Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster: 1 Year, 1 Month Evaluation

[@twinphill900]

Good luck, mate. The way you keep your composure is brilliant. More power to you.

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Thank you Phil - I'm not generally known for my 'composure' (ask Anna!), but here I've really made the effort to accept a reality I can't change. It helps that Hinkley & Bridge have been really supportive - obviously, I don't have anything to do with Dealer X anymore. Thanks again for the good wishes mate, Cheers, Chris

[@midlife-crysis]

The amount of miles you do is amazing!

[@SkysaxonDragonslayer]

You must be a very calm person… If I had this experience I would force them to take the bike back, because they are unable to repair it and never look again on any bike of this brand!

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Morning Sky, nice to hear from you again. Well, I'm not generally 'calm', but have accepted the reality of this situation. And I'm pleased that Hinkley and Bridge are being properly supportive of me too: not to be sniffed at. Cheers, Chris

[@georgemoskal2098]

And people used to say that the old Triumphs were bad. I'm going to stick with the old ones, thanks.

[@davesdiy9836]

I've got a 2022 Speedy, I've put about 5500 miles on it in the past year. So far (thankfully) it's been mostly issue free - EXCEPT for the stator wiring leak that seems to be prevalent on these motors. Been in twice for that now. First time they replaced the stator, second time they've tried sealing it. That was only a couple weeks ago so we'll see if that lasts.

[@themeansheets1279]

I’ve had the same issue. Replaced the stator twice. It’s not very confidence inspiring.

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Crumbs gents - I've not heard of this problem before. I hope it's all sorted for you both. Cheers, Chris

[@bessie2275]

Great honest review, glad I bought a Kawasaki

[@paulyflyer8154]

Vulcan?

[@bessie2275]

@@paulyflyer8154 Versys 1000, my nearest dealer

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Morning Pauly - see my 'Next Bike' video: I looked at all (ALL!) the options and the Vulcan didn't cut-the-mustard. Cheers, Chris

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Thanks Bessie - I see you've bought a Versys; enjoy it mate! Thanks for the kind words. Chris

[@mrcraighew1]

Hi Chris. I think I've solved your issue. You've gone and bought a 2 stroke in error. Have a good weekend...!

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Morning Craig - well, that would explain a lot! Cheers, Chris

[@dougalabbey4669]

Hi, my Speedmaster is a 2019 with 42000 km on it (26250 miles) A very beutiful and reliable bike that has NEVER given one problem, and is incredibly economical Maybe your bike was built on a Friday!

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Afternoon Doug - yes, it seems that I got a 'Friday bike'. But, although the first year/10,000 miles were horrible, this year has been much better. Cheers, Chris

[@WilliamWBG]

Does England not have lemon laws to protect your purchase? In America, triumph would have to give you a new bike or your money back

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Evening William - there are strict rules about purchases here, and that more or less everything has to have a 1-year guarantee. (In practice, this means 'repair or replace', in the case of vehicles.) However, it's really up to the manufacturer to choose, which will nearly always be repair. Triumph did offer me a refund, but that's based on age and milage - which I wasn't ever going to accept - so, repair it is. Cheers, Chris

[@oneononehiggo7921]

Mate this could be a real example of a lemon what you think, man I be livid

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Hi again Higgo - well, it's fixed now (new rings on one piston) and, as I mentioned, I have the two year exteneded warranty to calm me. (Though I have been livid during this process!) Cheers, Chris

[@ralphmezey9171]

Sounds like either an out-of-round cylinder, bad piston ring(s) , possibly..... Glad the Factory is helping. Moat dealerships- cars, trucks or motorcycles- are awful. Good luck. Hope you get the issues sorted out. Cheers from the States!

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Afternoon Ralph - many thanks for the comment. I've had the bike back for about a month, done 1000 miles or so, and so far it's all good. Although checking the oil when I'm on my own is a REAL pain, I have managed to get a video of oil sloshing around in the glass. Scott, the service guy at Bridge Motorcycles, said there was a "lose" piston ring, and that it was "very black", so you were right about that. They changed it & re-assembled the engine. So far, so good. I'm not sure how a new piston ring 'fails' though - what can happen to a new ring? Cheers, Chris

[@ralphmezey9171]

@@chrisoftheot6272 sometimes there are poor manufacturing tolerances, which is rare- but it happens.... Or the person who assembled at the factory put the rings in the wrong position. Years ago i had a very reputable shop build a motor for a car i was restoring, and two of the cylinders had the oiling rings in the wrong position. Had to do another rebuild as a result. Again- it's very rare, but it happens. Glad things are looking up!!

