There's a big difference between actual sales to paying customers and model registrations 
Explorer is selling well!!
- Thread starter Paul S
- Start date
That is utter rubbish and if you actually believe that then you are too stupid to be breathing.
Both are multi national companies, and neither do anything other than what they think is best for the company. Triumph have the reputation in the motorcycle world of having one of the worst customer services and warranty departments, with claims turned down because the bike was not washed each time it was ridden?
As for listening, that's only your perception because they have produced a bike that YOU like, for me they haven't listened at all, I personally think its a crap design. Who would buy any modern large CC bike where the rear sub-frame is WELDED not bolted to the rest, well Triumph as I don't think anybody else does it that way, I don't want ABS but you cant get a non ABS model, I particularly don't want fly-by wire, so for me I think it is probably one of the worst new bikes on the market and wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Now I don't have a new BMW either as what I want is less not more.
But buying one because you think that they are a NICER company that BMW makes you a fool, and therefore anything else you have to say is so much worthless hot air as you have proved you don't have the intelligence to take part in the debate.
That I would think is down to the introduction of the 1200. The LWR was on 1150's so there's not a direct link to 1200 sales until 2007 with the LWD. I do think the LWR had a positive effect but I think its more down to the GS being such a great all round bike.
illustratedman
Registered user
There's a big difference between actual sales to paying customers and model registrations
It says sales on their annual report, but hey there's no convincing some people as for there being no link between the 1150 and the 1200's...
i dont see that it's a bad thing anyway so whats the problem with the two events being linked, they are great bikes.
Quite a few people obviously... including me
Suppose the comments are to be expected on a GS forum. Best thing since sliced bread and all that....Nowt wrong with any of my many GS variants..just fancied something different... is that so bad?
pitternator
Registered user
I am a adventure bike newbie, previously owning a speed triple. Loved that bike, fancied a change, explorer should have been my choice...right ?....well tbh I did prefer the overall package of the GS! A bike has to fit you to be right for you. I fancy a duke MS but its way too tall for me. Ditto with the explorer. Its a big heavy bike, suitable for long inseams.Even with its low seat its a struggle. I had to hop up using the rider footpeg, which is not ideal. Amazingly the GS is low enough for me to get aboard normally, and its light weight and great handling outshade the power disadvantage to the explorer.I wanted a laid back tourer with great ride quality , which I feel the GS does have , I felt the explorer suspension a bit harsh , and the screen terrible.It still feels like it needs more development. Accessories are pants and unavailable, and I hated the silly cruise control buttons and way too light throttle...
I reckon a Tiger 800 with a 1050 engine would be a better bike. But its only my opinion.
Dealer wise, I am sorry to say but Triumph dealers are way below BMW, in terms of deals , and attention to clients.I cant personally knock eithers warranty, but have heard very good stories of beemer dealers helping folk out of warranty.
Its interesting that all the talk is of the 20 extra bhp, and little said about the rest of the bike, which IMO aint as good as a GS.....and this is on a bike where ultimately , power surely is not the main criterion !
I reckon a Tiger 800 with a 1050 engine would be a better bike. But its only my opinion.
Dealer wise, I am sorry to say but Triumph dealers are way below BMW, in terms of deals , and attention to clients.I cant personally knock eithers warranty, but have heard very good stories of beemer dealers helping folk out of warranty.
Its interesting that all the talk is of the 20 extra bhp, and little said about the rest of the bike, which IMO aint as good as a GS.....and this is on a bike where ultimately , power surely is not the main criterion !
EggChaser
Registered user
Now that's interesting as my lowered GS gave me a similar stance to what I have on my Explorer (admittedly the Explorer does have a taller tank) so am a little surprised that you found a standard GS lower than the Explorer. Although for climbing on, the width and location of the pillion grab handles might make a difference (in favour of the GS)
BTW I am in the "like both GS and Explorer just fancied a change" camp.
The Explorer is a pure road bike which looks like it could get dirty and as long as you are aware of that, I'm sure it's great but if you want something that will handle everything the GS is still the best out there
This was Roynie's major problem with his original 1999 Tiger. The marketing bumph, posters, etc., at the time, used to show the bike being apparently ridden through a field and the styling looked like it ought to be able to handle a few unmade roads. But when Roynie took a low-speed spill in roadworks, the bike didn't even have a safety cut-out to stop the oil pumping where it oughtn't go. Result? A broken con-rod, a spectacular hole in the engine casing and a written-off bike.
OK, so despite the subtle marketing, the 900 Tiger was a road bike after all. But it doesn't look, from the write ups of the Explorer that I'm seeing, that Triumph have learned their lesson well enough to have created a true adventure bike.
Roynie hasn't lost faith in Triumph. Far from it. Since that first Tiger he has had two 1200 Trophies and is currently on his third Tiger (a 1050). However, the service that we have received from various dealers (at home and abroad - with the sole exception of Jack Lilley
) has been nothing sort of abysmal. So bad, in fact, that we eventually got an apology (and two top-of-the-range leather bike jackets by way of a good will gesture) from Hinkley. This is all well and good, but it doesn't help when you are thousands of miles from home on an eight week trip and need to get your bike serviced or repaired by an authorised dealer. We've now had several separate experiences in the US which leads us to believe that, unlike BMW, Honda and HD, who will generally prioritise work for travellers on a tight itinerary, Triumph dealers believe themselves to be catering to a niche home market and are above putting themselves out in any way. Not what you want if you are entering the adventure bike market. 
Genuine question: is that a common fitment on modern bikes? I'm not aware of the GS having such a device.
