High Expectations…At A Higher Cost
You may or may not have noticed earlier that we said Triumph’s R models are (typically) not that much more expensive. Sly, aren’t we? The honest truth is that — while the Daytona 675R is only $1700 more than the standard 675 — the $15,999 Speed Triple R is a whopping $3201 more than the ABS-equipped standard model, and $4001 more than the devoid-of-ABS base model. That’s a decent chunk of change no doubt, but add up the cost of the Öhlins suspension and PVM wheels and it’ll come out as a wash; the carbon fiber panels, Brembo brakes and special graphics are freebies in our opinion. At least that’s how we’ll sell it to our significant other.
Price aside, the Speed Triple R is a pretty significant model for the naked-bike category. It takes an extremely popular, well-built platform and adds to it everything that the serious rider would need. Triumph is definitely on to something, and we’ll continue to keep our eyes on the manufacturer’s next move. SR
The Speed Triple’s horsepower...
The Speed Triple’s horsepower figures aren’t really anything to write home about, with our R test mule putting out just over 117 horsepower. More impressive is the bike’s torque curve, which is extremely flat and makes tighter sections of road all the more appealing.
TEST NOTES
2012 Triumph
Speed Triple R | |
|---|
| + | Steers much quicker |
| + | Brakes have tons of power |
| + | Very few vibrations |
| – | Footpeg-to-seat distance a bit tight |
| – | Costs a lot more |
| x | The Speed Triple just got better |
Suggested Suspension Settings
Front: Spring preload — 4.5 turns out from full soft; rebound damping — 12 clicks out from full stiff; compression damping — 20 clicks out from full stiff
Rear: Spring preload — 3mm thread showing above locking preload collar; rebound damping — 9 clicks out from full stiff; compression damping — 17 clicks out from full stiff
SPECIFICATIONS
2012 Triumph Speed Triple R
MSRP: $15,999
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, inline triple
Valve arrangement: DOHC, four valves/cyl. Shim-under-bucket adjustment
Displacement: 1050cc
Bore x stroke: 79.0 × 71.4mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Induction: Keihin EFI, 46mm throttle bodies, single injector/cyl.
Transmission: 6-speed
CHASSIS
Front suspension: Öhlins 43mm NIX30 inverted fork with adjustable rebound and compression damping, 4.7 in. travel
Rear suspension: Öhlins TTX36 twin-tube monoshock with rebound and compression damping, 5.1 in. travel
Front brake: Dual 320mm rotors with radial-mount Brembo 4-piston monobloc calipers, switchable ABS
Rear brake: Single 255mm rotor with Nissin 2-piston caliper, switchable ABS
Front wheel: 3.5 x 17 in. forged aluminum alloy
Rear wheel: 6.0 x 17 in. forged aluminum alloy
Front tire: 120/70ZR-17 Pirelli Supercorsa SP
Rear tire: 190/55ZR-17 Pirelli Supercorsa SP
Rake/trail: 22.8 degrees/3.6 in. (90.9mm)
Wheelbase: 56.5 in. (1435mm)
Seat height: 32.5 in. (825mm)
Fuel capacity: 4.6 gal. (17.5L)
Weight: 479 lb. (218kg) wet; 451 lb. (205kg) dry
Instruments: Analog tachometer, LCD multi-functional instrument pack with digital speedometer, fuel gauge, dual trip meter, fuel consumption, remaining fuel range, average mpg, odometer, clock, programmable gear change lights, lap timer, service interval announcement and TPMS ready. Warning lights for low fuel, high beam, neutral, oil level, coolant temp, ABS and turn signals
PERFORMANCE
Quarter mile: 10.84 sec. @ 127.13 mph
Top speed: NA
Roll-ons: 60-80 mph/2.80 sec., 80-100 mph/3.27 sec.
Fuel consumption: 35 to 40 mpg, 38 mpg average
OPINIONS
Bradley Adams
After hustling the Speed Triple R around the Circuito de Jerez during the bike’s launch a few months back, I’ll admit I was extremely excited to get a test bike stateside. But my initial excitement was curbed a bit following a stint through the canyons; soft settings in the rear left the bike wallowing both into and out of the corner, and an overall imbalance front to rear saw me rolling out of the throttle more often than not.
Some major adjustments to the Öhlins suspension turned things right around, and a few quick stabs at the throttle reminded me what makes this Speed Triple so great. The thing’s got a killer engine for the street, decent ergos (albeit a bit tight for taller guys) and tons of character. $16 thousand seems a bit steep in my opinion, but if you want the ultimate Speed Triple, this is it.
Kent Kunitsugu
The Speed Triple R is one of those bikes that’s hard to fault when you’re riding it. Nice torquey engine, smooth throttle response, nimble chassis, superb suspension, brick-wall brakes…the list goes on. I was having so much fun on it that I figured there couldn’t be anything better in the naked bike category…until I jumped on the Aprilia Tuono V4 R, and get most of the same attributes along with 25 more horsepower to peel my eyelids back for $1000 less.