R3 Metric?????

My 1990 Softail had made in Japan cast on the inside of the fork legs just above the axle. Had alot of Harley riders over the years argue the point untill they had a look at there own bike. I never saw an Evo Harley that didn't have it on the fork legs. I don't know or care about them Twin Cams or Vrods but chances are?

And you can't get wheel bearing seals from bearing service or anywere like that because the hubs are made in Italy and are metric and the axles are made in the U.S.A. and are imperial.

If you can't beat them buy them out

Had a conversation with a fellow R3 owner not long ago. We was discussing how Harley dealerships are buying up Triumph franchise (able to sell Triumphs). I believe they are doing this to eliminate the competition.

Triumph-Harley marriages?

mully95 said:

Had a conversation with a fellow R3 owner not long ago. We was discussing how Harley dealerships are buying up Triumph franchise (able to sell Triumphs). I believe they are doing this to eliminate the competition.

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Yeh, we have at least 4 like that in the NE between NY, NH,Vt. The ironic thing is none of them actually seem to push the Triumph. I think the Dealer cost to retail ratio must be better on the harley......can't think of any other reason because the product certainly is no better (and in my opinion, not as good). I really don't see much in the way of R3 sales around here, but the T-bird is catching on fast. Two of my group are seriously thinking about them. Even the salesmen will steer a newbie to the harley first. I do know harley makes a BUNDLE off of the freakin clothes and anything else with harley logo. Stood at the parts counter 2 weeks ago and watched some young dude (after he signed away 23k) proceed to plunk down ANOTHER 2k in clothes and accessories for him and his skinny broad.
I, on the other hand, finally broke down last year and bought a Triumph HAT!

dbutton12 said:

Yeh,
I, on the other hand, finally broke down last year and bought a Triumph HAT!

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You bought a Triumph over a Hardley????? What were you thinking?

I'm honestly thinking of opening a dealership up on the gulf coast when I retire from the AF next year. There's not one for a few hours away and I was NOT impressed with the dealership in Nola! Won't be selling Harleys though. Nothing against 'em (except some of the things others have already said ), but can't sell a brand I don't love.

I actually do love Harleys. The Harleys I've owned, or known have been reliable, low maintenance bikes. Fit and finish can't be beat by anyone. But I don't pretend they are "all" American. They are a publicly traded company having to make a profit for their share holders and bean counters. Like every other manufacturer of just about anything, they look for the lowest cost to still be able to meet their expectations. Victory is more 'American' than Harley and they get lumped in with the 'metrics' as well..

The thing about Triumph, where the company stands apart from others, is Triumph is NOT a publicly traded company. You can't go buy shares of Triumph stock. One guy is ultimately responsible. Sure they have their internal boards, but being a wholely owned company, Triumph CAN really " Go Their Own Way". As long as Mr. Bloor ( or his son, now days I think ) is satisfied with the way things are going, Triumph can do whatever they want. How else would a company get approval for a butt ugly, huge, inline triple?!.. lol That is what I 1st thought of the Rocket.

It does kind of bother me that Triumph is copying BMW models now days. Which is not, "going your own way", it's going BMW's way. The Explorers and new Trophy are just about carbon copies of BMW's equivalent models.

yeh, I shouldn't beat them,,,but i can't help it

TxRIIIRider said:

I actually do love Harleys. The Harleys I've owned, or known have been reliable, low maintenance bikes. Fit and finish can't be beat by anyone. But I don't pretend they are "all" American. They are a publicly traded company having to make a profit for their share holders and bean counters. Like every other manufacturer of just about anything, they look for the lowest cost to still be able to meet their expectations. Victory is more 'American' than Harley and they get lumped in with the 'metrics' as well..
.

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I have owned a lotta Jap bikes and two harleys,,,and you are absolutely right the harleys now are good (I owned an 82 and an 89 they were POS). I guess its just the fact that they are like fleas on a dogs now....all over the place and many are just bought to show or ride 1-2k miles a year. I crew I ride with mostly have harleys (6 of them) and 2 of us are non-harley. I always enjoy when we pull up for a "pit stop" and my 08 R3t is parked next to my buds 1983 Honda V65. We have our bikes next to the harleys and we can count on someone commenting on either his old honda or my R3.....they ignore the new $20-30k harleys and come over to see something different. It doesn't make the harleys inferior,,,,,,,but to me its like everyone buying a chevy impala...like its the only possible choice.
Incidently my bud with the V65 REALLY enjoys spanking harleys,,,,,,,especially those high buckers with the S&S kits

Mittzy said:

Nothing that I saw in my recent factory tour.

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Do you mean you didn't see a plant where 'cycle parts' were being made at the Factory ... or did you see that parts being used to assemble bikes that looked like they were made overseas .. like coming out of boxes marked ' Made in Thailand' or whatever ?

When I was in the factory (admittedly a few years ago now) the tour guy told me that engine casings were made in the UK but demand got to big and so triumph built there own factory in Thailand but the casings were shipped over and all final machining was done in one of the other UK factorys to very high tolerances. Frames are also outsourced to Thailand and maybe India (can't remember exactly)

Mully95,

The Harley dealer in Traverse City carries Triumph but they have limited showroom pieces. Back in 2008 I was going to buy a new America and went to them because they are close. Told the guy what I wanted and said to him, give me a price and the soonest you can have one. Guaranteed sale and he never called me back!!

Needless to say, I immediately called Dave at Triumph Detroit and he had one in stock and gave me a ood price. I bought my rst America feom them in 2002. And I bought my Rocket feom them. It is a drive and anything other than an oil change I run down to Utica and see them.

In fact I am in Utica tonight and going in for my 20,000 mile service in the morning. Getting heated grips and my Garmin 665 installed too. It was cold as H... this morning driving down. Left home and it was about 40 and had snowed at 7 am. Only thing that got cold were my fingers and feet a bit. My Aerostich suit with the liner put in was pretty warm.