Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Triumph Quality

Hello group..I had a previous post and wanted to say thanks for all your help.. So I have another question about triumph quality.I've read alot of post about coils and brakes and other problems ect.. My question is, is triumph just as reliable as a honda or yamaha..I need to know because the closest dealer is about 50 miles away from where I live..I have my heart set on a 2007 or 2008 speedy..Thanks again.Mike

Yes, they are good quality machines and will provide you with many happy miles. All brands have their quirks and these have a few but they are few and far between... 5 years and over 30,000 miles for me.

The problems seem to be spuratic. I've never had brake or CDI problems with my 2004 America. Others have had intermitent CDI problems and brake rotor warping problems. My 04 has been bullet proof so far.

Other than the things I have screwed up while tinkering, my bike is rock solid. I believe you will find that to be the majority opinion. You won't hear that unless you ask but you will hear every bad thing because that's what people post about.

After all, a post about 'hey, my bike is running great, how do I fix that?' wouldn't make sense, right?

I purchased one and have no dealer within 135 miles of me. I had one problem on warped rotors....took it back to the dealer and they replaced under warranty. The bike seems made really well. I would buy another one even if the closest dealer was 500 miles away before I would buy any other manufacturer.

You dealer is ONLY 50 miles away? So lucky...

My dealer is only four blocks away

Soren

My dealer is 2 hour ride west and 2 hour ride north west. Still an awesome make though. I had a Harley, that's why my back and neck got to the point of near breakage. Now I go all day and not even feel it.

I'm at +6K miles and the only problems I've encountered have been caused by my occasional sub-standard wrenching.

Don't want to jinx myself but after a little over 1 year and 7000 miles no problems.Did need to replace rear brakes but I ride with my wife on the back about 1/2 the time and we have been to the mountains about 5 times this summer.Plus I dont ride in the slow lane to often.I'm also lucky in that my dealer is less than 2 miles from my shop and there is also one about 20 miles from home

after 2and a half year and 40 000 still ok.!!!!!(bike has 45 000 but first 5000 were not mine)

5 years and 20,000 miles. No problems at all. Commute on it daily now.

It is 230 miles to the nearest dealer from here. My Triumph runs so well, I don't even think about that.

About 37.5k miles and still going after 5.5 years despite my clumsy wrenching skills trying to kill it.

I wouldn't care if I had to get my TA by mail order without a dealer than ride any of those others with a dealer next door. Been riding my black beauty since June '03 and she is rock solid and bullet proof.......

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Hank

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Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried, in my way
To be free.....(Leonard Cohen)

+1

04 America with 9700 miles used as a daily driver back and forth to work with no issues (knock on wood)

Its a shame they have let themselves down in the Rotor Department. 18000 kms and 3rd set. I think they just dont care, or they would have sorted it out. Its a great bike but im thinking on trading for something else.

Try cleaning and lightly re-greasing the 2 large brake caliper bolts every 3,000 miles. Takes about 2 minutes per bolt. This allows the calipers to float (sideways) and can help reduce the possibility of a brake pad not moving away from the rotor when the brakes are not being applied (a lot less rotor heating). I do this and have never had a brake problem of any kind. On some cars I have also had to do this about every 10,000 miles, but it is easy and worth the effort.

8200 miles on '06 Merica with no unschedulded maintenance.

3 years, 35k miles, no problems

My front rotors warped. I ignored. It either went away or I don't notice it anymore. Progressive front springs probably reduce the pulse some. Rotors warp on a lot of vehicles - both two and four-wheeled. It does not mean the brakes don't work, or that their capacity to work has been reduced in any way. They get hot, they warp. Don't blame them.

My dealer is a good 25 mile ride, and a good excuse to take one sometimes, just to go say hello, or visit an open house, or whatever. Keeps me spending money there anyway....clothes, parts, etc.

If you buy that Honda, or Whateveraki, your buying just another motorcycle.

You buy one of these, you ride a TRIUMPH.

As someone else said once here:

"You don't own a TRIUMPH. You just have the pleasure of taking care of one." It will take care of you in return.

Not sure that is exactly how that was said, but maybe that gets the point across.

It would mean a whole lot more to you after you had one a while....

schultz....have owned most of them and loved the Yamaha & Honda but the three (3) Hinckley Trumps I've had have given me more security than any other marquee I have owned....but that is my experience

Originally, I wasn't gonna reply 'cause you said you wanted to buy new.
But, I'll go ahead and spit it out for what it's worth.
The warranty may be a reason why proximity to a dealer is an issue.
If so, you could consider buying used & wrenching yourself.
Where DIY isn't practical (tire changes?) any bike shop, dealer or not, can help.
This approach would require the Haynes book, Triumph service manual, or both.
I expect most of us who've taken this approach could say that tinkering is half the fun.

