All Change.....

[slparry]

So, things have not been good at work since returning after Xmas.

It all came to a head this week and the bank came in and stopped us trading, meaning we've been twiddling our thumbs all week. We've been told there's a staff meeting at 11 so we're expecting the worst.

In anticipation of that I pre-empted it and have found another role, I'd been looking for a more part time job and am pleased to announce I'm the new sales executive for Triumph Chester .... 4 days a week in the summer and 2 days in the winter

Hopefully starting in a couple of weeks time

[ianc53]

Glad to hear you're sorted Steve. I suspect other dealers will also be struggling. You're certainly in a position to talk to customers about a good few of the bikes out there!

Good luck

Ian

[JamesL]

Blimey, good luck Steve. I've been through one or two of those 11am all staff meetings and it's not fun so fingers crossed for the Triumph gig.

So you'll be on some state of the art effort in May?

[Paul]

Well done on your pre-emptive move to Triumph!

All the best,

Paul

[Blackal]

Good for you! (at least you're not trying to sell Harleys)

Triumph make great bikes.

Thought you might have been thinking about retirement?

[popsky]

Blimey Steve, KTM was short lived, good luck with the Triumph gig hopefully hear all about it in May

[Blackal]

:shock: Blimey Steve, KTM was short lived, good luck with the Triumph gig hopefully hear all about it in May

Have to admit - I had an itch for a 1290GT, but the KTM niggles and infrastructure ultimately put me off. They make some great bikes, but I don't think they get the volume.

The 1290SA 'seems' to have better reliability than the 'GT' which is a bit strange?

Triumph - seem to have a great range and reliability seems good. Their heritage range is always an easy sell, too.

Al

[slparry]

Good for you! (at least you're not trying to sell Harleys)

Triumph make great bikes.

Thought you might have been thinking about retirement?

Triumph have offered me part time which I'd been after for ages. I'm in receipt of a small company pension from a previous employer and in June will get state pension and of course will no longer have to pay NI so part time means I can still have structure in my life but have more me time. They've offered 4 day week in the season and 2 days over the winter

[slparry]

:shock: Blimey Steve, KTM was short lived, good luck with the Triumph gig hopefully hear all about it in May

Have to admit - I had an itch for a 1290GT, but the KTM niggles and infrastructure ultimately put me off. They make some great bikes, but I don't think they get the volume.

The 1290SA 'seems' to have better reliability than the 'GT' which is a bit strange?

Triumph - seem to have a great range and reliability seems good. Their heritage range is always an easy sell, too.

Al

Being honest we were concerned about reliability issues when we took on the agency but in reality we had less issues than we had with GS's however BMW are world class at after sales support which no other bike manufacturer can match really.

At present KTM have an offer on the 1290's that doubles the warranty to 4 years!

My understanding from the chat in work was it was the Harley side that dragged us down. Harley side retained far more profit in their sales but didn't sell anywhere near the numbers anymore. We sold 320 bikes last year to Harley's 50 apparently.

[slparry]

:shock: Blimey Steve, KTM was short lived, good luck with the Triumph gig hopefully hear all about it in May

We were KTM for two years but the current trading climate was tough. But my understanding was we were operating well but the Harley side was dragging us down.

We were selling 300 bikes a year to HDs 50

[boxerscott]

Good luck Steve, I know its a passion for you and not a career. Nett zero is putting us in recession. Forcing beginners and Coffin dodgers off the road. Manufacturers of all heat producing engines do not know which way to turn. Big cruiser market has taken a massive downturn. Do you actually "sell" bikes these days or rent them out? I still have dreams about tassels and a thumping 1700cc Thunderstorm

Chris.

[templen]

Good to hear you got something sorted out Steve,

I did the Triumph factory tour late last year (was excellent).

I can only see Triumph on the up, especially with the new models they're releasing.

Good luck in the new role.

Cheers, Nick