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closePeninsula car dealership visits motorcycle lane
Subaru Suzuki Triumph brings British flavor to peninsula
Susan Schell
of the Gateway
Peninsula Subaru Suzuki Triumph is forging ahead on two wheels . Motorcycle wheels, that is. The automobile dealership recently added motorcycles to its inventory in conjunction with Triumph motorcycles’ increasing popularity in the United States.
“It’s another great option for us to have, and we’re really excited,” owner John Dionas said. “We’re ready to expand our showroom at our Suzuki dealership.”
The store, which sold its first motorcycle last week, is designating November as the grand opening for the Triumph dealership. The motorcycles can be serviced at the Suzuki facility.
Dionas has owned the store at its current location, 3888 W. state Route 16 in Bremerton, for nine years. He and his family live in Gig Harbor. Dionas said the location is perfect because it’s right on the highway, yet traffic has to slow down in the area through Gorst.
“We have so much traffic coming by,” he said. “People have been cruising the lots and checking out the motorcycles.”
The motorcycles come in an array of bright colors, like orange, green and blue. Dionas said he’s had interest in motorcycles since he used to race dirt bikes. His interest in Triumph peaked when the manufacturer gradually broadened its lineup to 14 different models.
“They’re up and coming in the U.S., and there’s brand recognition,” Dionas said of the British-made motorcylces.
“I had the interest and wanted to add some excitement,” he said. “They’re making a big march in the U.S. They’re very unique and solid, and they’re hand-made.”
Triumph motorcycles were popular in the United States in the 1950s and ’60s and were associated with movie idols of the era, like Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando, Dionas said.
When the manufacturing plant in Britain burned down in the 2000, the business concentrated on its European distributorship while it underwent a rebuilding process. But now it’s making a comeback on this side of the pond.
“We hear so many stories about people who have had experiences with Triumphs some time in their lives,” Dionas said. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm at the dealership. The model lineup is very impressive. We have models from the cruisers and the old retro bikes that they brought back, from the 1920s to the crotch rockets.”
Dionas’ dealership is one of the few in the area that has cars and motorcycles as well.
“It’s another great option for us to have, and we’re really excited,” Dionas said. “And blessed with the fact that we have this product.”
Peninsula Subaru Suzuki Triumph has supported the community, most recently when it donated a van to the Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club to transport children from the Children’s Home Society on the Key Peninsula.
“We just have to figure out how to get our suits off and get in biker gear,” Dionas said.
For more information about Triumph motorcycles, visit www.peninsulatriumph.com.