Swapped my Trophy

[City Of Trees]

Hi All,

It's been a while since I was last on here. I have now sold my Trophy and thought prospective Trophy owners might find some merit in me recording why.

The Trophy is an astonishing bike dynamically and I absolutely loved riding it, as did my girlfriend who was new to the pillion experience. It just felt "right" for both of us and I felt fond of that bike in a way that rarely happens with most modern machinery I have owned. So, why did I move it on....

As fond as I was of the bike, I never grew to trust in its reliability. There were too many niggles, complications and surprises. I bought it in a bit of a rush as I moved from a solo, customised Guzzi to something that could accommodate a pillion comfortably, mainly on the strength of the glowing MCN review. I only came across this forum later on, and discovered the extensive posts relating to maintenance and trouble-shooting. Whilst it's great to have all the info, and hats off to Coconut for creating such a truly useful resource, it isn't great to have such a variety of potential issues to deal with. If I had come to this forum first, I wouldn't have bought the bike, and I accept that I am fully responsible for my slapdash approach to pre-buying research.

The Trophy 1215 seems to be blessed by one of the oldest rider demographics out there, who how to look after their bikes and have the time to do so. I have the skills but I don't have the time - I'm in my 30's and have a demanding job and a young daughter. On top of that I live on a 1970's motoryacht which will always be at the top of the maintenance priority list, and my bike needs to live under a cover in a working boatyard. I don't think many Trophy's would be found living in similar conditions, and it certainly didn't suit mine.

I think if you have the right mindset, time and a garage then the Trophy may well be the finest motorcycle in the world. As it was, I swapped it for a Honda Crosstourer. It can't beat the character or range of the Trophy, but neither does it burden my conscience like the Trophy did - I can just enjoy it, and that's important for me.

This forum is a wonderful place, easily the best I have come across yet. I wish you all many more happy miles and years aboard your Trophies 

City of Trees

[fingers]

As a newcomer to the TTSE myself it was interesting to read your story. Was it the fear of things going wrong having read the reports in the forum or were there real niggles?
Presently I have both the TTSE and a Honda NC750S and since both are with me only the Honda has had an issue - caused by mice eating the wiring. I am also curious if your Guzzi was more or less reliable, I have always liked the look of them but been put off by their reputation of being unreliable.

[HPTCC1]

To "City of Trees", I agree with you. Had I read this forum I also would not have bought the Trophy. Mainly because of the most basic issue this bike has ie shuddering brakes. I don't use dealers to service mine because the service people are bordering on idiots. I use a company that services hundreds of bikes and all brands/models. I asked about the brake shuddering and asked if other bikes suffer from it. Interestingly they named a number of other bikes.........ALL TRIUMPHS !!! When my Trophy gets replaced I won't be buying Triumph again. ARE YOU LISTENING MR TRIUMPH ???????? The is fantastic bike but let down by poor quality control/workmanship.

[Ernest T]

My Trophy's been my favorite bike when its running right -- the problem is I'm always fixing something.  That's a big problem on a bike that routinely does 500+ mile days.  Add the fact that the Triumph dealer network isn't large and it can be a PITA when it fails.

I don't blame you for bailing, in fact I'd probably bail too if the bottom hadn't fallen out on Trophy prices.  I was offered 4,500 on trade for a six year old bike that retailed for $20K new.  I think I'm just going to live with the annoyances and keep on fixing things when they break for the foreseeable future.

[HACKLE]

City of Trees, sorry to read of your decision to sell your Trophy. Being a "younger" gent you may not have heard this old saying.

      If it's got tits or an engine it'll cost you money".

  As you already know, re your residence. My own 2016 Trophy apart from the brake issue has given me 68,000 kms. of very satisfying long distance touring. Yes I do regularly clean the rotor bobbins, but I see that as normal maintenance, a bit like cleaning and oiling a chain on a chain drive bike. Apart from that I don't have any other issues. I wish you many problem free kilometres on your Honda. Cheers. 

[firestorm996]

Hi,
In response to the negative, I too, live onboard a 1970's Superyacht (62m) most of the time, 6 months a year in a shipyard in the SoF.
My bike is 2013 TTSE, it just gets serviced and taken out on the road when I can.
Superlative machine, superb engine and road holding and compared to the equivalent BMW, which I seriously considered, there was no comparison, plus RT's are like anuses/ani. everyone has one...
I also own a Honda (VFR1200 DCT), very competent, very Honda but dull as dishwater and to compare the two machines is not credible, one is transport and one is motorcycling.......

[GaryWWhite]

Thought about it (swapping that is) but felt there were too many pluses about the TTSE that kept me riding it.  The bike is incredibly smooth.  It handles as if it was a lot smaller.  It has plenty of power.  I don't ride as much as I could but have an extended "diamond warranty' purchased with the bike from the dealer that pretty much assures for the next 5 years I don't have to worry about anything.  When the warranty is up I'm getting a full dressed Indian from said dealer in that Triumph no longer makes these wonderful touring sportsters.
Gary

[2slowTrophy]

I have had my Trophy for just a little over 4 years now and have about 40,000 miles on it.
I just like my Trophy and can’t see what I would replace it with.
The BMW is as close as it gets but I don’t like the service Intervals and cost involved.
I guess I will just have to wait for the new Trophy SE 1600 to get here.
Just a hint for Triumph!!!!!!