Upset with reliability of Triumph materials

[r3Bob]

I currently have a 2007 R3 with over 40,000 miles. I had the shifter bar that goes into the engine break, leaving the beast stuck in 5th gear while I was over an hour away from home. Ended up with clutch blow up inside the engine and over $3000 of repairs. After the work the machanic said the timing chain was almost beyond tuning so now when I turn on the ignition key I get a churning noise until it starts. He says this is a result of computer reacting to the timing chain adjustment. Yippeee!!
Also, he says that the shaft bearing or something associated with that is going bad and that at some unknown time my rear end will lock up. When I down shift or decelerate I hear a whining sound. Yippee2!!!!!
My first R3, an '06 had clutch problems after about 20,000 miles costing me over $2000. My first yippee!
I love the R3 ride, there is nothing like it. But I am really dissapointed in the quality of their equipment.
I ride all the time, the R3 is my main mode of transportation. Long distance (Iron Butt), to and from work, or just crusin' around.
Has anyone else had this experience with their R3?

 

[r3Bob]

The problem was that when you shifted to 2nd there was nothing, I could shift again up to 3rd but no 2nd gear.

 

[TriumPhil]

Truth of the matter is that nothing actually broke on your bike until a factory SNAFU bit you in the ass.. The factory, on their production line, failed to apply the correct type or amount of loctite to a bolt inside the engine case that secures the shifter arm internally. It simply backed itself off and then created the costly mayhem. Triumph, by all rights should "nut up", so to speak, and cover all or a good deal of that unfortunately necessitated repair!:???:

It also sounds like your repair was either not performed properly or completely by the dealership... what a big surprise!

Major bummer!!!

 

[Blastedbones]

 

[r3Bob]

Thanks for the sympathy. I guess I was looking at if it was happening across the board with owners but it does not seem that way. Like I said in the beginning it has been the best ride of my life!! But why me on 2 consecutive R3s?????
I have two dealerships to choose from here in town and have not been happy with either one.
This next repair I may try myself.

 

[xhdskip]

THAT, may be the best option.
At least you'll learn a lot about your bike
and KNOW it's all done and done right.
Besides, there's more knowledge on this board
than in ANY triumph dealership I know of.
Their techs go to school, and if the problem or solution ain't in the book,
they don't have a clue.
There's "real world" experience right here,
and a lot of help if you need it.

 

[r3Bob]

So true...

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

the only issue i've had so far is my **** gear position sensor keeps calving. it calved a couple months after i got the bike so i replaced it, fine for nearly a year and now its gone dodgy again. looks like i might be condemned to 70-80 quid in gps's a year

 

[owl]

I can understand why you're pissed off, Bob - that's some bad bloody luck you've had with 2 bikes.

Seeing as you asked, I've had my bike since 2005 & only ever had to replace 2 primary TPS's & I've not had to have the upgrade kit either - it's been pretty reliable.

 

[r3Bob]

To your knowledge is there any major differences between the UK & US versions?