At $9999, the Speed Triple bumps right up against our $10K price limit. Still, with typical discounting, it's easy to ride away from a Triumph shop on an S3 for 10 large out the door. And considering the bike's level of power, handling and moxie, that's a steal.
The Speed Triple has always been a stripped-down sportbike, though the early generation Daytona foundation from which it sprang in '94-when Triumph first returned to U.S. shores-wasn't what you'd call cutting-edge. Heavy, long and large, the first S3 was a decent motorcycle, but it was more about attitude than performance.
Not anymore. These days, the Speed Triple is a bona fide sportbike, sharing the latest-generation 1050cc fuel-injected triple with the also-new-in-'05 Sprint ST, and borrowing numerous chassis bits from the discontinued 955i Daytona. Thing is, it's way more rideable and livable than that last open-class Daytona, and not too far removed, comfort-wise, from the ST.
Jump into the Triple's cockpit and you know instantly you're in for some serious entertainment. There's no screen to cut the wind, just a pair of chrome, low-mount headlights and a tiny info-center featuring a conventional dial tach and digital speedo. The scooped saddle enforces a single riding position and the pegs are mounted radically rearward, but at least the seat is plush. The wide handlebar promises quick-flick steering, and once you light the Evinrude-on-steroids three-cylinder engine, click into the six-speed and get moving, that trait comes through unvarnished.
On the road the Triple scores plenty of points, its slightly cramped ergos notwithstanding. Control feel and fueling manners are excellent, with just the slightest touch of surging in steady-throttle mode. Steering is light and feedback-intensive, and the bike bends into corners with a balanced, progressive feel. Its fully adjustable suspension-sprung for riders 160 to 200 lbs.-offers that rare but wonderful blend of control and compliance, managing to erase most pavement nasties while keeping the chassis steady even with a large and/or fast rider turning the screw. Its brakes-anchored by radial four-piston calipers up front biting into 320mm discs-are phenomenal, with big power and above-average feedback.
But even all that chassis goodness pales in comparison to that engine, a powerplant one staffer labeled "the best in all of motorcycledom." It's powerful, pumping out a pony shy of 120 bhp at the rear wheel and hauling the semi-porky bike through the 440 in just 11.11 seconds at 121 mph. And it generates sonic, internal-combustion perfection while doing so, a guttural mix of V-twin throb and inline-four shriek that's more felt than heard. But what's hard to measure is how supremely useable the triple's power is, how much grunt it makes down low and in the middle, and how much white-knuckle rip exists on top.
And that's precisely why the Speed Triple is such a steal. Not only is it a multi-talented streetbike with gobs of attitude and bad-boy presence, the engine will put a grin on your face for years to come. That sort of entertainment is hard to come by for just $10,000.
Price: $9999
Engine type: l-c inline-triple
Valve train: DOHC, 12v
Displacement: 1050cc
Transmission: 6-speed
Claimed horsepower: 131 bhp @ 9250 rpm
Claimed torque: 77 lb.-ft. @ 7550 rpm
Frame: Tubular-aluminum perimeter
Front suspension: 43mm inverted fork with adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension: Single shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping
Front brake: Dual four-piston calipers, 320mm discs
Rear brake: Single two-piston caliper, 220mm disc
Front tire: 120/70-ZR17 Michelin Pilot Power
Rear tire: 180/55-ZR17 Michelin Pilot Power
Seat height: 32.1 in.
Wheelbase: 56.2 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.7 gal.
Claimed dry weight: 416 lbs.
Contact:www.triumph.co.uk/usa