Triumph refurbished its Speed Triple family ahead of MY2018, and the British giant carries its new-in-'18 Speed Triple S and Speed Triple RS straight over into the 2020 lineup. These two rides epitomize the “performance naked” subgenre with a stripped-down look. They come with an updated powerplant alongside a robust electronics suite on the base model that gets even better on the “RS” variant. Power, poise and control, the new Speed Triples seem to have it all.

2018 - 2020 Triumph Speed Triple S / RS

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 - 2020 Triumph Speed Triple S / RS
  • Engine/Motor: inline-3
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Triumph Speed Triple S / Speed Triple RS Design

- Color 5-inch TFT display - Up to five ride modes - Illuminated switchcubes and five-way joystick - Cruise Control

The Speed Triple family was on the receiving end of a makeover that included the addition of ten-spoke cast wheels shot in high-gloss black on both rides, but the “RS” adds to the picture with a sharp-lookin' red stripe on the rim. On the “S” there's a larger-bore, dual-muffler exhaust system with aluminum heat shields that make a small contribution of their own to the aesthetics. A new color palette and decal selection wraps up the finishes to make this pair unique to their respective model-years.

The instrumentation falls solely to the five-inch, color TFT display, and this year-model sees the addition of backlit switchcubes to make it easier to navigate the various systems, even in inclement weather or after the sun goes down.

Dual headlights lead the way and dominate the front end with just a scant little flyscreen to protect the instrumentation, and on the “RS”, the headlights come loaded with DRLs as well. Both rides come with bar-end mirrors, and you can go ahead and pencil me in as a fan 'cause they clean up the control area quite nicely, and I think most bikes would benefit from a pair, mine included. The bar and risers provide some lift, but they're just about two inches away from where a set of clip-ons would ride and allow for a fairly comfortable upright riding position that'll serve you well as you tool around town.

A 4.1-gallon fuel tank dominates the flyline with a generous flare up top and a narrow section in back where it meets the saddle to form a set of pockets for your knees. Not only does this pull your stems in and out of the slipstream, but it leaves you room for some proper body English if you like to toss it around in the corners.

The pillion pad is of the “I'd rather not” variety, and if you want that solo look you can always put on the p-pad cover for a racebike finish. Unfortunately, the rear blinkers and tag come on the subframe-mount mudguard, and as usual, I will advocate for a nice hugger from the aftermarket instead 'cause it's a shame to clutter up the rear end of a bike that's so clean and essential.

Triumph Speed Triple S / Speed Triple RS Chassis

- Sharper and more agile handling - More responsive throttle - Cornering ABS - Traction control

Aluminum beams make up the twin-spar frame on the Speed Triples, and that lightweight alloy continues into the single-sided swingarm, as well, to keep the overall weight down at 423 pounds, dry. The steering head is set for a remarkably steep rake at 22.9 degrees from the vertical with a short, 3.59 inches of trail, and that turns in some decidedly agile handling and flickability at the end of the day.

A pair of 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels round out the rolling chassis with a Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa 120/70 up front opposite a fat 190/55. The 43 mm forks push the front wheel out to put the contact-patch centers at 56.89 inches apart with 4.72 inches of travel at the front axle and 5.12 inches at the rear. On the “S”, it's Showa, and for the “RS”, it's Öhlins, though both ends come with the full trinity of adjustments so you can dial right in for your personal preference.

As for the brakes, dual four-piston Brembo calipers bite the 320 mm discs to slow the front wheel opposite a 255 mm disc and twin-pot anchor with switchable ABS all around. After all, what good is it to have plenty of brakeage if you can't safely use it all?

