Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Dear Mr Triumph

If someone could forward this to a real person at Triumph
I would appreciate it.
Dear Mr Triumph
My name is Chris Moorhead I own a 2004 Triumph America that I love . Now in the mail I get a letter from Triumph inviting me to a Bike week celebration at Akron Cleveland Honda, the dealer I bought the bike from, it gave me the dates and times and told me about how the 2007 bikes would be on display and all the "extras" would be around. Now I never saw a accessory I didn't like and I really wanted to see the new America,so off I went this morning. As I approach there lot I see The triumph bike week signs so again I am excited to see some Triumph stuff!!! I walk in the door and there is a great looking 69 edition with a Corbin seat looks great and lemonade and cookies for the "event". That was the end of it. The Triumphs where stuck in the back as usual same 5 t shirts nothing but lemonade and cookies. What a waste of my time. They had a new America that looked great but there was no way you could even get to it to sit on the new seat. They had maybe 10 total bikes nothing you could get too. Why was the money on a program go to the bother of dragging me into the store and have nothing for me to buy???? Look I am loyal to the brand I am even loyal to this dearship,Ive bought two bikes from them. But if they don't want to sell Triumph and market them properly then please give the brand to someone who does. Look times are tuff North east Ohio has gone through some very bad times the last few years,so it makes the escapes all the more important. You have a great brand but you put on a program and it makes me think what is Triumphs commitment to this area? Please if your going to bother to invite me to a party please when I get there have a party!!!!!! I don't want to see Triumph stuck in the back so tight that they would have to scratch the bike to pull it out to sit on it,I was going to order a tach while I was there but I was so ticked at the lack of anything special the I decided against it. The dealers represent you even though they are independent they are your arm. I f they half way a event because they have to it makes Triumph look bad. Now please send Message to your dealer-network that your brand is important and has to be treated as such.
Chris Moorhead
3307141029
stern12@aol.com

Send your note to this guy:
Matt Weinert - North American Coordinator, RAT
Matt.Weinert@triumphmotorcycles.com
and copy
dealerdevelopment@triumphmotorcycles.com

Not that Matt would/could/will do anything.

Both email addresses come from the website. The dealer development says:
"We at Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd are dedicated to developing a lean but focused network of dealers throughout North America capable of offering excellent customer service to both existing Triumph Owners and potential consumers interested in our legendary brand."

Having said that, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for corporate to yank the leash on weak dealers. But it could be like many large companies, the boss knows what he wants to happen, but unless someone tells him it ain't happening, he thinks everything is working as planned.

Chris,Triumph leaves it up to the dealer as to how they go about this "Bike week for the rest of us" thing. They will send you all the banners and goodies, do mailings and other co-op advertising.

It's up to the dealer to make the best of it, and sounds like your dealer dropped the ball. I would be bitchin at them for wasting your time.

We didn't do anything special because we had the demo truck inhouse two weekends ago, but we always have the bikes where there's room to sit on them.

Pete

Like I said in my "blue pipe post" my local dealer realy didnt do anything either, not even lemon aide and cookies.
But then it's been pretty dern cold here this week, Maybe he's savin the balloons and wet t-shirt contest for Saterday.

Being in FL, this is a peak riding season, so we tend to do events this time of the year. To bad all the friggin tourists clutter the roads and try to kill ya at least every 10 minutes.

No to say we don't have special events in the rainy season, and we BB-q every saturday throughout the year.

So, oneijack, what part of CT are ya from. I lived in Danbury for 5 years, and miss all the vintage Brit Iron that was so common up there. Miss the riding the most being it's so flat and straight down this way.

Pete

There are too many weak dealers with this line, it really hinders the growth of Triumph. Focus on the line as a premium product, understand both the product and the people who buy bikes. Too often these little multiline dudes simply take for granted that people show up and buy, they dont grab the more that HD does really offer, as sense of being a part of more than just getting bike, but the entrance into the community and that you are wanted. So much missed opportunity, it sucks.

Walked into Harley the other day to get a mirror somebody liked better than me. A girl at the front says hello, everybody smiles. Stopped and looked at a Road King and in 10 seconds a sales guy says "Throw your leg over it".

Walked into a Triumph dealer in Jacksonville Florida a few months back. Looked around at the stuff and a few bikes on the floor for about 10 minutes. Nobody even noticed I was in the building.

Its a good thing Triumphs sell themselves, lord knows most of the dealers are not doing their part.

Quote:

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Not that Matt would/could/will do anything.

