webbikeworld

Triumph is on a roll, with new models and upgrades.

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motowebmaster

The new speed triple two-tone is very cool:

The Prophet

It's interesting to ponder the fact that BMW and Triumph, both of whom chose NOT to display at the annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, are not only surviving, but prospering in this seemingly dismal motorcycle sales climate.

Obviously they are both taking a different approach, different path than the rest, all of whom spent mucho-bucks to participate in the cross country extravaganza.

Must be something to it...

Ride Safe!

Bob (in Japan)

motowebmaster

Being a former Triumph owner, I can say that there are several things I miss about the experience of riding a Hinckley Triple. My VFR is a great machine, but I admitted to the dealer as I was signing the papers for it that it wouldn't completely fill the void.

For me, a BMW hasn't been something I've been able to connect with yet. However, that may change in the future.

It is possible that other brands have done a wonderful job of marketing the image of owning machines against a culture; which could be riding with friends in a poker run - or admiring umbrella girls at a MotoGP event. Whatever the preferences, they are both examples that may motivate us to get out and ride.

When the culture has been shaken, such as canceled racing projects or significant increases in unemployment, it is possible that the shine that comes with ownership of that particular bike is affected.

Triumph Motorcycles are raced, and they have debatable pics in their catalogs, but there is no culture or event that carries widespread association with the brand. This has been seen as a negative to Triumph for many years, but in today's times ...

BMW has done a better job of getting aggressive in racing, the new sportbike is wonderful. However, some dealers are still saying that they will continue to stick with their bread-n-butter tourer and adventure rider customers that have made their business. I can understand their logic, but don't necessarily agree with it.

Regardless, even if Triumph sells well, their sales and distribution efforts are going to be equally challenged because most of their sales are not done through exclusive dealers. They sit on the shared showroom floors of dealers for other brands. This means that if Honda sales suffer, some Triumph floorspace may be affected as well.

This is why BMW (and sometimes Ducati) sit on exclusive floor spaces whenever possible.

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Shawn
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