Since the Street Triple’s introduction to the moto-market, Triumph has only continued to improve the motorcycle. The Triumph Street Triple is a stellar performance bike. Still, any vehicle is bound to experience a few hiccups.
This bike is both powerful and fun to ride, and whether you in the market for one or already have the pleasure of owning one, learning the issues experienced by other riders can only help.
Let’s take a look at some of the issues that come up with the Triumph Street Triple.
Table of Contents
1. Faulty Regulator/Rectifier Issue
Triumph estimated that between 2006-and 2009, over 10,000 Triumph Motorcycles left the factory with faulty Regulator/Rectifiers in them, many of which were Street Triples.
To explain why it’s important to bring this attention to Triumph owners’, let’s first examine what the Regulator/Rectifier is and why it’s significant.
A motorcycle uses a small charging system that starts with a component called the stator.
The stator is a coil of wire in the engine case with a spinning magnet to generate an alternate current (AC). The AC flows through the rectifier/regulator, converting it to DC power at a consistent output.
As the bike accelerates, the stator generates more and more power, and if left uncontrolled, it can overcharge the battery.
That’s where the rectifier/regulator comes in.
The rectifier/regulator is the component responsible for sustaining the appropriate current. If your rectifier is bad, the battery will be damaged in a matter of time.
A Quick Summary of the Recall:
In 2012 Triumph issued this recall statement:
Triumph is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Street Triple, Street Triple R, and Daytona 675 motorcycles. The regulator/rectifier can overheat and prevent the motorcycle from charging. Once the battery is fully discharged, the motorcycle may stall.
If you’re the owner of a bike that qualifies, be vigilant about the battery’s condition.
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your local Triumph dealer ASAP to get the appropriate upgrades.
Symptoms of a Failing Regulator/Rectifier on a Triumph:
- High Voltage Output.
- Power-Dips.
- Problems Starting.
- High Beams Not Working.
- Corrosion.
- Dead Battery.
- Instrument Cluster Doesn’t Work.
- Dimming or Flickering Lights.
- Check Engine Light or Battery Light Clicks On.
Inspecting the battery’s condition and the voltage output are good first steps indicating the regulator/rectifier on the bike was misbehaving.
Armed with this information, you might be able to shed some light on the issues you’re having for the Triumph mechanic to ease their diagnosis.
By now, Triumph is well aware of the issue, and taking steps to rectify it should be a piece of cake.
It’s important to note that this issue has since been resolved.
Triumph is always working on improving its models, and they’ve 86’d the common problems such as a faulty regulator/rectifier unit.
2. Low Beam Headlight Problem
This issue doesn’t seem to affect a huge number of Street Triples, but a few owners have mentioned it, so we thought we’d throw it on the list.
Whether all the lights on the motorcycle die, the headlights die, or the lights turn dim, light issues are not only annoying, but they’re a pretty big safety concern.
Not only are lights important for keeping yourself visible to cars, but it’s also important for your own range of sight.
The best riding takes place outside of cities and towns, and if you’re out there ripping until the sun goes down, you want to feel confident about your ride home.
A handful of riders have expressed occasions where the headlights suddenly went out and stopped working, sometimes low beams, sometimes both high and low.
Issues with lights could indicate a bad bulb or bad fuses, but this isn’t always the case. It’s possible to go for the obvious light bulb or fuse replacement, only to realize that the problem persists.
If you’ve replaced the bulbs and fuses but the problem persists, move on to troubleshooting the wiring harness.
If the bike’s wiring is faulty and you’re no experienced with electrical work, it might be time to visit the dealership.
In most cases, the culprit has melted wiring due to melting as a result of a short from wear and tear on a bike that wasn’t frequently maintained or that the wiring had somehow gotten in contact with water.
Wear and tear is a part of the life of ripping motorcycles, but if you’re properly maintaining and inspecting your bike, you can catch these issues before they start.
3. Spongy Front Brake Issue
Another problem faced by Triumph bikes, especially naked bikes, is a difficult front brake problem.
Although this is not a huge problem that could turn away potential buyers, it’s worth mentioning to anyone interested in a used Street Triple that at one point, Triumph Street Triples scale preinstalled with front brakes that felt rigid and hard to use.
Most new owners opted to install 3rd party brake pads from well-known brands if they experienced this problem, so chances are if you’re buying one used, it’s already been updated.
Triumph eventually updated the brakes on newer models to try to get ahead of this problem. Some riders maintain that the upgraded pads don’t help and the problem persisted, while other owners claim that their Brembo-equipped Triples don’t have the issues anymore.
On the older models, the rigid front brake was caused by the brake calipers.
The calipers’ pistons rapidly grab and let go during braking, resulting in bending or unevenness on the brake disks.
Again, this issue was more prevalent in the older models.
Here are a few things owners have tried to fix the problem:
- Removing and thoroughly cleaning the pistons.
