Yes, I’ll say right away that this motorcycle is my choice, born of serious personal experience. Not only do I love this class and ride a Kawasaki Z1000, but I tested the Triumph for a long time and thoroughly - first in Europe at the first press meeting, and then in Moscow, where I was given the device for a week-long test.
So, in 2011, the British updated their iconic Speed Triple motorcycle. It earned this title thanks to its expressive design with “glasses” headlights and a 3-cylinder engine with a volume of 1050 cm3. None of the competitors used this scheme, which is in fact the most compact and balanced. For five years, Speed Triple held the lead in the class, but in recent years it began to lose ground to Japanese competitors. And Triumph decided to upgrade.
Instead of round optics, there are now diamond-shaped “eyes”, but most importantly, the steel frame and pendulum have been replaced by lightweight components made of aluminum alloy, which allowed the motorcycle to lose weight by as much as 15 kg. If you consider that at the same time the chassis was modified and the horse herd in the engine was increased by 7 heads, it becomes clear why the end result impressed not only me. Triumph has done it all again!
I believed this when I had the opportunity to test the device in action - literally on the first meters of the journey. The motorcycle turned out to be beautiful, well built, comfortable and compact. It doesn't require getting used to, it immediately becomes part of you. More precisely, on the contrary - you become its important detail. The control levers, buttons on the steering wheel, and the seat are wide and spacious, with comfortable support. However, the ergonomics suggest an aggressive riding style: it has a forward-shifted steering wheel, high footpegs and a seat height of 825 mm. Everything seemed to be made to order for you, my beloved. All that remains is to click the gearshift lever down and unscrew the trigger...
Although the dynamic curve of the “British” is not as smooth as that of my Kawasaki, the Speed Triple picks up speed more easily and pulls forward with the tenacity of a locomotive. This is an amazing feeling: it’s as if the motorcycle is equipped with a powerful electric motor! Although the latter, in theory, should be silent, but here there is such a sound from the mufflers that it gives you goosebumps. This is music, a balm for the soul of a motorcyclist! And no Japanese motorcycle can compare with it.
But this effect can be further enhanced by installing an optional release with Arrow “ends”. Acceleration to hundreds is in a few seconds, and the gears are long enough so as not to bother with frequent switching. And despite the fact that the device is still naked, it starts deflating only after 140 km/h, but it’s quite comfortable.
Speed Triple has the best brakes in the liter streetfighter class
However, the Speed Triple has always been famous not only for its engine. The appeal of the motorcycle is not only its dominance in power and torque, but also its amazing agility. He simply playfully shifts on turns or rides like a “snake” between cars. Unsurpassed ease of control! The pilot is not required to learn body control or use excessive force on the steering wheel. You put a little pressure on the steering wheel, turn it, and the motorcycle does the rest.
Review (Test Drive)
If you're looking for a naked bike for the city and outings on everyone's favorite twisty roads, this is probably the best candidate today - the Triumph Speed Triple 1050S. But it is worth remembering one important feature. Not quite a full-fledged test drive: contrary to the practice of rolling out 5-6 tanks on a motorcycle before judging the character and characteristics, we only covered a couple of hundred kilometers with the Triumph. But these kilometers are unforgettable!
The Triumph Speed Triple 1050S is the main competitor to the BMW S 1000 R, but with a couple of caveats, which you will find at the very end of the text. So, if you don't want to read everything, scroll down.
The technical package embodied in the Speed Triple 1050S is perfect in my opinion. The seating position and weight distribution are not as radically “racing” as those of the BMW, and should appeal to those who do not intend to spend most of their time in a shrimp position. Electronic throttle, good on-board computer, switchable ABS and traction, Ohlins suspension - NIX30 series fork with a full range of adjustments, dual-chamber TTX36 at the rear; Precise Brembo M4 brakes... all this on an all-aluminum chassis perfectly copes with uneven asphalt. The rear wheel is slightly unloaded, but the front wheel is under strict control. Braking is exciting and predictable at every moment. This is enough to briefly describe the set.
The motorcycle was created not only for those who like to unscrew the handle and fight the wind, wearing a thick leather suit and a lightweight carbon integral, but also for daily trips, so it was just as comfortable in the universal Blauer textiles and the weighty Schuberth C3 Pro.
A week ago in one of the magazines I saw a big comparison of cool naked bikes, where the Speed Triple 1050S was put on the same level as the KTM 1290 Super Duke R and the BMW R1200R. In fact, Triumph's behavior is categorically different from either the KTM or the R1200R.
