Triumph Speed Triple R 2012 Review

Calling a bike a Speed Triple means it has a lot to live up to. Adding an R tag ust adds to the burden of expectations but Triumph's latest big-bore naked bike delivers on the promise. If your neck muscles can cope with the strain the Speed Triple R is a genuine track and street weapon.

VALUE

At $22,290 price the Triumph is level-pegging with the Aprilia Tuono for the affections of potential owners. They're different beasts in many respects but share a common trait: covering ground at speed. The Street Triple R misses out on the Tuono's traction control but picks up $7000 of top-spec Ohlins shocks, Brembo monoblock front brakes with switchable ABS and custom PVM rims.

TECHNOLOGY

Ohlins helped calibrate the suspension settings and provided the Moto GP derived NIX30 front forks and TTX36 rear shock. Every click has a noticeable impact on the bikes behaviour and makes it easy to switch from street to track riding. The 1050cc engine is in the same state of tune as the regular Street Triple but the gearbox has been upgraded for more precise changes.

STYLING

The muscular Triumph will suit bigger riders than the Max Biaggi-based dimensions on the Tuono. There's room to move on the seat without affecting riding stability or to grab the wide tapered bars and guide the big triple through a tight run of corners.

Passengers won't complain either with a decent sized  and well-padded seat. The red sub-frame, custom black rims and carbon fibre around the radiator and tank make it obvious this is the R-rated machine.

SAFETY

The Brembo brakes up front are so strong and progressive they almost make the ABS software redundant. Top-of-the-line Pirelli road rubber won't shift without serious throttle provocation and even then are predictable and consistent.

RIDING

This is a bike for those who appreciate - and are prepared to pay for - the finer things in life. It's the two-wheeled counterpart of a European convertible sports car - built and styled to impress passers-by but with enough feral attitude to be a seriously quick fang.  Corner speed and mid-range acceleration are phenomenal to the point you can easily forget this isn't a sportsbike, until you hit the next high-speed straight.

VERDICT

The added components on the Speed Triple R transform a seriously quick bike into a sportsbike challenger on just about any road, while still being a much more comfortable every day ride. The cost will ensure exclusivity  but for those who push on, or just want the best mechanical technology money can buy,  it's a quality investment.

FACTOID

The Speed Triple was the fourth most popular naked bike in Australia last year with 210 sales but was outgunned by its 675cc stablemate, the Street Triple, with 318 sales.

Triumph Speed Triple R

Price: $22,290
Warrenty: Two years, unlimited km
Safety: Switchable ABS brakes, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres
Engine: 99kW/111Nm 1050cc in-line triple-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed, chain drive
Dimensions: 2100mm (L), 795mm (W), 1110mm (H), 1435mm (WB) SEAT HEIGHT: 825mm FUEL TANK: 17.5 litres WET WEIGHT: 212kg
Suspension: Ohlins 43mm inverted front forks with rebound and compression adjustment, Ohlins rear shock with rebound and compression adjustment
Brakes: Dual 320mm front discs with Brembo four-piston calipers; 255mm rear disc with Nissin dual-piston caliper