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Severe Clutch Chatter -- 2017 Speed Triple R

6K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  mjfields_228 
#1 ·
I will preface this post with the statement that my new bike is amazing in so many ways. It has exceeded my expectations and I love love LOVE it!!!

I have had it for 2 weeks now and my 1050 has 1050 miles on the clock. So the initial break-in has be completed. I changed the Oil to Castrol RS 10W-40 4T full synthetic at 500 miles. I am having an somewhat frustrating behavior with my clutch that I am not at all happy with. I am taking back to the dealer tomorrow to fix my Quick Shifter that was added to the bike prior to me taking delivery. Since I am already taking it in for that I am going to ask them about my clutch issue/concern.

My clutch issue/concern:

When I slowly let out the clutch with very little throttle or no throttle (just idle) when moving slowly in traffic, around small circles and tight turns on my patio or parking lots and such, the clutch plates slip-grab-slip-grab causing the bike to chatter significantly. This causes the shifter linkage and kick-stand spring and other items under the motor to rattle terribly. If I give the bike enough throttle, the clutch engagement is smooth. My 2011 Speed Triple never did anything like this until I change out my clutch plates/discs/springs at 53000 miles. When I did that clutch work it did have some minor chattering but was no where as pronounced as my 2017. At the time I posted up my observations and there were several ideas brought forward as to the cause. I never solved it and I traded the 2011 and forgot all about it.

My 2017 has been doing this since the day I bought it. I was hoping that after the initial break-in period and with the new fresh oil change that the bike would no longer exhibit the behavior. One of the attributes that I love about the 1050 motor is with all of its abundant torque it is normally a peach at super slow speeds and take offs. On my 2011 I used to be able to slowly let out my clutch without turning the throttle at all and it would get on plane and off she would go. I want this to be the same for my 2017 as well!

Is anyone else out there with a newer S or R model that is experiencing anything similar?

Any input would be greatly appreciated and I will update this post with what the dealer says after I leave it with them tomorrow.

IMG_1059 by Matthew Fields, on Flickr
 
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#2 ·
Have you tried adjusting the clutch lever.

I bought a brand new Thruxton that was a complete bastard to engage 1st gear at a stand still. Dealership said it was just the new gearbox and it would loosen up after break in.

I got the tool box out and checked adjustments myself. The lever didn't have the correct out of slack so the clutch wasn't properly disengaging.
 
#5 ·
I am a big lug for sure........however, lugging the engine and getting that kind of chatter would be more of how it would lurch when in a higher gear than the motor would like with the clutch fully open and opening the throttle too quick. Sort of like how the big cruiser bikes do when they get up into the mountains and slow down to 20mph in 5th gear on a up hill turn. My two KTM singles do the lurch when overly loaded nd I am very familiar with the feeling.

My issue is happening at very initial stages of clutch engagement with the clutch lever only 1/4 to 1/2 way out. The chatter oscillations remain there, just not as severe, even when the RPMs are up a little above 2000. It just my opinion that it is clutch related.

Regardless of what I think, you guys could be right. I dropped off my 15 day old Speedy at the dealer this afternoon to deal with the quick shifter and attempted to show the service manager the clutch condition. Of course the bike did not misbehave in front of him. Every time I did an idle--slow clutch release the bike smoothy rolled forward!!!! It was not warmed up if what I figured (I hauled the bike down there in my truck). They will give it a once over and tell me I am on crack.

This may end up being the case of "I hear something clicking in my engine"!!!!
 
#7 ·
I will wait and see what the dealer says. This whole thing reminds me of the first time I drove a friends late 60's Camaro or Firebird back on the 1980's. It had a manual transmission and if you did not give it enough gas when letting out the clutch in 1st gear the thing would buck violently. He would just scream at me to give it more gas and don't worry about wearing down the plate......

So, if the dealer finds nothing wrong I can simply give it more gas or perhaps on some rainy day pull the side case and take a Peaky Boo.
 
#9 ·
My speedy didn't feel like it had run in untill 1500 miles and even now with another couple k on the clock you can still feel it's getting smoother and more refined. Perhaps it's not quite run in yet, your old bike may have been similar at new but quickly forgotten after 50k plus miles on it? Maybe not...
But i would also suggest that with a slip/assist clutch it's not designed for you to lug the life out of the engine and wants a few more revs before engaging the clutch, i just tested my bike and i get exactly the same thing if i try and ride off with no throttle, just not pronounced enough to rattle any components.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 
#10 ·
That is an excellent data point. The new slip assist clutch is something that is distinctly different than my 2011 and with only 1000 miles in 15 days that is really not enough time to fully run in the bike. Hearing yours behaves similar makes me feel much better in that it is in all likelihood a characteristic of the bike and not an botched clutch assembly.

Every time I get a new bike I experience something new that I am not used to and I get a little bit over concerned.

Thank you for the input!
 
