Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Triumph Dealer Rant

Gotta rant. Went to the Triumph dealer in Austin to have a look at the new America. They chat me up about switching to the new bike. OK, I'm interested. I like some of the new styling points brought forward in the new Americas, so I let them assess my bike. Bought June of 09. They told me it needed a new fron tire, a rear break pad, and is coming up on the 12000 mile valve adjustment. Uh huh says I. They said "great we can give you $4000 for your trade."

And that's when the fight began. Triumph can bite my shiny chrome A$$ if they think I'm ever going to buy anything new from them again. We're talking at least a 55% depreciation on a clean bike. To heck with that noise

So how hard is a valve adjustment anyway, cuz they ain't going to get to do it.

Feel your pain!! On the valve adjustment there is a thread on here somewhere talking about just that..sounds like alot of guys check them and they very few need adjusting at ALL.. so hope that maybe that will make you feel a little better ! Makes me feel great to know that Triumph has made a pretty dang GREAT bike!!

And on the trade in Kelly Blue Book for an 09 America is $4525.00 and the Retail value is $6270.00 so don't think the dealer was lowballing you too bad!

Lone Star sucks. I figure with those numbers my 2005 is probably worth about 14 bucks.

Satxron.. A 05 America trade in is $3085 soo if I give you 20 bucks can I have your bike???

dealer trade in will ALWYAS be a lowball... they have to resell it, pay rent and make a profit so what did you expect...
Oh...and its not Triumph trying to hose you, its the dealer.

I dont even think the dealer was too far off..But knowing HOW much guys/gals around here at BA.com LOVE their bikes ..I can feel his pain when we feel like our bikes are worth more!!

So what's so attractive about the 2011 America that your 09 hasn't got already or can get for a few $$?

As earlier related, I was very seriously thinking about selling my much loved 02 BA a month ago, to raise cash to finish our new digs. After sweating bullets, tossing and turning and trying mightily to rationalize such a radical economic choice, I finally submitted, and was close to placing an ad. Then, I did a search for value. $2600 bucks, tops. Now I know that it is an older bike, but right then and there I decided to keep my BA, instead of raising a measly 26 hundred. Nuts to that! There's no way I could replace such a cool bike for that amount. So now I'm looking at selling a few other toys, and possibly robbing a gas station or two.

I hope you guys realize that it usually takes about 30 years after an eventual much-sought-after classic motorcycle leaves its manufacturer's assembly line and to again reach its original MSRP or even higher!!!!

(...hint, hint)

Ya know fellas, life always has its gives and takes, and its ups and downs.

Ya see, while yes, one of selling points that many a Harley aficionado could always claim was that, yes, the wares of The Motor Company would percent-wise retain a higher resale value over time(btw, I'm talkin' about their motorcycles here, NOT their doo-rags and other assorted wares), than would those of most other motorcycle brands.

BUT, of course the negative of that whole thing is that you're stuck ridin' around one of those big ol' lumbering, ubiquitous and ever-present(yeah, I know that's redundant)Harley-Davidson motorcycles UNTIL you either trade it in for another one(whereupon of course, you're right back at "Square One"), OR you WISE the f*** UP, find out that "Triumph is still makin' motorcycles", AND buy one o' THOSE instead!!!

(...yeah, like you didn't see THAT comin', huh?!)

I think thats pretty much typical across the board, especially in a soft economy. That resale value is the only benefit that I can see with HD. They seem to have a collectibility factor, but it still wasn't worth the extra cost to me. The percentage of HD depreciation may be lower, but the dollar value probably isn't far off. It could be worse, you could be trying to trade in a used boat.

It"s not the collectability of a Harley, It' the yupiness of it.Every one wants to be able to do weekend TT's (Tavern to Tavern).
I wonder what my 02 is worth with 97,000 miles. Probaly 500.. When I hit 150,000 maybe Trade.Nope I like her to much to trade.Keep her and buy another newer America.

..and you're still left riding a Harley. Yes, I have owned one.

Stating the obvious, the biggest challenges of buying new with any bike is huge amount of depreciation, especially in the first two years. Then, factor in a model refresh and the value slips even further. Hence, the ridiculous trade in offers. I purchased my 07 America in 08 from a person who had a bunch of HD's and bought my bike as an extra toy. I paid $3,300.00 less than he did and the bike had 565 miles on it when I picked it up. I added about $2,500 in extras since the purchase and it is exactly the way I want it today.

When I looked a the new America the dealer offered me $3,500.00 (10,000 miles on it at the time) for my bike but told me to try and sell on my own and ask $5,000.00, and settle at $4,500.00. I plan to keep my 07 for a long time...

My 05 America is now almost 6 years old. I recently put new tires, chain, sprockets, clutch, and springs on it. When I think about the major chrome, numerous extras, and 904, I have a ton invested in the bike. The bike still looks like it could be a new bike sitting on a showroom floor even with it's 22,000 miles.

I'm really interested in a Thunderbird, but no way could I give up my bike for what a trade in value would be. I like wire wheels, tweaking carbs, and the chain doesn't bother me a bit. I also love the original indented tank not to mention the Mulberry Red/Graphite paint job. It still looks way better than the T-Bird to me. I'll probably wait a while longer and could end up with two bikes. Personally, I feel the America peaked right before they took away the laced wheels and original tank. It looks as cool as the classic Triumphs I had in the late 60s and pre 1971 with the attitude of a raked cruiser. I actually bought it when I went to the showroom looking to buy a Triumph "classic". I couldn't believe how good a job they did keeping all the classic features and marrying that with an American chopper look. No matter what bikes I ride with, it gets all the attention.

I kinda wish Triumph would bring the Trophy back so I could keep my Sunday cruiser AND have a Triumph touring bike. I'm too old for bent over forward riding. I guess I'll see what happens this next model year. I've learned one lesson though, newer doesn't always mean better.

You never know Bob

http://motorcyclist.automotive.com/148575/122-1011-2012-triumph-trophy/photos1-0.html


Some blurb

ho hum lets bash harley some more...yep if resale is anywhere near blue book, the depreciation I save on my harley balances the hit I take on the value of my speedie.. meanwhile I get to ride both. best of both worlds imho.

'course it doesn't factor in two little things, one, the triumph "should" be worth a lot more, and two, no way I'm getting rid of any of my bikes...

Well put Dwight. I think if Triumph actually advertised that they make motorcycles, the resale would improve.. they're as well engineered and solidly built as any, better than most. If I had a buck for everyone who says "they still make em?" I'd have enough cash in no time to buy that speed triple!

As far as Harleys go, there perfect for many people. But, I'm not a fag or bike-curious.