Triumph motorcycle reviews


Read Triumph Speed-triple motorbike reviews. These have been written by owners of Triumph for the benefit of fellow bikers. Read other Triumph owners' personal opinions of Triumph motorcycle ownership. You can also submit your own Triumph Speed-triple review.

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All Triumph Speed Triple Reviews
Triumph Speed Triple 1050cc Apr '09 (09)
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Wow what a bike, having owned a Triumph Daytona 955i (55 plate) previously was a little nervous about making the change but have to say its the best thing I've done. The comfort is outstanding, as is the handling / performance and within the first 150 miles she was fully over using every mm of rubber, something I battled with, with the Daytona over the years.

When I brought her (Sept 2009, 59 plate) she came fully loaded with extra's from the dealer, Carbon front mud guard, Hugger, Fly Screen, Belly pan, pazzo levers, matt black bars to match her paint job & a whole load of R&G extra's. Ive added Arrow slip-on end cans, radiator & oil cooler guard & have to say she's stunning.

Having only now done 650 miles due to the shite weather I can still honestly say this is a truely awesome bike & I'm looking forward to the summer to really lay down some miles on the tarmac .....
Submitted by
Hoppo on 04/02/2010
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Triumph Speed Triple 1050cc Sept '08 (58)
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TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE REVIEW

TRIPLE TROUBLE

* What’s It all About?
Some bikes are urbane smoothies whereas others look as if they want to rip your head off and fling it into the undergrowth. Count the Triumph Speed Triple in the latter category. The problem is that, although many of us would like to carry off the image of riding a snarling rat-bike, few of us actually want to go through the stress of doing so. The Triumph strikes a canny balance, offering raw, parted back looks with some seriously slick engineering. Even Triumph describe the aggressively-stunted Trip as ‘brutal’ so you kind of know what you’re getting. Think of this as the antithesis of the archetypal Japanese crotch rocket and you’ll see the appeal.

* What Does It Cost?
Surprisingly little is the answer. £7,999 isn’t a whole heap of money for a bike this potent and with this much presence. Although it is undercut by Ducati’s rather sexy Monster 1000 DS, the Triumph has 35bhp on the Duke, so perhaps we’re not comparing eggs with eggs here. It features the same 1,050cc engine as the Sprint ST, a bike that’s another £100 up the Triumph price scale and one that will appeal to a very different clientele. A speedo LCD in the centre of the analogue tacho is a very nice touch although it could do with being a bit bigger.

* How Does It Handle?
It isn’t hard to work out how a bike with this tiny wheelbase, 113bhp and which tips the scales at just 189kg is going to handle. Ground clearance is very good which will mean that new knee sliders will likely be a perennial on your Christmas list. It’s also a bike that seems to spend an inordinate amount of time on one wheel. The additional 10bhp, new clutch and redesigned gearshift have helped it really access the midrange and you’ll find the front wheel pawing the air at some rather surprising times, such is the torque of that three cylinder engine.
Big, open roads don’t do the Triumph Speed Triple any favours, highlighting its aerodynamic deficiencies, but get the bike in town or on a twisty B-road and you’ll have the time of your life. In certain respects, this big Triumph can be ridden like a point and squirt supermoto. The wide bars, sharp steering and relative light weight encourage you to wrestle it from corner to corner, utilising the punch of that engine to punt you out of/into harm’s way. The brakes are very sharp but don’t entertain taking a pillion passenger. They’ll emerge ashen-faced and with a sore posterior. The side stand is awkward to access when you’re on the bike, the bungee loops are next to useless and the starting mechanism is a little slow on the uptake but you’ll easily forgive these foibles after you’ve been for a dawn blast around the city.

