Triumph NZ vs Suzuki NZ

**boman** · 18th February 2011, 14:31

Has anybody here had dealings with Triumph NZ, in regards to warranties, servicing etc. Have you got a comparison between Suzuki NZ versus Triumph. I am considering a change of brand, but Triumph NZ cannot seem to supply the same story between people in house, let alone between stores.

This is alarming to me. Does this reflect the running of the brand in this country, or am I reading too much into it.

Thanks for your input.

**steve_t** · 18th February 2011, 14:37

Best you have a word to Hitcher about Triumph NZ re his dealings in getting his Aprilia parts

**blackdog** · 18th February 2011, 14:40

Originally Posted by steve_t

Best you have a word to Hitcher about Triumph NZ re his dealings in getting his Aprilia parts

beat me to it

apparently they are a whole lot better re: trumps, it's just the 'prillias they don't give a fuck about

**Blackbird** · 18th February 2011, 14:52

To give some balance, my Triumph warranty experience was through the Hamilton Motorcycle Centre whom I rate highly and the whole business was settled to my complete satisfaction at commendable speed.

Details here:http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2011/...t-service.html.

I went out of my way in this instance to provide facts, photos and remain polite to a dealer I respect. Whether that had any bearing I don't know but the fact remains that my one and only experience was all that I could have asked for.

**trustme** · 18th February 2011, 15:29

They dodge & weave but in my experience they will come through if you are in the right.
As I understand it all warranty issues go back to the UK , even if TNZ thinks you are in the right it has to be rubber stamped by the UK
Guzzi & Aprilia are even worse, sometimes the importer is piggy in the middle with little support from the manufacturer

Suzuki does it better, but TNZ are not totally hopeless.

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 18th February 2011, 15:41

I've had two warranty claims with Triumph NZ.

Both times they have been fast sorting stuff out, with no trying to get out of either of the claims.

The second claim was even outside of the two year factory warranty period (by about two months) and they still covered it.

So nothing but good things to say about Triumph NZ.

**martybabe** · 18th February 2011, 16:00

Originally Posted by trustme

As I understand it all warranty issues go back to the UK ,.

I don't know if that's the case but if it is...Triumph created a whole world of bad rep for themselves in the UK a while back with constant denials of genuine warranty claims. Their attitude towards customers with proven manufacturing defects was reported as less than exemplary even contrary, evasive and abusive.

If I remember right there were also many many complaints about spoked wheels breaking which the company fobbed off claiming 'owner abuse'. Even after independent tests proving the failures were caused by faulty manufacture, Triumph still tried to get from under. Not a good look.

I seriously hope they have revised and bettered their claims dept.

**boman** · 18th February 2011, 16:08

Cool. Thanks for the replies so far. Keep them coming...

And I have seen most of Hitchers thread on Aprillia Service.

But I beleive that Aprillia Issues are more to do with the factory than the NZ agent. But I could be wrong.

**Flip** · 18th February 2011, 18:01

From my personal experience Triumph NZ are a bunch of thieving wankers. Order your parts directly from overseas and don't deal with them.

**short-circuit** · 18th February 2011, 18:06

Originally Posted by Flip

From my personal experience Triumph NZ are a bunch of thieving wankers. Order your parts directly from overseas and don't deal with them.

Agreed but the question was about warranties and service

**sinned** · 18th February 2011, 18:13

I will sometime buy another Speed Triple (really miss it) but will keep the Suzuki so I have a reliable bike to ride and know that the support when things go wrong is as good as it gets.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 18th February 2011, 18:49

Originally Posted by boman

Cool. Thanks for the replies so far. Keep them coming...

And I have seen most of Hitchers thread on Aprillia Service.

But I beleive that Aprillia Issues are more to do with the factory than the NZ agent. But I could be wrong.

I've been in the industry for well over 20 years now mate, and I can assure you that Suzuki NZ, and Triumph NZ don't belong in the same sentence. Different worlds in fact.

**Katman** · 18th February 2011, 18:58

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I've been in the industry for well over 20 years now mate, and I can assure you that Suzuki NZ, and Triumph NZ don't belong in the same sentence. Different worlds in fact.

You're right, Suzuki New Zealand are nowhere near as bad - but they're trying.

**YellowDog** · 18th February 2011, 19:13

I've owned a Triumph for 3 years now. I agree that there is no comparisom with Suzuki in terms of available parts and the strength of a dealer network.

As has already been said, I also buy parts from the UK and the USA at about 1/3 of the NZ price, so I don't see that as a bad thing. If you need something in a hurry, IME - AMPS are pretty damn good.

Regarding the question over warrantee claims, I would say that Triumph is better than most and on a worldwide basis, excellent. I have had 2 minor issues sorted out without any delay at all.

I am on a Triumph only forum and I have been amazed how warrantee claims have been accepted even after expiry of the warrantee (due to low mileage).

Generally it is the dealer's relationship with the manufacturer that dictates whether the manufacturer will play ball or not.

Get yourself a good dealer (talk to the service manager to check he's not a complete dork) and you'll br fine

**steve_t** · 18th February 2011, 19:40

Originally Posted by Blackbird

To give some balance, my Triumph warranty experience was through the Hamilton Motorcycle Centre whom I rate highly and the whole business was settled to my complete satisfaction at commendable speed.

I don't have a Triumph but also rate these guys highly. Sounds like all the good bike shops are in Hamiltron