Woohoo! Just joined the Triumph club.

[Repeater]

I've purchased my first Triumph via ebay today, and am picking it up tomorrow.

It's a 1997 T509 Speed Triple. In black. It's evil.

I get to give it a once over and perhaps a test ride to make sure everything's kosher before I take it home.

So what is there to know about the T509 and its common issues? Any friendly advice to a Speed Triple n00b? Info on maintenance, performance, other things to look out for? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[SLAPSHOT]

Nice one. I can't give you any tips on your new S3 - but I can say welcome to the the RAT - they're good eggs, and it's nice to know there's another hooligan in Minnesota. :chug:

[planB]

Welcome,

And join the club of torque-addicted junks :-D :-D :-D

[Raynewb]

Welcome mate you WILL enjoy your new bike.
Had my 05 S3 for a month now and am loving it.
Welcome from Wales UK

[Speed3]

I don't want to burst your bubble, but the T509's have documented 4th gear failure that can grenade your engine. Check to see if the transmission has had an upgraded ie stronger 4th cog installed. You can get more info by going to t595.net, and doing a search on 4th gear. If you could swing it, try to find a '98 MY or newer. Best of luck!

[Repeater]

Thanks a lot for the welcome, guys. I plan on hanging out and asking stupid questions and such. :-D

So, this fourth gear cog... how often can one expect failures from it? Is it a one-in-twenty bikes kind of thing, or is it pretty much assured, it's just a matter of when? I'll ask the seller if the fourth cog was swapped. How easy are they to replace in the Triumphs?

Hey, Slapshot... where you from in MN? I was surprised to see another Minnesotan here, especially so quickly! Very nice.

Looks like most folks here have newer S3s. I would do some terrible things to get on one of the new '05s. What a badass bike. But alas, I don't have $10k+ lying about. Oh, well. Someday!

[greenocktriple]

yes welcome ,my mate has a 509 25000 miles trouble free hope yours is the same,just try and keep servicing up to date and you should be fine.cheers

[Speed3]

I don't know the numbers, but have just heard about the older 509's having problems. Maybe it was because of rider error or lack of skill. I still would research the issue, or get a newer one.

[Catenaccio]

Welcome aboard Repeater. Net rats are great. Enjoy!

[Celt]

hello from newcastle (UK)

just joined a couple of months and already loads of good advice.

enjoy