I Got the Demo Ride & Dealer Blues...

[Dave K]

Hey all-

I'm thinking about my next bike prospect and the Triumph family really has my interest. I have been casually reading about the the "triple" engine and the various models.

I was going to dedicate a day to demo a few of the bikes at Americade...but it was more involved than I thought, i.e. having to be pre-registered, get in line very early, etc. The Speed Triple caught my eye but now I see the Tiger is getting some recognition.

According to their website, there isn't any dealers near Albany, NY? WTF? I checked out the demo truck schedule and I would now have to go to PA just for a chance to demo the bikes since I missed the Americade chance?

Anyway, just looking to see if anyone has some advice as to how I could demo these bikes to see if they're what I might want for my next bike. The apparent lack of a dealer nearby really is not encouraging though.

[basco]

Well the new website sucks. It used to be grouped per state now you enter your town and if its not there, its not there. I did a few searches and found one in Syracuse, NYC, Hartford CT, Worchester MA. I know they aren't close but thats your best bet.

[bluedogok]

I agree, the "revised" dealer list/function is about worthless.

[Bubwheat]

Have you tried just going to a dealer and asking for a test ride? My dealer will let you ride any Triumph he has, and from what I understand most, if not all Triumph dealers, are the same.  

[Rincewind]

I entered the zip for Poughkeepsie and came up with a list of five dealers.  This one looks interesting, up by Bear Mountain - http://www.rockwellcycles.com/ - only about 36 miles from Albany.  

Heck, my dealer is about 45 miles away.  

The Triumph dealer locator on their site does suck, I agree.  I'd much prefer an overall map with locations per state, or similar.  

[Dave K]

I entered the zip for Poughkeepsie and came up with a list of five dealers.  This one looks interesting, up by Bear Mountain - http://www.rockwellcycles.com/ - only about 36 miles from Albany.  

Heck, my dealer is about 45 miles away.  

The Triumph dealer locator on their site does suck, I agree.  I'd much prefer an overall map with locations per state, or similar.  

Hey thanks guys. It boggles my mind why the dealer's site wouldn't return the closest dealers to me even though there are not any exactly in that area.
I'm going to check into this rockwell dealer.  

[servicerifle]

What you need now is a 16 bar melody.

[ol Rocket]

I bought from a dealer 180 miles away, but there is one only 100 miles away.  I have MoTow if I get stranded and access to a bike trailer, if I need it.  But I just decided I'd go with the bike I wanted, not the dealer.  

[SprintSTboy]

I recommend going to the dealer and test riding bikes there.  My dealer told me to take it as long as I wanted and if I needed gas to return to the dealer so they could fill it up.  Nice!

I did the demo rides and they are too short and your riding with a pack of riders who have never ridden the bikes they are on.  It really did not afford for a real test of the bikes abilities.  

Be careful riding on I-88 (I believe).  I went through there on my Sprint from Cooperstown and right before Albany I hit a pothole at about 85mph.  My bags popped open and all my things fell onto the highway.  Real nightmare.  We don't have those potholes here in South Florida.