Triumph Speed Triple 1050

Like a lot of other folk, I'd read all the pre-launch blurb and sort of expected something different to the previous machine - but not this different.

Speed Trips have always been at the hooligan end of the naked bike scene -- even the first-generation, beautifully sculpted cafe racer. However the new toy has raised the bar a very significant notch.

Underneath the naked bike exterior is a chassis that would do any super sports machine proud -- it's a lot more than 'just' a stripped down model. Quite the opposite, as the Speed Trip in this 1050cc guise is very much its own machine.

While it shares the 130-horse powerplant with the new Sprint, the chassis has numerous but important differences. Suspension is premium, everything-adjustable, kit with different rates, while wheelbase and rake are both shorter and sharper in an effort to get a quicker-steering bit of kit. So if you were wondering why the Triple and the Sprint are the same price, go back and have a look at the chassis.

 Hop aboard and you notice a couple of things. It's a little tall in the saddle and there's an aggressive snout-down stance to the whole thing. We're not talking racer crouch or anything like it, but it's enough to indicate some serious intent.

The tenor snarl from the powerplant has a nice tone to it and this feels like the smoothest injection yet to come from Hinckley.

Out on the street you quickly notice that the bike will turn very quickly, though the actual steering lock is quite limited. Good for sports roads and less ideal for lane-splitting.

Combine the triple's huge spread of power -- it's damn near impossible to catch it gasping -- with the short wheelbase and it's pretty easy to spend a fair bit of your time with the front wheel skimming, rather than gripping, the tarmac. When you want it to grip, however, the machine tucks in very predictably, offering good feedback from the Michelin Pilot rubber, and will hold very respectable cornering speeds.

The shortish suspension travel leans more towards sports set-up, and is very well controlled. It can get a little skittish over rough surfaces but gives lots of warning.

Not surprisingly, there's plenty of cornering clearance.

 The front brake lever has a lot of lever travel before it bites, but when it happens there is loads of power and feel from the radial-mount callipers.

Overall finish is detailed and to a high standard, with the only area showing early signs of battlescars being the exposed exhaust headers.

While there is pillion accommodation, it's very minimal and really only suitable for the shortest of runs. This is really a solo bike.

Something that struck me is the Speed Triple is quite happy to bumble around at normal pace in the traffic, but has enormous potential once you cut it loose on your favourite sports tar. If you fancy some hooligan in your riding soup, you could do a hell of a lot worse...

Transmission
Primary Drive: Gear
Final Drive: X ring chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox: 6-speed

Cycle Parts
Frame: Tubular, fabricated aluminium alloy perimeter
Swingarm: Single-sided, alumium alloy with eccentric chain adjuster
Front Wheel: Alloy 5-spoke, 17 x 3.5in
Rear Wheel: Alloy 5-spoke, 17 x 5.5in
Front Tyre: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear Tyre: 180/55 ZR 17
Front Suspension: 45mm USD forks with dual rate springs and adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear Suspension: Monoshock with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
Front Brakes: Twin 320mm floating discs, 4 piston radial calipers
Rear Brakes: Single 220mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Dimensions
Length: 2115mm (83.3in)
Width: (Handlebars) 780mm (30.7in)
Height: 1250mm (49.2in)
Seat Height: 815mm (32.1in)
Wheelbase: 1429mm (56.2in)
Rake/Trail: 23.5 degree/84mm
Weight: (Dry) 189kg (416lbs)
Fuel capacity: 18 litres
Performance (Measured at crankshaft to DIN 70020)
Maximum Power: 130PS (128bhp) at 9,100 rpm
Maximum Torque: 105Nm (78ft.lbf) at 5,100 rpm
Colours Jet Black, Neon Blue, Scorched Yellow
Price: $15,990 plus ORC
Warranty: 2 years