6 years and 65000 miles. These bikes suck. Go buy a hardley.

An indication of faith in the machine (even though I did have the CDI issue a year or so ago).
I recently completed a 15 country tour (10.000 kms) throughout Europe ... knowing that around 8 or 9 of them don't even have a Triumph dealer.

I'm still jealous. Your trip was almost twice what mine was.

So having established mostly what little probs in reliability we do have, I must admit that I'm with Bill 100% on this one. Also, by buying second hand and whilst not completely new, my experience is you can save thousands in the process, have a bike that no one can tell the difference between new and second hand, it has a warranty for anything major and the rest is satisfaction in doing it yourself.

Sure you may have to travel a few hundred miles to pick up that perfect deal but in my case and another speedie mate of mine, virtually doing the deal online or over the phone and then picking it up with the ride home, it's gotta be one of my best experiences I know of.

So then as Bill suggests, with a couple of the manuals and this website, what more do you need.

Anyway, best of luck whichever way you decide and hope we see more of you here Mike

A friend of mine has had three Triumphs. One Sprint and two different Bonneville's. I rode them all and loved them all. I have been wanting either a Speedmaster or America for a few years now and just finally broke down and wrote the check on a new '07 TBA and I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

btw, I got my first motorcycle when I was nine, in 1973. I have had at least one ever since and the Triumph is like no other. It's like finally being invited into an elite club that you've wanted to join for years.

I have heard the odd complaint from time to time about Triumph, but no more than other makers.

The Triumph is... I am really, seriously having trouble finding words to describe how much I love this bike. I'll try this. Last Saturday at church, a fellow that I know only a little bit, was carrying his helmet and he noticed that I had mine with me. After the service he came up and asked, "What are you riding?" I looked at him and said, "Triumph Bonneville America" and he got that look in his eye that only a Triumph owner can really appreciate. It is a look made up of mild surprise, a little envy, about half a smile and a pinch of 'hellz yeah' all rolled into one.

mmmm... Sweet bike it is. Fun to ride, fun to look at, fun to work on, fun to talk about. Just plain fun.

I know I rambled here a bit, but like I said, I am having trouble finding the words to explain just how much I love this bike.

I will also give my nod to buying a used bike. I had to, not only did I love the America at first site, I love the green/silver America with wire spoke wheels and slash cut silencers. That was back in 2004, when I couldn't afford a bike. This year, when I could, those things were no longer part of the America line up. Lucky for me, I found a 2004 green/silver America at my local dealer on Saturday when I was just looking. Bought it on the spot, and haven't had a problem with it since after 4K of riding. Not only did I get exactly what I wanted (never settle!) but I saved $3,000 which I spent right away on accessories!!

Even though we moan and groan at the bits n pieces that go wrong I would not sell or swap mine, I have bought a Honda for the winter riding so the America cat sit at home on the carpet with its heater on low and it's bowl of milk

Come on guys its part of the family

Well I have to admit to having owned Yamahas right up until I bought my '04 TBA in May this year. I have never had problems with bikes. My last bike was a XJR1300, which was no fun unless you were clocking up at least 160k. Ocassionally someone would look at it twice.

As for the TBA, it feels like coming home. Beautiful bike, real head turner, and way more enjoyable than anything else I've ridden. When people ask what I'm riding I can't help but smile as I tell them. The bike has done 26,000 k and never misses a beat. Sounds awesome with after market pipes. Yeah, I'm in love.

5th bike in 3 years for me. I got rid of a 2007 Suzuki M109R for my Speedy. I could not be happier. This bike is a blast to ride, wrench on, and oogle. I love it!



Previous stated M109R.. good looker.

Hey Jim, very nice looking Speedy mate

My Spedmaster is over 15,000 miles now and I ride hard. I have not had a single problem. I rode all the way from NE PA to the northern end of Vermont in driving rain the week after I bought it. It never skipped a beat and it was raining so hard I couldn't see the tail light of the guy in front of me. I have heard of several bikes over 100,000 miles and still going strong with no work done to them. I know there are members on here with 50,000 plus so I would say yes as reliable or more so than any other brand.

Had my TBA for two years this month, now 9k on the clock. Had a few problems but most were not Triumph's fault. Spoke snapped after about a month (Triumphs fault). Alarm immobilised and would not mobilise(after market). Got hit by a blind car driver (not Triumphs fault). Blew up the air box (prob my fault).

Got an old Suzi GS500 for the winter, but just can't get myself to leave TBA in the garage, just love that bike.

Here's how J.D. Power rates the different motorcycle brands.
J.D. Power Motorcycle Ratings

Regards,
-Ward