Considering My First Triumph. I Have Reliability Concerns Coming From A Japanese Bike.

Nakeds are my favorite class of bike, but I've only owned Japanese nakeds. For the first time in my life I find myself seriously considering a 2016 Street Triple RX with only 19,000km on it.


I really value having a headache free experience because we all have enough of those already. The last thing I want is for my favorite hobby to become another headache.


That said, I'm hearing mixed things about Triumph. One one hand I'm hearing that by and large they're only slightly less reliable than the big 4 Japanese manufacturers, while others are warning me about hot start issues, anti-theft ecu problems bricking bikes, oil leaking problems, etc.


What it the typical Triumph ownership experience like? My nearest dealer is over 2 hours away, so if I do end up with one, I'd be doing all the work myself. I'm pretty self sufficient, but I'm no mechanic.


Apparently the 2016 Street Triple is known for having more issues that other model years. Is that true?


What should I be extra careful about checking when I go to look at this bike?


Thank you for your time and guidance. It is much appreciated.

 

Hi, my personal experience of modern Triumphs is very good though I may have just been lucky. I've got a 2016 Street Triple 675, just the entry level model, not an R or Rx, with now 6,000 miles on the clock. I bought it in October 2022 with just 560 miles on the clock, for some reason the one previous owner had hardly used it but had kept it serviced and MoT tested. It's run faultlessly while I've had it and it's a really nice bike to ride, enough power and very light and agile. I've also got a Speed Twin 1200 which has also been very reliable over the 3 years and 9,000 miles I've had it. I've also had several Hondas, renowned for their reliability, and I'd say my Triumphs have been just as good.

 

I'm not sure that it is relevant, but I have about 24,000 miles split between a 2011 Sprint GT 1050 (18k miles) and a 2013 Trophy SE (6k miles). The Sprint has 43k on the clock and the Trophy has 31k. I've had both forks rebuilt and the valves adjusted. New plugs, oil and air filter, and that's about it. I had a recall resolved on the Trophy (abraded wire that was replaced). No issues. And I ride 2-up most of the time, riding from Nova Scotia to the Continental Divide in the Colorado Rockies. Not sure how that applies to your prospective bike, but I didn't hesitate to buy 2 Triumphs.

Good luck with your choice!

 

@SpyrotheDragon9972 Welcome to the family. I stopped listening to do gooders a long time ago. My Son has about four 675's and a full blown 765 racer. He rags them to their limits on tracks here and in Europe. They just keep going. He completes all his own servicing and setting up himself. He says they are so simple to work on. Just buy the bike you want keep it serviced and it will perform as you want. If these peoples tales worry you then get yourself a Honda.

 

welcome to the Forum. I have a 2010 America with a 865cc, this is my 3rd triumph. i have owned a 1974 trident which i rode for 12 years, it was an oldy but goodie with tinkering issues but that is it. also a 1973 restored bonnie i rode till my heart attach. the America is a flawless piece of engineering as all of the new ones are. i put between 8 and 10 k on each year with only oil changes and chain maintenance, which is minor. she has 50k on her now and runs like a top. i have only good things to say about Triumph.......Enjoy the ride!

 

There is a dealer round these parts who will happily sell you a Triumph but won't take a Beamer in part exchange.

 

My Triumph experience came after a disastrous, unreliable BMW R100GS ownership. My first Triumph was:- 74K miles on a new 2002 Tiger955i not a problem. Then 20K miles on a 2008 Scrambler900efi, not a problem. 40K miles on a new 2011 Tiger800XC, not a problem. 45K miles so far on a 2013 Tiger800XC, not a problem. 10K miles, so far, on a 2021 Scrambler1200XC, not a problem.
Even the Jap bikes have problems like the Honda cam chain issues during the 1980s. If you fancy a Triumph, don't be put off by the odd horror story.

 

My 1st Triumph, a Speed Twin 1200 bought 18 months ago. So far 10,000 miles with no issues, nothing. The OEM tyres were poor in the wet so changed at 3,000 miles for Michelin Road 6s. I've just replaced the original drive chain for a DID Gold link chain, despite regular cleaning and lubrication the original chain became stiff and noisy very suddenly after 9,500 miles. So new chain and chain oiler fitted. Otherwise a great bike.

 

How are the Michelins wearing? Have them on the Tiger and they appear to be shrinking back quicker than I'd like. Stick to the road like superglue though and have only felt the rear let go on a gravely patch of road.

 

On my Speed Twin the Road 6s are wearing very well. I've put over 7,000 miles on them and they look like new, no squaring off etc and stick like glue wet or dry.

 

@SpyrotheDragon9972:
I did 35.000 km from 2020 to 2022 on a TIGER 1200 - no issues. From 2022 to 2023 I did 15.000 km on a T120 - no issues. Since February this year 2.300 km on a Rocket - no issues. Additionally about 26.000 km on a Honda NT1100, 5.000 km on a BMW R12NineT and 27.000 km on a BMW R1250RS - all of them no issues. It is up to you to decide!