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?!)
Last edited by Dwight; 03/10/2007 1:06 PM.
