Bike longevity.

Ok I'm coming up to 25k on the speed four and I've noticed that its got a rusty washer on it!!!! Nowthen this has got me thinking about new bikes and if they are built using the same or better/worse materials and standards than 5+years ago. As it goes I can still see the s4 going well with 50k on it but could the same be said for a street triple?

Just thinking like

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[rictus01]

the short answer is "NO" , triumph put in a lot of effort to make a good reputation for themselves and this included the quality of fixings and finish, whilst nowadays it's by no means bad, but not of the same standard as it used to be.

My S3 has still has far less rust after 15 years than a mates 09 tiger.

Other manufacturers do much the same, Honda's reputation for quality was well deserved at one point, but presently is no better than most, likewise the quality of the 650/800 BMW's is far below that of the big bikes they make.

Cheers Mark.

[Bibio]

all bikes will rot if you don't look after them. so if you want a bike to last and look good then clean it.. simples

Hmm interesting. So basically a 30k s3 that's on a 99 plate will last linger than a 35k s3 on an 05 plate? All things being equal.

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[DJ123]

the bigger firms get, the more 'hired help' that gets introduced. Hence why the quality of bikes has gone down, because parts, bikes and accessories are being built else where. Not in the same factories with the same quality control measures and staff.

Originally Posted by daddyjob

the bigger firms get, the more 'hired help' that gets introduced. Hence why the quality of bikes has gone down, because parts, bikes and accessories are being built else where. Not in the same factories with the same quality control measures and staff.

?

Triumphs are built in triumph factories by triumph workers, as they always have been. The washers used on triumphs are bought in from washer manufacturers, as they always have been.

[DJ123]

Originally Posted by mjc

?

Triumphs are built in triumph factories by triumph workers, as they always have been. The washers used on triumphs are bought in from washer manufacturers, as they always have been.

I didn't name manufacturers, i was simply using the general term of 'bikes'. BMW if you would like one for an example.

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by Bibio

all bikes will rot if you don't look after them. so if you want a bike to last and look good then clean it.. simples

Had Andy asked a generalized question on bike care the above would have been germaine

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

Hmm interesting. So basically a 30k s3 that's on a 99 plate will last linger than a 35k s3 on an 05 plate? All things being equal.

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FYI, Triumph made little profit in the early years (we're talking Hinkley here) on either the T3's or the T5's, the range re-design of 2003 saw a major change in the body design for instances so they could use a cheaper moulding process (speed triple and daytona) as well as cheaper parts, following the big fire they had the new building got a more mainstream production line bringing quality inline with other manufacturers and better profits as well.

Originally Posted by daddyjob

the bigger firms get, the more 'hired help' that gets introduced. Hence why the quality of bikes has gone down, because parts, bikes and accessories are being built else where. Not in the same factories with the same quality control measures and staff.

to an extent I'd agree, but there is also the mentality of the company as well, to make a reputation it was "the best they could use" where as to be competitively priced and remain profitable "good enough for the job" seems to be the order of the day, Suzuki make a very conscious effort to keep the SV keenly priced even when they make better suspension and brakes themselves on other bikes in their range.

Cheers Mark.

I am in agreement with Mark on this regarding quality control as prior to the factory being burnt down they were striving to make a good repution for well built and reliable machines.Unfortunately in my eyes during the intrim period between the demise of the old factory and the new plant coming online things seemed to slip back a little due to outsourcing but since the new factory has come on to full production things seem back on an even keel.
In answer to the OP's question,my bike is 51plate with 50K miles and I have yet to find rust anyplace,even under the plastics.Perhaps this is a lot to do with servicing, TLC and being kept in a garage as much as to when it was built.

Doubt it. My 53 plate sits outside and is ridden in all weather and in 2 years its got 1 washer that's gone rusty.

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