Four stroke, transverse three cylinder,
DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.
Capacity
885 cc / 54.0 cu in
Bore x Stroke
76 x 65 mm
Compression Ratio
10.6:1
Induction
3 x 36 mm Fatslide Mikuni carburetors
Ignition
Digital
tarting
Electric
Max Power
73 kW / 98 hp @ 9000 rpm
Max Power (at
rear wheel)
70 kW / 93.6 hp @ 9000 rpm
Max Torque
79.4 Nm / 8.1 kgf-m / 58.6 lb-ft @ 6750 rpm
Transmission
5 Speed
Final
Drive
Chain
Front Suspension
43 mm Kayaba telescopic forks, adjustable for preload
compression and rebound
Rear Suspension
Tri-link rising rate mono-shock
Front Brakes
2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes
Single 255 mm disc
Front Tyre
120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre
180/55 ZR17
Dry Weight
209 kg / 461 lbs
Wet Weight
225 kg / 496 lbs
Fuel Capacity
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal / 5.5
Imp gal
Consumption Average
5.5 L/100 km / 18.3 km/l / 43 US mpg / 51.6 Imp mpg
Braking 100 km/h - 0
37.5 m / 123 ft
Standing
¼ Mile
11.4 sec / 188.2 km/h / 116.9 mph
Top Speed
217.4 km/h / 135.1 mph
The bold and charismatic Speed
Triple summed-up all that was best about the new Triumph firm from Hinckley.
With its sleek styling, racy riding position, high-quality cycle parts and
exposed three-cylinder engine, the original Speed Triple, launched in 1994,
was a spiritual descendant of the Café racers of the 1960s - the days when
British bikes, including old-style Triumphs, ruled the roads.
Aggressive and sleek
If there was one thing above all
that the Triple shared with those old Café racers it was attitude. Lean,
simple, unfaired but at the same time aggressive and sleek, the Triple was
from the same naked musclebike school as Ducati's Monster. With a torquey
three-cylinder motor, high quality cycle parts and no unnecessary frills, it
was built for coffee-bar cowboys who took their bikes expresso style:
simple, black and strong.
Depending on how it was viewed,
the Speed Triple - whose name recalled one of the great early Triumphs, the
500cc Speed Twin of 1938 - was either a sporty version of Triumph's naked
Trident 900 or a naked version of the Daytona 900 sportster. While sharing
the basic liquid-cooled, 885cc three-cylinder engine layout and steel spine
frame of both bikes, the Triple differed enough from either to be very much
a distinct model.
Its engine was the same 97bhp
unit that powered several other bikes in the range, but the Speed Triple
alone had five gears, instead of six. To match its lean look and all-black
engine and bodywork (yellow paint was an option), the Triple was also fitted
with aluminium silencers whose dark finish resembled carbon-fibre.
There was no pretence with the
cycle-parts. Forks were 43mm, multi-adjustable Kayaba units; the same
Japanese firm's shock could be set for preload and rebound damping. Front
brakes were a high-quality blend of 310mm discs and four-piston calipers
from Nissin, also of Japan. And the three-spoke wheels held sticky
Michelins, the rear a massive 180-section radial.
The Speed Triple certainly lived
up to its name, thanks mainly to its supremely responsive motor. By
superbike standards the British machine's top speed of about 130mph
(209km/h) was unremarkable, but the Triumph scored with outstanding
smoothness and flexibility. Almost regardless of revs, it stormed forward in
thrilling fashion in response to a twist of the rider's wrist.
.
Handling was very good, although
like other Triumphs the Triple was tall and, at 4601b (209kg), rather heavy.
Its rigid frame combined with the sophisticated suspension to give agile
cornering without compromising stability. This was the lightest and lowest
Triumph model yet, as well as one of the best equipped for hard and fast
riding.
For day-to-day use the Triple was
also reasonably practical, its lack of luxuries offset by a generous fuel
range, comfortable seat and good standard of finish. Despite its similarity
to other Triumph models, the Triple managed to project a strong and
entertaining character all of its own. In many countries the naked bike
became Triumph's best-selling model, and it was easy to see why. The spirit
of the pure, simple British Café-racer lived on in the Speed Triple.