Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Don't buy the Triumph alarm/security system

I regrettably dropped almost 500 clams on the Triumph branded security system, figuring Triumph would make the best alarm for its bike. Well, the alarm was so frustrating and dissapointing I took it off a mere two weeks later. Here is some of my experience:

Upon installation, the tank removal switch doesn't attach very well. I ended up taking it off because I didn't trust that it would stay put and not result in an endless alarm response for my neighbors to endure until the battery dies or until I get back from work, whichever would come first.

The sequence of ambiguous-button-pushing to get it to do what you want and do so reliably is frustrating and embarrassing as your bike goes ape while you're fumbling for the key fob, realize you have it upside down, still not close enough to the bike, oh forgot you have to depress it for 3 full seconds, etc.

Another thing that is horribly wrong: The alarm arms itself, all the time. You can't change this. 30 seconds after you turn your ignition off the system kindly arms itself, which is fine, except when you've just pulled up to the bar, answered your mobile and are rummaging for a few things in your saddlebags when the alarm goes ape because you jostled it. So you turn it off again cursing the fool thing for making such a fuss, just to have it arm itself AGAIN in 30 seconds. Yes, you can turn off the motion detector, but you have to do that AFTER the system arms. So you pull up, either manually arm the whole system or let it "time out" and then unarm the motion part. Then when you're ready to arm it again, you have to either unarm the whole thing and arm the whole thing again, or recall how to arm just the motion part. And it's all clearly obvious what the alarm is doing based upon the second-count of the initial illumination of the LED followed by whatever series of blinks.

Ok.

So then, when it comes time to service your bike and you put the alarm in service mode (more cryptic sequences of button pushing, ignition position, button pushing and ignition position again), you have to deal with a shrieking siren 6 inches from your face giving 3 sharp blasts every 15 seconds, just so that you know you're in service mode, because, like, you could have forgetten in the last 15 seconds that you put the alarm in service mode. I'd rather stick a hot poker in my eye than submit to that kind of retardedness.

Anyway, I'll beat up my Triumph dealer to see if they'll work with me but more than likely I'll have a $500 dust collector in my basement. Or, if you don't believe me, I'll sell it to you for half what I paid for it.

Very Interesting..... I almost bought that accessory! I also am fighting with Triumph over the Roadster Windscreen I bought. I bought it because I ASSUMED that the product designed by Triumph, for my bike, and installed by a Triumph dealer would be the best available.

Sofar after 30 days of owning a Triumph, my conclusion is.....NICE bike, shame about the head office cusomer service!

Anyone else with similar experience???

I have had the Tirumph alarm installed since new (01Apr05) on my Speedmaster and not had one single problem with it. But saying that now I will prob have no end of problems with it. The only problem is after I wash the bike and water somehow finds it's way into the alarm system and it tends to go off on its own but that only lsats a few hours and then it is back to normal.

Other than that the thing has been troube free.

There is a way to get around the service mode of the alarm but seeing as you have already ripped it off there is not much use.

Duck
Duck

I had loads of problems with alarms...

I could rant here forever about alarms. I'm on alarm number 4 at the mo. OK so my dealer went with the alarm they fit to every other bike...not the Genuine Triumph alarm that was listed on my receipt...

However since October I've had the Datatool (proper Triumph) alarm on and had no problems with it. I've had a few electrical problems, that I put down to the dodgy alarm that was on previous. But due to basically having a new electrial system courtesy of the dealer I would expect not to have any problems now...

Having said that, keep an eye on here tommorrow after I've had problems getting to work!!

The first alarm on the America was replaced under warranty after it failed.

The second looks ok.

The one fitted to the Scrambler looks different and is branded 'Triumph' and, touch wood, so far seems OK.

I know so many people who have a downer on alarms - Triumph or other brands.
Other than the first one failing and being replaced under warranty, I feel happier knowing it's there.

I have heard some bad reports on them, switching off the ignition etc, so when I bought my America I just said no thank you...

I've had my el cheapo "Cheetah" alarm for two years now. Never a problem. Pretty easy to mount thanks to member Sandmann and his walk through.

Thanks, I was thinking about getting one. Not anymore.

have triumph one and no problems at all

I've been happy with this product so far (see link below)though I've had it less than a month. I figure it's all the alarm I'd ever need (it will serve as a visual deterrent and probably scare off curious kids and what not) since if someone really wanted my bike they'd just pick it up and put it in the back of a p/u and be off with it, alarm or no alarm. It also serves as a reminder that the disc lock is engaged so I don't have to mess with stickers, bungees, or other types of "reminder" devices.


http://www.xenasecurityusa.com/home/current/lock/

Was thinking about the triumph alarm-not anymore. I'd like to get Lo-Jack, but it's expensive. So I have a big "U" lock on the front tire. Of course if I could figure out how to lock the forks I'd then have 2 layers of protection!

