More Triumph trouble for Garner...

BritTwit said:
worntorn said:
.... it's me being one of those owners who must change it even though it's working great as delivered.

Glen

I know, I have the same compulsion.
Don't you just hate people like that?
:lol:

I was gonna say something to that effect, but I just knew somebody else would. :roll:
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
The Triumph has several reports over 3 different forums of paint chipping off (including a dime size piece ) and plating coming off, all documented with photos. Mine is no different, I am afraid to touch it. One dealer said to not wash it for 3 months because the paint has to setup, I am not going to wash my new bike for the summer!!!! There are reports of stalling, bad fueling and ticking sounds and instruments fogging internally. All of these reports are on very low mileage or even the first ride. Triumph has a much better dealer network with parts and accessories more available. The Triumph rides, handles and stops great, just as it should!
!

I think you are safe to wash the bike. It turns out the paint chip photos shown on the Triumph Forum were not paint chips at all, they were just bits of white tape stuck on the tank. The owner thought he could feel an indent but was mistaken, false alarm.
There has been only one report of an instrument fogging, and now there is some doubt about that.
I gave my bike a good wash today and applied liberal amounts of hose water to the instruments, no luck at making fog.

I haven't had any stalls or uneven running but there have been a few reports of this. On the other hand, I wonder if the stalls are just stalls as in, let the clutch out too fast at an idle starting off, kill the engine. From some of the comments on the Triumph site, there are some very non mechanical people riding these bikes. I suppose that tends to be more common with new bikes than with the vintage crowd. The vintage bikers need to have some mechanical savvy just to keep the bikes functioning.

Mine went in for first service today, so I asked about the stalling issue. The Service manager said they have put ten on the road, no issues at all. I also checked with the Victoria Dealership, same report there.

The Service Manager also said that if I want to do my own servicing in the future there won't be any warranty problems with Triumph. According to him, Triumph is very good on warranty coverage and despite what is in the owner's manual, gives full coverage to owner serviced or non Triumph dealer serviced bikes. Triumph doesn't split hairs or look for an out on warranty, they fix the bike. They want people out riding the bikes, enjoying them and talking them up.

He said that the extended warranty coverage they used to sell is not so great. Those companies do look for an out in every way possible.
When I first picked the bike up two weeks ago I was surprised that the dealer didn't push extended warranty. Now I know why.

Glen
 
The guy with the tape on his bike was only one of several, he must be blind! The guys that are reporting stalling are reporting clutch in with the bike rolling so this is definiely an issue, not normal stalling. I will agree with the level of mechanical competence, we have guys on the Nortons who will not touch the bikes even to change oil or install a vent!
 
Another complaint from one owner was that the headlight was adjusted too high!

I dunno about some of these complaints, :roll: A thousand on mine now and it's perfection, smooth running , nearly silent mechanicals.
I suspect it'll just keep on like that for a long time.

I took it thru the gears today first time to 7 grand and it is really quick, but easy to ride. The traction control keeps the front wheel close to the ground right from launch but allows you to pin the throttle. TC off is not so great, quite wild in first, tank in face.
It'll be fun to do some runs at Mission dragways once the quickshifter gets here.

Glen
 
OK, short story made long:

"Wife to be" moves from North Carolina to Florida. She brings her bikes to further overcrowd my garage. She has a V7 Guzzi, and a 250cc Aprilla scooter (yes scooter)

My garage has always housed ENGLISH bikes, except for dirt bikes. So I must find a way to bring her into the "light" and loose her desire for "things" Italian.

So I take her to the Triumph dealer for a test ride on a new Street Twin. She likes the bike and it becomes her "Welcome to Florida" gift. Over the next weeks it becomes a favorite to ride. I can tell it has become a favorite because she has "named" the Street Twin, Raven. The Guzzi is "named" Luna. Not sure what the scooter's name is, I am afraid to ask. I am still unsure of anyone that "names" cars, trucks, or motorcycles, maybe too may years as a machinist to name machines LOL

Meanwhile, I am taking the Street Twin (I will not call it Raven) out for rides. Great little bike, wonderful torque curve, and very responsive. The Street Twin (still not calling it Raven), has become a "go to" bike for short trips at the beach.

I get a call from the dealer, and the license plate has arrived. So she rides the Street Twin down to the dealer, and I tag along on the Red 961. As I enter the showroom, I see a beautiful red Thruxton sitting on the floor. To my amazement it is the new 1200cc, Thruxton R. My understanding was that these were not available unless a deposit was made earlier in the year. This particular bike was preordered, with non-fundable deposit, and then the customer backed out on the purchase

So half of the dealer staff are out looking at the 961, because they were not sure that these bikes actually existed. The sales guy that sold the Street Twin (still not calling it Raven) to me, pushes out the Thruxtron and puts it next to the 961.

So. 961 with decat South Bay DT's is started, then the Thruxton. Vroom, Vroom. Then the comparisons start. The Thruxton has some really nice features, as has been discussed in this thread.

OK, jump to the last chapter. I now own a 1200cc Thruxton R. Started its (NO, Damn it I am not naming the motorcycle, it already has a name from it's maker) break-in this weekend. I will tell you I am very impressed.

So as this thread is aptly named, this bike could be big trouble for Mr.Garner
 

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You'll enjoy it. I expected that it would be powerful and it is, but the shocker for me is the handling.
The same crew that designed the sweet handling Daytona 675 designed this Thruxton R rolling chassis. It has virtually the same running gear as the 675 r.

