The Goodwood Test: Triumph Speed Triple R – raw appeal for two decades

Heritage

Triumph’s history goes back more than a century but if there’s one model that sums-up the current, Hinckley-based firm – as opposed to the old company that went bust in the early Eighties – it’s the Speed Triple. The concept of a naked three-cylinder sports bike was a success from the original Speed Triple’s launch in 1994. But it was the T509 Speed Triple of three years later that really hit the mark, adding twin-headlamp style to its predecessor’s blend of raw 885cc motor and agile handling.

By 2008, capacity had grown to 1050cc, power was up to 131bhp, and the Speed Triple’s unique look and character had made it the poster bike for fast-growing Triumph. The super Speed had sold more than 50,000 units, co-starred in movies including The Matrix and Mission Impossible 3, and spawned a 675cc sibling, the Street Triple, that would sell in even bigger numbers. The Speed Triple was revamped in 2011 and the following year it was joined by the upmarket Speed Triple R, which in turn was subtly updated for 2016.

Design

Those trademark twin headlights are no longer round but the Speed Triple design brief hasn’t changed since that cult-triggering T509 model of almost two decades ago. The dohc, 12-valve motor still displaces 1050cc but incorporates more than 100 changes including new pistons, reshaped combustion chambers and a slip-assist clutch. A new injection system with ride-by-wire throttle control allows the introduction of five engine modes and three-way adjustable traction control, plus a modest power hike to a maximum of 138bhp.

Classical Speed Triple chassis features include a tubular aluminium frame and a single-sided swing-arm, plus a high-level exhaust system with silencers beneath the pillion seat. Suspension on the standard Speed Triple S is capable stuff from Showa of Japan. The upmarket R-model gets even classier Öhlins suspension, red-finished frame parts and machined-from-billet aluminium handlebar clamps, plus its front mudguard and other details in carbon-fibre.

Performance

The Speed Triple is seriously quick, even if it can’t match some 160bhp-plus super-naked rivals for pure pace. The new injection system hasn’t compromised the traditional blend of crisp throttle response (those multiple modes are hardly needed) and arm-yanking midrange grunt. The rider leans slightly forward to the near-flat handlebar, the colour-matched flyscreen keeping off enough breeze to allow reasonably effortless high-speed cruising as the bike storms towards its top speed of about 150mph, benefitting from a revised and sweeter-shifting six-speed gearbox.

Passion

Triumph’s naked bruiser has come a long way in the last two decades but its core attributes of aggressive naked style, fierce acceleration and sweet handling are still very much in place. This latest Speed Triple R is the best yet: neatly styled, immaculately detailed and bursting with more performance than ever while also introducing a new level of electronic sophistication.

It also makes a very useable everyday streetbike although it’s a little unwieldy at slow speed and the familiar high-level exhaust system is starting to look – though not sound – a bit dated. There are faster, lighter rivals, some with semi-active suspension. Triumph’s updated icon fights back with good looks, reasonable comfort, respectable fuel range and a competitive price. And with the trademark three-cylinder character that makes every Speed Triple ride an event.

Price tag of our bike: £11,900 (Speed Triple S: £10,500)

Photography by Alessio Barbanti