Hello from Pennsylvania

[Steele Rocket]

Different bike similar story.

After the first RIII died on us bringing it home, the dealer could not find (or would not tell) what the problem was and so they obtained a second bike for us.

We picked it up and had it for one week and two days.
We got two small rides in due to our schedule.
The bike does rune like a dream, when it runs.

Our first ride was only maybe 20-21 miles.
The second ride was only 3 miles each way to the grocery store and back.
Getting there was okay but coming home was a different story.
It kicked from first gear to neutral right from a dead stop while in the process of entering the busy highway.
I was able to get my feet down before the bike went over, quickly three swift, hard kicks on the gear shift, back in first and get out of the way of on-coming traffic.
Now maybe half a mile down the road while cruising in third gear at 40 MPH, the bike stalls out.
I quickly pull the clutch in and restart the bike.
No harm, no foul.
Now maybe a mile down the road the engine starts to die, then surges, then dies down, then surges.
We pulled onto our road and I took a slow ride in our quiet little neighborhood.
It started this process again after a slow mile.

This was this past Monday evening.
Back on the phone with the dealer Tuesday at 10 AM when they open.
Come pick it up and see what ails it now.
The owner of the dealership comes and gets it himself.
We had a great time talking and enjoying bikes.

I have gotten several calls from the dealership.
They have been riding it quite frequently.
We had maybe 157 miles on it.
It sounds like at this point the dealer has put more miles on our bike than we have.
They cannot get the engine to fluctuate or get it to stall.
However, the Information button started going wacky for the general manager.
They called Triumph and were told to switch it out with the old bike.
Then they said it kicked out of gear for them.
They called Triumph.
Triumph told them to switch out a spring from the old bike.

So at this point we are paying $19,000 for a bike we cannot drive and the dealer has put more miles on it than us.
We are paying insurance for a bike we cannot ride.
We gave them a full tank of gas with it.
Our old dead bike has become an organ donor for the new bike.
So the bike that died, is now becoming our new bike.
Our new bike is becoming a refurbished bike.
Our old patience is not wearing thin, it has wore out!

We researched and found fuel injection problems on the 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008 RIII.

I realize my brothers and sisters on this forum may have had it good with their RIIIs.
But my wife and I don't trust getting on it.
Where will we be when it dies again?
On the way to work, or to minister somewhere?
Maybe no cell phone service to call for help since our favorite riding is the high country.
Get my 76 YOA father with breathing problems out at 9:30 PM for another trailer call?

You people are getting the words of a tremendously frustrated person.

It is finished.

God bless!!

Michael

 

[Dennsell]

Sorry to hear you woes.. unbeleivable..

I think its time to get up on your high horse..
Tell them you are Posting the problems on an International R3 Web Site Forum and the publicity is harming Triumph.. tell them straight! you want a replacement New Bike Now !
Call Triumph and vent you frustrations Sir..

 

[rayjay]

Hi Michael
Sorry to hear you have more problems..it seems like your not meant to have
a Rocket and to be honest with you..i would be screaming for my MONEY BACK


RJ

 

[Steele Rocket]

RJ:

I hear what you are saying.
I really, really like the bike.
But I feel this model appears to have issues and we fear troubles with the bike for the duration we have it.
The bike is beautiful and ran smooth and nice for us while we had it.
My wife does not feel comfortable with it and may decline riding with me so she can man the phone waiting for a call for a trailer for a disabled bike.
I was looking for a nice alternative to Harley Davidson and felt this was the perfect answer.
Between the great sytling and the innovation I believe Triumph tries to put into it's line of bikes I was sold on it.

Keep us in your prayers for us to make the correct decision and for all involved to be happy with the outcome.

I plan on calling Triumph USA today to see what they say.

I will post the results of the call when I get the opportunity.

Thanks again and God bless!!

