Triumph’s Harley-Davidson clone war

[TriumPhil]

Yes, TC, other than for the twin headlamps, it is pretty generic looking...

http://image.motorcyclistonline.com.../122_1105_04_o+triumph_thunderbird_storm+.jpg

...especially compared to my Mulberry Mistress which looked precisely like this before I embellished her:

http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/rocketIII_2007_gallery1.jpg

 

[HansO]

Alot folks cant handle the 2300cc engine........we all have stories of guys and gals that have sold or turned down buying one cause its too big...........This is the market I believe they are going after.......it will surely get more riders on their bikes.....and its a direct competitor.......price points will be reasonable too.......those who dont buy into harley and the high price tag will be able to join ranks with these new models...........not sure I agree with that line of thinking but then again I would like to see more support and development on the R3 line

just my .02

mutt

I totally agree I know when I test rode one at Coffs Harbour Ulysses AGM in 2007 out of the 10 guys that rode the Rocket 7 of them found them intimidating and some of those are now riding Harley clones or Harley's because they are not as intimidating and less likely to get out of control with their milder power, Rockets are made for Power Junkies like US Here

Sad but true .. at the price you guys pay for new Rockets there can't be much profit in them just to make a statement. Hate to see Triumph start making them in their overseas plant. That would take the shine off them for a lot of potential and current Owners i'd reckon. That Thunderbird cruiser looks like any of the other HD knockoffs being sold .. and they are being sold !!! See heaps of them here in Australia. To be honest I can't even tell the difference between a HD and a jap cruiser these days.

I was amazed How Cheap the Rocket was even at our Aussie inflated prices.
The knock offs as TC says are such a close copy of the Harleys it is hard to pick them from a distance and I didn't buy my Rocket to be like a Harley, I liked the uniqueness of the what at first sight was the Ugliest bike I had ever seen but at the same time that ugliness attracted me as nothing that ugly could survive in the market with out offering something special... which the first ride did reveal and I feel in love or is that lust but I have no regrets

 

[Pres10]

Agree 100%.
"real" American bikers want harleys, not knock offs.
Now take the R3 motor and make it into a REAL cruiser,
with all the bells and whistles and they'd have a winner,
cause even the hard core guys know when ya pull up on a Rocket,
they're just fighting for second place.

**** Strait.

After second thought, I'm kind of glad Triumph isn't using the Rocket to build a Hardly competitor. Sometimes it's nice to be the only one on a Rocket and getting all the attention.

 

[pete.triumph]

harley clone

for a minute there i thought Triumph were going to make a v twin Harley clone on looking at pics there using the current thunder bird parallel twin what a relief

 

[Pres10]

Actually if Triumph would build this bike on a Rocket platform with 1800 cc instead of 2300 and then sell a big bore kit for an extra $4500 that would take it up to 2300 cc's, the posers that ride Harley's would probably buy it.

 

[rolandrat]

disguise

they have heavy disguise on the bikes ,then sit a guy on them with triumph written all over his clothing.....just sayin

 

[CanberraR3]

**** Strait.

After second thought, I'm kind of glad Triumph isn't using the Rocket to build a Hardly competitor. Sometimes it's nice to be the only one on a Rocket and getting all the attention.

Can't argue with that.

 

[Jamie]

Hold on a sec please!

A-somewhat apologetic- Triumph spokesman told the European press last week that the controversial pic or pics do show a T-Bird-derived prototype BUT that the front mudguard, the side bags and the top case fitted on it are just genuine, off-the-shelf Harley components, fitted only for testing puposes.

Jamie

 

[KingOfFleece]

I have some dealership experience. I can tell you that 99% of riders who come in to check out the R3T-the FIRST thing they ask about is stereo and cruise control. Then they want to know where the "batwing" fairing is. Next move is over to the Victory side of the shop and the comparisons with "my buddies Harley".

Most of them spend quite a bit of time looking and then get a H-D so they can be like their friends. I've seen this dozens of times over the past 4 years. The smart ones buy a Triumph, IMHO.

 

[scot in exile]

I am sure a lot of you on here would want Triumph to sell nothing but the Rocket line if they ever tried the company would be bankrupt in seconds the Rocket line is not a big seller.
When you say it looks like a harley? Steve Wonder could tell the two apart the only difference with most bikes that do not look like HDs is the engine frm the King of Bikes the BossHoss to the Prince the Rocket to the lowly Honda Rebel, all v-twins look very similar and until someone reinvents the wheel that is how it will be.
Triumph is in this business to make money if you get pissed off at them for trying to be successful you should maybe try being in business for yourself it is not easy.
For you new Triumph owners look up the history of the company and you will see what happened the last time Triumph did not change with the times.
Have to go now the cartoons are on the telly.