I've just heard that Alan's bike has arrived safely back in Braintree. It took a couple of weeks longer than he'd been promised,.. but at least he's riding again. He's ridden his Triumph Tiger around the world, 25,000 road miles without any serious mechanical problems. Alan's only concern was an oil leak from the top of the clutch mechanism, .... an oil seal costing 85p has failed. He's checked the bike into Essex's premier Triumph Dealership, Ongar Motorcycles, .... the same Dealership where he bought the bike brand new less than one year ago. The bike is still of course under manufacturers warranty, .. surely they'll fix this now famous Triumph and maintain the 100% reliability record?.... Surely they'll honour their own Triumph warranty? The answer is sadly NO. Because Alan didn't have his bike serviced at 'Accredited Triumph Dealerships', of which there are none in Turkey, Russia, South Korea etc., .... they're charging him for the work, .. full price, ... no discount, no apology, .. no discussion, ... the Triumph warranty is now 'Invalid'. It seems such a shame that Triumph and Ongar Motorcycles are taking this attitude, .. especially considering the support and help that's been given to us by total strangers along the way. To be honest, I'm not totally surprised at this outcome, .... I can't think of many positive experiences that I've ever had with Ongar Motorcycles. Here in America, where you can buy a new Triumph for less than half the retail price of the same bike at home in the UK, .. the dealers have been without exception, .... amazing. It will be a shame if the dealer who gladly accepted Alan's money for the bike in the first place, .. is the least willing to help, .... I'd actually be embarrassed to be riding a Tr***ph.
On a brighter note, I'm now in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, .. famous for being the home of Dollywood, ....which I wont visit, ..... and The Smokey Mountains, which I will. It's also the gateway to 'US 129', .. or 'Deal's Gap' or 'The Alcoa Highway', .... all names for a road that is perhaps better known to bikers and sports car enthusiasts as 'The Devils Tail'. It is without doubt the most famous biking road anywhere in the world. With 318 Turns along 11 Miles of tarmac, it's also one of the most dangerous, .. but I guess that all depends on how you approach it. Tomorrow when I ride it, my bike of choice would be a sports bike, but I don't have that choice, ... I'm on a 955i Tr***ph Tiger wearing canvas tyres and too many kilos of luggage, .... I'll grit my teeth and give it my best shot.
I'm heading towards the Wheels Through Time Transport Museum in Maggie Valley, .. I'd intended to arrive there today, Friday 17th October, ... but it's raining. It's not that I don't like riding in the rain, but the best way to approach Maggie Valley is on US129. I haven't come all of this way to ride the worlds best biking road in a monsoon. Tomorrow it will be dry,.. or perhaps the day after, .. I'll enjoy riding the road, ... I'll have fun but at safe speeds, ...... I don't intend to be contributing any Lucifer Orange Tiger parts to the 'Tree of Shame'...... it's already looks too well decorated.
Update: Several messages have been exchanged between supporters of Poor Circulation and Triumph, ..... Ongar Motorcycles are now going to 'Honour' Alan's warranty. Thanks to Mark and John and everybody else reading the Blog for your support and intervention with Triumph on Alan's behalf.
I think a call to Triumph HQ is in order! The power of the internet should be more then enough to get this covered as it should be!!
ReplyDeleteI would suggest Alan post this warranty issue on the Triumph web pages for all to read if Triumph will not cover this small issue.
I bet it is the dealership making this decision and not triumph.
Have fun on your ride!
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ReplyDeleteThanks John,.. I know we're not Ewan and Charlie,.. but this is a 'Warranty Issue', you'd think they'd have waved the white flag and fixed it on the QT. Hopefully Triumph will sort it out soon.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know about 'The Devil's Tail', .. it's got a lot to live up to ;-)
Geoff, tell Alan to talk to Triumph. They refused to help you two from the get-go, Ongar Triumph are total shits, you should say so in the magazine, tell them exactly what they're like. Don't hold back dude and next time use a Honda ;-)
ReplyDeleteSell your own Tiger in the USA. Buy a BMW when you return to the UK. Return to the ACE on the BMW. It will save you 'Shipping Costs' and piss Triumph right off. BMW might even help.
ReplyDelete....... David H
Glad to hear Alan got his bike sorted out. Sometimes people just need a nudge.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, half the price you say? Interesting, very interesting...
Sam
In seattle, Tacoma Triumph, .. eg. Brand New (Any Colour) Triumph Scrambler $7,249 OTR, .. Cheaper to buy in your bike in the States,.. do your 'Tour' then sell it and fly home.
ReplyDeleteHey Geoff! I saw you come through the "Tail of the Dragon" yesterday, and followed your stickers on the bike to your website and blog here. I make a living as a photographer on the side of the road out there. (you may have noticed a few of those...I started it 6 years ago, now everyone is trying to get in on it. ;) We ride also, and hope you had fun out there...it was pretty busy Saturday and the cops were ridiculous! Had I known about your adventure, I would have invited you to stay with us for a night or 2 if needed here in Robbinsville, NC, and make a contribution to your effort. Good luck with the rest of your trip, and look for your photo to be one of our weekly highlights on my blog at http://killboy.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Darryl Cannon
www.killboy.com
Thanks Darryl & Lori for the Donation to St Teresa's and for the kind offer of a room, .... I'll look out for the photo. Yep,.. Police were everywhere on Saturday, .. quite busy with bikes and cars in general, .. I should have come mid-week really. I seemed to always end up behind other groups, .... but I did enjoy it and I think I managed a polite wave to the photographers. (I won't end up in your 'Bird' section).
ReplyDeleteThanks again, .. keep snapping, keep safe, .. Geoff
Yeah in the few shots I got of ya from below the road surface, looking up at you, you were waving in a couple of them. I haven't seen what my partner got from the other angle...will get those tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThe disparity between weekdays and weekends is phenomenal. It can be almost vacant out there during the week...and at night of course, when we usually play. ;)
Thanks for the mention in the newer post. Hope your travels are still going well...I envy you man!