Triumph Woes

[Ian]

I have started this thread as I don't really want to hijack the Guerrilla 452 thread that's going on elsewhere.
Michael asked me for what I thought about the Speed400 that the press raved on about and I bought as a result of good press and a quite impressive test run (which is never enough unless you have a bike for at least half a day or more).This was February 2024. I had to wait till May2024 for the bike to arrive from India. On picking it up, it was aok and I rode it home from Staffordshire Triumph at a leisurely pace but I could feel it wanted to be let loose so to speak but it was a new bike so I kept the revs down to  running in level.  This was Saturday. I went out for a short run on the Sunday and it was still ok. Tuesday was my next run when I go to meet like minded folk the other side of Shrewsbury (25 miles from home). Got there ok but on trying to start it to come back home, let's say it was reluctant. Eventually got it started , but then the Immobilizer light came on and power was restricted.  Staffs Triumph came and picked the bike up from home. Few days pass by and I enquire what's happening. Triumph knew there was a software problem with the early 400s in this country (not in India where they had been out for around 12 months or more). Staffs Triumph were told to wait for an updated software, but Triumph didn't actually know which version to send dealers that had bikes like mine around the country! I eventually got my bike back after 10 days and was told it's all tickety boo. Liars!! I did actually tell them where to stick the proverbial bike where the sun don't shine, but was convinced by the workshop manager that it will be sorted if I could be patient! FFS!!!
The Immobilizer light kept coming on but I was told to switch the engine off and restart and the light would go out. Maybe it did occasionally. I complained but was told it would all be sorted at the first service.
First service was done at required mileage, another software download (3rd or was it 4th 🤔?). Bike ran ok , no immobilizer light...woohoo..
This was now July I think. Then the light came back on sometime in September. Contacted Staffs Triumph. Bring it in (yet another 84 mile round trip!)and they would sort it. And so it went on. Bike was now running "ok". Till January. I hadn't ridden the bike for about 2 weeks over Christmas period. Went to start it up....you guessed it...didn't want to start. Took me about 30 minutes to get it going, then the Immobilizer light came back on. By now I'm totally pi$$ed off. Back it goes again. By this time Staffs Triumph wanted to charge  me for picking the bike up so I used the RAC cover that came with the bike to return it They assure me that they have sorted it. I get the bike back 12 days later and noticed when it was home that they hadn't reset the time clock on the dash. I tried (following Triumphs hand book) and it wouldn't let me do it. I phoned Staffs Triumph (now on speed dial!) and asked for instructions on how to do it. They duly told me word for word how to do it but nope it wouldn't have it. I don't think you need me to tell you how I felt by now. I emailed Staffs Triumph and included The manager. Early next morning I had an email back from the manager stating leave it with him and he would sort it. I told him in no uncertain words that that bike wasn't coming back to my house. They did take it back but I lost money on it and now drive the Honda GB350S from Staffs Honda. So far no software issues but side stand has let the bike down.
Sorry it's a long and protracted story and hope noone has dozed off reading it.
Ian 😡

[xbally]

What a catalogue of incompetence on Triumph's part. It seems from your experience my mate was right about the build quality of these smaller triumphs.

Sorry you had so much trouble and I hope the CB350S lives up to Honda's usual good reputation.

I'm sure most on here will remember the problems they had many years ago with the CX500 and VF750 models.

[Propellor]

Sorry to hear about the Triumph issues. What a nightmare. Reminds me of a brand new Yam fz600 that had failure of the instrument cluster, or at least the electrical circuitry involved with it. Bike was only couple of weeks old and they told me it'd be several months before new parts would arrive. That was totally unacceptable to me, but realising I had to be pragmatic I told them I rather liked the look of the new Orange zx6 on proud display in the showroom. I said I'd accept some loss on the yam but if they prove that they're trying to help with a cracking deal I'd trade in. All worked out well as the kwak was awesome.

Hope you get along with the Honda. Sure does sound like a nice bike.

Re the cx500, I had the second version and did a lot of miles on it, totally trouble free and a cracking bike. So underestimated by people. My cuz worked at the honda dealers and explained what had happened with the first version and the cam chain tensioner. A ridiculous issue that should have shown itself in development, but the solution they devised was incredibly simple.

Have fun all. 👍

[Moto63]

Thanks for the post Ian. One wonders if they have now sorted out any download issues on the speed 400, with it now being a few years old! 🤔
I don’t think I’ll tell my mate as it may just send him into a downward spiral of depression worrying that his may fall fowl of the same issues.
Hopefully the GB350 stand issues are sorted asap and you can crack on and get some, hopefully enjoyamiles in on it 🤞
Cheers, Michael

[iansoady]

That's a really awful experience. I would have thought you would have a claim under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-rights-act-aKJYx8n5KiSl).

It makes the issues I have with my elderly British bikes seem trivial, and at least they're all fixable even if only after substantial thought and work!

[Ian]

Many thanks for your comments, and although depressing as it was at the time, I now have a bike that I love riding in the Honda. A completely different animal as most are aware. That exhaust note is intoxicating 😂.
I did say to them at Staffs Triumph/Honda, I bet that the next person who owns my Triumph will probably have a trouble and stress free ownership of it.
C'est la vie!

PS Thank you iansoady for the link. I will keep it for future reference...not that I'm hoping to go through a similar experience again!

[Ian]

Just as an addendum to this story. New side stand fitted along with it's accoutrements. No issues now. I just love the intoxicating sound of that (standard) exhaust 👍🏍?