Triumphrat

Shutter · 11-17-2005

I recently bought an 04 Speed Triple and have a couple of concerns. I want to know whether I am experiencing S3 bugs or if I should be talking to the dealer.

Gearbox:
I get erratic performance from the gearbox. Sometimes its as sweet as a nut up or down the box, sometimes the upshift produces a sickening clunk whereas the downshift is smooth, and other times the downshift produces the clunk and the upshift is smooth. Unless I pull in the clutch 10 or 15 seconds before pulling away from the lights, the shift to first also produces a chain wrenching clunk.

Forks:
The forks are bit sticky and have a slight notchiness just as they start to compress or extend. However the bike seems to handle fine.

I would value any experience or input from you experienced S3 owners.

kuhlka · 11-17-2005

My 03 S3 has just under 12,000 miles on it and I experienced a whole range of transmission noises and feel for the first few thousand miles.

You're likely to get stiff shifts, false neutrals, and even a stiff gearbox from time to time. Keep in mind, the longer you wait to change your oil, the worse your transmission will behave due to it's sharing oil with the motor. I change my full synthetic around 3,000 miles or so because much longer than that and you'll find the tranny wants to start getting clunky.

My recommendation for new 02-04 owners breaking in their bikes would be to follow a 500/3,000/6,000/9,000 etc full synthetic oil schedule and use a good quality filter (NOT FRAM). Also, if you're having trouble with 1st gear clunck at a stop, just give the throttle a little rev before downshifting. Racers call it 'blipping' the throttle.

Nelson955 · 11-17-2005

The Speed Triple gearbox is the same as the ST gearbox. The behaviour you describe is identical to how the gearbox on my 2004 ST performs. It is also identical to the way the gearbox on a 2004 Tiger performed when I had the use of it for 10 days earlier in the year.

My bike has done 9000 miles and the gearbox has not improved. It is supposed to be an "improvement" on the gearboxes on the older 955 models, but my original 1999 ST had a much better gearbox than my current one.

[ This message was edited by: Nelson955 on 2005-11-17 07:57 ]

Furque · 11-17-2005

Had the very same problems on my '03 model, and i'll say it again - Check your chain tension!- It should be very slack!..... :hammer:

Nelson955 · 11-17-2005

That's one of the things I am aware of on the ST. The manual gives the amount of slack as between 35-45mm which is much greater than that recommended on most bikes. It was set correctly when I picked up the bike and I have only just adjusted it for the first time after 9000 miles (thanks Scottoiler :-D ).

kuhlka · 11-17-2005

Lol, my stock chain got stretched to all hell after only like 3,000 miles. Now I'm running a gold 530 DID chain with no stretching whatsoever since.

My transmission HAS greatly improved after 12,000 miles. I can't recall the last time I had a false neutral, and the only time it clunks is when I need to change the oil.

My fiance's new 05 Sprint ST is having similar problems, Shutter. I think it is just a Triumph break-in thing that gradually goes away as long as you don't slam the tranny around and do regular oil changes.

ken750f · 11-17-2005

7500 miles on my '04 and I experienced the same thing. 100% agree with kuhlka on the oil changes - have done three since I purchased her and it seems to make a difference. Once the oil starts to break down, the tranny gets a littler more "clunky". Also, the "blipping" the throttle prior to shifting into first is something I have done on all my bikes and it does seem to make a difference on my S3.

As for false neutrals, I have not experienced but 1 or 2 to date (probably rider error anyways) and it does not seem to be an issue on my S3.

Basically, from my experience thus far with my S3 and all of the posts I have read on this subject, what you are experiencing is quite normal.

I have learned to ignore the tranny, chalk it up to that is how it is, and just enjoy the ride - I still have a grin every time I hit the throttle - and I ride pretty much on a daily basis..........

Shutter · 11-17-2005

Thanks for all the input on my gearbox woes. I was told that the oil was changed immediately before I took delivery, but a view of the dipstick suggests otherwise. She'll get new oil and filter in the next couple of days.

Any comment on the stiff, notchy fork movement?

kuhlka · 11-17-2005

I'd recommend testing out various settings of compression damping and rebound until you get it set a little softer. How many miles are on this bike? My forks are still a bit stiff but a lot better after 12,000 miles. The best way to adjust the suspension is to start with the damping, then move to rebound when you're happy with the damping. You might also read up on how to set the preload if you're not like 160-180 lbs.

nissn1 · 11-17-2005

I bought my o4 with 6000'ks about one month ago and after reading this thread it seems like a triumph thing! I have experienced the same problems, well not really problems but its just that i am used to riding Suzukis with super smooth gearboxes but i have noticed that once the bike warms up to full op. temp it seems fine and combined with a quick blip on the throttle, bobs ya uncle