I had it fitted because it knocked off my theft excess on the insurance of the bike.... Still no problems with it

Duck

I had one fitted while waiting to pass my test because I don't have a garage, and I park her in a public bike park at work. Also when I've had my quote for this year's insurance, it will have knocked enough off from the quote to have paid for it over the 2 years.
OK so I did have problems, but the official proper Triumph alarm has caused me NO problems what so ever....

Of course if I could figure out how to lock the forks I'd then have 2 layers of protection!

Absolutely! My fork locking attempts have been a hit-or-miss affair ever since I've had the bike.. And usually, if I do wind up getting them locked, it takes forever to get them unlocked! Since I keep the bike in the garage, it's not a big deal.. but it is a pain when I go somewhere and want to lock the forks.

Cheers,
Brad

I have had my "Cheetah" alarm for 18 months and Have ridden in 7 hour downpour without any problems. Its a good cheap alternative that wires directly into the factory alarm loom.

I've got the Triumph alarm.

I think there may have been a "bad batch" at the time I had it fitted, as the first one flattened the battery, and had to be replaced, but the second one has been fine for over a year.

I'd agree the combination of button pushes is confusing (and never seems to work the same way twice!!), but I got a discount on insurance by having it fitted, so I guess it's worth it in the long run.

I've had the Triumph alarm on for 3 months. No problems with it other than needing to figure out a way to work on the bike without the alarm going off randomly ... or the pressure of the Triumph "beep beep beep" every 15 seconds reminding you and half the neighborhood that your bike is in service mode.

Props to Greybeard for the solution below. I pulled the AI without the alarm sounding in my face one time.

Quote:

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The official Triumph alarm is disabled when the key is turned on after turning the alarm off. So, pull the headlight fuse, turn off the run/stop switch to save the ignition system from heating up, and turn on the switch. The starter will be disabled with the bike in gear with the stand down. Just be careful with your tools around the relays on the right side of the frame backbone.

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The alarm has only been set off by me bumping it on while drooling over the bike during lunch or by neighborhood kids who got a bit too curious. It paid for itself right there in my opinion.

I sleep better every night knowing that it is on there, complete with the blinking red light, and the insurance discount didn't hurt either.

I had the triumph alarm fitted and it's great ! (it is the Datatool S4)

It auto alarms after 45 seconds but does not put the movement sensor on, so fueling and moving it is not a problem. If you want to force it into full disable/movement sensor etc then you press the button within the 45 seconds. So when you go to pay/ get stuff from the shop you click twice and it puts the full set on. When you get back to the bike, press once and put the key in to get your helmet & golves on etc. Also has ferry mode, winter mode - brilliant!

It also has a pin number disable, so if you lose or damage your transmitter you ain't stranded.

The best alarm I've ever had - but then it isn't the trumpet one !

Which model alarm do you guys use? I looked on the Triumph site and they have several, but provide almost no information.

I don't know about your side of the pond but I ordered the Triumph one and got the Dataool. I assume that in the UK it's standard.

Check out the Scorpio. 100x the Triumph/DataTool alarm at a better price:

Scorpio Alarms

After buying my Speedmaster in April 05 and having the alarm fitted by the bike shop and me sayin to everyone what a great thing the alarm is and me not having any problems with it. I would like to say the bike is booked into the bike shop to have it removed. I have not been able to disable the alarm so that I can go for a ride. I replaced batteries in both of the fobs with it only working a couple of times before it went back to the previous problem. I am doing 600 kms a week just to and from work and cannot afford the down time, so out it comes on Firday unless the shop can promise me they can fix it 100%.

Duck,

I had the same problem until I finally figured it out.
On the occasions it wouldn't disarm I would bring the fob very close to the lower right side of the fuel tank (almost touching it) and it would disarm almost immediately.
I guess that this method depends on where one's alarm is located/fitted.
I discovered this by trial and error (after hours of being stranded ... the first and only time).
I put this irregularity down to dense humidity (atmospheric) affecting the infra-red sensor (at least these are the conditions I noticed on the occasions this problem presented itself).
A simple test will indicate if it works for you too.
I hope this helps.

I bought my Triumph (datatool) alarm less than a month ago off ebay for $200 AUD and fitted it myself. The instructions were really easy to follow and the alarm is really easy to use. I have had no probs with it other than the led light doesn't work. I reckon it might be a poor contact in the one of the connectors but other than that it has been a great and cheap purchase that keeps my mind at ease. Regarding the servicing mode, it's a joke having the thing beep every 30 seconds so I just disabled the movement sensor and then it was fine. If someone asked me what I thought of the alarm I would tell them if you could buy one cheap like I did, then go for it cos it works for me

if you press the longish btton on the fob while it is alarmed it will make a longish noise which will put the alarm into a sort of maintenance mode as it will let you move the bike around but it will not go off unless you try to start it.

no problems with alarm... sometime same situation as Bedouin said but can live with it never had a problem to disarm just have to be close the bike