2016 Triumph Thruxton

21 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Oct 18, 2024Failure Oct 18, 2024Beaverton, ORService brakes

   the front brakes are inconsistent when engaged. the first squeeze of the brakes are spongy and almost completely squeeze down and then subsequent braking with completely clamp in 1”. The problem does not go away even after bleeding the brakes. This has occurred since ownership of over 1 year. I only came across other owners with the same issue after a google search and there is an forum thread on the issue.

   NHTSA complaint 11620724
2. Filed Nov 30, 2022Failure Jul 1, 2022Hoyt Lakes, MNElectrical system

   The wire harness has torn under ignition. The traction control stops working, needles bounce, and at times will not start. The wire pulls when the handlebars are turned to the right. I brought it to Moto primo to have it fixed. There was a recall for this issue and they want to charge me over $700 for an issue that they are obviously aware of. I had the bike in AZ over last winter and brought it in on a different recall. Moto primo said that the dealer looked at the issue in Phoenix but did not replace the part. They told me that I have to deal with the dealer in Phoenix which is 1800 miles away. This is a very dangerous thing. The needles initially started bouncing when I was driving from Phoenix to Minneapolis. It was doing it again when I was in MN. I went to blogs and read that there were issues where the wires stretch and tear when the bars are turned to the right. I looked at the wiring and it was torn and stretches when the bars were turned.

   NHTSA complaint 11495521
3. Filed Jun 10, 2022Failure Jun 7, 2022Thorton, COService brakes

   Brakes feel spongy or grinding at times. The grip on the front brakes is not good.

   NHTSA complaint 11468569
4. Filed May 1, 2022Failure Apr 22, 2021Bend, ORService brakes

   The front brake requires a first 'pump' to become effective. On subsequent application the brakes work as expected. After a short time I need to 'pump' the brake again (when first applying the brakes I can almost pull the lever to the grip). This is a known problem on many owner forums. Due to the safety hazard this should really be addressed.

   NHTSA complaint 11462976
5. Filed Aug 24, 2021Failure Nov 6, 2020Mexico City, TXService brakes

   Very time I push the front breaks, it feel spongy. First push the leveler goes almost all way down. It becomes more firm once you push it two or three time more, however, it vanishes after that. I took it to the dealer but they said that the breaks are working good. I have also changed the break fluid and bled the system according to the maintenance schedule but it has not worked at all. I have read on Triumph groups that this has been existing problems on Thruxton and speed triple models between 2016-2020. However, Thriumph hasn’t published a recall for it. It has been a serious safety problem on my bike. Fortunately, I have not had a serious accident but I had some close calls. I am writing from Mexico City, Mexico. Thanks and regards

   NHTSA complaint 11430365
6. Filed Aug 13, 2021Failure Aug 13, 2021Los Angeles, CAService brakes

   Front brake lever has an issue wherein it is soft and requires multiple pulls or deploys to full engage resulting in both inconsistent and unsafe operation. It has been ongoing and apparently widespread with other owners and not something repair shops have been able to localize or remedy.

   NHTSA complaint 11428977
7. Filed Aug 10, 2021Failure Aug 8, 2021Penn Valley, PAService brakes

   I have had this motorcycle since new in 2016 and have put 20,000 miles on it. It has for most of its life had a problem with the brembo front brakes where they do not fully engage until you pump the brake lever twice. I had taken it to the dealer multiple times while under warranty and had the brake fluid replaced and bled multiple times. While inititially the new fluid helps, nothing seems to be a permanent fix and the problem returns. More recently I had the front brake calipers disassembled, cleaned, fluids changed and it is still just as bad as ever. I had to replace the stock brake lever with one that is adjustable to get more leverage so that the brake lever does not bottom out against the handlebar. When that happens you need to quickly pump the brakes to actually stop. It can be very scary. The service manager at my local Triumph dealer apologized that they were not able to make the brakes work properly. Also with very inconsistent brake response it can be challenging to properly judge stopping distances and required reaction times.

   NHTSA complaint 11428493
8. Filed Jul 28, 2021Failure Jun 24, 2016Fairfield, CAService brakes

   The front brake lever first pull has always been soft, since the motorcycle was new. The second pull is firm and as one would expect. I brought the motorcycle to the dealer where I purchased it and had them inspect the brakes and perform a bleed operation, which I had to pay for. The technician found nothing wrong and there was no change in the first brake pull. This issue remains to the present day.

