How Long Do Triumph Motorcycles Last? (Miles & Years)

A responsibly owned Triumph motorcycle can last for over 150,000 miles, even more in some cases. However, you may need some engine rebuilding or a replacement eventually, as all motors die at some point.

Triumph motorcycles are known for their versatility, durability, and longevity. To illustrate our point, here are 16 real-life examples of Triumph bikes that have reached or surpassed 100,000 miles.

These numbers come directly from the real-life riders, many of whom provided odometer photos on Triumph forums:

1. Alabama, USA: 2010 T100 with 218,000 miles (ENGINE Replaced at 159,920)
2. Queensland, Australia: 2001 Bonneville with 142,915 miles
3. Florida, USA: 2001 Bonneville with 138,000 miles
4. Great Britain: 2001 Bonneville with 135,000 miles
5. Massachusetts, USA: 2004 Thruxton with 130,000 miles
6. Australia: 2002 Bonneville with 120,000 miles
7. Australia: 2007 T100 with 120,000 miles
8. USA: 2004 Speedmaster with 115,000 miles
9. Wisconsin, USA: 2008 Bonneville Black with 111,111 miles
10. Florida USA: 2006 Scrambler with 108,000 miles
11. USA: 2009 Bonneville with 107,000 miles
12. Florida USA: 2007 T100 with 107,000 miles
13. California, USA: 2007 T100 with 103,000 miles
14. Queensland, Australia: 2004 Bonneville with 100,000 miles
15. New York, USA: 2013 Scrambler with 100,000 miles-
16. Triumph Trophy 1200 from 1996 with 123,000 miles

Triumph bikes can last for over 50 years. How many years a Triumph motorcycle lasts depends on several factors, such as the model, the year, the storage and maintenance habits, and the riding conditions.

Here are some examples of Triumph motorcycles that have lasted for decades, based on testimonials from their owners on forums and via vintage motorcycle vendors like Cycle Gear:

1. 1971 Bonneville T120R 48 years California, USA
2. 1995 Thunderbird 24 years UK
3. 2001 Bonneville 19 years Queensland, Australia
4. 2004 Speedmaster 16 years USA
5. 1971 Bonneville T120R 50 years California, USA
6. 1995 Thunderbird 26 years UK
7. 1983 Bonneville T140E 38 years Texas, USA
8. 1978 Bonneville T140V 43 years New Zealand
9. 1969 Trophy TR6C 52 years Colorado, USA
10. 1967 Bonneville T120R 54 years Florida, USA
11. 1959 Bonneville T120 62 years UK

These examples show that some Triumph motorcycles can last for several decades, even more than half a century, if well-kept and occasionally restored.

That said, vintage Triumph models require more frequent and extensive maintenance than newer bikes and may not be as reliable or comfortable to ride. 

Triumph motorcycles can last longer than other European and American brands, but shorter than Japanese ones. This comparison depends on how well you maintain your bike and how often you service it.

Triumph vs. Indian

Triumph motorcycles and Indian motorcycles can both last up to 150,000 miles or more with proper maintenance and ownership habits. Their differing strengths and weaknesses may affect their durability and reliability.

Indian motorcycles are known for their heritage and style, but they also have a reputation for being expensive and complicated to maintain, as some of their unique engine concepts require specialized mechanical knowledge.

Triumph motorcycles are known for their performance and quality, but they also have a reputation for being susceptible to corrosion and electrical faults more so than the modern Indians.

The brand also have lower heritage and brand power than Indian motorcycles and may not appeal to riders who value the nostalgia and culture of the American cruiser legacy.

Triumph vs. BMW

Triumph motorcycles can last up to 150,000 miles or more with proper maintenance and care. They frequently last longer than BMW motorcycles, which have a higher failure rate of 40% and require more expensive and complicated repairs due to their highly unique engineering.

BMW motorcycles are designed to be high-performance and luxurious rides. They are more suitable for experienced riders who can afford the high cost of ownership and repairs.

Triumph vs. Harley-Davidson

Triumph motorcycles can last up to 150,000 miles or more with proper maintenance and care. This makes them more durable than Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which have a lower failure rate of 26% (as of 2015) but also receive more complaints and problems than Triumph motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are designed to be iconic and stylish rides with an emphasis on their vintage American cruiser heritage. They are more suitable for riders who value heritage, brand power, and image over longevity, innovation, and performance.

Triumph vs. Royal Enfield

Triumph motorcycles can last up to 150,000 miles or more with proper maintenance and care. They offer a longer lifespan than Royal Enfield motorcycles, which have a lower life expectancy of 70,000 – 90,000 miles and are prone to early failures.

Designed for accessibility, Royal Enfield’s are less concerned with performance and quality than Triumph bikes.

Royal Enfield motorcycles are engineered to be classic and simple rides. They are more suitable for riders who value the heritage and nostalgia of the brand over dependability, longevity, and modernization.

Make sure you also read about how reliable Triumph motorcycles are.

The speed at which rust forms on your Triumph motorcycle depends on several factors, such as the model, the year, the maintenance, and the riding conditions.

Some year models are more susceptible to rust than others, depending on the quality and type of metal used. Mind you, older models may have more corrosion issues than newer ones.

Corrosion will form sooner on your Triumph’s chrome parts, like mirror stems, handlebars, pipes, etc., if you neglect your motorcycle and expose it to harsh weather conditions and corrosive substances without proper care and protection.

Rust can appear as soon as a few weeks or months after exposure to moisture and oxygen, or it can take years to develop, depending on the owner’s attention to detail and dedication to moto maintenance.

While Triumph motorcycles may have fewer problems than some other brands, they may also have more corrosion issues than others.

According to some riders’ testimonials on forums and social media, Triumph motorcycles are susceptible to rust on some parts, such as the exhaust pipes, the spokes, the bolts, the nuts, and the brackets.

Some riders also complain about electrical faults they claim are related to corrosion.

Therefore, if you own a Triumph motorcycle or plan to buy one, you should expect rust to form on your bike at some point unless you take good care of it.

You should, therefore, inspect your bike regularly for any signs of rust formation and remove it as soon as possible using soap, water, rags, and an abrasive scrub. Rinse and dry the rust site thoroughly.