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Actually, Matt probably wouldcouldandwill at least make an effort to at least forward Chris' letter. he visits here from time to time.

I was going to post a post like this ~~ I went to the "Open House" at my local dealership this morning. No coffee. No cookies. No sales. No specials. No giveaways. The only thing that was nice was seeing the new Tiger ~~ sweet. I was going to buy a new helmet ~~ but even that was regular price. If the desire is still there tomorrow I may go get the helmet. If I go back it certainly won't be for the "open house".

did someone say wet t-shirt contest!?!

The "open house"/"bike week for the rest of us" is tomorrow at my dealership. They do have a large selection of Triumphs so I don't expect to put up with the bikes being pushed to the back. I'll post tomorrow and let everyone know how my dealer rates.

My dealer is doing the deal tomorrow as well. They actually called me on my cell as I worked a tradeshow in Indy to make sure I was coming in tomorrow.

Pretty much the same thing at the dealer here. Signs and advertising, thats all. NO deals on parts or accessories, No deals on clothing other than the 6 size small t-shirts in the back hallway left over from 4 years ago probably. Couple of jackets, same story, stuff they have had for years and could not sell, size small and one medium. The BIG deal was you got a free helmet with the purchase of a bike. Sad, very sad.

I have no idea what you guys are talkin' about!!!

I rode to my local Triumph dealer today (that's Utopia Triumph in beautiful sun-drenched Malibu CA, BTW) and believe it or not, John Bloor himself was there. I introduced myself to him and lo and behold, he and I talked for hours and hours, mainly about what would constitute the perfect motorcycle. I told him that said "perfect motorcycle" would be VERY close to my 2002 Bonneville America in appearance(air-cooled vertical-twin, of course), but should have around a 1100 or 1200cc motor tucked into it's well designed frame, and that if he were smart he'd also offer what I would call an "S" model, which would cost a little more of course, but would have upgraded suspension and brakes. I told him that such a cruiser could/would dominate that market.

I also told him something I think he NEEDED to hear, and that was that NOW that Triumph seems to have established itself firmly in the motorcycles marketplace, he NO LONGER should feel the need to build ALL of his bikes to "a certain cost" or a certain "low-ball figure", and that this "S" model I told him about could be proof of this new direction of taking more PRIDE in his machinery. I told him that I've talked to more than a few people who've told me that once they heard that Triumph "was back"(evidently a surprise to many of them, as they have never seen anything about this in the MASS MEDIA, nor "ironically", EVEN at any of the North American Cycle World Shows that have canvassed the nation these last few years), that they would have considered purchasing a Triumph if only they felt they didn't have to upgrade many of the components on what they otherwise felt was a very solidly designed and executed machine. I told him these same people told me that they didn't have the time or the inclination to do all these upgrades themselves and just wished it would come from the factory that way. You see, it appears that they HAD THE MONEY and REALLY LIKED the idea of owning a motorcycle with the time-honored name of Triumph, but they instead bought a Ducati, a BMW or a Harley instead.(which once again "ironically", cost them more than if they would have bought that Triumph and then upgraded all the stuff they wanted.

Well, after the Playboy Bunny handed ol' John and I that third round of Single Malt 18 y/o Whisky at this little shindig, I noticed that there were many other people waiting to talk to him about his "somewhat" LACKLUSTER DEALER NETWORK, and so I apologized to him for monopolizing his time, to which he said, "Not at all, Dwight! I really enjoyed our little chat, and I'll get my people started on your ideas right away!"

Cheers,
Dwight
(well, as I've said many times before around here..."A guy can DREAM, can't he?!)

Well I can relate to this nothing new by the looks of things. It is about time Triumph put some pressure on the dealers

Color me surprised. I rode down to the Fredericktown (MD) Triumph dealer this afternoon. They had eats/drinks and a lot of bikes out for demo rides. Actually had a crowd of folks that were stopping by. The weather was only 50 degrees, but sunny. I got a hot dog, chatted with some folks and rode home. Not bad Fredericktown!

Rode 88 miles north to Austin today. Lone Star Triumph had a 80 mile RAT run in the AM, bikes out, Deputy Sheriff did a talk on bike safety, Big Screen TV Daytona 200, Dogs, Ice Tea, free Triumph ball caps, drawing for gifts.

I say they stepped up. They are a split shop BMW/Triumph but do not hide the Triumphs away. I was very happy with the effort made.

I am pretty lucky with my dealer. They had a band, food, door prizes, a brand new huge screen tv showing Speed TV all day and lots of people. I spent most of the day there today.

