What owners say…
MOST OWNERS ARE in their 40s and 50s, and a surprising number ended up with a Speed Triple after borrowing a demo bike from a dealer when their own bike (often another Triumph) was in for service. Alan Tait was typical: “The dealers needed to keep my Sprint overnight so I asked if I could borrow the sales manager’s Speedy. Full credit to the guy for passing me the keys but it was also probably the easiest sale he ever made! A 20-odd mile ride home convinced me I needed one in my life. It’s just so much pure, simple fun.”
At 69, Steve Chubb is one of the older owners we spoke to, and hugely experienced. He loves his 2005 model: “It’s pure triple smoothness. Enough power for Mr Average and great brakes, even though these are pre-brembo. Handling is good though rather harsh as standard. I fitted Maxton fork cartridges and a rear shock, which transformed the handling. The rev counter stopped working a few years ago but the module costs £700 from Triumph. As long as the speedo still works I’m happy!”
Matt Price is only 36 but also pretty experienced. He’s put 14,000 miles on his 2010 Speed Triple. “The engine and the styling are the best bits,” he says. “The engine is strong and pulls really
“It’s all-day comfy, with a fantastic road engine” Pete John 2010 and 2013 Speed Triple owner
well throughout the rev range in any gear. And it’s really easy to wheelie... OK, I get overtaken on the straights by sportsbikes but the handling allows me to catch up in the corners. The induction noise still makes me smile and the sound is even better with Arrow slip-ons (plus a re-map). It looks so purposeful. There is nothing on it that shouldn’t be there. I love the stripped-back look.”
Dan Cooper saved like mad to buy his 2008 model in 2011, and he’s kept a log of exactly how much it’s cost him to run since. Including road tax, tyres, servicing, Mots and essential spares (but not fuel and bling), it’s currently running at 15p per mile. “The bike is serviced by me and only visits the dealer for Mots,” he says. “The only other costs have been lots of unnecessary shiny accessories!”
Pete John has owned 2010 and 2013 Speed Triples, racking up 36,000 miles between them. He says: “I had an immense amount of fun on them, doing everything from hill climbs to touring in Europe. With a few additions, the 1050 really is a do-anything bike – it’s all-day comfortable, has a 150-mile tank range if you’re sensible, and it really is a fantastic road engine. I fitted heated grips, a centrestand, and hard luggage to both my bikes, and they were a delight every time I climbed aboard. B-road fun is the Speed Triple’s forté, but it can turn its hand to anything – it’s a real one-bike garage option.”