2017 Triumph Thruxton R

The defect

Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Thruxton, 2016-2019 Thruxton R and 2020 Thruxton TFC motorcycles. The side stand spring may fracture, possibly allowing the side stand switch to activate and shut off the engine.

The risk

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side stand spring, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph's number for this recall is SRAN 570.

Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD · up to 3,244 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened July 9, 2021 · closed January 15, 2025

the hydraulic brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21017) on July 9, 2021 for model year (MY) 2016-2019 Triumph Thruxton and Speed Triple model motorcycles based on allegations of loss of front braking performance.Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) indicated riders were experiencing a soft front brake lever that could result in an unexpected extended stopping distance. On July 28, 2021, ODI sent an Information Request letter to Triumph to learn more about the subject components and alleged defect.On September 24, 2021, Triumph submitted its response, which ODI analyzed.ODI learned that the majority of the VOQ incidents occurred two or more years after the motorcycle was manufactured. The manufacturer recommends changing the brake fluid every two years, regardless of mileage. As the manufacturer’s warranty lasts for two years from the date of sale, many dealers covered the complicated brake fluid replacement procedure under warranty. However, most of the motorcycles involved in these incidents were overdue to have their brake system serviced. Triumph conducted testing of the brake system to better quantify what riders were experiencing.Triumph found pulling the lever a second time immediately after an initial pull did result in less lever travel for the same force exerted on the lever.This reduction was two millimeters or less.Additional testing was conducted to ascertain the caliper force generated relative to various lever forces.Triumph found that the caliper force varied +/- 2% between the first and second pull of the front brake lever and any given applied force. Triumph claimed that the lack of proper maintenance was the cause of the soft brake lever.Triumph conducted additional testing to quantify this claim.The lever travel between the first and second pull increased 150% on an improperly maintained system versus a properly maintained system.However, the caliper force only decreased 2-3% on average with this increased lever travel, further indicating that the subject motorcycles are capable of fully stopping. ODI located and evaluated a subject motorcycle.Measurements were taken and confirmed there was a small decrease in lever travel between the first and second pull.ODI then conducted a series of hard braking events, which did not produce evidence that the difference in lever travel resulted in an extended stopping distance. ODI also considered Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) data.ODI identified six fatal events that involved a subject vehicle.The service history records were reviewed for each motorcycle, however,none of the records included any mention of braking problems and thus there is no indication that the alleged defect may have contributed to the fatal crashes. As of this time there are no VOQ or manufacturer claims reporting an injury, fatality, or crash arising from this issue.Based on the available information, including the absence of such events after nine years of service on the oldest motorcycles, ODI is closing this investigation.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

100 miles

FRONT BRAKES REQUIRE A DOUBLE PUMP OF THE LEVER TO ACCOMPLISH POSITIVE BRAKE FEEL AND OPERATION. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IN CASE OF EMERGENCY STOPPING. I HAVE BLED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND IT STILL DOESN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint 11387875. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

999 miles

SEEMS I HAVE THE ISSUE MANY OTHER ARE HAVING WITH THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY TRIUMPH THRUXTON R IN THAT I HAVE TO "DOUBLE PUMP" THE BRAKE LEVER TO ACTUALLY GET A GOOD SOLID BRAKING FEEL AND ACTION. AFTER DOUBLE PUMPING THE BRAKE LEVER I GET THE SOLID BRAKING I SHOULD HAVE FOR MAYBE 10 SECS AFTER USING THE FRONT BRAKE. THEN THE BRAKE LEVER LOSES ITS FEEL AND I HAVE TO DOUBLE PUMP THE LEVER AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN MY BIKE IN FOR A ANNUAL INSPECTION, WHICH I MENTIONED THE BRAKING ISSUE AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT IS A PROBLEM AND WOULD REMEDY IT. AFTER THE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDED A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AND BLEED THE ISSUE RETURNED A FEW DAYS LATER. CLEARLY THERE IS A MAJOR MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENT THAT …

NHTSA complaint 11387900, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

100 miles

FRONT BRAKES ARE SPONGEY AND REQUIRE PUMPING OF BRAKE LEVER IN ORDER TO GET FULL BRAKING ABILITY. FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS SOFT ON FIRST PULL AND NEEDS TO BE RELEASED AND PULLED AGAIN IN ORDER TO BRAKE FULLY. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A FRONT WHEEL SPACING ISSUE, CAUSING THE FRONT ROTOR TO HIT ONE BRAKE PAD BEFORE THE OTHER, WHICH MAY BE AT LEAST PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint 11387893. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

NOTICED SPONGY BRAKE LEVER FEEL WHEN I PURCHASED THE BIKE. SPONGY FRONT BRAKES - REQUIRES A DOUBLE PULL OF LEVER. HAVE BLED BRAKES AND SPONGY FEELS COMES BACK AFTER FEW LEVER PULLS. HAVE HAD MANY OTHER MOTORCYCLES WITH BREMBO BRAKES AND NONE REQUIRED A DOUBLE PULL FOR PROPER ENGAGEMENT.

NHTSA complaint 11375308. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

6,000 miles

SINCE NEW THERE HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT BRAKING WHEN APPLYING THE FRONT BRAKES; OFTEN REQUIRING MULTIPLE SQUEEZES OF THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER TO GET EXPECTED BRAKING FORCE. THIS WAS IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM BLEED. WHILE THIS INITIALLY APPEARED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE THE INCONSISTENT BRAKING PERFORMANCE RETURNED SHORTLY AFTER. ADDITIONAL BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE. I CONSIDER THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING PERFORMANCE CAN RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO SAFELY STOP OR SLOW THE VEHICLE IN BOTH NORMAL RIDING AND EMERGENCY SCENARIOS. INQUIRIES WITH THE …

NHTSA complaint 11372529, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

500 miles

THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE I NEED TO PUMP THE BRAKE AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE GETTING SOLID BRAKE PRESSURE. THE FIRST PULL ON THE BRAKE LEVER IS SPONGY AND GOES NOT HAVE SOLID PRESSURE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY A CONCERN WHEN TURNING INTO A BLING CORNER AND NEEDING TO PERFORM EMERGENCY BRAKING. THE FRONT CALIPER IS NOT ALIGNED EVENLY WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR EVEN AFTER THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS WITH THE TRIUMPH DEALER FOR OVER A MONTH FOR REPAIRS. I CAN SHARE A VIDEO SHOWING HOW THE BRAKE LEVER TRAVEL BEHAVES.

NHTSA complaint 11367061. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.