Finally, the big boy has arrived. For 2018, the legendary British manufacturer is spinning a new edition of their iconic Speed Triple motorcycle that has had its glory days starting way back with the ’94 Speed Triple T309. The original ‘factory streetfighter’.

Like old wine in a new bottle, the new Speed Triple is a 24-year-old model. It has already been updated half a dozen times with the last one being in 2016. But with the competition spearing ahead, Triumph decided to refresh the Speed Triple with a few of its latest gimmicks and is giving us the sophisticated hooligans, the ‘2018 Speed Triple S & RS’.

Unveiled at the exclusive factory launch yesterday, the new Speed Triple S & RS are the most powerful, smartest and best-handling Speed Triples... ever.

For starters, the engine of the new Speed Triple will run on the same 1050cc capacity but received a healthy number of updates to make it lighter and more frugal. Just like how the new Tigers’ and the Street Triples’ received around 105 new changes under the hood, the Speed Triple also followed suit. The new motor has a more responsive throttle with a higher revving engine that makes a mighty 150 hp (10 hp more than the previous one) and 86.3 lb.ft of peak torque (5 lb.ft more than the previous one).

Triumph has sweated it out to keep things fresh with the new Speed Triples. Take the new Arrow exhaust on the RS for example. This free flow kit gives this hooligan the best-sounding soundtrack ever on a British and looks much more lethal than the ugly bulbous ones on the previous one. The exhaust canisters on the ‘S’ is also a free-flowing exhaust that is sleeker when compared to the 2016 one.

New full-color TFT dash, illuminated switches DRL and LED lights throughout from the Street Triple will make way on both specs. Electronic rider aids will include ride-by-wire, cruise control, switchable ABS, switchable traction control and five different rider modes as standard on both variants.

The ‘RS’ gets special treatments with the addition of the switchable cornering ABS and optimized traction control system supported by a brand new IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), improving both straight line riding and cornering. A ‘Track mode’ and keyless ignition reserves only with the RS. The RS even weighs 7 pounds lighter than the S.

Top-of-the-line components on this new Triples make them the best handling liter-class naked roadsters coming out of the British factory. Mechanically the Triple S is fitted with a fully adjustable Showa USD forks and monoshock whereas the RS receives the Ohlins USD and twin-tube rear monoshock. Premium Brembo M4.34 brake setup and Pirelli Diablo SuperCorsa tires do their bit.

Keeping the character and the looks of the Speed Triple alive, this new edition retains the overall silhouette but gets a fresh new attitude. Said to have been inspired by the ‘nose-down’ focused attitude, the Speed Triple showcases significant styling evolution over its previous generation.

It retains the aggressive bodywork, flyscreen, radiator, cowls, integrated air intake, aluminum bar end mirrors, sleek fuel tank, narrow radiator and slim two-piece seat design with embossed Triumph logo. The RS version further gets carbon-fiber bodywork, matte aluminum rear sub-frames color coded belly pan, pillion seat cowl with interchangeable pillion seat and lower chain guard.

Triumph is one of those who understands and respects the fact that the little finishing touches, detailing and craftsmanship give the bike a panache in its own way. The level of finish across the entire motorcycle is tremendous and comes with many high-quality details, rider heel guards, forged pillion footrests, quality switchgear, red pinstriping and more.

With cutting-edge technology, earth-shattering equipment list, attention to detail and a new sinister powerplant, looks like the Brits have concocted a winner of a hooligan.

Click here for a full-blown image gallery of the Speed Triple

Reference

KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory