Triumph factory visit worth it?

[mobile chicane22]

As title really

[Mike230]

I did it a few years ago now and really enjoyed it. I'd recommend it to others.

[Furbo]

Is there anything to see now?

Talking to a chap last weekend whose company was helping them to ship abroad the last of their manufacturing.

[Mike230]

There was still lots of assembly when I went. Paint shop, the hand painted pinstriping and other detail was impressive to see, rolling road etc. They were doing a lot abroad when I went but if this has increased further then maybe there won't be a huge amount to see.

[mikey_b]

Furbo said:

Is there anything to see now?

Talking to a chap last weekend whose company was helping them to ship abroad the last of their manufacturing.

I thought they brought a bunch of it back, around 2022. Or rather, they expanded capacity here, whilst also keeping the Thai factories. Triumph are selling over 140k bikes a year now, volumes have rocketed in the last few years. 2019 (so pre-covid) they built less than half that. Googling around, there are a few references to building about 20k bikes a year from Hinckley.

In any case, all motorcycles are built from parts made all over the place by all sorts of suppliers. The point at which all those parts are finally screwed into a single finished article in a crate for delivery doesn't really matter all that much.

[trickywoo]

Thailand is nice this time of year, why not tie it in with some time on the beach.

[Furbo]

mikey_b said:

Furbo said:

Is there anything to see now?

Talking to a chap last weekend whose company was helping them to ship abroad the last of their manufacturing.

I thought they brought a bunch of it back, around 2022. Or rather, they expanded capacity here, whilst also keeping the Thai factories. Triumph are selling over 140k bikes a year now, volumes have rocketed in the last few years. 2019 (so pre-covid) they built less than half that. Googling around, there are a few references to building about 20k bikes a year from Hinckley.

In any case, all motorcycles are built from parts made all over the place by all sorts of suppliers. The point at which all those parts are finally screwed into a single finished article in a crate for delivery doesn't really matter all that much.

This was only a chat with a bloke outside a cafe, but he seemed plausible and to know a lot about what was going on. But he said that only non-manufacturing functions are to be retained here. Everything else is going abroad.

[carinaman]

I watched the Neeves YouTube video on the original Street Triple 675 in roulette green. He said arguably the Street Triple help put Triumph in the position they are today with regard to size and sales.

[tazzatime]

I have not done it (yet), but attended a 3 day first aid course run at the visitor centre there recently. Several of the guys on the course were employees and one or two conducted the tours. They advised that a weekday visit is best as you see the factory in operation, Wednesday am to Friday am.

They have some very interesting bikes on display there too. I am not a biker but definitely intend to go on the tour soon.

[Wacky Racer]

I did the Hinkley tour about twenty five years ago, and excellent it was too,

Everything was spotlessly clean and the place was buzzing.

Not sure what it would be like now, with much of the stuff made abroad,

Thank goodness for housebuilder John Bloor, a very shrewd businessman.

[the-norseman]

I keep meaning to go as I have a Triumph (Bobber) and its only about 40 mins from me, I have been to the musuem during a bike night there.

[simonrh1]

I did the Hinckley tour last year and enjoyed it. They still build the big tigers in the UK. Well worth doing

[Furbo]

simonrh1 said:

I did the Hinckley tour last year and enjoyed it. They still build the big tigers in the UK. Well worth doing

I'd advise anyone to check this, before assuming they'll be seeing production.