2016 Triumph Thruxton
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 21 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 4 Thruxton model years with reports.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, motorcycle, kickstand/center standJan 15, 2020
Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Thruxton, 2016-2019 Thruxton R and 2020 Thruxton TFC motorcycles. The side stand spring may fracture, possibly allowing the side stand switch to activate and shut off the engine.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side stand spring, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph's number for this recall is SRAN 570.
Campaign 20V015000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareJan 31, 2018
Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Thruxton and Thruxton R motorcycles. The engine may stall if the throttle is open or closed quickly while the clutch lever is pulled in.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph's number for this recall is 33.
Campaign 18V084000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicJun 13, 2016
Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain accessory Adjustable Brake Levers, sold as part of an aftermarket lever replacement kit, part number A2021334. These brake levers are intended for installation on 2016 and 2017 Thruxton 1200, Street Twin, Bonneville T120, and Bonneville T120 Black motorcycles. Under certain conditions, the brake levers may contact the handlebar before maximum braking force is applied.
Without the ability to apply maximum front braking, the distance needed to stop the motorcycle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake levers, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010.
Campaign 16E057000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Oct 18, 2024
the front brakes are inconsistent when engaged. the first squeeze of the brakes are spongy and almost completely squeeze down and then subsequent braking with completely clamp in 1”. The problem does not go away even after bleeding the brakes. This has occurred since ownership of over 1 year. I only came across other owners with the same issue after a google search and there is an forum thread on the issue.
Service brakes, Jun 10, 2022
Brakes feel spongy or grinding at times. The grip on the front brakes is not good.
Service brakes, May 1, 2022
The front brake requires a first 'pump' to become effective. On subsequent application the brakes work as expected. After a short time I need to 'pump' the brake again (when first applying the brakes I can almost pull the lever to the grip). This is a known problem on many owner forums. Due to the safety hazard this should really be addressed.
Service brakes, Aug 24, 2021
Very time I push the front breaks, it feel spongy. First push the leveler goes almost all way down. It becomes more firm once you push it two or three time more, however, it vanishes after that. I took it to the dealer but they said that the breaks are working good. I have also changed the break fluid and bled the system according to the maintenance schedule but it has not worked at all. I have read on Triumph groups that this has been existing problems on Thruxton and speed triple models between 2016-2020. However, Thriumph hasn’t published a recall for it. It has been a serious safety problem on my bike. Fortunately, I have not had a serious accident but I had some close calls. I am writing from Mexico City, Mexico. Thanks and regards
Service brakes, Aug 13, 2021
Front brake lever has an issue wherein it is soft and requires multiple pulls or deploys to full engage resulting in both inconsistent and unsafe operation. It has been ongoing and apparently widespread with other owners and not something repair shops have been able to localize or remedy.
Service brakes, Aug 10, 2021
I have had this motorcycle since new in 2016 and have put 20,000 miles on it. It has for most of its life had a problem with the brembo front brakes where they do not fully engage until you pump the brake lever twice. I had taken it to the dealer multiple times while under warranty and had the brake fluid replaced and bled multiple times. While inititially the new fluid helps, nothing seems to be a permanent fix and the problem returns. More recently I had the front brake calipers disassembled, cleaned, fluids changed and it is still just as bad as ever. I had to replace the stock brake lever with one that is adjustable to get more leverage so that the brake lever does not bottom out against the handlebar. When that happens you need to quickly pump the brakes to actually stop. It can be very scary. The service manager at my local Triumph dealer apologized that they were not able to make the brakes work properly. Also with very inconsistent brake response it can be challenging to properly judge stopping distances and required reaction times.
Service brakes, Jul 28, 2021
The front brake lever first pull has always been soft, since the motorcycle was new. The second pull is firm and as one would expect. I brought the motorcycle to the dealer where I purchased it and had them inspect the brakes and perform a bleed operation, which I had to pay for. The technician found nothing wrong and there was no change in the first brake pull. This issue remains to the present day.
Service brakes, Jan 14, 2021
THE BRAKES DO NOT HAVE PRESSURE ON THE FIRST PULL. THE PRESSURE IS BUILT BY PUMPING THE BRAKE LEVER BUT WILL THEN LOSE PRESSURE AGAIN WITHIN 15 MINUTES. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THE BRAKES COULD TAKE TOO LONG TO ENGAGE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL 2016-2019 TRIUMPH THRUXTON 1200 R MOTORCYCLES.
Service brakes, Jan 14, 2021
THE FIRST SQUEEZE OF THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS SOFT AND MUSHY. WHEN RELEASED AND SQUEEZED AGAIN, THE LEVER FIRMS UP AND HAS LESS TRAVEL. THE FRONT BRAKE IS INCONSISTENT AND THUS DANGEROUS. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM IN ALL RIDING SITUATIONS.