* Verdict
The Triumph Speed Triple is more fun than you’d think was legal. If you can get off this bike without a smile big enough to post a wok into, there’s absolutely no hope for you. I can only direct you to the ‘Careers’ section of the Inland Revenue website.
Submitted by
UKBikerBoy on 08/06/2009
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Triumph Speed Triple 900cc 97/98 (R)
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The T509 Speed Triple 885cc was launched in 1997and at the time was seen as a radical love it or hate it design.
Essentially it is a naked T595 Daytona, the main difference is that the Daytona had its motor bored out to 955cc for ultimate performance. The rest of the bike is the same.
The original Speed Triple was based on Triumphs modular design structure and although good had its limitations.
The T509 is more of an animal with 108ps and bags of torque. The chassis is stiff and stable, in many ways a much more usable bike then the T595 Daytona due to the upright riding position.
The engine note is sweet from the triple and with the latest fuel injection maps very smooth even by todays standards. There is an element of snatchyness from pick up which few efi bikes without power commanders do not have.
Triumph offer many optional extras to personalise your T509 and these are still available from dealers today. One highly recommended option is the fly screen as wind blast at speed can be annoying.
The riding experience is simply grin enducing and there are no complaints about the bikes handling if you set the suspension up correctly for your height, weight and riding style. Few naked bikes of this age have fully adjustable front and rear suspension and fewer have the trademark single sided swingarm.
Later models come with the full fat 955i engine which do not run out of puff as quickly, I find when riding enthusiastically I run out of revs and need to change up.
Overall these are fantastic bikes and are becoming great value if you can find a good one with history. A classic which will surely hold a decent value for years to come.
Submitted by
Darthrufus. in Fareham, Hampshire on 12/02/2009
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Triumph Speed Triple 900cc 95/96 (N)
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Triumph Speed Triple
I'm sure I've got a bigger tank than this bike but even I fit a treat. Comfy, handles well but is heavy to manouvere when parking.
Clip ons don't help with tight turns.
On the road great fun,this engine just keeps on pulling, with twin carbon cans she looks and sounds great.
Never fails to raise a big grin. In Triumph's Blazing Orange colour scheme she always turns heads.
This is one bike you just have to keep riding past shop windows. (I know , sad ba****d ain't I).
Submitted by
padre on 07/06/2008
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Triumph Speed Triple 1050cc Apr '07 (07)
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After riding Jap bikes all my life and the last one being a GSXR 750 I was a little bit hesitant in purchasing a British bike, but this bike is loads of fun. Plenty of torque and fully equipped with all the latest gizmo's. Handling is spot on and very light, very comfy on long journeys with the sit-up riding position. Don't miss a fairing one bit and if you do get a bit of wind resistance it all adds to the riding experience. Also if you like accessories, Triumph have a list as long as your arm, just make sure you have a big fat wallet because once you start, you cant stop. Great looking streetfighter.
Submitted by
Airbrush Andy in Rye, East Sussex on 08/11/2007
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Triumph Speed Triple 900cc 98 (S)
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Handling. Excellent, secure and exact. Power. Awesome grunt, all the way thru the rev range for 1k to 10.5 revs. Comfort. Riding position excellent, windblast annoyingly restrictive. Reliablity - indestructable. Awesome street fighter looks, wicked attention seeker, hornyier than Cindy Crawford on your bed with just a thong on. Pure hooligan machine with looks and power to match.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 29/09/2003
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Triumph Speed Triple 750cc 96/97 (P)
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I recently returned to motorcycling after a 10 year layoff and as a 40 something born againer who's owned or ridden most Japanese and Italian classics, I love this bike! It oozes character and at legal speeds is an absolute joy to ride (once you get used to the windblast) Despite improvements in engine and chassis I think Triumph have lost the plot with the later models as regards style
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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 13/10/2005
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Triumph Speed Triple 900cc Sept '00 (X)
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Forks are too hard, rear shock too hard, rear brake rubbish but... exhilarating to ride, I always come away with a smile on my face, but with that hard suspension has nearly had me in the hedge a few more times than I care to remember.
Sintered pads, ebc hh helped out with the rear brake. Ohlins cured the rear shock, I'm waiting for Maxton's to return my forks which hopefully will cure the front - maybe the wheels will stay on the tarmac now ! Get one but if you push hard on the twisties you'll need to modify the suspension.
Engine is a gem (955i detuned Daytona with loads of grunt) and the front brakes are brilliant, go and buy one NOW.
I've ridden a 2005 sp3 but it wasn't much more powerful than the 955, brakes about the same and the handling no better, so save your money and buy one around year 2000.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 15/08/2005
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Triumph Speed Triple 900cc 96/97 (P)
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Great though a bit heavy going on long treks so fitted a Powerbronze cockpit fairing, which helps a lot and doesn't take away any looks - my opinion anyway. Heavy to push around so don't park downhill against a wall. Important stuff though. Great pick-up if you don't clog the fuel filter with an empty tank. Handles well. Love the image and the noise.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 03/05/2002
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