   NHTSA complaint 11426874
9. Filed Jan 14, 2021Failure Jan 14, 2020500 milesAnderson, INService brakes

   THE BRAKES DO NOT HAVE PRESSURE ON THE FIRST PULL. THE PRESSURE IS BUILT BY PUMPING THE BRAKE LEVER BUT WILL THEN LOSE PRESSURE AGAIN WITHIN 15 MINUTES. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THE BRAKES COULD TAKE TOO LONG TO ENGAGE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL 2016-2019 TRIUMPH THRUXTON 1200 R MOTORCYCLES.

   NHTSA complaint 11388167
10. Filed Jan 14, 2021Failure Dec 2, 2019800 milesPalmetto, FLService brakes

    THE FIRST SQUEEZE OF THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS SOFT AND MUSHY. WHEN RELEASED AND SQUEEZED AGAIN, THE LEVER FIRMS UP AND HAS LESS TRAVEL. THE FRONT BRAKE IS INCONSISTENT AND THUS DANGEROUS. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM IN ALL RIDING SITUATIONS.

    NHTSA complaint 11388116
11. Filed Jan 14, 2021Failure Nov 11, 20202 milesSeattle, WAService brakes

    WHEN USING THE FRONT BRAKE, I HAVE TO PRESS THE LEVER IN ONCE, THEN PRESS IT A SECOND TIME TO EXPERIENCE ITS PROPER BRAKING POTENTIAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE OWNING THE BIKE. I'VE NOTICED HOW JERKY THE BRAKE WOULD REACT. VERY "SQUISHY" WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE LEVER FIRST PUMP, THEN REACTS IMMEDIATELY WITH SUBSEQUENT BRAKE PUMPING. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM TO ME, MY BIKE OR SOMEONE ELSE.

    NHTSA complaint 11387984
12. Filed Jan 13, 2021Failure Jan 13, 20216,000 milesCathedral City, CAService brakes

    BRAKES ARE SOFT AT FIRST PULL. SECOND HARDENS. THEY SEEM VERY MUSHY AND UNSAFE MOST OF THE TIME.

    NHTSA complaint 11387973
13. Filed Jan 13, 2021Failure Jan 13, 20214,000 milesPlano, TXService brakes

    OPERATION OF THE BRAKES IS INCONSISTENT AND UNSAFE. ON FIRST APPLICATION, IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM SO THE BRAKE LEVER HAS TO BE SQUEEZED ALMOST COMPLETELY BACK TO THE HANDLEBAR BEFORE THE BRAKES APPLY. ON SUBSEQUENT APPLICATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE SYSTEM FEELS PRESSURIZED AND LEVER PULL AND BRAKE APPLICATION BECOME NORMAL. THE PATTERN REPEATS AGAIN AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN APPLIED FOR A SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS OCCURS WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE MOVING OR AT A STANDSTILL.

    NHTSA complaint 11387969
14. Filed Jan 13, 2021Failure Jun 23, 20202,800 milesKaty, TXService brakes

    MY 2016 TRIUMPH THRUXTON R HAS ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT BRAKE. SINCE PURCHASING THE MOTORCYCLE I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHILE RIDING IT AND COMING TO A STOP USING THE FRONT BRAKE IT DOES NOT STOP AS EFFECTIVELY AS IT SHOULD. UPON GRABBING THE FRONT BRAKE AND SQUEEZING THE LEVER THE BRAKE IS SLOW TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE AND HAS A SPONGY FEELING. HOWEVER, WHEN I DOUBLE PUMP THE BRAKE (OR SQUEEZE THE LEVER ONCE, RELEASE, AND SQUEEZE IT IN A SECOND TIME) THE BRAKE IS INSTANT AND QUICK TO BRAKE AND STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT BRANDS OF BRAKE FLUID AS WELL AS BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS. NONE OF WHICH HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. MY ONLY CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THIS. IF I WERE TO GRAB THE BRAKE LEVER ONE TIME IN AN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP AS EFFECTIVELY COMPARED TO DOUBLE PUMPING THE BRAKES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES WHILE APPROACHING RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS AND IS AN EVERY TIME OCCURRENCE WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. IN SUMMATION THE INITIAL BRAKE GRAB PROVES TO BE SLOW TO BRAKE AND SPONGY IN FEEL. WHILE RELEASING THE INITIAL BRAKE GRAB AND GRABBING THE BRAKE LEVER AGAIN PROVES TO MUCH GREATER STOPPING POWER AND SAFER BRAKING.