Frame:

Aluminum beam twin-spar

Swingarm:

Single-sided, aluminum alloy with eccentric chain adjuster

Front Suspension:

└ Speed Triple S:

Showa 43 mm upside down forks with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping, 4.72 in (120 mm) travel

└ Speed Triple RS:

Öhlins 43 mm NIX30 upside down forks with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping, 4.72 in (120 mm) travel

Rear Suspension:

└ Speed Triple S:

Showa monoshock with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping, 5.12 in (130 mm) rear wheel travel

└ Speed Triple RS:

Öhlins TTX36 twin tube monoshock with preload, rebound and compression damping, 5.12 in (130 mm) rear wheel travel

Rake:

22.9 º

Trail:

3.59 in (91.3 mm)

Front Wheel:

Cast aluminum alloy multi-spoke 17 in x 3.5 in

Rear Wheel:

Cast aluminum alloy multi-spoke 17 in x 6.0 in

Front Tire:

120/70 ZR17

Rear Tire:

190/55 ZR17

Front Brakes:

Dual 320 mm floating discs, Brembo 4-piston Monobloc radial calipers Switchable ABS

Rear Brakes:

255 mm disc, 2-piston sliding caliper Switchable ABS


Triumph Speed Triple S / Speed Triple RS Drivetrain

- Major engine update delivering ten more peak horsepower - 86 lb-ft @ 7,150 rpm - All new shift assist - Improved, six-speed transmission

The electronics suite differs between Speed Triple S and RS, so let's start with the crunchy bits first. Power comes from a transverse-mount, inline triple that rocks a 79 mm bore and 71.4 mm stroke for a total displacement of 1,050 cc. That puts compression near the top of the range at 12.92-to-1, so you can disabuse yourself of the notion that you'll be feeding this beast anything less than the best pump gas you can find.

Dual over-head cams time the 12-valve head, and a water jacket around the engine draws off waste heat and keeps the bulk of the mechanical noises where they belong; in the cases. Power is consistent across the board and boosted for this year with 148 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 86 pound-feet of torque that tops out at 7,150 rpm. A slipper clutch couples engine power to the improved, six-speed transmission and provides another layer of safety by preventing loss of traction due to excessive backtorque.

Now for some electronical wizardry. Traction control joins the ABS in the “switchable” category on both models, though the base model rocks a vanilla system while the “RS” comes with a top-shelf Continental inertial measurement unit to give the top model a lean-sensitive version of these two systems. The “S” comes with four Riding Modes including one user-programmable profile, and the “RS” alone adds a fifth profile with its “Track” mode to finish off the fandanglery.

Engine:

Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, inline 3-cylinder

Displacement:

1,050 cc

Bore x Stroke:

3.11 in (79 mm) x 2.81 in (71.4 mm)

Compression:

12.92:1

Max Power EC:

148 hp (110 kW) @ 10,500 rpm

Max Torque EC:

86 lb-ft @ 7,150 rpm

Fuel System:

Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI

Exhaust:

Stainless Steel 3 into 1 into 2 high level stainless steel mufflers

Final Drive:

X ring chain

Clutch:

Wet, multi-plate slip-assist clutch

Gearbox:

6-speed


Triumph Speed Triple S / Speed Triple RS Pricing

The price range starts with the Jet Black Speed Triple S on the low end for $14,350 and goes up to $14,600 for Crystal White. The RS rolls for $16,500.

Instrument Display and Functions:

Full-color 5-inch TFT instruments

Colors:

└ Speed Triple S:

Jet Black, Crystal White

└ Speed Triple RS:

Matt Jet Black, Crystal White

Price:

└ Speed Triple S:

Jet Black: $14,350, Color: $14,600

└ Speed Triple RS:

$16,500


Triumph Speed Triple S / Speed Triple RS Competitors

When I started this, I figured on finding a Japanese bike that could stand toe-to-toe with Triumph's base model. I was starting to despair when I remembered Yamaha's MT-10 and badda-bing, I was in business.

Yamaha MT-10

Yammy brings an angular look to the table with a Transformer-looking headlight and flyscreen unit that fits right in with the tank scoops and other edgy-looking body parts. All-in-all, the MT-10 looks the part, but let's be honest; once we get to this level, performance and gadgetry takes precedence over something as silly as visual vanity. To that end, Yamaha supports the MT-10 on KYB components all around, and since both ends come with the trifecta of adjustments, neither bike gains anything here. Both come with ABS, but it looks like Yamaha's is of the non-switchable variety, so touché to Trumpet.

