Are the later models not plagued by issues?

OK, as some of you have seen in other sections of the forums I've been asking questions, making comments and generally making a nuisance of myself on here for the past few days.
So here's the million dollar question. What year did it become unecessary to have the "upgrade" kit installed. I mean, if the 2009s are still needing the kit and the 2010s will need the kit, doesn't that mean that Triumph isn't fixing a recurring problem? So which year has the strong 2nd gear? Any? and what models suffer from the "idle problem"?
I ask because I want a R3T but it will be my only bike. With a riding season only garanteed for 4 months out of the year for me, I want my bike running the entire short summer. Did Triumph get all the bits sorted out before the 2008 year when they introduced the tour?
Help me Obi Wan, you're my only hope!

Est non aevum, est loginquitas!

I heard a rumor that by 2025 Triumph will have a top secret alloy that never wears out or breaks and that all bikes will be guaranteed for 35.5yrs.
Facts are very few bikes have ever developed a serious problem buy the bike that you like today because by 2025 your riding season may only be two months long.

scot in exile said:

I heard a rumor that by 2025 Triumph will have a top secret alloy that never wears out or breaks and that all bikes will be guaranteed for 35.5yrs.
Facts are very few bikes have ever developed a serious problem buy the bike that you like today because by 2025 your riding season may only be two months long.

Click to expand...

Gee....another Al Gore

+10 on Scot's recommendation.

Triumph's aren't the only motorcycles that have teething problems, they all do. How'd you like to be riding a GS beemer and have the Para lever (rear drive casting) break in two.... Happens. Or ride a HD and have the camshaft bearings come apart and destroy the engine... Happens. Or have your Kawasaki turn into a 2 wheeled toaster because some flunkie routed the harness wrong and it rubbed through on the frame and shorted out..... Happens.

A motorcycle is a complicated machine, made up of many sub assemblies both electrical and mechanical and machines fail, from both wear and human error. To err is human and humans design and assemble these machines.

Just buy what you want. Most never need any warranty related service but when they do, Triumph has been stepping to the plate and handling the problems in warranty or not.

I think on any motorcycle forum, you'll find lots of posts /threads about problems.
You won't always hear about all the miles owners ride with out any problems.
I for one, have had my Maggie for 8 months now and have about 13500 miles on her. Other than the tire recall, I haven't had any issues.

With ALL the problems some have had occassionally,
At least TRIUMPH has stepped up to the plate and paid for the upgrades and parts and labor when something needs fixing.
NO OTHER company, American or otherwise has or will do that.
On my 2007, the rear output shaft bearing went out.
Total cost to me for a NEW rearend? $0.
Hope this helps you make up your mind and I hope you get a BLACK one.
They seem to have less problems because of the superior parts in them..

Rumor is that if it is built after 11/07 it has all of the upgraded parts. Keep in mind you are going to read all of the bad stuff on these forums. It really has been a small percentage of bike affected and to Triumph's credit they have totally stepped up. I would buy again and with confidence. I got upgrade kit and a few other parts replaced at no cost 18 months out of warranty.

Even with all of the growing pains the Rocket is still the best bike on the planet. Nothing like it. It is at least worth a shot.

I got my bike in November, 2004 and I don't need no stinking upgrade kit. My dealer said that at the next service, he'd check it out and if something needed fixing, he'd fix it. This is basically what I was told when I called Triumph in Atlanta. By the way, there is no service bulletin to install upgrade kits on older bikes. My records at the dealer show a service bulletin to do some adjustments to the TPS, idle and stepper motor systems. There's nothing wrong with my idle but I'm having them do it. Well see how the adage "don't fix it if it ain't broke" holds up.

I'm not mechanically inept

Really, I'm not. It's OK if my projects have issues that will take years to figure out. That's why I HAVE project bikes. I'm just done with my daily rider having to be a project bike. I want to ride my motorcycle and wrench on my projects. Look guys, there's a reason that Yamaha is the ONLY manufacturer that offers a 5 year warranty (only on the Royal Star) without having to pay extra. The bike just DOESN'T need to be worked on. But it's really rather vanilla when you get right down to it. It won't handle as good as an R3T, it's not as fast as and R3T and it's not as cool as an R3T. But it IS possibly the second most reliable bike around with the second best customer satisfaction. And before any of you go saying anything as stupid as "looks like you've already made up your mind" I have not. In a perfect world any tour model would be as comfy as a goldwing, as powerful as a rocket III and as reliable as the Royal Star. This isn't a perfect world. I am however, looking for MY perfect compromise.
I volunteered to do an overseas tour because there is just no other way for me to afford as much bike as I need and want. I have to find a motorcycle that I'm going to be happy with for probably 10 years or so because that's how long I'll have to save to replace it. My 5 year old son will be riding this with me, IT HAS TO BE RELIABLE!!!!
So please, instead of making fun of my questions or simply ignoring my concerns, help me to decide whether or not this bike is for me. I can get all the attitude I can stand (and more) from the Harley crowd. I didn't expect it here!

TAZ,
We were only funnin ya, not ridiculing your questions.
We're just that way, cause we're a fairly tight bunch.
Most of us have riden together, drank together, and partied together at some point, heck,
we've even wrenched on each others bikes when need be.
We were only welcoming you to the family.
Now, after 35 plus years of riding harleys exclusively, I ride a rocket and wouldn't choose any other bike period.
Yes yamaha has a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty,
but Triumph is taking care of any developing problems, and there are thousands of satisfied customers out there riding,
not posting whatever questions or problems they're currently having.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
you may have to wade through a little B.S. at times, but the answer is here already and somebody else will chime in with their version pretty quick.
Lighten up, cover your 6, and c'mon home and go riding with us.

TAZ,
Have had my bike for 2+ years and no troubles at all. When you consider how many of the bikes are ridden, the number of troubles are really very, very small. 2500miles on a rear tire tells a little about how the bike is ridden. If you feel that you can handle the bike then come on, if the power intimidates you then there are other choices.
rider