2020 TRIUMPH ROCKET 3 R — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owns a 2020 Triumph Rocket 3R Motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding at various speeds, the rear brakes became inoperable. The contact pumped the brakes, but the brakes failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The motorcycle was taken to the local dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V740000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the failure recurred. The motorcycle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be bled. The motorcycle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Over the course of 16 months of ownership, I have now scheduled a second appointment to have my rear brake lines flushed and refilled under warranty. This can be inspected if necessary. The reason for scheduling this maintenance is the brakes will "fade" over the course of several weeks to months due to an admitted manufacturing/ assembly defect where there are air bubbles inadvertently allowed into the rear ABS system. This defect makes emergency braking nearly impossible as only the front brakes work to their potential. The dealership I have been conducting business with has been very forthcoming with this being a known issue for this year and model. There are no warning lamps/ messages when the problem occurs. The only indication is a brake pedal that feels progressively softer when applying pressure to stop.

REAR BRAKE: REDUCED BRAKING IN REAR BRAKE WORSENING OVER TIME. PROBLEM WAS CAUSE FOR RECALL, AFTER RECALL REPAIR, I HAD A SECOND DECREASE IN BRAKING POWER WHICH REQUIRED ANOTHER FIX. PUMPING THE BRAKES WHILE RIDING SEEMED TO KEEP THE BRAKE AT LEAST OPERATIONAL BUT NOWHERE NEAR WHERE IT SHOULD BE. FUEL GAUGE: STOPPED READING FUEL LEVEL - PART WAS REPLACED AND SEEMS TO WORK AGAIN. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT WAS INDEPENDENT OF WHETHER THE BIKE WAS MOVING OR NOT CLUTCH FAILURE: REDUCED CLUTCH EFFICIENCY AND EFFICACY BEGINNING WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND NEUTRAL PREDICTABLY AND EVENTUALLY BECOMING HARD TO SWITCH GEARS. PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY IN FOR REPAIR WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE AT THIS TIME. THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHETHER IN GEAR AND MOVING OR STATIONARY.

REAR BRAKE: REDUCED BRAKING IN REAR BRAKE WORSENING OVER TIME. PROBLEM WAS CAUSE FOR RECALL, AFTER RECALL REPAIR, I HAD A SECOND DECREASE IN BRAKING POWER WHICH REQUIRED ANOTHER FIX. PUMPING THE BRAKES WHILE RIDING SEEMED TO KEEP THE BRAKE AT LEAST OPERATIONAL BUT NOWHERE NEAR WHERE IT SHOULD BE. FUEL GAUGE: STOPPED READING FUEL LEVEL - PART WAS REPLACED AND SEEMS TO WORK AGAIN. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT WAS INDEPENDENT OF WHETHER THE BIKE WAS MOVING OR NOT CLUTCH FAILURE: REDUCED CLUTCH EFFICIENCY AND EFFICACY BEGINNING WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND NEUTRAL PREDICTABLY AND EVENTUALLY BECOMING HARD TO SWITCH GEARS. PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY IN FOR REPAIR WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE AT THIS TIME. THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHETHER IN GEAR AND MOVING OR STATIONARY.

REAR BRAKE: REDUCED BRAKING IN REAR BRAKE WORSENING OVER TIME. PROBLEM WAS CAUSE FOR RECALL, AFTER RECALL REPAIR, I HAD A SECOND DECREASE IN BRAKING POWER WHICH REQUIRED ANOTHER FIX. PUMPING THE BRAKES WHILE RIDING SEEMED TO KEEP THE BRAKE AT LEAST OPERATIONAL BUT NOWHERE NEAR WHERE IT SHOULD BE. FUEL GAUGE: STOPPED READING FUEL LEVEL - PART WAS REPLACED AND SEEMS TO WORK AGAIN. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT WAS INDEPENDENT OF WHETHER THE BIKE WAS MOVING OR NOT CLUTCH FAILURE: REDUCED CLUTCH EFFICIENCY AND EFFICACY BEGINNING WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND NEUTRAL PREDICTABLY AND EVENTUALLY BECOMING HARD TO SWITCH GEARS. PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY IN FOR REPAIR WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE AT THIS TIME. THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHETHER IN GEAR AND MOVING OR STATIONARY.