Triumph Bonneville Launch
Discussion
I went along to my "local" dealer last night, mainly to see the Bobber and perhaps book a test ride.
What an amateurish, poorly organised crock. The showroom was packed top the gunwales despite it being s
tty weather, cars parked both sides of the main road half on the pavement and half over the yellow lines because they hadn't thought about organising anything off the road, despite Doris being forecast days ago and there being all sorts of industrial units with big empty car parks within a few minutes walk of the showroom. God knows how many more people would have crammed into the place had it not been blowing a hooligan and raining.
The bikes were under covers in the middle of the room, but on the ground, so barely visible from two rows back behind the fat, balding, poor "enthusiasts" of a certain age who had only turned up to moan that they weren't "proper" Bonnevilles and a late 70s, poorly constructed Meriden/CoOp oil pisser was way better (judging by what was said after the covers finally came off, anyway)
The big reveal was delayed by about 15 minutes so more sardines could be jammed into an already full tin and when the covers finally came off, the "jokes" started. Now I know the guys opresenting are only sales people and not professional comedians but your Nan could have done better. At least she'd have learnt some salient points about power, torque and performance, or even paint colours. Part of the patter appeared to have been scripted by Triumph HQ but this was delivered at a 5 year old's reading standard.
The saddest thing for me though was the idea that motorcycling has become like car ownership for the masses. Not once was a list price mentioned, only monthly cost on Tristar finance. Triumph also appear to be aping Harley: ("there are 150 different accessories and options on each of these machines").
The icing on the cake "you'll be able to place orders for any of these bikes from tomorrow morning....what?...Oh, hang on...oh yeah. OK, from tonight" (if you could drag a saleman away fromn chatting with one of the aformentioned crusty old tossers)
I had to console myself with a new Jacket (with 20% off, which softened the blow somewhat.
SIGH.
What an amateurish, poorly organised crock. The showroom was packed top the gunwales despite it being s
tty weather, cars parked both sides of the main road half on the pavement and half over the yellow lines because they hadn't thought about organising anything off the road, despite Doris being forecast days ago and there being all sorts of industrial units with big empty car parks within a few minutes walk of the showroom. God knows how many more people would have crammed into the place had it not been blowing a hooligan and raining.The bikes were under covers in the middle of the room, but on the ground, so barely visible from two rows back behind the fat, balding, poor "enthusiasts" of a certain age who had only turned up to moan that they weren't "proper" Bonnevilles and a late 70s, poorly constructed Meriden/CoOp oil pisser was way better (judging by what was said after the covers finally came off, anyway)
The big reveal was delayed by about 15 minutes so more sardines could be jammed into an already full tin and when the covers finally came off, the "jokes" started. Now I know the guys opresenting are only sales people and not professional comedians but your Nan could have done better. At least she'd have learnt some salient points about power, torque and performance, or even paint colours. Part of the patter appeared to have been scripted by Triumph HQ but this was delivered at a 5 year old's reading standard.
The saddest thing for me though was the idea that motorcycling has become like car ownership for the masses. Not once was a list price mentioned, only monthly cost on Tristar finance. Triumph also appear to be aping Harley: ("there are 150 different accessories and options on each of these machines").
The icing on the cake "you'll be able to place orders for any of these bikes from tomorrow morning....what?...Oh, hang on...oh yeah. OK, from tonight" (if you could drag a saleman away fromn chatting with one of the aformentioned crusty old tossers)
I had to console myself with a new Jacket (with 20% off, which softened the blow somewhat.
SIGH.
graham22 said:
dirkgently said:
crofty1984 said:
Hey! I like my Meriden oil pisser!
My Meriden oil pisser has done over 100000 miles, has always got me home and has never leaked oil.dirkgently said:
graham22 said:
dirkgently said:
crofty1984 said:
Hey! I like my Meriden oil pisser!
My Meriden oil pisser has done over 100000 miles, has always got me home and has never leaked oil.Good write up and pretty much sums up my experience of previous Triumph launches. I am one of those old gits, that has owned and ridden old brit bikes since the mid 70s. I do not lament their passing and have moved on. Good luck to Triumph with their retro range, not for me, but they look good and the reviews I've read seem good. If their model range get new riders into biking good on them.
casbar said:
Good write up and pretty much sums up my experience of previous Triumph launches. I am one of those old gits, that has owned and ridden old brit bikes since the mid 70s. I do not lament their passing and have moved on. Good luck to Triumph with their retro range, not for me, but they look good and the reviews I've read seem good. If their model range get new riders into biking good on them.
I agree, it was just the "event" that was poor. I'll probably take a pootle on the Bobber when I take the Tiger Sport in for a service next Month.dirkgently said:
If I`m honest I don't understand the market for retro bikes that Triumph produce and I just get tired of the leaky British bike BS.
I don't understand how anyone couldn't understand? I understand not wanting a retro bike, I don't want oneNew, modern bike with classic looks styled around an era made out as being cool by film, TV, fashion, media (no idea if it was or not given I'm in my 30s)
Ergo you get to feel all cool and fashionable and stuff inside and in the reflection of shop windows, with zero hassle and manageable, monthly payments
As nice and reliable as the current Bonneville range are, I don't think they have quite got the looks right, and don't hold a candle to the Meriden 1968-9 Export models which were perfection.
Having said that, I intend to place an order for a "new" T120 in the near future.
Here is the launch at Youles motorcycles...
Having said that, I intend to place an order for a "new" T120 in the near future.
Here is the launch at Youles motorcycles...
rapide said:
I don't understand how anyone couldn't understand? I understand not wanting a retro bike, I don't want one
New, modern bike with classic looks styled around an era made out as being cool by film, TV, fashion, media (no idea if it was or not given I'm in my 30s)
Ergo you get to feel all cool and fashionable and stuff inside and in the reflection of shop windows, with zero hassle and manageable, monthly payments
Look, it ain't right, there are minis the size of a small bus, Beatles with no split screen Bonnevilles that don't shake your eyeballs and fillings out, next thing you know they will be remaking Get Carter. bNew, modern bike with classic looks styled around an era made out as being cool by film, TV, fashion, media (no idea if it was or not given I'm in my 30s)
Ergo you get to feel all cool and fashionable and stuff inside and in the reflection of shop windows, with zero hassle and manageable, monthly payments
ds. dirkgently said:
Look, it ain't right, there are minis the size of a small bus, Beatles with no split screen Bonnevilles that don't shake your eyeballs and fillings out, next thing you know they will be remaking Get Carter. bds.
I couldn't agree more. But sadly we're both just aging, grumpy and wrong. You can't argue with popularity, and the owners of all the above are happy as Larryds. I await, with gritted teeth, the remake of that Sly Stallone classic
Wacky Racer said:
As nice and reliable as the current Bonneville range are, I don't think they have quite got the looks right, and don't hold a candle to the Meriden 1968-9 Export models which were perfection.
Having said that, I intend to place an order for a "new" T120 in the near future.
Here is the launch at Youles motorcycles...
Similar scene, except Staffs Triumph's roof is only about 10 feet high.Having said that, I intend to place an order for a "new" T120 in the near future.
Here is the launch at Youles motorcycles...
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