Yamaha almost matches Triumph in the electronics department with a D-Mode feature (rider modes) that delivers three preset power-delivery profiles. Traction control makes for another similarity, and in a move that's sure to endear the Yammy to the fiery-eyed pegdraggers out there, the MT-10 carries a Quick-Shift System that allows for clutchless shifting up the range. None of the above are of the lean-sensitive variety, but neither is the base Speed Triple S, so it's pretty even-Steven across the board.

Yamaha powers its entry with an inline-four engine, so naturally there's the trade off between power and grunt. The MT-10 claims 160.4 ponies and 81.8 pounds o' grunt against 148/86, so yeah, take your pick cause it's six of one, half-dozen of the other.

Read our full review of the Yamaha MT-10.

He Said

“Nakeds are probably my least-favorite bike, if I'm honest, so perhaps I'm not the best judge of the looks. Having said that, the Speed Triples carry themselves in a business-like fashion that leaves these bikes as leans as snakes with nothing of fat to be found, but plenty of muscle.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “Just an observation, the seating position is very much like the Street Triple. Triumph counts over 100 changes to the engine and gearbox, and the same to the chassis with this latest update. Add all that up and the bike certainly feels a lot lighter, more powerful, and more agile than the previous gen.”

Triumph Speed Triple S / Speed Triple RS Specifications

Engine & Drivetrain:

Engine:

Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, inline 3-cylinder

Displacement:

1,050 cc

Bore x Stroke:

3.11 in (79 mm) x 2.81 in (71.4 mm)

Compression:

12.92:1

Max Power EC:

148 hp (110 kW) @ 10,500 rpm

Max Torque EC:

86 lb-ft @ 7,150 rpm

System:

Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI

Exhaust:

Stainless Steel 3 into 1 into 2 high level stainless steel mufflers

Final Drive:

X ring chain

Clutch:

Wet, multi-plate slip-assist clutch

Gearbox:

6-speed

Chassis:

Frame:

Aluminum beam twin-spar

Swingarm:

Single-sided, aluminum alloy with eccentric chain adjuster

Front Suspension:

└ Speed Triple S:

Showa 43 mm upside down forks with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping, 4.72 in (120 mm) travel

└ Speed Triple RS:

Ohlins 43 mm NIX30 upside down forks with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping, 120 mm travel

Rear Suspension:

└ Speed Triple S:

Showa monoshock with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping, 5.12 in (130 mm) rear wheel travel

└ Speed Triple RS:

Öhlins TTX36 twin tube monoshock with preload, rebound and compression damping, 130 mm rear wheel travel

Rake:

22.9 º

Trail:

3.59 in (91.3 mm)

Front Wheel:

Cast aluminum alloy multi-spoke 17 in x 3.5 in

Rear Wheel:

Cast aluminum alloy multi-spoke 17 in x 6.0 in

Front Tire:

120/70 ZR17

Rear Tire:

190/55 ZR17

Front Brakes:

Dual 320 mm floating discs, Brembo 4-piston Monobloc radial calipers Switchable ABS

Rear Brakes:

255 mm disc, 2-piston sliding caliper Switchable ABS

Dimensions & Capacities:

Width Handlebars:

30.51 in (775 mm)

Height Without Mirror:

42.13 in (1,070 mm)

Seat Height:

32.48 in (825 mm)

Wheelbase:

56.89 in (1,445 mm)

Dry Weight:

S: 423 lbs (192 Kg), RS: 416 lbs (189 kg)

Tank Capacity:

4.1 US gallons (15.5 L)

Fuel Consumption:

45.2 mpg (5.2 L/100km)

Details:

Instrument Display and Functions:

Full-color 5-inch TFT instruments

Colors:

└ Speed Triple S:

Jet Black, Crystal White

└ Speed Triple RS:

Matt Jet Black, Crystal White

Price:

└ Speed Triple S:

Jet Black: $14,350, Color: $14,600

└ Speed Triple RS:

$16,500


Further Reading

Triumph Motorcycles

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