Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Triumph NOT going to shows

Looks like Triumph won't be participating in the IMS shows this year.... So much for seeing a scrambler close up!

Well that kinda sux...

It's no concelation I know but they will be in force over here at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) next month.

If past years are anything to go by, it's one stand you have difficulty getting on!
It's usually packed to the rafters and considering the new additions (bikes and colours) I doubt if this year will be any different

At least they have the guys on bikes sorted - covered storage, security entrance and exit with regular patrols walking round. Free too! Cagers pay £6 ($11) to park plus entrance (about £15) plus a burger and a beer (around £20 !!!)

It does suck. Matt the rat guy said they are putting their concentrations elsewhere. I REALLY hope they beef up the demo truck schedule!!

Benny
funny, i was just thinking about IMS today. I doubt I will go if Triumph is a no show. Like you said, Dude, hope the demo Truck hits more locations.

mert

I am sure they will be in Daytona for Biketoberfest. Come on down.

Ryan

They darn well should have the truck in Newnan next May. Better yet they should bring the truck up to this driveway!

Now THAT's a familiar driveway!

Can anyone come up with an intelligent reason that Triumph WON'T do the IMS? Seems... just plain stupid to me.

--Jaeger

According to the new RAT dude, they are "focusing their efforts elsewhere" whatever that means. It better mean more demo trucks!!

Honestly, the first time I saw the new Trumpys was when they came through the Dulles Convention Center a few years ago -- I fell in love with the America and the Speedmaster pretty immediately. Took me a while to get around to getting one, but here I am! (And it was the best move I could've made.)

So yeah, I think I agree with Soren -- it's stupid. Hey, WE all obviously think that Triumph is da' bomb and all that, but if Honda, Yamaha, Harley... fer chrissakes, if ENFIELD and URAL think it's good to get to the shows for exposure, Triumph should be making a show as well. Duh.

Besides, I've never seen a demo truck in my life. Whazzat? They pull up to the dealership and say "com'on, boys, try a ride on this one!" Doesn't strike me as worthwhile -- if htey're targeting Triumph dealerships to start with, what's the point? (i.e., if people are at the dealership, they already presumably know what Triumph has to offer, so the truck is preaching to the choir, so to speak).

Anyway.

Ugh. I can tell I've been doing marketing stuff for too long. It's starting to mess with my brain. Better go wash it out with whisky.

--Jaeger

Yeah especially in NY. I know plenty of people that really won't bother to make the trek and try to PARK near the Javits center for the show without Triumph being there.

The demo truck is basically that. They roll up with all the bikes and you take a spin on a guided tour. Usually fairly fast. For some it's the only way to test drive a bike tho... How many dealers will let you take all the different models out in a day?

They were at Laconia bike week. There was an ocean of Harleys there. They got a lot of attention.

Ok, so does that mean that we (bonnevilleamerica.com) and/or our local RAT pack will be notified as to when the truck will be coming around?

Incidentally -- here's one for ya -- does Triumph know or care that this board exists? We appear to have a helluva following here, so I assume that SOMEBODY at Triumph knows about us, but is there any official acknowledgement (i.e., would htey give us press releases, etc?)

--Jaeger

It's not hard to guess that this decision is strictly a financial one - and to me it speaks volumes.

Maybe the high US dealer failure/closure rate, coupled with the poor EU economy, has hurt Triumph more than we know.

Yeah, it did occur to me that it's a money question, but let's face it: ya gotta spend money to make it, and it isn't like Triumph is in some low-stakes backyard operation. I can't imagine that "lofting" a stand in the show would be that expensive compared to the marketing/advertising it would represent...

But then, I've no real idea of the dollars/pounds involved in either endeavor. I simply see that there are a LOT of people who go to these shows to see what's out there, and their opinions (and money) are greatly effected by what they see.

Honestly, I've head nothing regarding dealer closings (not here around DC, anyway). However, NOT letting people know the product is out there is DEFINATELY not the best way to drum up business, y'know?

Oh, well. I'm not the guy with the MBA. This is hardly my forte...

--Jaeger

I'm lucky to have a dealer that allows me to test whatever is on his floor. I am an old, experienced rider after all. I don't need the truck anymore, but my first test ride on a Triumph was off the truck at a dealer that dropped the Triumph line shortly after I bought my '98 Thunderbird Sport. He also dropped Ducati so he could concentrate on Honda. The no-show at the show baffles me. Some prospective buyers may not know Triumph exists. We hear it all the time at gas stops and direct countless prospects to our favorite dealers. How about the returning rider that has not kept up with the press? Is somebody having a hissy fit over a less than stellar review? Grow up, knucklehead! The guy that nixed the show should be fired.
Mike Sr.