Service brakes, Jan 14, 2021
WHEN USING THE FRONT BRAKE, I HAVE TO PRESS THE LEVER IN ONCE, THEN PRESS IT A SECOND TIME TO EXPERIENCE ITS PROPER BRAKING POTENTIAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE OWNING THE BIKE. I'VE NOTICED HOW JERKY THE BRAKE WOULD REACT. VERY "SQUISHY" WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE LEVER FIRST PUMP, THEN REACTS IMMEDIATELY WITH SUBSEQUENT BRAKE PUMPING. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM TO ME, MY BIKE OR SOMEONE ELSE.
Service brakes, Jan 13, 2021
BRAKES ARE SOFT AT FIRST PULL. SECOND HARDENS. THEY SEEM VERY MUSHY AND UNSAFE MOST OF THE TIME.
Service brakes, Jan 13, 2021
OPERATION OF THE BRAKES IS INCONSISTENT AND UNSAFE. ON FIRST APPLICATION, IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM SO THE BRAKE LEVER HAS TO BE SQUEEZED ALMOST COMPLETELY BACK TO THE HANDLEBAR BEFORE THE BRAKES APPLY. ON SUBSEQUENT APPLICATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE SYSTEM FEELS PRESSURIZED AND LEVER PULL AND BRAKE APPLICATION BECOME NORMAL. THE PATTERN REPEATS AGAIN AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN APPLIED FOR A SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS OCCURS WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE MOVING OR AT A STANDSTILL.
Service brakes, Jan 13, 2021
MY 2016 TRIUMPH THRUXTON R HAS ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT BRAKE. SINCE PURCHASING THE MOTORCYCLE I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHILE RIDING IT AND COMING TO A STOP USING THE FRONT BRAKE IT DOES NOT STOP AS EFFECTIVELY AS IT SHOULD. UPON GRABBING THE FRONT BRAKE AND SQUEEZING THE LEVER THE BRAKE IS SLOW TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE AND HAS A SPONGY FEELING. HOWEVER, WHEN I DOUBLE PUMP THE BRAKE (OR SQUEEZE THE LEVER ONCE, RELEASE, AND SQUEEZE IT IN A SECOND TIME) THE BRAKE IS INSTANT AND QUICK TO BRAKE AND STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT BRANDS OF BRAKE FLUID AS WELL AS BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS. NONE OF WHICH HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. MY ONLY CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THIS. IF I WERE TO GRAB THE BRAKE LEVER ONE TIME IN AN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP AS EFFECTIVELY COMPARED TO DOUBLE PUMPING THE BRAKES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES WHILE APPROACHING RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS AND IS AN EVERY TIME OCCURRENCE WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. IN SUMMATION THE INITIAL BRAKE GRAB PROVES TO BE SLOW TO BRAKE AND SPONGY IN FEEL. WHILE RELEASING THE INITIAL BRAKE GRAB AND GRABBING THE BRAKE LEVER AGAIN PROVES TO MUCH GREATER STOPPING POWER AND SAFER BRAKING.
Service brakes, Nov 5, 2020
THE FRONT BRAKE NEEDS TO BE "PUMPED UP" BY PRESSING AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE THE FULL POWER OF BRAKING IS APPLIED WHILE THE BIKE IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE SELLING DEALER AT LEAST ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN PROBLEM
Service brakes, Oct 29, 2020
THE FRONT BRAKES SINCE THE BEGINNING HAVE FELT SPONGY AND I HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS WHEN I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD, THE MOTORCYCLE STILL KEPT GOING I HAVE TO DOUBLE PUMP TO HAVE THEM ACTUALLY WORK PROPERLY.
Service brakes, Oct 28, 2020
SOFT/SPONGY FRONT BRAKES WHILE RIDING.
Service brakes, Jun 26, 2020
THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE A VERY SPONGY FEEL AND REQUIRE MULTIPLE PULLS OR 'PRIMER PULLS' FOR THE FRONT BRAKES TO ENGAGE CORRECTLY. IN EMERGENCY BRAKE SITUATIONS, I DO NOT GET FULL BRAKING POWER OUT OF THE FRONT BRAKES WHEN THE LEVER IS PULLED IN QUICKLY. THE LEVER GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE HANDLEBAR GRIP. DEALERS AND SHOPS HAVE TRIED BLEEDING MY BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT THE LEVER RESPONSE DOES NOT IMPROVE. THEY ALL SUGGEST THAT I CHANGE THE WHOLE SYSTEM. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS ONLY MY BIKE UNTIL A COMMUNITY OF RIDERS WITH MY SAME BIKE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION, STAND STILL, STREET, HIGHWAY AND TURNING. *TR