RoadVitals

2016 Triumph Speed Triple R

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Feb 2, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 6, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Triumph Speed Triple R, most frequently naming the brakes category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 106 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes3100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V700000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Nov 6, 2017
541 units potentially affected
The defect: Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Speed Triple R and Speed Triple S motorcycles. A wire for the charging system may rub against a bracket for the ABS modulator, potentially resulting in an electrical short.
The risk: An electrical short could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected wire, rerouting it to avoid contact with the bracket, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2017. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph's number for this recall is SB552.
Triumph Motorcycles America, LTDManufacturer number SB552View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE21017ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Extended Stopping Distance

Opened Jul 9, 2021
Closed Jan 15, 2025

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2021

SOFT FRONT BRAKE LEVER THAT CONSTANTLY RETURNS AFTER MULTIPLE BRAKE BLEEDS. FIRST PULL OF THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS SOFT, FOLLOWED BY A MORE FIRM SECOND PULL. HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY OR WHEN MOVING.

NHTSA ID
11394269
Incident
Jan 30, 2021
Mileage
3,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 29, 2020

FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS ALWAYS VERY SOFT ON FIRST PULL AND PRODUCES REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. THE LEVER IS FIRM ON THE SECOND PULL AND THE FRONT BRAKES OPERATE AND STOP PROPERLY. I USUALLY SQUEEZE THE LEVER TWICE TO STOP, BUT THAT COULD TAKE TOO LONG IN AN EMERGENCY STOP.

NHTSA ID
11376963
Incident
Feb 24, 2018
Mileage
4 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 2020

THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER'S TRAVEL DECREASES UP TO ONE INCH WHEN NOT IN USE IN AS LITTLE AS 2 DAYS OF INACTIVITY. BLEEDING OF SYSTEM'S BRAKE FLUID, CLEANING OF PISTONS AND SEAL REPLACEMENT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED BUT NO PERMANENT CHANGE.

NHTSA ID
11366912
Incident
Jan 20, 2019

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

COM1-35109

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool 2026-07 and dealers should begin using it immediately.

COM2 - 34886

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool 2026-06.1 and dealers should begin using it immediately.

COM5 - 34490

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Technical Bulletin 264.

COM6 - 34491

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool version 2026-06 and dealers should begin using it immediately.

TB264

Technical Bulletin 264 provides instructions that relates to: Triumph Diagnostic Tool - New Motorcycle Connection and Diagnostics Workflow, Triumph Diagnostic Tool - End of Support for Microsoft Windows 10.

COM4 - 34435

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice advising the availalbility of TDT version 2026-05.2 which resolves the ABS as Not Connected issues in SmartScan, on Tracker 400 & Thruxton 400 models.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Triumph Speed Triple R by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017311—
2016Viewing311—
2014010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.