EggChaser
Registered user
Well there has been a comment that the Explorer might have one (not backed up with proof though) and the current models of Fireblade have one as we found out when we missed one electrical connection whilst re-assembling a friend's front end and wondered why we could not start the bike. (it happened to be the connector to the tilt switch)
Yes.
Loads of road bikes (esp sports bikes)have them. The GS doesn't tho I believe.
I'm not very technically-minded, but could it be that whether or not you need such a thing depends on whether it's a wet or dry sump or some other design consideration? I imagine that most all-terrain bike manufacturers would take the high probability of a spill into account when deciding whether or not a kill-switch was necessary.
There's a big difference between actual sales to paying customers and model registrations
Thats wot I said.
Yes but the OPs link wasn't to a sales report.......
That's weird because it definately said 'Motorcycle Registration Statistics' in the OP's link
So there's a few people who can't read or think they've read something they err actually haven't read
Good grief - I just thought folks would be interested in which adventure bike had the most registrations in April and May 
This does indicate that the Exlorer is selling well initially at least - certainly there have been no pre-registered bikes in any of the dealers I have been in
Went out for a run round the back lanes of Leicesteshire today with a mate on his new Explorer (so that's one more sale!) and both bikes very closely matched although my Wilber equiped GS coped better with the bumpier lanes
Very nice bike but more than happy with my 1200GS TB
This does indicate that the Exlorer is selling well initially at least - certainly there have been no pre-registered bikes in any of the dealers I have been in
Went out for a run round the back lanes of Leicesteshire today with a mate on his new Explorer (so that's one more sale!) and both bikes very closely matched although my Wilber equiped GS coped better with the bumpier lanes
Very nice bike but more than happy with my 1200GS TB
The current one is by far the best ever, fastest, sweetest handling, smoothest (and at the same time reviest) power.
With BMW now doing deals it has to be the best time ever to buy one, I only passed on getting a brand new GS because after all these years they are still a bloody lottery when it comes to reliability.
I also think the new GS will be right up there, the one thing BMW get right is the overall balance, enough power, enough handling, decent comfort, good ergonomics, if only they could shit-can all the bean counters and build them to better standards.
I chose not to even test the Triumph as it was obviosuly a sportsbike in adventure clothing, massively fast, aggressive throttle response, sportsbike rake / trail figures (no wonder it don't work so well off-road)
Not saying that makes it a bad bike, and many would argue it is a better bike on the roads, but so was my ZZR1400 - and had it been around when I was weaning myself of sportsbikes I dare say I would have bought one and never looked back, having owned a GS and got used to really crap back roads as my playground of choice it is now not the bike for me.
Rejoice in the choice I say, there is a bike out there for everyone, I actually like my Tenere, but I do understand why so many love the GS and I have to admit I like the look of the Triumph.
If cash was no object I would probably have one of each
grin factor
Registered user
The salesman in Triumph Newcastle told me the Ex was outselling the GS by 2 to 1. Probably sales pitch. The Ex is a heavy bike, but does look quite nice. Triumph are after some sales from BM owners, and they did have a yr old 1200GS in which eas p/x'd for the Ex.
Reliability - too soon to mention, but a mate of mine has 1 and his cylinder head had a leak. Its been in 3 times to have it fixed, and he's not a happy bunny to say the least.
Reading on other Triumph sites, there are many problems with paint coming off the engine, and Triumph have been saying its caused by stones on the road etc. Looking at pics posted negates that. But on the flip side, BM's build quality isn't as good as it used to be either.
Horses for courses, and as we all have individual needs/requirements and choice, we take our chances with whatever we buy.
As long as we are happy with our bikes, thats fine by me. Enjoy biking.
Reliability - too soon to mention, but a mate of mine has 1 and his cylinder head had a leak. Its been in 3 times to have it fixed, and he's not a happy bunny to say the least.
Reading on other Triumph sites, there are many problems with paint coming off the engine, and Triumph have been saying its caused by stones on the road etc. Looking at pics posted negates that. But on the flip side, BM's build quality isn't as good as it used to be either.
Horses for courses, and as we all have individual needs/requirements and choice, we take our chances with whatever we buy.
As long as we are happy with our bikes, thats fine by me. Enjoy biking.
The salesman at Performance Triumph Swindon told me in March that there was a 6 month waiting list yet my mate was able to order his (from the same dealership) on the Saturday and pick it up the following Wednesday
Salesmen are basically bullshitters/liars delete as applicable
How bizzare, you came to this conclusion without ACTUALLY riding it...?
So you clearly dont like Italian food because you dont like the look of it and wont eat curries because you dont like Indian people....
The Yamaha is a fantastic tool and is an excellent ride, however I didnt want to shell out even more money for exactly the same spec (in fact I got an excellent deal) as the Triumph, and yes I have ridden before making my mind up, and lets face it jap bikes depreciate quicker than a sinking Titanic.
I would be interested to actually SEE any GS owners riding thier bikes off road. Lets face it all these 'adventure' bikes spend almost their entire lives on road, and having a bike that doesnt feel vague at speed because its trying to look like an off roader is a good thing.
My idea of adventure is going away with a mate or two with no itinerary, minimal gear and some money. Enjoying roads and foreign countries. It doesnt include battling with a behemoth on light dirt because I believe it has 'off-road' potential. If I want to go off road I do it on an appropriate bike (competition trial) and enjoy the experience.
How many 4x4s are ever used for anything other than towing the odd caravan onto a field...?
Your (lets face it your prejudicial, because you havent ridden it!) view of the 12ex, is missplaced at best and I would argue wrong.
It would appear there a large number of folks on here slagging of the 12ex without ACTUALLY having ridden it..... why is that I wonder....
