Speedier Speed Triple

Overhauled Triumph Speed Triple gets new engine, frame, suspension, wheels… everything basically

Triumph’s next Speed Triple will be a significant step forward if this spy shot is anything to go by. The new bike – expected next year – has all new engine cases, frame, exhaust, rear suspension, wheels, dash and lights.

The new engine cases suggest there’s been serious fettling beneath – we’re guessing there’s a 100cc capacity increase to help counteract losses due to Euro5 emission compliance, plus the latest advances from the 765cc Street Triple RS. The current Speed Triple’s 140bhp feels more than enough on the road, but Triumph will no doubt want to edge closer to rivals’ power outputs – the KTM Super Duke R makes 177bhp, for example.

The layout of the engine is different to the current bike’s too, with a smaller clutch lifted higher behind the cylinders, allowing the gearbox to squeeze in below – just like the 765’s does. This means the bottom of the frame can be further forward – you can see on the spy shot that the section holding the footrest hanger actually angles forward (on the current bike it’s vertical). This means the new bike’s swingarm can be longer, presumably to reduce its wheelie-tastic tendencies.

The current bike’s exhaust exits under the tail, but it’s moved downstairs on the new one, with all the catalytic malarkey hidden under the engine and just a small end can poking out. One interesting upshot of this is that Triumph appear to have dropped the rising rate rear suspension linkage altogether – perhaps because the new catalyser got in the way.

Instead, the rear shock connects directly from the single sided swingarm to the back of the frame. This sounds crude, but KTM have managed quite nicely using the system on most of their bikes, though curiously, they’ve returned to a rising rate linkage for their latest Speed Triple rival, the Super Duke R.

‘All new frame, exhaust, wheels, dash, lights…’