Triumph’s Speed Triple has been a somewhat unlikely success story. The first Speed Triple born escaped from the Hinckley womb in 1994 and despite a somewhat strange riding position and truck like steering, the model immediately started to build quite a niche in the market. A few years later the T509 based Speed Triple arrived with much more go, stop and vastly improved handling.

For 2005 Triumph is really getting serious about the Speed Triple. The previous model used a 955cc triple-cylinder engine and while the 2005 machine will use the same layout it now benefits from a boost in capacity out to a healthy 1050cc. This has been a major rework of the big raspy triple with more power and torque from idle through to redline. Triumph claim just under 100kw from the improved donk, or 128 horsepower in the old scale, which arrives at 9100rpm. The torque figures are also quite impressive with a strong 105Nm of thrust available at 5100rpm.

I have found previous Triumphs quite rough and ready in the way the engine and gearbox goes about its business but Triumph claim that their engineers have focussed on drivability and power delivery for the new model. If Triumph can effectively dial their sequential fuel injection system in correctly then this engine should be able to rival Yamaha’s awesome FZ-1 powerplant on equal terms which will be quite a feat as the R1 sourced engine in the FZ-1 is a beauty which at the moment comprehensively outdoes every other nakedbike in the marketplace.

Swapping cogs is achieved via a new six-speed gearbox. A new slipper clutch has been employed which allows the clutch to slip slightly when banging down the gears on deceleration to avoid any unwanted compression lockups which can affect stability and handling.

On the subject of handling, Triumph have gone to great lengths to endow the new Speed Triple with some serious chassis hardware. A strong aluminium frame supplies the backbone from which a set of fully adjustable 45mm upside-down forks suspend from. At the bottom of that impressive pair of legs are not feet but a pair of radially mounted four-piston calipers. These serious stoppers clamp on a pair of 320mm floating discs which bolt to a five-spoke rim.

Designers have gone even more naked for 2005 with a drastically short tail section. One can imagine a very wet backside and rear legs from the road spray generated by the fat 180/55 rear hoop if riding on wet roads. The stark bug-eyed front end is something I haven’t been able to come to terms with but there are plenty out there who find it quite attractive. The lack of wind protection can be an effective speed control mechanism but the mono capabilities of the machine are perhaps the most danger to your licence.

The 2005 Speed Triple may just win over quite a few more converts to the British brand while I expect many current or previous Speed Triple owners to already be perhaps buttering up their partner in preparation for an upgrade when the new model arrives. How many new kitchens will have to be put on hold to finance a new Speed Triple? I am betting more than a few.

Triumph Speed Triple - 2005 - Specifications

• Engine - Type Liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder

• Capacity - 1050cc

• Bore x Stroke - 79 x 71.4mm

• Compression Ratio - 12.0:1

• Induction - Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection

• Ignition - Digital electronic engine management system

• Clutch - Wet, multi-plate

• Gearbox - 6-speed

• Frame - Tubular, fabricated aluminium alloy perimeter

• Swingarm - Single-sided, aluminium alloy with eccentric chain adjuster

• Wheels - Alloy 5-spoke, 17 x 3.5in (F), Alloy 5-spoke, 17 x 5.5in (R)

• Tyres - 120/70 ZR 17 (F), 180/55 ZR 17 (R)

• Front Suspension - 45mm USD forks with dual rate springs and adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping

• Rear Suspension - Monoshock with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping

• Front Brakes - Front Twin 320mm floating discs, 4 piston radial calipers

• Rear Brake - Single 220mm disc, 2 piston caliper

• Length - 2115mm

• Width (Handlebars) - 780mm

• Height - 1250mm

• Seat Height - 815mm

• Wheelbase - 1429mm

• Rake/Trail - 23.5º/84mm

• Weight (Dry) - 189kg

• Fuel Tank - 18 litres

• Claimed Maximum Power - 128hp @ 9,100rpm

• Claimed Maximum Torque - 105Nm @ 5,100rpm