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Morning Ralph - I imagine you're right about the ring (or rings) being put in the 'wrong position' when manufactured. It's not something I've heard of before, but since it must be very rare, as you say, I suppose it's not surprising I've not heard of it. Thanks for the good wishes - yes, things are looking up now. I've done about 1700 miles since and it's all good. Hurrah! Cheers, Chris

[@ralphmezey9171]

@@chrisoftheot6272 wonderful news, sir!! Enjoy that machine!

[@morrisminor56]

They should do an exhaust gas test, see if they can detect the burnt oil that way.

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Morning 'MorrisMinor' (I love that!) - I never thought of that, I'm not mechanic though. I don't know if it makes any difference, but they say they've changed something vlave related, and piston rings. I have no idea how things will turn out, but I'm sure looking forward to riding again. Cheers, Chris

[@rickmancr]

Total Triumph nightmare. ;-(

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Hi Rick - yes, a nightmare for sure. But it's coming back today! I can hardly wait... Cheers, Chris

[@midlife-crysis]

Who. Or what do you email to get direct access to triumph? Sounds the company is keen to give good service but the dealer is crap

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Morning Midlife - well, I did have dreadful dealer service from the boys & girls at 'X'. I just email Triumph After-sales Service (or similar) and they got on the case for me. Plus, the bike's back today...! Cheers, Chris

[@charliedrake247]

Mine the chrome has massive rust everywhere bad materials got rid

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Afternoon Charlie - you have a Speedmaster that's rusted out already? Cheers, Chris

[@paulyflyer8154]

I've only had Hondas and BMWs and touch wood both the bikes and the dealerships have been pretty faultless. Decided to buy a brand new Triumph Speedmaster 2 months ago as Im the wrong side of both 60 and 6 foot. I've only done 1,000 miles and so far no problems. However, the deslership was a total disaster from start to finish. (Spoken to 3 altogether)If it was based on the dealerships alone I'll never use Triumph again. If the bike itself proves unreliable, then thats it Im done.

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Morning again Pauly - wow, that's a damning indictment, 3 dealers on the bounce. I can't understand why some are so bad: one gent here had to travel clear across country to get a 'good' dealer to fix his gearbox (not a Bonneville bike). I wouldn't worry about the bike being reliable though, I'm in a miniscule minority who've had real problems. Nearly all other Speedmaster riders are really happy with their bikes. (I've heard poor reports about many dealers of all flavours though.) I did look at the Honda Rebel, superb bike, with all the gizmos (& more) I could want, but I really hate the look of it. Even with the hassles I've had, I still love my Speedmaster. Cheers Pauly, thanks for the comments, Chris

[@forevergrain]

I really feel your pain, but could this have been bad luck and a crappy dealer experience? I'm so looking at this bike :) The bike itself is indeed atypic to have so many issues, but I definitely wouldn't expect such a bad experience from the dealer! especially from Triumph... :(

[@chrisoftheot6272]

Hi Cristian - Dealer X were terrible, no question, but Triumph were much more supportive. The bike itself is superb (it's not burning oil now) and I still look forward to riding it. No regrets at all! Cheers 😃 Chris

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

None of my Honda's ever had any warranty claims because they were Hondas. I didn't care if they had a warranty. I bought my Sportster with 20,000 miles on her when she was 1 1/2 years old.Had her 25 years and just replaced the stater when she was 20 years old. My 1965 Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years.At 50 years old had to replace worn out camshafts and the sludge trap was almost full. Replaced the camshafts and sludge trap and now she is good for another 50 years. My Sportster with 400,000 miles on her and she doesn't burn oil or leak. New motorcycles have too much to go wrong. That bike burns oil like a 2 stroke. Disgraceful for a new motorcycle. The only time my Triumph stranded me was when the wedge wood key sheared in the clutch. In 40 years 1 time only. My 25 years old Sportster has never let me down in 25 years.

[@midlife-crysis]

Camera focus is totally out of whack

[@lancelemay6971]

OMG! Just get rid of that thing. I love the look of the bike but nothing is worth that amount of trouble. I have owned Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki bikes and never had any problems at all. Try to preserve your mental health while you still can (or maybe your physical health if the bike comes apart while you’re driving it).