to be considered with an air cooled engine...on a liquid cooled engine those tolerances can be tightened up.

Nostalgia is a great thing, but it comes with it's drawbacks.

Just my opinion.
 
I openly welcome the new, more powerful Triumph, but to me the (based on these pics), it doesn't compete with the 961's styling at all. Not as good-looking as a T100 or Thruxton, other than the fancier shocks. I'm guessing they'll make it prettier before release.
 
I think that the heads and the castings look much more" Bonnie" than the current model. I think that the current bonnie missed out on so many of the stylish clues from the original bike
 
chasbmw said:
I think that the heads and the castings look much more" Bonnie" than the current model. I think that the current bonnie missed out on so many of the stylish clues from the original bike
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The current Bonnie takes its styling cues from the pre-unit bikes. This is lost on some people.
 
The Norton is all made in the UK, that's why its so expensive. It too will have to become water cooled eventually.
 
Engie said:
The Norton is all made in the UK, that's why its so expensive. It too will have to become water cooled eventually.
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There is speculation the new Triumph may be water cooled head and air cooled engine, apparently like a BMW.
 
I've heard the term hybrid liquid cooling, apparently referring to watercooled cylinder head, with air cooled cylinder barrels.
I wasn't aware that the new BMW boxers used this arrangement.
Does this design perhaps allow the use of a smaller radiator, and result in less ugl-ification of an otherwise classic appearance?

We should know when the Milan 2016 bike show opens.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Oh boy, Triumph have really delivered this time, 1200cc, est 100bhp, high torque, good looks, iconic brand and the reputation of unburstable reliability.

Check them out at: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new- ... -revealed/

I'll be hassling my local Triumph dealer to find out when they'll have stock for sure...
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Pretty nice. I guess it's time to ride down to the Triumph dealer and see how long the wait is going to be
 
G81 Can Cycle said:
Fast Eddie said:
Oh boy, Triumph have really delivered this time, 1200cc, est 100bhp, high torque, good looks, iconic brand and the reputation of unburstable reliability.

Check them out at: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new- ... -revealed/

I'll be hassling my local Triumph dealer to find out when they'll have stock for sure...
Click to expand...

Pretty nice. I guess it's time to ride down to the Triumph dealer and see how long the wait is going to be
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There is bound to be a 'rush' I think. Even so, I expect the wait to be shorter than some others...
 
I love my 2007 Thruxton for it's reliability and simplicity. It is a no-nonsense bike that does exactly what you expect from it.
I like my 2011 961 for it's looks.

Think the new Thruxton (even though it does not look as good as the 961) might be a nice blend of the 2, plus some extra performance. I like it!
The idea of a 2016 Thruxton in my garage next year... why not.
 
This is very interesting, even more interesting because I have a very good Triumph dealer 10 minutes from my house. Although I believe water cooling is better in every way, but leaking, the radiator is going to take some time for me. The photographer does a great job of hiding it in all but 2 photos but I don't need it on a retro.

Although 100hp sounds great, my Norton with my pipes, 91 map, and 104 octane has not left me wanting more, I have even run down some superbikes in very tight twisties!

That mudguard (rear fender ) has got to go, but Triumph has a full line of accessories that will cover that and I bet they will be available!
Vance & Hines knows how to make a pipe!

Of course I am talking about the Thruxton R but that blacked out Bonneville keeps drawing me! Overall the bike does not look like it has the fit and finishing touches of the Norton, but then again it's "only" $19000, still a lot of money! Add the fairing and the fender eliminator kit and your talking 21k !

There was mention of a "rush" and a "wait". I doubt there will be a huge rush to actually spend 20k but if I have to wait I will just have to ride my Norton some more, works for me. This would be an addition certainly not a replacement!

I will have to see one and a test ride, but maybe, just maybe I can find more room in the Garage! :D
 
I have just spent a lot of time blowing up the pictures and studying them carefully. Triumph has done a good job, but being as objective as I can Norton has done a great job and my 961 is a 10!
 
The biggest draw for me re the Triumph vs the Norton is that Triumph already knows how to build durable, high performing motorcycles and have been doing this large scale for some time now.
Also there is a big dealer network and proper parts supply. Hinckley Triumph motorcycles tend to work very well, even new models right out of the box. Norton hasn't done so well on this score unfortunately, and on top of that the support has been awful for many. That appears to be changing for the better, but a good reputation is a slow thing to build.

On appearance, looking closely at the photos and objective in that I like them both, they are on par( ThruxtonR).That is saying a lot for the Triumph as/before this the 961 was top of the heap for me.


Glen
 
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