Speed Triple
A universal symbol of two-wheeled hooliganism, the Triumph Speed Triple has terrorized neighborhoods and provoked lawless behavior for well over a decade. Whether it's the rip of the three-cylinder engine, the effortless wheelies or one-fingered stoppies, the Speed Triple is as respected as it is infamous. With bold "love-it" or "hate-it" looks and bite to match the bark it's responsible for defining a class and bringing streetfighters to the masses.
When Triumph released the first S3 back in 1994 it was quickly discovered that it was unlike anything else on the market. The T309's propulsion came in the form of a carbed 885cc triple that spun out 98 horses at the crank with a pancake-flat torque spread to boot. Though outright power was just shy of sportbike territory, the midrange shove of the three-cylinder was serious.
The T309 remained largely unchanged for three years before 1997 saw the new T509--the generation that introduced the legendary bug-eyed look. Gone were the trio of carbs and in their place Sagem fuel injection handled the juicing. Displacement remained 885ccs but power rose to 108 HP at the crank. An aluminum perimeter frame and single-sided swingarm were all new as well. In place of the older low-slung clip-ons Triumph also fitted an upright standard bar.
On the road the new bike was tons better than its predecessor, but it certainly wasn't without its faults. The fuel injection was finicky, engine lights were the norm and adding upgrades like a pipe or filter would land you in the dealer for expensive computer re-flashes. All wasn't lost though, as the T509 was faster and handled better.
In 1999 the Speed Triple got a kick in the pants from its sportbike brother, the Daytona, and again garnered a new title--the T595. In place of the old 885cc mill was the new 955cc motor--retuned for a lower output in the Speed Triple. This bigger and badder motor made breaking the law that even easier.
Little changed in the way of aesthetics with the T595 as the single-sided swingarm and dual headlights remained. Small handlebar-mounted "bikini" fairings were available but save for additional colors, all was status quo.
In the subsequent years after the T595 little changed other than some weight-reduction in 2002 to the tune of 17 pounds. Though still a bit porky as its dry weight tipped the scales at over 400 pounds, power was again increased. Still known internally as the T509, to distinguish it from the older 885cc look-alike, Triumph flanked the new bikes with 955i stickers to let onlookers know what it was packing.
As 2005 rang in the New Year it also brought with it the most powerful model yet. Displacement grew to a full 1050ccs via increased stroke and Keihin injection now handled the fueling duties. Other internal improvements and twin high-mount pipes also helped power climb to 129 HP with a robust torque curve.
More than just go, the new bike also brought with it inverted forks, radial brakes and a new gauge cluster. Early gripes about the new radial brakes saw a change from Nissin to Brembo calipers in 2007. Along with the new binders the Speed Triple also received a minor update that included different wheels, a more powerful ECU to curb some fueling woes and a metal tank instead of the older plastic unit.
The Triumph Speed Triple has become a staple of greatness in the two-wheeled world. Owners commend the strong engines, willing chassis and powerful brakes as the standout features. While some have complained about excessive weight and minor fuel injection glitches, most claim it's their favorite bike and praise its jack-of-all trades nature.
In regards to bettering their beloved bikes, most owners upgrade the exhaust system in addition to fitting an aftermarket-fueling computer. Other common upgrades consist of fender eliminators and flushmount signals for sleeker looks, as well as a softer seat for rolling on the miles.