[Closed] What are my options? Repeated component failure on new motorbike

Can you not have it back without TSS?

What triumph dealership did you get it from? I'd be asking them for a courtesy bike in the meantime., especially if its a known fault and it'll be 6 weeks before you get it back. September is usually a decent month before all the rain/leaves etc come on. Losing a lot of good riding time there

Can you not have it back without TSS?

I suppose I could, but when it works its excellent, particularly for 2 up riding, it's one of the reasons I chose that model and I've paid for it.

Just accepting that it doesn't work and letting them off without fixing it doesn't seem like a great solution

September is usually a decent month before all the rain/leaves etc come on. Losing a lot of good riding time there

Tell me about it! 🙁

They've had it for a week awaiting a warranty decision from the factory, I only found out today that they are just going to swap it again without fixing the underlying issue and that there is a 6 week delay. I'll get on to them tomorrow and ask them for a courtesy bike or to return mine in the interim. I'm reluctant to name the dealer at the moment, they are actually trying to fight my corner. I feel the issue lies with the factory warranty and 'after sales care' departments who are as much use as <cough> an ashtray on a motorbike!

You’ve given them ample opportunity to repair the fault.
Take it back and refuse the bike as unfit for purpose.

See what they say.

You’ve given them ample opportunity to repair the fault.
Take it back and refuse the bike as unfit for purpose.

See what they say.

I fired the factory after sales care team a snottagram this afternoon. I'll await the response but I'm starting to think along those lines.

they are just going to swap it again without fixing the underlying issue

They probably don't know what the underlying issue is - so until they do they'll just keep replacing the QS unit. But get the bike back and enjoy the last few weeks of okay weather (ish)!

I was thinking about getting myself a Tiger next year and was under the impression their quick shifters were one of the best so surprised to hear you're having problems - so duly noted.

Could you live without it with a decent refund perhaps?

@GlennQuagmire Yep I am going to ask for it (or a replacement) back until they can fix it. On the forums plenty of people have had no issue with the quickshifter, but a significant number have had multiple failures. It's a real shame as the bike is an absolute joy otherwise.

I had considered the live without it and a get a refund option. My concern is how that would affect the resale value when I come to sell? It would be an odd conversation with a prospective buyer. It would also concern me as a second hand buyer, raising valid reliability worries and causing me to wonder what else might be wrong.

A better option I might put to them, is 1. to give me an extended warranty FOC (they do an extra 2 years on top of the initial 2 for £400). 2. replace any future failures promptly and provide me with an equivalent courtesy bike (not the clapped out SV650 I normally get). Oh and 3. collect and deliver it saving me time, fuel and inconvenience when it inevitably happens again.

They all sound like perfectly reasonable requests. Glad the bike is okay other than the QS but it should just work in all weathers and you're right to pursue until fixed.

As you say, maybe an extended warranty and hassle-free replacements for another 2 years (or until they finally fix the "problem") is the best compromise.

EDIT: The weather looks great next week for riding 🙂

Or buy a ktm and look back on your triumph ownership with a fresh prospective.....

Or just learn how to change gear and match engine/roadspeed for yourself, like an actual motorcyclist does! It's not a CBR1000RR and you're not winning any races.

Or just learn how to change gear and match engine/roadspeed for yourself, like an actual motorcyclist does! It’s not a CBR1000RR and you’re not winning any races.

I've been riding bikes on and off for forty years. This is my first with a quickshifter so I've got the gear change thing sussed thanks.

Nothing to do with racing, Most high end bikes come with a QS these days, sports bikes, adventure bikes, nakeds and even some cruisers. I don't use it all the time but when it works it's brilliant, especially on long tours and two up when it makes for a more relaxed ride. Try not to lose your shit when I tell you I sometimes use the cruise control as well - I guess in your head that means I've no idea how to use the throttle?

Just learn some social skills and how to engage without throwing insults, like an actual functioning human does! You're not a comedian and you're not winning any friends.

I use the QS on my XSR all the time, it's fun. Nothing wrong with that and like yourself I know how to change gear too.

I had an underlying issue on my last KTM, tried several fixes and solutions. One day I got in a strop and sold it 3 hours later. Went Japanese with the XSR 900, no regrets at all.

Cheers Weeksy. Never had a single mechanical or electrical issue with Japanese bikes, including an ancient VFR that ran and ran.

A mantra I've indoctrinated my grown up kids with when it comes to cars is "if you want reliability, buy Japanese or German". Maybe I should listen to my own advice!

To be fair this is not my first Triumph and they've been reliable up to now. I think the trend for more and more sophisticated electronics on bikes these days makes all manufacturers more susceptible to this kind of fault. None of them make their own TFTs, 6 axis IMUs, adaptive suspension etc. so they are partly in the hands of their component suppliers when it comes to brand reliability.

I agree to an extent, but question this, if they're using a QS that others use, why is your unreliable?

KTM 790s are one for me that irritates, same sprocket output shaft oil seal leak from 17 to 21, even on the new 890. 4 years, to fix a sodding seal. Bad!

I'm not saying Japanese bikes are perfect, but they do work a lot.

AT in the red white blue sir?

AT in the red white blue sir?

😆 Heart says Multistrada or KTM 1290 adventure. Head says Africa Twin!

Tbf I think the 1290adv suffers very very few niggles and is a beast to ride, the engine is sublime.

Admittedly I've not ridden a later multi though, although I've owned 10+ ducatis.
I've owned 15+ KTMs though lol.

Wow you change bikes more often than I change my pants! I tend to hold on to mine for years, which is why I take a keen interest in reliability! I might make an exception with this one though.

I went through a 7 year period where I owned 40+

Has Honda sorted the rusting wheels issue on the Africa Twin yet. WRT your Triumph, I'd be after a refund by now. They've had multiple opportunities to fix your bike already so time to move on.

Triumph, I’d be after a refund by now. They’ve had multiple opportunities to fix your bike already so time to move on.

Best part of a year, that ain't happening IMO. Trade it in, take the hit and move on. Life's too short to have bikes that don't work.

Have a triumph myself and apart from a dodgy rectifier at the beginning it has never missed a beat, have had it for years and love it. Was thinking of putting a QS on it but never really bothered. As you say the more they put on it the more that can go wrong. Sounds like you like the bike though (apart from troubles) and normally bike dealerships are pretty good with customers. Get a courtesy bike off them and enjoy the last of the summer (and use the winter to sort out your QS). Hope you get it sorted

Thanks aide. I do love the bike otherwise, the best I've ever owned and suits my lifestyle and current riding needs perfectly. I'd much rather it was properly fixed than having to get rid of it.

Best part of a year is irrelevant.
If the fault appeared early in the year, then the rest of the years ownership was giving them the chance to fix it.

I know nothing about bikes but surely the absolute minimum you're entitled to is a 2 year warranty on the part when from when it is fitted

I know nothing about bikes but surely the absolute minimum you’re entitled to is a 2 year warranty on the part when from when it is fitted

He's getting a new part, so warranty is fine. It's the fact he's had several that's the problem

surely the absolute minimum you’re entitled to is a 2 year warranty on the part when from when it is fitted

From when it was bought. So in this case from initial purchase. If he buys a new component the 2 uears is from that point for that bit.

If the root cause is not known and the only option is a lengthy replacement every 1,000 miles or so then where does that logically end. Will you be going round that circle until the warranty runs out and then continue the circle with your own money?

Four failures seems improbable, although obviously not impossible. They have had some water ingress issues on Tiger 900 shift-assist, but not that many failures. Have they checked the gear position sensor too, there have been a small number of failures on those which would also impact the TSA...

Four failures seems improbable, although obviously not impossible. They have had some water ingress issues on Tiger 900 shift-assist, but not that many failures. Have they checked the gear position sensor too, there have been a small number of failures on those which would also impact the TSA…

Instead of just swapping the QS as they have previously, they've had my bike for a week, checking it all over for other possible faults at the factory's direction. None found apparently. However in various static tests with their diagnostic kit, the TSA reported voltages out of tolerance and unstable where they should have been steady. Predictably, it also failed when they road tested it. I will ask about the gear position sensor, thanks. It sounds like you have inside knowledge? In previous correspondence with Triumph Uk after sales they have acknowledged multiple QS failures on the Tiger 900 (as has my dealer) and told me the supplier had made modifications to negate this. They did say however that in over 11,000 sales none had failed as often as mine. Lucky me!

To be fair my dealer has been OK about this, but their hands are tied by Triumph. They have been on to me this morning offering a courtesy bike or the return of mine until the backorder is filled, so at least I won't miss all of the decent weather that's supposedly on the way. Nightmare scenario is warranty runs out, I have to bear the cost of this (probably north of £6-700 with labour) every 1000 miles or so.

I have suggested in an email to Triumph that they have had ample opportunity to fix this and failed, and that I am left with an unreliable time bomb of a bike that is unfit for purpose. An adventure bike that breaks every time it rains. I'll see what they say next week.

It's a tough one OP.
I had a Ducati with a fault that had it in and out of the dealers for ages .
I loved that bike when it was running but it wore be down.
If you really get on with the bike, could you live without the TSA and get them to remove it , possibly with a bit of compensation from Triumph ?

could you live without the TSA and get them to remove it , possibly with a bit of compensation from Triumph ?

GlennQuagmire asked that question earlier in the thread. It's an option, but not one I'm keen on for reasons mentioned in my reply to him.

I think you've been pretty accommodating so far - plenty of chances for them to fix but it's still ain't working as it should. As you say, it's an adventure bike that doesn't like the rain!

I think what I would do - is ask for a favourable part-ex valuation against a brand new bike. I think expecting a full refund as "not fit for purpose" - although great if you could get it - might not happen.

I think you've probably been too reasonable at this point. I'd just let the dealer know you're not picking up the bike and that the bike is not fit for purpose - someone from triumph will be onto call you soon enough.

Hmm, how annoying for you.

I’d hope that either the dealer or Triumph will gift you the extra 2 year warranty as a good will gesture or a super duper p’ex against another Triumph.

I don’t see any other way out of this for you.

Those that seem to think you should do away with the QS/blipper as it’s not a requirement are not being rational. I’ve a bike with this feature and although not vital being without would take away some of the fun of riding. You’ve bought and paid for a feature on the bike that just doesn’t work without being replaced every 1,000 mile.

AF DCT, great bike neighbour and mate have one.

Thanks all. I will see what Triumph say on Monday when they read my email. On the upside, they are bringing my bike back until the parts turn up and the weather is looking good.

Issue with that is, you're now removing it from being their problem. By taking it away they stop caring for next 6 weeks.

If you take the loan bike yours is still there getting in the way, being tripped over and looking sorry for itself.

I'd take the loan bike and say "give me mine back when it's 100% or do something to make it right"

I think weeksy has it here, get a loan bike off them and let your bike be a reminder to them every single day its in their garage. Most places don't like having another bike kicking around their garage, space is premium etc, and in the meantime thrash the @rse out of one of their bikes, putting milage on it as well will depreciate the sales price on it, which will also be a factor to them