- Replacing brake pads
- “Bleeding out” the brakes/replacing brake fluid.
If the problem persists, a visit to the dealer is recommended.
4. Cracking Headlights Problem
The 2012 Triumph Street Tripels were fitted with a freshly designed headlight, but it was prone to easy cracking.
The issue resulted in a service bulletin alerting all Triumph dealers to replace cracked lights with the original, more robust design.
Triumph took responsibility for the cracking headlight issue; the brand later traced it back to faulty plastic material with which Triumph made the headlight lenses.
This headlights problem was covered under warranty through the recall, and dealerships replaced the headlights without much hassle.
Still, if you’re buying a used Street Triple, it’s worth being aware of this issue to help you investigate whether or not your bike’s been upgraded.
If your lights are not cracked, it’s not cracked. But it’s nice to know which headlight you have so you can keep a tight watch on it for cracking or have it replaced on the house before that happens.
Remember, the Triumph dealership can always run your VIN and let you know if your bike has been fitted with the upgraded-plastic lense.
5. Dead Battery Issues
Battery drain issues aren’t exclusive to the Triumph Street Triples by any means. Motorcycle batteries are modest in comparison to car batteries.
Like most moto-manufacturers, Triumph has made an effort to upgrade its batteries on newer models.
Still, all batteries wear out eventually, so it’s important to make battery inspection a part of routine maintenance on any vehicle.
Signs of a Dead Battery or Draining Issue:
- Bike not starting
- Corrosion on battery contacts
- Unresponsive dash lights
- Starter clicking rapidly
- The bike only starts when cold/hot.
The first thing to look into when experiencing battery issues is the battery terminals. Check for corrosion, and ensure they are screwed on tight.
It seems like a nominal suggestion, but bikes rattle and screws shake loose; a weak connection can cause electrical failure on a whole bike, but it’s nothing a few 90-degree turns on the battery terminal can’t fix.
For most Triumphs with unconventional battery issues, the main culprits have been the regulator/rectifier we discussed earlier.
Remember, a bad regulator/rectifier can cause problems that seem to be coming from the battery.
Usually, however, it’s just an old battery at the end of its life. A consumed battery tends to expend its charge swiftly, and its charge-capacity decreases with use as well.
You should also be reading our article which talks about 5 Most-Common Problems With Triumph Speed Triple
Reasons for a Dead or Draining Battery:
- The battery is insufficiently charged.
- Bad stator
- Faulty regulator/rectifier
- The battery has insufficient capacity to retain charge/supply.
- Poor-fitting battery terminals
- Shorted diodes in the rectifier
- Burnt fuses
A mechanic should check if any of the above is the case using a multimeter to check electricity flow and any shorts or faults in the charging system.
A Triumph that’s still under warranty can get battery issues fixed at no additional cost.
General Pros And Cons For The Triumph Street Triple
Pros
The Triumph Street Triple is light and compact, which makes it great for manoeuvering and handling.
It has a distinctive growling sound that makes it a pleasure to ride. The riding position on this naked bike is comfortable with upgraded weight distribution and a better frame.
With a dry weight of about 366 pounds, the 765cc engine of a Street Triple makes about 111 bhp of power at 11,250 RPM. It has a peak torque of 73 Nm at 10,421 rpm and performs really well for a naked bike of its size.
Triumph keeps improving performance on their bikes. The Street Triple is no exception to this as it features an improved gearbox that boosts acceleration and handling.
Overall, the Triumph Street Triple offers a powerful but stable ride.
Cons
- Faulty Regulator/Rectifier Issue
- Low Beam Headlight Problem
- Spongy Front Brake Issue
- Cracking Headlights Problem
- Dead Battery Issues
What Do The Reviews Say?
The Street Triple R is definitely worth the premium, as you get a fully adjustable quality suspension and top-notch brakes in the bargain.
The Street Triple R is a gem for a new motorcyclist and fresh for an experienced one. I have no doubts.
Source:ultimatemotorcycling.com
The Triumph Street Triple R shines on a fast road ride.
Controls are liquid, steering light, gearbox almost like a semi-automatic but in the best possible way—the bike is a partner and an extension of yourself that makes every ride feel magnificent.
Source:cycleworld.com
What Is The Resale Value On The Triumph Street Triple?
| Year | Mileage | Price |
| 2008 | 9,164 | 4,000 |
| 2012 | 3,638 | 7,000 |
| 2013 | 1,857 | 8,000 |
| 2016 | 15,170 | 6,995 |
| 2018 | 1,500 | 9,000 |
| 2019 | 10 | 12,550 |
NB: Please note that the above prices may vary according to the bike’s bikes’ location and models.
References:
https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2009/11/03/2009_triumph_street_triple_r_review/
https://www.cycleworld.com/best-middleweight-2018-triumph-street-triple-r/
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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.