Glen
 
I have not had the chance to push the bike yet, still in break-in. But, the low speed handling is way superior to the 961. It feels like an observed trials bike in comparison to the 961

The ECU has 3 maps installed on it, and you can toggle between the maps. I have only run the road map so far (techs at the dealer said run this map for break-in)

Both traction control and ABS can be toggled off. So far I am very pleased

John
 
worntorn said:
You'll enjoy it. I expected that it would be powerful and it is, but the shocker for me is the handling.
The same crew that designed the sweet handling Daytona 675 designed this Thruxton R rolling chassis. It has virtually the same running gear as the 675 r.

Glen

Not sure, but I think the 675 Daytona is a monoshock swingarm, while the Thruxton R has twin Ohlins on the back. The R has spoked wheels, for a retro look I assume, and the 675 has cast wheels. All and all the bike handles great.

Not to mention I have a dealer in town. Already had a recall on the Street Twin. There was a cable brace on the front fender that was giving problems. Took the Twin (Raven, OK I said it) and they fixed it while I waited. Took 10 minutes. Not use to that kind of service either.

John
 
G81 Can Cycle said:
worntorn said:
You'll enjoy it. I expected that it would be powerful and it is, but the shocker for me is the handling.
The same crew that designed the sweet handling Daytona 675 designed this Thruxton R rolling chassis. It has virtually the same running gear as the 675 r.

Glen

Not sure, but I think the 675 Daytona is a monoshock swingarm, while the Thruxton R has twin Ohlins on the back. The R has spoked wheels, for a retro look I assume, and the 675 has cast wheels. All and all the bike handles great.

Not to mention I have a dealer in town. Already had a recall on the Street Twin. There was a cable brace on the front fender that was giving problems. Took the Twin (Raven, OK I said it) and they fixed it while I waited. Took 10 minutes. Not use to that kind of service either.

John


You are right, it's mainly the front end and brakes they share, plus the design team.

I had to run thru Vancouver (BC) yesterday and found the road mode useful. For very slow speed stop and go running it's just a little smoother than Sport.

Glen
 
worntorn said:
G81 Can Cycle said:
worntorn said:
You'll enjoy it. I expected that it would be powerful and it is, but the shocker for me is the handling.
The same crew that designed the sweet handling Daytona 675 designed this Thruxton R rolling chassis. It has virtually the same running gear as the 675 r.

Glen

Not sure, but I think the 675 Daytona is a monoshock swingarm, while the Thruxton R has twin Ohlins on the back. The R has spoked wheels, for a retro look I assume, and the 675 has cast wheels. All and all the bike handles great.

Not to mention I have a dealer in town. Already had a recall on the Street Twin. There was a cable brace on the front fender that was giving problems. Took the Twin (Raven, OK I said it) and they fixed it while I waited. Took 10 minutes. Not use to that kind of service either.

John


You are right, it's mainly the front end and brakes they share, plus the design team.

I had to run thru Vancouver (BC) yesterday and found the road mode useful. For very slow speed stop and go running it's just a little smoother than Sport.

Glen

Glen

I will have so many questions for you that I will have to start PM'ing you for answers. After all this is a Norton forum LOL

John
 
Yes, I suppose we Thruxton R owners need to "get a room" :mrgreen:



Glen
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
It is the 29th bike I have owned in over 45 years and though not the reason I bought it the Norton makes me feel more special then any other bike including the Triumph, and I have had the best of the best of the 80"s, 90"s and 2000"s The fit, finish, paint and components are second to none!
quite the plug :!: 8)
 
I don't see the Thruxton as being " more trouble for Garner". There will still be the niche for a fabulously hand built Norton and enough Norton heads that will want this bike. It just drips class. Although the Thruxton may perform a little better, it is what it is, a real nice mass produced bike. It doesn't detract any appeal from the Norton. By the time you buy all the toys, fender eliminator kit, carbon fiber bits, billet, exhaust...its a pricey bike. Can't say I wouldn't want one in the stable though. :wink:
 
Britfan690, you are making me crave mine even more than I do. Worse yet, the weather is very nice and my wife just took off on her H-D 883N (that I bought her) for a cruise. I am patient, but it might be time to bug my transporter once again.
 
Well, Contours. You could always take the Daytona out for a thrashing. The only other bikes I have are 49 HP old Bonnevilles. As much as I like them, its just not the same thrill.
 
Britfan60 said:
Well, Contours. You could always take the Daytona out for a thrashing.

Well, i would except that she needs work on the front brakes. And the bumps in the road are unbearable so the forks need attention, too. Unfortunately, I'm too busy with house repairs (yuk!) to spend any time on the either my Daytona or my '75 Norton. :(
 
Britfan60 said:
I don't see the Thruxton as being " more trouble for Garner". There will still be the niche for a fabulously hand built Norton and enough Norton heads that will want this bike. It just drips class. Although the Thruxton may perform a little better, it is what it is, a real nice mass produced bike. It doesn't detract any appeal from the Norton. By the time you buy all the toys, fender eliminator kit, carbon fiber bits, billet, exhaust...its a pricey bike. Can't say I wouldn't want one in the stable though. :wink:

I agree there will always be a niche for Nortons, and quite right too. They are special bikes and have a special following.

But, its a small niche already. There can't be that many enthusiasts within the niche who can happilly / easily say "they both nice... I'll have one of each".

So, the 'more trouble for Garner' still stands IMHO. If these new Triumphs continue to attract widespread praise, and if Norton continue as they have thus far, there are bound to be a growing number of buyers who when deciding between the two, decide against Norton.

Its a shame of course, and I hope it doesn't hit Norton too hard, but hit them it inevitably will.
 
Fast Eddie, you seem to forget that the Norton wasn't intended for the masses. It was in tended to be a small niche, boutique bike. Although sales have increased quite a bit over the past few years and Norton has expanded its staff and production, it is still filling its obligations and remains a comparatively small company. Then we get some idiot low class Triumph dealer calling it a piece of shit like his opinion counts.
 
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