Michael and Karen

 

[BeauJ]

Sorry to read about your issues. It seems odd to get two rockets that started with issues. I hope all this gets worked out for you. I actually purchased my 07 Rocket used and other then a idle issue which was immediately fixed by the dealer, it has run as smooth as silk. I am surprised that you came all the way down to Camp Hill. Maybe try the Triumph Dealer in Jersey Shore or even Hermy's in Port Clinton on route 61. I deal mainly with Hermy's and they have been great. I plan on making a trip out to Camp Hill and Jersey Shore just to check out the dealers. It sounds like the Camp Hill dealer has treated you pretty good.

I really hope you do get this worked out and if you are in the area again feel free to PM me. I am about an hour away from the Camp Hill dealer.

 

[CanberraR3]

For what it's worth Michael, a number of us have had issues with the bike popping out of first gear. I don't know if it's a design fault or just that this type of gear box requires some TLC, but it's easily overcome. I found that if it slipped easily into 1st without any "klunk" there was a good chance of it popping out. To avoid that problem I ALWAYS let the clutch out in neutral before engaging 1st, especially straight after starting. By doing that you will always get the "klunk" and you can be certain it won't pop out. If the bike's still moving, however, you don't need to do that, and you'll still feel the "klunk". Not sure if this is what was happening to you but if you do have enough faith to continue with a Rocket and get one that works, this will avoid the popping out of gear.

Also try not to stop the bike in any gear other than first, but if you do just work the clutch in and out slightly as you negotiate down through the gears. If you get the reassuring "klunk" all will be good.

Not sure what the surging could be but there are many things that could cause it, and not necessarily a serious problem with the bike. Could even be bad fuel.

There's no other bike like a Rocket and you will only get to love it more and more (once you regain your confidence in it). I hope you're not put off by this experience and that Triumph and/or your dealer come up with a satisfactory way forward.

Good luck.

 

[2toneblue]

hello from pa.

have you tried KISSEL motorsports in pennstate?

 

[skydog1000]

Welcome from Oklahoma.

 

[TriumPhil]

Who'd you piss off, coz' it sure sounds like you're cursed?

I would be more suspect of the dealership and how or who sets up their bikes than I would be of Triumph, but were i in your shoes, I would be aggressively taking these incidents up with corporate...

 

[Steele Rocket]

This is a good news post after multiple not-so-good posts.

CanberraR3 - You were right on.
They found when replacing some spring down in the clutch area that there is some kind of a small piece that sticks out a little.
The service manager stated if you kind of double clutch it, or ease out the clutch a smidge before shifting to first it will go right in.

They feel the gas tank can get too full and cause a momentary vapor lock that may have stalled the engine.

The fluctuating has not been duplicated.

They are working to eliminate the flutter in the information window.
This is the last piece of the puzzle.

We could have a Rocket launch again!!

I spoke with corporate.
I voiced my concerns about the parts needed on a new bike.
The rep felt the bike I will get back will be better than what comes off the line because as she stated the little potential problem areas will have been addressed.
She said perfection is always their goal for every bike coming off the line.
But it does not always occur.
She said to help us out that Triumph would give us a free clothing article like a leather jacket or a free bike accessory.
She also stated that Triumph is paying for the labor so I will not have to hear the dealer complain how much time his crew put into it without reimbursement.
So the question there would be - leather jackets for two or a new seat?
I hear you can get seats to lower the bike a little.
How good do these work and how much do they normally cost?
What are your thoughts on this everybody?

She also said she was contacted about two bikes with issues and never thought it was the same guy.

The dealer has maintained a good attitude during this entire deal.
I hope it remains.
I am thinking of asking the dealer to knock $1000 off the overall price for the bike we are about to make the first payment on that we have only run three times for maybe 160 miles.

We are ministering today, Saturday, and Sunday at an outdoor event.
The Rocket could have sat there next to our ministry tent and drew people over.
A beautiful bike is always a good draw.

I am asking for everyone's opinions here on all of this.
You people are veteran Rocket Captains.
I trust you people very much.

Thanks to all of you!

God bless!!

Michael/Karen