The narrow gas tank of the Speed Triple has a modest volume of only 15 liters, but allows the pilot to move in the saddle in all four directions and even sit almost astride it, load the front-end and excel in turns until he gets tired. On the track, the Speed Triple is probably simply unique, you should definitely try it. The balance of power and pleasure is achieved at 6000-7000 rpm, when you can drive at the torque 100% of the time and brake with the engine, practically without using the lever.
In the BMW R1200R, the fork is loaded on its own, thanks to the heavy engine and low center of mass, so the ride is initially much calmer and more comfortable: the “bimmer” picks up speed like a rocket, but smoothly and without vibrations at all. But engine braking is not what the R1200R is all about. The boxer is simply not designed for this, so the main control on the move is both levers - the clutch and the front brake.
The KTM accelerates about the same, but you don’t want to increase the revs at all due to the characteristics of the V-Twin: power of 180 hp. Enough to throw the front wheel in the air in any gear, 130 of them are already available at 4000 rpm, so you can pump up the bottom end, adding a little here and there. And engine braking is the main speed control tool here. BMW and KTM both navigate and control corners with precision, thanks to near-perfect weight distribution and engine positioning.
The BMW S 1000 R is a completely different matter. The motorcycle, originally built on the basis of a sportsbike and with all its characteristics, including full access to 198 hp, insists on taking every corner aggressively. The overhanging position over the dashboard is always a bit of an acquired taste, but it encourages more dynamic driving, both in traffic and on the highway.
However, Triumph is even more aggressive in this regard: it persistently demands an attack every time, and in such a way that at the exit it opens wider and roars more juicily.
The huge difference between Triumph and BMW is the engine! It is the 3-cylinder “Triple” with a volume of exactly 1050 cc. and a power of 138 hp. makes this motorcycle a Triumph. The engine starts the pilot, keeps him in good shape, spurs him on, motivates and excites him. The sound of work and the vibrations that 3 cylinders create gives you goosebumps – it’s just a delight!
The motorcycle's enthusiasm is enough for the pilot to roll out the rear tank almost to the side, even on public roads. And therein lies a great hidden threat.
The super torquey motor is controlled by a simple traction control system (not like BMW) with four modes: Track, Sport, Road and Rain. As the name suggests, the Track is designed for ideal asphalt, when the influence of electronics is minimal and all 138 hp are available. and 113 Nm. Realizing that we were still conducting a road test and in the hope that other test pilots would understand this, I didn’t bother with the settings - we just exchanged motorcycles and moved on. A special “thank you” to my friend Abalakin, who received the Triumph directly before me. Deciding that the Bavarian country roads were smooth enough to be called a “track”, he chose this setting and left it that way. Everything happened completely unexpectedly, as the racers say, “without warning.”
Our group walked at about 130 km/h along one of the winding highways that go around a small mountain, behind which the town of Boxberg is located. On the transition before the long and very picturesque right curve, the rear wheel decided to go into a long and not very well controlled drift. The unloaded rear wheel managed to float half a meter to the side, leaving a greasy rubber strip on the cracked asphalt. Then the electronics caught the stall and quite gently cut off the power supply, but still I was thrown up in the saddle by 20 centimeters.
I can well imagine the faces of the Japanese test rider Hiroshi, who was right behind me on a Honda, and the instructor at the end of the group on a Ducati: just 5-6 meters in front of them, Triumph performed a classic highside. I caught a glimpse in the mirrors of Hiroshi and the Master Chef clutching the brakes. I think they liked the show, and let’s put a tick in the check-list: traction control on a Triumph is mandatory and works, you shouldn’t turn it off at all, although the British flaunt this feature.
PS
Many times, traveling to the west, I saw pickup trucks with trailers loaded with a variety of “triumphs” coming towards me. And now I know why the owners did it that way. And I’m glad that I didn’t have to drive the Speed Triple 1050S under my own power for 2000 km to experience all these pleasant moments.
Speed Triple 1050S is a powerful drug that hits you instantly. But one day it may seem ordinary or even worse, tiresome. The key question is: how quickly will the owner develop a stable tolerance to this bouquet of sensations from the engine, sound and “positive vibrations”? And if it appears, then how to live further? What other motorcycle can give SO MANY emotions? Take a ride for a day - yes! But if you don’t want to spoil the impression and forever lose your taste for driving, you probably shouldn’t take the Speed Triple on a long trip with endless straight highways on the menu.
