Brand loyalty?

**onearmedbandit** · 1st December 2010, 08:50

I'm open to whatever the best manufacturer can offer at the time.

This message is brought to you by SUZUKI. 'Own the race track'.

**Big Dave** · 1st December 2010, 08:51

Nope. No brand loyalty here. I choose the machine suits *my* needs or the application best. Who makes it has relevance for servicing and parts etc - and some social considerations RAT eg - but any emotional attachments to corporations I grew out of 10 years ago.

**onearmedbandit** · 1st December 2010, 08:59

Originally Posted by Big Dave

but any emotional attachments to corporations I grew out of 10 years ago.

Awwww, did they not want to be your pen-pal?

**Hitcher** · 1st December 2010, 09:01

Since becoming a motorcyclist I have owned two Yamahas, a Honda, a Kawasaki and an Aprilia.

Latterly my brand loyalty for a motorcycle has been coloured by what can only be describe as massively incompetent disinterest by the official New Zealand importer.

I don't buy anything based on what's the cheapest.

My choice of tyres is based on proven performance. My fuel choice is based on the most convenient outlet. My gear choices are based on specifications and fit -- particularly important for those of us with 3XL heads, whose choices are limited by the suppliers who manufacture appropriate items.

**Big Dave** · 1st December 2010, 09:09

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Awwww, did they not want to be your pen-pal?

Yeah - does sound a bit harsh.

The people I like, but since I've been going to all the different brand events I've noted that the folks attending are all remarkably similar. Good - and there for a good time. None of them like hearing it btw - but they are - they just have different tastes in machines.

**scracha** · 2nd December 2010, 22:37

No brand loyalty here. I'm a slut who'll ride anything I can.

**Big Dave** · 2nd December 2010, 22:39

Originally Posted by scracha

No brand loyalty here. I'm a slut who'll ride anything I can.

I wish I'd said that.
Don't worry Oscar, you will.

**fuknKIWI** · 3rd December 2010, 21:05

Originally Posted by MIXONE

Yes for Whittakers chocolate.

Yah we can get that ere in Oz from time to time in the mainstream supermarkets.
They've come a long way from the old peanut slab

**Taz** · 3rd December 2010, 21:18

I would never ride anything but a Harley. Harleys rule! All other bikes are for gurls or fags!

**Blinkwing** · 3rd December 2010, 22:15

Originally Posted by Taz

I would never ride anything but a Harley. Harleys rule! All other bikes are for gurls or fags!

That answers a few lingering questions I had ...

**Coolz** · 5th December 2010, 11:50

Johnny Reb boots...allways got me home when I rode a shovelhead.

**MIXONE** · 5th December 2010, 12:26

Originally Posted by Coolz

Johnny Reb boots...allways got me home when I rode a shovelhead.

I can't guess how many miles mine have done in the last 20 years but they are still going strong.

**AllanB** · 5th December 2010, 12:32

Not for bikes - emotive things and the physical appeal is part of the buying process for me so I go with what feels right, fits the bill and I can afford.

Now give me a unlimited budget and a workshop full of fancy tools and I'd be buying based on a suitable starter point for modifying

I found your blog interesting, if somewhat pro Triumph (and why not, it just shows if they build a good one you are more likely to be loyal to the brand) while I agree they have been innovative in the past with the original Speed, the imposing 2.3 l triple, others in the range are a logical marketing move - Street - a little brother to the Speed with a borrowed engine. 675 - yes a brilliant engine - they needed one as their 4 cylinder 600 could not hang with the japs so they went their own way (respect). Bonnie - why TF they do not hot rod one is beyond me - I think some marketing chaps are just waiting for a specific year. Scrambler is a cool nod to the past. The new big bore twin cruiser is too Harley for me (I'd just buy a Harley FFS).

I'd not hesitate to buy a Triumph and I wish the Japanese makers would start to experiment with some different formats - heck if Triumph can make money on lower sales volumes (relative to say a GSXR) then surely the Japanese could put some excitement into the range.

It is beyond be why either of the big 4 Jappers have not given a corporate brown-eye to the Street Triple and released a true naked version of their state of the art litre bikes - plenty of stripped down specials are being made privately, some bikes like the CBR are even extremely clean under the plastic - I think they are 'chicken' and soften them down.

And cruisers - sure the V twin is nice but FFS I have a vision in my head of a dam tasty IL4 power cruiser (with optional factory supercharger of course) that would be a hoot.

Innovation (if you can call it that) in the cruiser department is presently all coming from ironically HD in the form of some very very tasty Sportster variations.