Reader test: Triumph Speed Triple
2009-11-10 09:29
Author: Egor Oussov, Johannesburg
I purchased my Triumph Speed Triple a few months ago, and since then I never looked back. It introduced me to the world of biking.
I had my heart set on a superbike, especially a Triumph Daytona 675, but after I tried the sitting position for the rider and then almost sat on the log of wood at passenger’s position, I decided to find something with a tiny bit of compromise on the comfort. I therefore decided to purchased my Speed Triple.
Fuel consumption is very good, sitting on average at 5.6 l/100km over the last 2 500 km.
Performance is incredible. It easily keeps up with Suzuki GSXR 750 and cars shouldn’t even try the traffic light to traffic light-race, unless we will start Le Mans-style.
Britain's finest
About the engine; it’s a three-cylinder 1055cc gem. Standard power sits on 97 kW and my bike should be around 105 kW with a few updates. Torque is 105 Nm picking up from above 2 500 - 3 000 r/min, so basically no matter what gear you are on, the bike is always on the roll.
The engine sound is a fine-tuned British melody with a bass-heavy rumble through the aftermarket Two Brothers exhaust that is slightly loud for observers, but so good if you are a petrolhead.
The beauty of the Naked Sport bike is firstly that it’s more comfortable in traffic with better visibility and maneuverability. When it comes to breakfast runs, any biker associates with you - from Harley to off-road and Super Sport riders - so you can mix with different crowds and
meet new people.
Award winner
Lastly, why Triumph? There are beautiful Honda CBs, Kawasaki Z, Yamaha, Suzuki and Buells, but this shape is almost unchanged since 2005 with a stunning, powerful engine, so you don’t have to change the model every year like with many Japanese bikes.
Secondly, it’s very exclusive and I’ve being complimented on the bike everywhere by riders and non-riders.
Thirdly, due to the Pound value dropping against the South African Rand, the pricing is brilliant.
Fourthly, it’s compact with the only drawback that you must break your head to come up with various luggage options and bike modifications to get some storage space.
Finally, this bike was rated the best Naked bike for a few years in a row by various motorbike publications. The facts speak from themselves…
My bike brings so many brilliant experiences to my life. My working week now flows faster so that I can ride my Triumph Speed Triple again and again.
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