7 Common Triumph Street Triple 675 Problems (Explained)

The Triumph Street Triple 675 is a naked streetfighter motorcycle.

It packs a retuned version of the Triumph’s unique 675cc three-cylinder engine, making it a powerhouse.

But no bike is perfect. This article discusses the most common problems riders report with their Triumph Street Triple 675 motorcycles.

1. Fuel Tank Lining Bubbling and Peeling Off

One of the most common issues Street Triple 675 owners reported is with the fuel tank lining. These riders note that the tank’s inner lining bubbles up and peels off. Flakes of the lining can get in the fuel lines and filter, causing performance issues.

A clogged fuel delivery system can cause backfiring, stalling, starting problems, and noticeable dips in engine performance.

“My Tank is bubbling pretty bad on the inside but not on the filler neck. I will be showing it to the dealer and asking for a replacement. I thought other people may want to look at theirs. It would be a shame for this coating to get into the fuel system. My friend noticed it, and I used a flashlight to look more carefully. It’s about 2 inches of bubbling that will eventually flake off. We should all call our dealers and not wait for one person to get a response. This way, triumph will understand that this is not an isolated problem.” -triumph675.net

“Got my [Triumph Street Triple 675) on March 7th. I have 662 miles on it. When I put gas in it yesterday, mine was also peeling in the tank. I talked to my dealer just now, and they said they’ve heard about the problem. The dealer will call Triumph on Monday and get a replacement tank if that is what needs to be done. It’s a warranty issue and will get fixed one way or another at Triumph’s expense. I hope they do something different in the replacement tanks, or we’ll be doing this again in a few months.” -triumph675.net

If you suspect your Street Triple 675’s fuel tank lining is peeling and causing fuel delivery issues, such as

2. Faulty Regulator/Rectifier

Owners of the Triumph Street Triple 675 often report that their Regulator/Rectifier (R/R) burns out without warning. Triumph riders and mechanics suggest that the R/R units used in models from 2006-2012 are prone to overheating and burning out.

The R/R is a critical part of your 675’s charging system. It converts AC from the bike’s stator into DC and uses it to recharge the battery while you ride.

If your R/R fries from the engine heat while you’re riding, your battery will undercharge and die or overcharge and explode. Either scenario will leave you stranded, as stated by the following 675 owners on -triumph675.net:

“My [Street Triple 675) failed last Monday, leaving me with a non-functioning bike on the highway. Lucky for me, I managed to get off the highway safely.” -triumph675.net

“Decided to take the Triumph 675 for a spin. Unfortunately, 12 minutes into the ride, I was doing about 90 km/hr when suddenly the gauges went all crazy… then I lost all power…) In a nutshell, there is nothing like breaking down out in the middle of nowhere…” -triumph675.net

“I have an ’07 [Triumph Street Triple 675]. Last summer, I broke down on the side of the road… I eventually got home, got my trailer, towed it home, and swapped out the R/R with one that could handle more heat. It sounds like I could have had it done under recall. Too late; I’m just glad it didn’t happen on the racetrack.” -triumph675.net

Motorcyclists will often assume the battery is responsible and change it, only to have their faulty R/R kill battery after battery. The only solution is to replace the R/R with one that can handle the heat.

The 675 models became so prone to R/R failure that Triumph issued a recall on multiple-year models. The good news is that their dealerships will replace qualifying R/Rs with new, more durable units for free.

3. Paint Bubbles Up Around Engine

The Street Triple has a signature triple-cylinder motor, which boasts a tough matt finish. Owners of the Triumph Street Triple 675 sometimes notice that the matte paint finish on their engine bubbles up from the heat. These bubbles take away from the bike’s signature style.  

Here’s what Street Triple owners had to say on triumph675.net:

“Today, I had a bitter surprise because, carefully watching the engine paint on my Street [Triple 675], I noticed that some of the countless bubbles in various points of the engine were cracked, and the paint came off.”

“I’ve had my Street Triple since ’10, and the engine has a few heat bubbles in the paint here and no rust or other issues, though.”

“I have a 09 [Street Triple 675] with 45k miles. It’s not quite that bad, but there are some bubbles in the head as well. Not really impressed by the longevity of the engine paint.”