    NHTSA complaint 11387901
15. Filed Nov 28, 2020Failure Nov 28, 202014,100 milesSAN Francisco, CABody

    I HAVE HAD 3 SIDE STAND SPRINGS FAIL DURING THIS CALENDAR YEAR 2020, IN LESS THAN 3,000 TOTAL MILES. 2 OF THE FAILED SPRINGS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED PARTS FROM A TRIUMPH INTERNAL SAFETY BULLETIN REPLACEMENT. THIS LAST SPRING FAILED 900 MILES AFTER IT WAS INSTALLED ONLY A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. ALL INSTALLATIONS WERE DONE BY THE AUTHORIZED TRIUMPH DEALERSHIP. ALL 3 OF THE SPRING FAILURES OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, TOP GEAR, IN TRAFFIC - WHEN IT FAILS, IT ACTIVATES A KILL SWITCH THAT CUTS POWER TO THE MOTOR, LEAVING ME IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AT SPEED WITH A NON-RESPONSIVE MOTORCYCLE. AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, I EMAILED TRIUMPH AFTER SALES CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM AND THEIR HEAD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE PETER CARLEO, MY EMAIL WAS NOT RESPONDED TO, I REPLIED AGAIN - AND NO RESPONSE. I HAVE NOW EMAILED THEM A THIRD TIME. MY DEALERSHIP SAID TODAY AFTER INSTALLING THE 4TH SPRING ON MY BIKE THIS YEAR THAT THEY CALLED TRIUMPH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE DISMISSED AND THAT I AM ON MY OWN TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN TRAFFIC 3X DUE TO A SIDE STAND SPRING, A $6 PART FAILING 3X. THIS IS THE MOST SIMPLE OF PARTS AND ONE THAT IN MY 13 YEARS OF RIDING NEARLY EVERY DAY ON 3 DIFFERENT TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES, I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED BEFORE. TRIUMPH NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND RECTIFY THIS ISSUE COMPLETELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED - IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY. MY SPRINGS FAILED ON 1/30/20, 6/17/20 AND 11/28/20, OVER THE COURSE OF LESS THAN 3,000 MILES TRAVELLED.

    NHTSA complaint 11376897
16. Filed Nov 5, 2020Failure May 3, 2017900 milesChandler, AZService brakes

    THE FRONT BRAKE NEEDS TO BE "PUMPED UP" BY PRESSING AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE THE FULL POWER OF BRAKING IS APPLIED WHILE THE BIKE IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE SELLING DEALER AT LEAST ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN PROBLEM

    NHTSA complaint 11373122
17. Filed Oct 29, 2020Failure Apr 30, 20202,950 milesAnaheim, CAService brakes

    THE FRONT BRAKES SINCE THE BEGINNING HAVE FELT SPONGY AND I HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS WHEN I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD, THE MOTORCYCLE STILL KEPT GOING I HAVE TO DOUBLE PUMP TO HAVE THEM ACTUALLY WORK PROPERLY.

    NHTSA complaint 11366962
18. Filed Oct 28, 2020Failure Oct 25, 202010,200 milesSanta Monica, CAService brakes

    SOFT/SPONGY FRONT BRAKES WHILE RIDING.

    NHTSA complaint 11366927
19. Filed Jun 26, 2020Failure Jun 2, 20204,000 milesEL Monte, CAService brakes

    THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE A VERY SPONGY FEEL AND REQUIRE MULTIPLE PULLS OR 'PRIMER PULLS' FOR THE FRONT BRAKES TO ENGAGE CORRECTLY. IN EMERGENCY BRAKE SITUATIONS, I DO NOT GET FULL BRAKING POWER OUT OF THE FRONT BRAKES WHEN THE LEVER IS PULLED IN QUICKLY. THE LEVER GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE HANDLEBAR GRIP. DEALERS AND SHOPS HAVE TRIED BLEEDING MY BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT THE LEVER RESPONSE DOES NOT IMPROVE. THEY ALL SUGGEST THAT I CHANGE THE WHOLE SYSTEM. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS ONLY MY BIKE UNTIL A COMMUNITY OF RIDERS WITH MY SAME BIKE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION, STAND STILL, STREET, HIGHWAY AND TURNING. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11331149
20. Filed Jul 14, 2017Failure Jul 14, 2017Millersville, PAExterior lighting

    THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT DISPLAYS THE SPEED AND RPMS IS DIMLY LIT BECAUSE OF OPAQUE PAINT USED ON BACK OF BOARD CONTAINING THE NUMBERS. FOR RIDING AT NIGHT THE NUMBERS ARE TOO DIM TO READ DRIVING SPEED OR ENGINE SPEED.

    NHTSA complaint 11005316