Why is the BMW S 1000 R more interesting in this sense (besides the fact that it is 60 horsepower more powerful)? It's smooth and smooth, just like the 4-cylinder inline engine itself. As a result, the driving impressions are not so bright - for the time being. But this feature is sometimes required if you want to get to the track or winding paths under your own power.
material from the page: https://www.motogonki.ru/
Appearance Triumph Speed Triple
The updated version of the Triumph Speed Triple S gets cast wheels painted black, while the RS version gets a thin red stripe along the rim. The "S" version features a dual-muffler exhaust with aluminum heat shields that add to the aesthetics. A new, up-to-date color palette and set of decals make the motorcycle unique.
The instrument panel is made in the form of a 5-inch TFT screen. In 2019, the switches received backlighting.
Twin headlights dominate the modest fairing and are equipped with DRL on the RS version. On both motorcycles, the mirrors are positioned outside the handlebars, which improves visibility both front and rear. And the motorcycle itself provides a comfortable upright seating position, which is important for city riding.
The 15.5-liter fuel tank widens at the top and tapers at the bottom, creating comfortable knee wells that protect your legs from oncoming traffic.
I'd describe the rear seat as "would never sit down," but if you're a solo rider, cover it up and you'll get the ultimate racing look. Unfortunately, the rear turn signals and reflectors are located on the mudguard. It doesn't look good and is unreliable.
Chassis
The diagonal frame is welded from aluminum structures, the pendulum is also aluminum, one-sided with a cantilever wheel mount, this made it possible to achieve a dry weight of 192 kg. The steering column stands at a surprisingly "vertical" angle of 22.9 degrees, which gives amazing handling and smoothness.
The Triumph Speed Triple has 17-inch cast aluminum wheels with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires measuring 120/70 at the front and 190/55 at the rear. The fork has stays with a diameter of 43 mm. Front suspension travel is 120 mm and rear suspension travel is 130 mm. Shock absorbers vary across different variants of the motorcycle. The “S” version has Showa and the “RS” version has Öhlins, both with all three settings.
Regarding the Triumph Speed Triple brakes , there are two 320 mm diameter discs at the front and four-piston Brembo calipers, and a 255 mm disc at the rear with a two-piston caliper and switchable ABS. After all, good brakes are worth their weight in gold.
Triumph Speed Triple engine
The electronics equipment of these two motorcycle models is different. But let's start in order. The engine is a liquid-cooled in-line three-wheeler, mounted transversely. The cylinder diameter is 79 mm, the piston stroke is 71.4 mm and the total volume is 1050 cubic centimeters. The compression ratio of this engine is 12.92/1, so you need to treat fuel responsibly, it will not digest any obscenity. The engine has a head with two camshafts and 12 valves. The engine power of the Triumph Speed Triple S and RS has increased to 148 hp from 2021. at 10,500 rpm and stretched over a wide rev range, torque 116 Nm at 7,150 rpm. The Slipper Clutch works with an improved gearbox.
Now for some electronic goodness. Traction control and ABS are switchable on both versions, and the RS version is equipped with a Continental control unit for more sensitive operation of these systems. The “S” version has four driving modes, including a custom one, programmed by the pilot independently, and the “RS” version also has a fifth “Track” mode to feel like a racer.
A typical naked for an egoist with an unusual in-line “three” and hundreds of improvements in the engine and chassis. It really has become faster and more manageable than previous versions.
A true gentleman
You will immediately appreciate the character of the engine on the bars. Thanks to the excellent dosing clutch, the mechanisms are activated safely. At very low speeds the Twin Speed responds slightly twitchily to throttle inputs, but as the speed increases you'll stop complaining about boredom. Starting from 2500 rpm, the engine responds to the gas like a gentleman - smoothly and flexibly, regardless of the gear engaged. If you enjoy it, you will never spin the levers above 5000 rpm. In addition, the engine is very eager to rev, which is influenced, among other things, by the lighter clutch mentioned earlier.
The tip of the tachometer is somewhere deep in the red field, and yet the engine does not wheeze. Only at 7500 rpm. Shortly before the end of the tachometer scale, the limiter stops playing. With such dynamics on wet or bad asphalt, the traction control system, even in the quietest mode, does not often work. Much of the credit goes to the Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 tires. When a wheel catches a skid, the traction control instantly reduces power, keeping the Speed Twin on the right track. Classic fork and two equally stylish shock absorbers, perfectly smooth asphalt strikes, allowing you to enjoy driving.
Only hand-painted lines adorn the Speed Red and Silver Gray. The black version should do without them. / Triumph Speed Twin
Another selling point for the Speed Twin is the brakes. If you want, when you press the brake lever, the 4-piston radial calipers will literally bite into the discs. I got the impression that they wouldn’t be a shame on a sports bike either.
