Triumphrat

ELP_JC · 06-04-2007

Hi there. Am considering buying an '06 ST, but I don't want the excessive lever travel I experienced on the S3. The weird thing is the ST does not have the same radial calipers, so it seems to me the problem lies on the M/C indeed, no? Comments welcome.

And what's the deal? Which is the GOOD M/C? The 14 or 16mm? I've read many threads where about half claim the 14 and the other half the 16. Which one is it? And how can I check which one is on the bike?
And finally, is it a TSB to replace it, or not even that? If I buy a used bike that has the 'bad' M/C, would Triumph replace it for me or not? Thanks gang. And any other comment you want to add, feel free to do so. By the way, I'm also considering an '06 VFR (with the 6,400rpm VTEC engagement), so any comments or real comparison to the ST is mostly welcome. Take care.
JC

oldndumb · 06-04-2007

The mc size is embossed on the rear side of the cylinder body.
Replacement is not s SB. It is a 'courtesy' replacement based on customer request and vin.
Ride both bikes and go with your gut feeling or you will never be happy with your choice. Of course, your gut should pick the Sprint. :-D

ricster · 06-04-2007

I chose not to replace my 14mm as its a non abs bike and my brakes feel ok. I rather not play with anything unless I feel there is a problem. Just my 2 cents :-D

CLB · 06-04-2007

The 14 is marked "14" while the 16 will be marked "5/8" Evidently NASA is offering unit conversion services.

The 5/8 or 16mm cylinder is what you want.

Per O-N-D, you will find raised markings on the back side (facing the rider) of the M/C bore.

SR1 · 06-04-2007

If it's squishy, it's a 14. If it's still squishy, it's a 16 and it wasn't the correct fix.

Which is the problem, Triumph threw a band-aid at the problem but didn't fix it.

I gots squishy brakes and the "big" master cylinder. Had they only fixed the problem (the calipers) it would be good by now.

Looking at Hayabusa calipers...they'll fit and likely work well.

SR1 · 06-04-2007

Good engine, good mobility, but the suspension and brakes are lacking.

upnet · 06-04-2007

Yes I got my 14mm replaced with the 5/8 MC. I noticed a little improvement. But , heck I don't use the brakes all that much! :razz:

sprintny · 06-04-2007

i got my dealer to replace the master cyl to the 5/8 and it has made a great difference lever is firmer but i cleaned the calipers and pistons. still not going to get r1 type performance but i might try different pads . but i think the problem is the quality or the mcy and calipers , they are identical to parts used on other bikes but not the same quality? :???:

ELP_JC · 06-04-2007

Thank you very much for your responses gentlemen; they're greatly appreciated.
I was expecting to see a much broader preference for the 16mm one, but that's not the case. I thought only the radial calipers on the S3 were the problem. Are the calipers themselves (radially mounted on the S3; conventionally mounted on the ST) the same on both bikes? I know both are 4-piston units, but the S3 ones look visibly larger, but looks are deceiving.

Another comment. Most bikes don't have good suspensions right out of the box, but at 155# (and just solo riding), I've rarely had a problem with a bike. On the other hand, I wouldn't tolerate bad brakes, and since I always brake with 2 fingers only, I wouldn't like smashing my other 2 with a spongy lever. I test rode an '06 S3, and it was like that. Hated it. Brakes worked, obviously, but squeezing the lever for over an inch before anything happened wasn't reassuring. Since it was a demo, I didn't stereotyped all bikes, but after reading this message board back then, it was a widespread problem. And which Triumph didn't do anything about for a long time.
Does anybody know what was the 'fix' for the '07 models? It's supposedly fixed, correct? I won't get an '07 but was curious to what changed. Thanks again gang.

SR1 · 06-04-2007

Honestly I don't believe it is fixed. I'm sure some 07 rider will come around and say "my brakes feel GREAT" but that alone doesn't mean much.

I hate to keep tooting this horn, and I'm sure that some here are tired of hearing it, but I REALLY put a lot of miles on my Sprint. over 15k miles a year, for the two years I've owned it. I get the spongy brakes after just two days of riding after exercising and cleaning them. That's a thousand miles in two days, oftentimes.

Frankly I don't think you'll get the crappy brakes if you only ride a few thou a year. Kinda like saying "Doc my arm hurts when I lift it" and he says "don't lift it."

I think that as the 07's continue to sell, and the heavy mileage guys start to emerge, they'll be griping too.