CHARLIE TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1200RS
Ihave been so excited about watching the laying out of this issue to see how the Speed Triple did in this year’s Naked Sportsbike of the Year test. As it materialised, I have to admit to being a little wounded at the result, though am totally unqualified to question it – these boys know what they are doing, even when I am faced with such a disappointing result. The fact that I am almost taking the result personally is a true reflection of just how well I have gelled with the Speed Triple... it excites the hell out of me. Maybe my disappointment at the result is more a reflection on my demands of a motorcycle; I don’t want it to ‘intimidate me’ – rather I want a fast, powerful and comfortable ride that will adapt to various scenarios and prove itself more capable than I am, thus never producing a disappointing ride.
That is what the 1200RS is to me, so actually why should I care that it doesn’t breathe fire like the KTM or spit venomous rage like the Ducati?
On paper though, yes, the 1200RS has only just entered the Supernaked arena, and despite a few dabbles here and there with other machines, so have I. If this one is “a little too refined”, as Johnny Mac puts it, then so be it. But with the release of more details on the Speed Triple RR, I think a number of the criticisms have already been addressed. Clip-ons, more fairing, electronic suspension with the rear sets further back and higher, promoting a more aggressive riding position, all fed by this fantastic brand new triple engine is even whetting my appetite for more – and I haven’t really unleashed the full joys of the RS yet.
Having given up the Speed Triple for this test and inherited a Hayabusa for a couple of weeks, I admit to welcoming
back the Triple with open arms. Having never ridden a Busa before, I had quite a time with it, loving the attention the one-man missile received.
But for a day-to-day machine it certainly didn’t tick the boxes like the Triumph does. As it turned out, I actually swapped the Busa for a Street Triple we had for a different test, the plan being to take that to Triumph where my Speed was waiting for me, to do a further swap.
What an eye-opener that was. If you have followed this column, you will know I like to wang on about how much I love the Street Triple
– a passion that remains, but when you ride it back-to-back with the Speed... oh, where is the power? A painfully obvious statement, comparing a bike whose 765 engine is 435ccs less than the Speed conceding some 55+ BHP… But, given the new Speed Triple is so much lighter and more agile than its predecessors, there is much more of a blurring of the lines between the two bikes in terms of the ride. For the first time ever, the Street Triple left me wanting a bit.
This new 1200RS is so different to other incarnations of the Speed Triple that I would genuinely say is actually incomparable to the 1050; thus, if you have not ridden one you must to be able to make an informed decision on whether the Speed is for you – this is no ‘simple upgrade’. From this month’s test we know it isn’t the unequivocal handful that may be expected in this category for what I believe is referred to as ‘shits and giggles’ – more so a bike for all occasions, though to my detriment, I am yet to ride with any particular anger on track.
So, I said that the bike had been back at Triumph, where I had asked the guys to cover it in glue and ride it through the accessories department. You may recall from a previous column that R&G had fitted frame and fork protectors. These did not survive the overhaul, as a new fly screen was joined by Triumphbranded frame protection and CNC-machined fork protectors.
And yes, I went with branded luggage too, as I always like to do – much to the mirth of my colleagues. But in the end, if I need it to complete the mileage then so be it.
The Triumph-branded tank and tail bags are supplied via GIVI; you know its quality with the tank bag using the tank-lock system, which is brilliant. Just click it on and it’s in place. Further to this, the fitting of a tail pack has gotten a lot easier, too – slide the underside hook into the pillion seat handle and attach to two straps at the rear, which are attached to the bikes frame. Job done.
As it was, on leaving Triumph on my newly adapted steed, the weather was once again against me, with a 300-mile trip ahead in sheet rain which had me wishing I had opted for heated grips, too... but maybe in time. That was a long haul with little to tell you other than it was good preparation for the winter closing in and the need of waterproof boots which collected at least an inch of water. I certainly didn’t get to grips with the new Dunlop TTs fitted that served the chaps so well on the Naked test, but all in good time.
The Speed Triple is fully equipped to get the miles in and I am looking forward to more time in the seat… John stated that the Speed is a “little too refined and a little bit too… British”. Well, this may not be a plus back-to-back with other supernakeds, but it will do me just fine.