Possible causes include:

• High Engine Temperature
• Humidity
• Moisture
• Excessive Paint Application at Factory
• Low-Quality Factory Paint
• Low-Quality Paint Thinner
• Chemical Reaction between the Type of Paint and the Engine Surface

4. Ineffective Mirrors

More than a handful of Triumph Street triple 675 riders note that the stock mirrors on the bike are nearly ineffective. Triumph offers bar-end mirrors as an upgrade, but not all 675 owners feel like they offer more visibility–some riders think they provide less.

“Any tips on the mirror position on the street triple r? I hadn’t realized how bad they were till I rode a friend’s Yamaha diversion last week; being able to see behind without craning my neck was a nice touch! The mirrors on the triumph just seem too far back.” -triumph675.net

“Did you guys get aftermarket mirrors for your street triples? I feel like the stock mirrors are so bad, they just point at the ground, and I can’t see anything out of them…” -reddit.com

“I have the OEM bar end mirrors but not a fan. They look great but are totally impractical for the rearview. It is hard to see past elbows, and the mirror size is too small. They’re ok for now, but I’ll probably switch back to the original mirror.

Depends on your size, though. If you’re big on the bike, I can see how the standard might be too small. But I don’t think bar ends will fix the issue.” -reddit.com

The lack of mirror visibility is a safety risk for some, although the rider’s size is a contributing factor.

For some, the rear-view mirror visibility is the only thing detouring them from enjoying your Street Triple. If that’s the case, there is no shortage of aftermarket mirror upgrades that suit riders of all sizes.

5. Excessive Exhaust Heat

The Triumph Street Triple’s 675cc y-pipe exhaust system packs power but is known to produce more heat than other designs. While some riders don’t mind or even enjoy the heat, others complain the heat makes riding in the summer unbearable.

“My son has a 2009 Street Triple. He is getting a lot of heat from the exhaust “y-pipe” area under his seat on short-distance rides. Is this common? Appreciate any feedback.” -reddit.com

“So I just picked up my Red 675… so the warm seat is like a heater, but man, how did you guys manage the heat through the summer? I got stuck in some commuting traffic coming back after picking it up, and man, it gets pretty damn hot, even with full gear on… Does ceramic coating the mid-pipe reduce a lot of the heat?” -triumph675.net

Some riders install a ceramic coating around the mid-section of the pipe closest to the bike’s seat. But ceramic can hold heat, and trapping the heat can erode the pipe in the long term.

Wrapping the middle of the pipe with fiberglass pipe tape or installing a heat shield that lets the pipe breathe are two more sustainable solutions. The goal is to protect you from the heat without damaging the pipe.

6. Uncomfortable Seating Position; High Center of Gravity

Some riders complain that the Street Triple 675’s seating position is too upright compared to more aggressive track bikes. Riders feel the upright seating is still uncomfortable for long trips and casual cruising, rendering it useless on a track bike.

To be clear, this is only a matter of taste. There are more riders out there who enjoy the unique seating position of the Street Triple. Still, it’s best to be aware of the negative opinions before you commit to the bike.

“Love my new Striple R, but I find the riding position just a little too upright to be perfect (for me), especially after riding my Daytona… –triumph675.net

“I’ve done about 400 miles in one day. It’s pretty comfortable on the Street Triple… I’m looking into better seating options as the stock has some good pressure points I want to see go.” –triumph675.net

At the end of the day, the best solution is to test-ride the Street Triple 675 and see how it fits your taste before you commit to its seating position.

7. Headlight Cracks Easily

This issue is particular to the 2012 year model Street Triple 675—its headlight design was prone to cracking.

“I have just read on another forum that a lot of 2012 model Street and Speed triples are having problems with the headlight lens cracking. It may be worth keeping an eye on yours as it’s a known issue and will be replaced under warranty.” -triumph675.net

The fragile headlight became such a common problem on the Street Triple that Triumph eventually issued a recall. If you experience this issue, you’re likely eligible for a free headlight upgrade.

What are the Pros and Cons of the Triumph Street Triple 675

Pros

• Powerful and Smooth Engine
• Light and Agile
• Fun to Ride
• Sporty and Stylish
• Unique Upright Riding Position
• Very Reliable Overall

Cons

• Fuel Tank Lining Peeling and Flaking Off
• Faulty Regulator/Rectifier
• Paint Bubbles Up Near Gas Cap
• Ineffective Mirrors
• Excessive Exhaust Heat
• Uncomfortable Seating Position; High Center of Gravity
• Headlight Cracks Easily

What’s the Resale Value of the Triumph Street Triple?

What Are Some Alternative Models?

Sources

Used Street Triple For Sale – Triumph Motorcycles – Cycle Trader