The future's bright, the future is

[Dodgy69]

not in track mode.

[MrLongbeard]

but for that not to be quickly picked up and remedied is very worrying.

Maybe it was picked up, but deemed more cost effective to only replace failures than recall them all.
Yes you could argue that such an approach would be damaging to a brand, but then Trin went and bought another Triumph, and another....

In other news my 13 year old 1050 Speed Triple only went back for 1 piece of warranty work when the alarm LED in the dash failed, and of the 5 brand spanking new bikes I've ever owned that's the only warranty work I've ever had done.

[The Spin Doctor]

I'd argue that endurance racing (Le Mans 24hr, Spa 1000Km etc) is a "useful" testbed (and yes, there are a few long-distance bike races that are equivalent), but again, not exactly a real world test of long-term reliability.

Hmmm. Maybe Yorick is on to something with his 1000cc Suzuki

[Mr. Dazzle]

Maybe it was picked up, but deemed more cost effective to only replace failures than recall them all.

Or maybe they knew exactly the problem, exactly the fix, knew it would take 6 months to sort, knew only 3.7% of bikes (on average) had that problem and basically decided to chance it.

All OEMs do this, they always have. You're 'aving a laugh if you think it's ever been any different, well, ever.

What're the odds that the same owner would have two bikes effected? Pretty high, it turns out

Etc.

[Druid]

I'd argue that endurance racing (Le Mans 24hr, Spa 1000Km etc) is a "useful" testbed (and yes, there are a few long-distance bike races that are equivalent), but again, not exactly a real world test of long-term reliability.

I remeber Team Bike going endurance racing in the early 1980s. They used a Honda VF750F

As for Triumph reliability, I've had 3 Speed Triples but they've all been second hand bikes and outside the warranty period. I've had a sprag clutch fail on the 955i and that's it. They have all been fair weather toys though

@Trinity765 congrats on the new bike, hope you have as little trouble with it as I've had with my Triumphs

[Mr. Dazzle]

My T509 shat it's gearbox in the warranty period. Also had the chocolate fuel connectors. Other than that been OK.

The auld Triumphs don't count. Don't make me laugh.

[Dodgy69]

For me, it's always been a tight choice between these, 890 duke and MT09. All excellent bikes.

[Wscad]

Last month a mate chucked 27 large ones*** at a Harley limited edition 1900 cc cross something or other. Brand new. He got 11 miles down the road and the bike dumped all oil out on the road.

Recovered back to dealer who the next day said we cannot repair this bike. He got a replacement bike 5 weeks later

*** I’m guessing a large one = 1 thousand pounds. Can anyone confirm..........anyone?

[Count Steer]

Last month a mate chucked 27 large ones*** at a Harley limited edition 1900 cc cross something or other. Brand new. He got 11 miles down the road and the bike dumped all oil out on the road.

Recovered back to dealer who the next day said we cannot repair this bike. He got a replacement bike 5 weeks later

*** I’m guessing a large one = 1 thousand pounds. Can anyone confirm..........anyone?

Aka 'a bag of sand' or a 'bag' if you want to be a bit woo and a bit werr and pretend you're a bit of a lad/currency trader.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'd argue that endurance racing (Le Mans 24hr, Spa 1000Km etc) is a "useful" testbed (and yes, there are a few long-distance bike races that are equivalent), but again, not exactly a real world test of long-term reliability.

I remeber Team Bike going endurance racing in the early 1980s. They used a Honda VF750F

Only because Honda gave them race engines

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'd argue that endurance racing (Le Mans 24hr, Spa 1000Km etc) is a "useful" testbed (and yes, there are a few long-distance bike races that are equivalent), but again, not exactly a real world test of long-term reliability.

Hmmm. Maybe Yorick is on to something with his 1000cc Suzuki

If anyone knows about manufacturing powerful inline 4 engines that last, it's Suzuki, I can't remember a duff Suzuki inline 4 engines.

[The Spin Doctor]

If anyone knows about manufacturing powerful inline 4 engines that last, it's Suzuki, I can't remember a duff Suzuki inline 4 engines.

My 92 GSX-R ate its valves - the independent mechanic said that quite a few bikes of that era from Suzuki and Kawasaki had that issue thanks to ultra low lead fuel. Otherwise the only issue was the wiring, which had corroded where the Datatool (spit) had been cut into the loom, despite the professional looking job and the heatshrink tubing. I was forever fixing the resulting problems.

[Wscad]

Aka 'a bag of sand' or a 'bag' if you want to be a bit woo and a bit werr and pretend you're a bit of a lad/currency trader.


I like that.. henceforth I will refer to a thousand pounds as a bag of sand. Sod off whoever says “large ones”

[Druid]

I'd argue that endurance racing (Le Mans 24hr, Spa 1000Km etc) is a "useful" testbed (and yes, there are a few long-distance bike races that are equivalent), but again, not exactly a real world test of long-term reliability.

I remeber Team Bike going endurance racing in the early 1980s. They used a Honda VF750F

Only because Honda gave them race engines

Which supports the assertion that racing is not exactly a real world test of long-term reliability.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Well quite.

Even if racing did demonstrate long term reliability, which it doesn't for many reasons, but even if it did...you can't buy the race bike

But everyone thinks it does exactly that. Job done and desired outcome achieved.

[Whysub]

Spent time with the TRT27 Team at the Bol D'or 24 hour this year. It's pretty much a standard GSX-R 1000 motor in the bike, just built to spec.

It was about 25 kph slower than a lot of the other bikes on the straights, but it remained reliable. When you consider the one 24 hour race is covering as many race miles as three BSB seasons, that's ultra reliable.

My 1985 GSX-R750 was on 180,000 miles when it was written off in a crash. Still ran ok, although I am sure it was well down on power.

[Trinity765]

Nuts n bolts

At the end of last summer I fitted a set of Ohlins rear shocks to the Speed Twin and both the upper suspension mountain bolts came out cross threaded. I bought more but traded the bike in for the Street before replacing them. I gave the replacement bolts to the shop and told them that they needed to be replaced. The next day they sold the Speed and when I went to pick up Street they handed me the new bolts back

I've not ridden the Street much over winter and it's sitting in the garage with 250 miles on the clock. I purchased the engine sliders and engine covers for it and went to fit them. As I was removing one of the engine mounting bolts I hit the tell tell signs of resistance and sure enough the thread on the nut holding it was damaged. So, before proceeding I checked the new nuts in the fittings pack. Two out of three nuts was damaged - before I even attempted to fit them.

I went to the Nut & Bolt store in town and replaced them with new ones which went on like butter but they are not stainless steal and will corrode. So, when the bike goes in for it's first service I'll give them the old nuts so they can see and ask them what the fuck they are doing.

[Druid]

They employ a kid on minimum wage to build up new bikes using a windy gun

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Should have bought a bike made in Japan

[mangocrazy]

I went to the Nut & Bolt store in town and replaced them with new ones which went on like butter but they are not stainless steel and will corrode. So, when the bike goes in for it's first service I'll give them the old nuts so they can see and ask them what the fuck they are doing.

You should be able to get an exact match for the damaged nuts but in stainless steel, but it will mean identifying the thread size and pitch and trawling around online or on ebay. I've always found Kay's Fasteners (kayfast1 on ebay) supply good quality fasteners at a good price and with fast delivery. I know you shouldn't have to do this, but given the history you've had with that garage I'd be tempted to do as much as possible on the bike myself...