Luigi's Chroming Skills.

**merv** · 15th October 2007, 12:06

Cripes the wheels should have had alloy rims like any decent trail/adventure bike. That looks worse than my XL175 did when it was over 26 years old.

**tri boy** · 15th October 2007, 14:26

Thanks for the support guys.

Yes, i have been tempted to go down the route of Consumer affairs claim, or Motor trade tribunal. I have needed to use litigation in past incidents with employment law, and Injury Claims in both Aus and NZ, and have never lost yet.
But it can be a long slow process that nowadays I think I would only use in claims of a higher dollar value. The sleepless nights, and disruption to general living just barely make it worth while.
I will continue to hope for some satisfaction from Triumph, and I'm picking the NZ end are feeling a bit embarrassed. (I know of claims over 5mths old that haven't been sorted due to the UKs system). Plus at this stage they have no wheel assys available. I'm just hoping Bajaj, (Indian company) buys Bloor out. At least then people will may get better customer service. I have found Asians, and Indians to have a much higher work ethic, and be willing to solve problems quickly. Rule Britania? It hasn't for 50+ yrs, and is rapidly dissapearing beneath the waves. GOOD FUCKIN RIDDANCE!

Appologies to RT and those that still support the place.

**Pancakes** · 15th October 2007, 19:14

So you buy a "quality not quantity" bike for $16k, spend $3g on a brand new bike to get it rideable and people hassle Hyosungs! Buy one new for $6k and spend $13 thousand on it, holy crap that'd be a machine!

It's funny how there is still a UK/USA/China/India thing going on. If you want a shit part cheap as made on a place with a dirt floor, Chinese manufacturers can do it. Macpac go and take designs that are amazing with high tech materials to China, things that would have priced themselves out of a market if made here and they can make those too. The Chinese could make any bike they wanted as good but cheaper if that was the goal but they wouldn't move enough units!

**tri boy** · 15th October 2007, 19:41

Ummm, I'm not getting your point.
I'm losing something in translation.

**Paul in NZ** · 15th October 2007, 20:09

Well of course - quality aint always quality is it? (Never mind the quality madam, feel the width)

A few years back Moto Guzzi Quotas suffered from cracked rear rims (alloy excel brand) and there was all kinds of hoo ha! The reality is that all manufactured goods that rely on assemblies / components from third parties will suffer from these kinds of issues. The thing that makes a difference is the quality of the response from the manufacturer and how serious they are about their 'quality'.

Having said that - it's difficult to deal with these issues from the other side of the globe, not impossible but difficult. The key issues to me would be;

1 Is this a common fault?

2 Is it a safety issue?

3 Is it a useability issue?

I guess all of the above would determine the response but lets face it, dodgy electrics, peeling paint, crap suspension etc etc and all the makers have suffered from issues eh? The good ones sort it out and move on.....

**geoffm** · 15th October 2007, 20:23

Shoulda bought a Jappa...
Why do people put up with this sort of crap from Euro bike and car makers? It is totally unacceptable.

You have more patience than me - my first stop would be the District COourt to get some of the paperwork for the Disputes Tribunal and affadavits from the wheel and frame people. Don't protect Triumph NZ - they represent the brand - they were happy enough to take yourmoney and the profit from the sale. Nail them with the CGA and tell them you want a new bike. Under the CGA, they have to have part support. IF they cannto supply parts, then maybe an aftermarket wheel or rim. I have seen better quality on a Chinese trailbike.
A few letters to the papers, fairgo, etc would be worthwhile.

**merv** · 15th October 2007, 20:30

I guess that rust has character.

**Pancakes** · 15th October 2007, 20:42

Originally Posted by tri boy

Ummm, I'm not getting your point.
I'm losing something in translation.

I promise I had a point but yeah, probably my least coherant post!

**Conquiztador** · 15th October 2007, 22:15

Originally Posted by geoffm

Shoulda bought a Jappa...
Why do people put up with this sort of crap from Euro bike and car makers? It is totally unacceptable.

You have more patience than me - my first stop would be the District COourt to get some of the paperwork for the Disputes Tribunal and affadavits from the wheel and frame people. Don't protect Triumph NZ - they represent the brand - they were happy enough to take yourmoney and the profit from the sale. Nail them with the CGA and tell them you want a new bike. Under the CGA, they have to have part support. IF they cannto supply parts, then maybe an aftermarket wheel or rim. I have seen better quality on a Chinese trailbike.
A few letters to the papers, fairgo, etc would be worthwhile.

Totally agree here. They have a responsibility to put this right.

I have never purchased a new bike. Always s/h ones that I then fix up and make worth more then when I puchased. Can not think of one I have lost money on. And your story here shows me that what I am doing is right for me. There is no way in hell I would allow this to happen to me. I have owned some old Trumpies. Bonnies, Tigers etc. But they were the "real deal". Never really warmed to the new ones. And this info was the nail in the coffin for me re "modern" Triumphs.

Hope they come to the party (and fast). This kind of info will spread like wildfire...

**tri boy** · 16th October 2007, 07:46

Originally Posted by merv

I guess that rust has character.

Smells like "Fish"..elene now also.

I guess we can all live with component failures etc. Its normally not a huge issue in most mechanical sectors. I can recall many examples in heavy mining/machinery that really showed customer support. ie An O&K Face shovels Slew ring failed under warranty at a mine site that I was working on.
O&K Germany flew one out on a Russian Antonov to Aus (the only plane that the ring could fit inside. We are talking 8mtr+ Dia), at a freight cost of $45000.
The Machine needed 3 50 tonne cranes, and a work force of 20 guys around the clock to get it going in under 70hrs.
Extreme example I know, but it highlights product support. If your willing to market a product, you MUST be able to support it, and the clients, or sink to the swamp that supports "fly by night" dealers.
Interestingly, Triumphs Sales Manager was waxing lyrical about their customer service in Bike Rider magazine only two issues ago, and slagging out independent dealers also. Gee Ms Beckhaus, I bet you feel a bit embarrassed at the moment

**zaq** · 19th October 2007, 22:34

My front rim (Bonnie Black) is buggered too... a year and a half old. I got a bit of a fright at tyre change time to see how bad it actually was.

Dealer put in a warranty claim for me earlier this week. I guess I'll find out what the deal is next week. I'm really not looking forward to a warranty scuffle... just wanna ride!

The rust goes all the way around. Here are some dodgy rim pics:

I'm thinking of getting the rims (hopefully new replaced under warranty) coated from someone like HPCoatings (www.hpcoatings.co.nz - found the link here on kb), but I'm certainly not looking forward to the hassle (not to mention cost).

Ride safe,
ZAQ

**tri boy** · 20th October 2007, 07:35

Like your blog write up zaq.

Looks like the Bonnie is getting you around the country comfortably.
Those Italian wheel assys are a disappointment, and Triumph UK need to do a safety recall soon as.

Who can recall the Firestone tyre debacle a few years back. Pretty well cost them their reputation and customer base. And Chrysler spent millions in damage control after a component failure caused a fatal accident in the US.
If nothing has changed from TriumphNZ by next warrant time, I'm letting LTSA, Consumer affairs, MTA, and possibly the media know about this.

The rim shouldn't fail while its under warranty, but I'm thinking 5yrs down the track. Those rusty areas WILL fail and the front wheel WILL collapse.

GET IT SORTED TRIUMPH>