For those of you guys that didn't have anything happening much for the open houses, I would complain to triumph about them too.

Soren

I think maybe the mistake was billing it as a 4 day event.
I did not go back out to Gengras today so I dont know if they put somthing together for the last day or not.

My dealer billed as just a one day event, today.

Soren

Deep South Cycles down here in hattiespatch had deli sandwiches, Pizza, cookies, various and asunder non-alcoholic bevs. They had a tent and the napkins and cups even had Triumph on them. Banners strung everywhere and a RIII, Speed Triple and a 675 parked out front at the ready for demo rides. They also had a buy $20 worth of stuff and draw an easter egg deal. Prizes were $100, and several $50 off anything in the Triumph catalog....I bought a dealer shirt, drew my egg and won anther dealer shirt

The regional guy from Triumph was even there Harlin King is his name. I asked about the dreaded "T" code and if a customer was willing to pay a premium, would it be possible to get a "j" code twin.......nope.

Anyhoo, my younger brother took the RIII for a spin. Based on the look on his face when he got off the bike...I chose not to take my turn. I really don't need another bike note right now. He was very impressed and once he got by that big old pregnant yak tank said the bike was awesome. He spent the rest of the day with his butt firmly planted on a black and white classic RIII but I don't think he is willing to part with the T100.

Deep South had a GREAT openhouse.

MY dealer stepped up too. I was thinking of doing a seperate post but I think I'll just post the bike thoughts in the other bikes forum.

I had to go to the PO today to get my package from Roundslide (new coils!!). Since RAMP is right down the street, figured I would stop by. At noon, they had the grills going but hardly anyone there. The streets were kinda damp and plenty of sand so I figured it might be a wash. But they had banners and flags and everything. Liz, the saleswoman there, said they had demo rides if I wanted and could borrow a helmet. I said they don't have one that fits So I said what they hay, and went home to get the bike.

Fired the bike up, finally fitted Brent's bar ends to my aftermarkey bars, wiped the dew and dust off (DIRTY bike)and decided to ride down. It was only an hour later but the roads had really dried out. So I got there, DJ blasting tunes, got a free hat, had a burger, and saddled up to a red RIII. Why not! WOW what a bike. Anyway, also ran into Mike (Mrx41862) and chatted bikes and went on a few demo rides together. LAter I ran into Walt (Saltatrix) right before the last demo. He had a hard time keeping up on the T100 since I was on a Sprint But we had fun! RAMP really stepped up. I will say this, aside from a good selection of T-shirts and a few aftermarket seats (and one yellow cam cover) they are sparse on the parts. They had a T100 in the shop with some almost ape hanger bars on it! Looked kinda rediculous... Anyway, it was a fun day! Glad I decided to get off my duff and check it out.

Both Triumph dealers in Denver had stuff going on for the day, and I went by both. Erico Motorsports did a RAT ride in the morning, which I didn't attend since I didn't feel like getting up that early, but I was at their dealership by 10:30 am. They had the full fleet out for demo rides, although some were still 2006 models.

I first rode a '06 Spring ST and was very smitten with that bike. :-) Then the new Tiger, nice and comfortable ride, I could see it at a great commuter bike, but overall not quite my cup of tea. Then the Thruxton, which was great, but it might be a little much as a daily rider. They had no restrictions on how long you could ride the bikes, so I took my time with each. I should have rode the Rocket III, but kind of felt I was wearing out my welcome after the third bike.

They handed out wristbands to get into a local bar a few blocks away to watch the Daytona 200 and have free pizza and drinks. They also did a raffle and handed out a few things. Overall a good time and I left after a few hours.

I then headed over to the other dealership, Foothills BMW/Triumph, and they were quite busy as well. But when I would overhear people talking to the sales staff, it seemed most were talking about the BMWs. Foothills had free food and drinks as well, but just set up inside the dealership. They were doing demo's as well, but on a sign up basis only. I wanted to ride an '07 Sprint, which is suppose to be a little different seating position, but it was filled up to the end of the day. I only stayed there about 30 minutes or so.

I'm lucky to have two dealerships in town and I have to give both of them credit for doing good open houses. But Erico did go the extra mile.

I'm definitely jelous of the "extended" demo rides you guys are getting!!

One thing I forgot to mention. As I was riding the rocket, I was saying stuff to myself like "WOW that's fast" and "oh sh** I better hold on!" and I was wondering why my inner monologue was so loud that day. Then I realized I was talking out loud.