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#12 ·
Greetings Fellow T-Rats, Clutch Chatter Update -- Thursday 16-Mar-2017:

I got a call this morning from the service manager at the Triumph shop regarding my clutch. Initially, the call did not go over very well with me. The service manager informed me that Triumph Customer service rep stated the following: "Clutches are not covered under warranty and if the customer wishes to authorize the shop to pull the cover than the customer is responsible for all cost if any glazing of clutch discs/plates are noted. If the shop finds something glaringly wrong than Triumph Customer Service would reconsider the warranty claim."

I flipped out a little bit at that point. I countered with the following "For starters the bike is just 2 weeks old and has 1000 miles on it. Ridden only by me and I am not a novice rider with over 240000 miles with many many clutch take offs in the last 7 years. There is no glazing present on the discs/Plates. The issue has been present since the minute I unloaded it off my truck." I continued, "If this is a known behavior of a slipper clutch then put it in writing. If Triumph is not willing to put it in riding than I have a major issue with the 'do nothing approach' and will be elevate this until I get an acceptable response."

I did not drop F bombs or yell at the service manager, I just expressed my displeasure with the situation. He agreed to call Triumph back and relay my response. Within 20 or 30 minutes I got a call back from the service manager. He informed me that he was connected to a different person this time and that person indicated that the condition I was experiencing was quite normal with the slipper clutch and there was no need for concern. All of that was recorded in the service record for my bike. That is all that was needed the first time......

I am disappointed that this one bad experience has eroded my long standing high level of satisfaction with Triumph's Customer Service. I also resent getting treated they way I was initially treated. I have purchased 5 brand new bikes from Triumph since 2012. And with this one coming in at $19000 I expect just a little bit more from them. Unfortunately, the Clutch Chatter Issue was not the main reason I dropped off the bike in the first place. My Dealer installed Triumph Quick Shifter was non-functioning from the time I purchased the bike. They diagnosed it as a failed QS module yesterday and will be replacing under warranty. I am contending, however, that the QS was failed out of the box and was not detected during the service department test ride. And there was one more very minor issue with the rubber o-rings that hold the fancy CNC rear axle finishing cover. The first night I had the bike when I removed the left side cover to put the rear tire up on the Swing Arm Pin Stand one of the 2 O-rings was completely torn and the second one was about to tear. They both appeared to be a little bit too large for the tight fit and were not lubed with grease. My expectation is that item should be able to be removed and reinstalled multiple times to perform chain maintenance and tire changes. So, it was the sum of all three issues on my wonderful brand new motorcycle that got me all fired up. If it were only one of the above and I got a decent response from Triumph I would still love them the most!

Rant over--sorry!!

Good news is the clutch is ok, the two other items will be repaired in about a week or so(still trying to smile) and I will have an awesome and amazing scooter back home where it belongs!!!!
 
#14 · (Edited)
I received my new R on Tuesday.It has 400 km and I have no worries with the clutch.
Slowed down to 1200 rpm.the gearbox is a bit 'clunkier' it's noticeable as soon as I drop into first from neutral. I'm hoping it'll smooth out a touch as everything breaks in. I also noticed the clutch pull is quite a bit heavier, and the take up point is further out too
I can evolve at low speed in town in second or even in third without jerks.

note:
Sorry for your worries with warranty service.I noticed yesterday that my engine was dirty.
Presence of oil around the oil cooler and hoses.I will clean.In 400 kilometers I will go and drop it for revision.If the greasy stains are there again !!
leak? Light, can be .. but leaks there !!
 
#15 ·
I got Speedy back from the shop on Saturday. My Quickshifter was replaced under warranty and it is such a joy!! I still go manual most of the time--I love the interaction and will always. But when I get somewhere alone with me, Speedy and a straight room with no Policia' to be found, it makes for some extra fun to get every millisecond of uninterrupted acceleration!!!!

The clutch chatter will just take getting used to. Knowing its there and just giving a little extra throttle takes care of it. Can't have everything perfect now, can we!!!!

Spent some extremely satisfying quality time today with Speedy. Installed my Oil Cooler Guard and Rubber Tank Pad, checked every accessible bolt/fastener for tightness this morning. And I put roughly 185 miles on this afternoon/evening. As a side note, I saw several old school Triumphs out and about. And I find myself thinking about those new Thruxtons more and more......... STOP IT MF'R!!!!!!

IMG_1138 by Matthew Fields, on Flickr
IMG_1140 by Matthew Fields, on Flickr
 
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#16 ·
happy for you.
On your photos I notice that the blinkers are different from mine.
You do not have the Led, in the USA?
I made the same reflection as you with the new "old" motorcycles.That's why I sold my ThruxtonR.
Fashion .. always fashion.While it is so simple to "just drive" in all discretion.
bonne journée à vous.
et encore félicitation pour votre machine,elle est vraiment belle dans ce coloris.
 
#18 ·
Mine are regular signals. At some point I would like to get something more sleek with LED insides.
 
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