Motorcycle specifications Triumph1050 SPEED TRIPLE 2008 '' Watch out! ''

even meaner! That's the philosophy behind the new Speed Triple. Its sulphurous reputation is about to get even bigger with this 2005 model. A version that's almost wild, but still irresistible - and so very Triumph. The Triple is a very important model for the English brand. It's both daring and strategic to re-model it... So, at Hinckley, we didn't pull any punches.
With its two round headlights and unmistakable silhouette, this wicked roadster is instantly recognizable. That gaze is soon drawn to the roadster's new rear end, very streamlined, even truncated, in an oh-so-aggressive Buell style. The new rear end is protected by 2 exhaust pipes, which look like they mean business. As for the look, the frame and swingarm are painted black, and the new 14-spoke rim is resolutely superb. At the front, everything inspires respect. In addition to its devilish good looks, the Speed proudly displays its big black anodized inverted fork, finished off with radial brake calipers - from Nissin until 2007, replaced in 2008 by Brembo monoblocs. Strong stuff to cope with the English motorcycle's fiery spirit.
The factory's famous 3-cylinder engine has been much talked about (mostly in a positive light), and it's back with a vengeance: the block is enlarged from 955 to 1,050 cm3 by increasing the stroke. This increase in displacement boosts power to 130 hp (+10), with an extra dose of torque obtained 300 rpm earlier. With more mid-range watts and an even more expressive character, the new Speed triple is sure to delight. Triumph couldn't face the future without a few small improvements, such as a new gearbox, a new clutch, 180 tires instead of 190 (which improved handling), a new dashboard.... It displays a wealth of information, with a gear indicator as a bonus. Triumph added another layer in 2008, with a number of changes to the passenger compartment, which until now had been downright spartan. A revised seat, a modified rear shell and lower footrests will significantly improve Madame's lot. A new battle is brewing on the streets between England and Italy: Speed Triple versus 1,130 TnT and S4R. The hooligans have been unleashed.

they're growling, they're snarling, they're expressing themselves... Right from the low revs. No need to wait until the middle of the rev counter, as with the 955, to hear the bewitching melody of the British 3-cylinder. A perfect match for the new 1,050 cm3's dark ardor. While it also powers the new Sprint ST, its joyful flights of fancy are far more expressive in the Speed Triple case. Exemplarily smooth, the spark plug tightens the muscle at low revs. Inflated, with lightened parts and more efficient fuel injection, it's just waiting for the right hand signal to unleash some serious oomph. What a trunk! The needle in the rev counter immediately goes into overdrive as the Speed lunges forward like a wildcat on prey. It still expresses itself with its characteristic "velvetiness", but with some serious spices in the soup. Impressive over the first 2/3 of the operating range, the mill seems more polished but still just as powerful, until the breaker comes along. More lively, more generous, more "Bbbrrroouuhhaaahhhhppp", the 3-legged is a real treat.
With this new-found enthusiasm in the cavalry, we're entitled to expect roadholding to match. And here, England has done it again. Faithful to the Daytona frame and guided by a precise, rigorous front end, the Speed Triple gains in agility, thanks in part to the narrower rear tire. The chassis handles everything, nothing moves, and the suspension does an impeccable job. Comfort has dissolved somewhat since the 955, yet the ride is more comfortable, especially in terms of efficiency. The only fly in the ointment on this character-filled roadster comes from the brakes, which aren't incisive enough... Or at least not as much as the machine's aggressiveness and impressive fork with radial calipers would suggest. Don't worry, the power is there; it's just not mean enough.
Riding it, you're in for a wild ride, a muscular sensation, and the beast within (or within you?!?). Of course, the practical side of things isn't all that great: zero protection, no storage space, machine exclusivity and an ultra-limited duo. Hey, why not get some suitcases and a car radio while you're at it? The Speed is all mouth and watts!

M.B
(Review text inspired by Moto-Journal - manufacturer's photos)