Featured Who Needs More Than 140bhp ? (or My Test Ride On A Speed R)

Just took a Speed Triple R for a test ride from Triumph Glasgow. No worries the America ain't going anywhere, need that to tour and take the missus out for a bimble.

I was immediately impressed at how solid the STR was. It felt like it had been from a solid lump of alloy and some ruber bits stuck on! I actually felt like I fitted on it (unlike the street), although I was surprised at how bent my legs were when I had my toes on the pegs (always ride like that). All the controls felt in the right place and only thing that didn't work brilliantly was the bar end mirrors, but then, other than the mirrors on the America, I have always spent my time mostly looking at my elbows. The were also a little vibey when on the over-run.

Nice to have a gear position indicator and could see what (achieved too easily) speed I was doing. Didn't really use the tacho much as the bike only had 177 miles on it and was asked not to rev too hard. But too be honest I really didn't feel the need to or want to take it anywhere near the redline. I also didn't mess with the map options, as was only on the road and it was dry and sunny (yes, 24' in Glasgow!!!).

Riding away from the dealer I also was impressed by that belter of an engine, sound nice with the Arrows lowboy can and pulled effortlessly up the slip road and onto the M8 to go look for some twisty bits, up past Paisley. As the title says - Do you really need more than 140 horses? I was soon up to and above motorway limit with zero effort and just riding the torque from that beast of a triple. On the twisties where most fun is to be had, I really didn't need any more, as I was crackin along at a good old pace and any traffic was despatched at a flick of the wrist.

Managed to find some twisty bits, stuck in 3rd and just had a ball! Just using all that availble torque was just so nice. My 750 Gixxer had close to this many horses, but you had to give it more of a handful and get that needle pinging around the Tacho. The 1050 was just a beast, so much easier to chuck about, sat upright with a good view of the road. Front forks needed a bit of adjustment, they were a bit slow on the rebound and felt a bit 'dead' at times, maybe due to the heavy load they were carrying !!!!

Steering felt a bit too light to start with, but that was me I think and I didn't feel it towards the end of the ride as much, but compared to my current bike, it will feel 'odd'.

Never have I adapted to a bike so quickly, everything just felt intuative and everything working so well. When I did go up and down the box, even with under 200 miles on it, it just snicked in sweetly. GSXR's are supposed to have the nicest boxes, but I have to say I thought this better!!!





Unfortunately, at just shy of £13k, I couldn't put a deposit down today. I wish, I could have as I don't think I would be disappointed. Think maybe the plan to get an older 1050 for next year has just taken a big step forward tho' !!!!

 

I thought the STR was a good all round bike but not an outright hooligan like the Tuono (twin) and not the the torque of my MT01 (around half) which I missed badly so she got sold

 

There should be plenty 16 plate STR's for sale next year as they will be coming up to 2 years old and many owners will be trading up My STR is a year and a bit old now and i will be keeping it for a while yet, certainly the Ohlins suspension and its adjust ability along with the Supercorsa tyres play a huge part in the bikes wonderful handling so i would recommend that you start saving now

 

Glad you enjoyed it
Had my 2011 Speedy since, err.......2011 Absolutely love it, used it for every thing from Sunday afternoon rides to riding to the south of France which I'll be doing again in a week or so. Never part with it etc etc until I rode the 2017 1050R......bugger, thanks Triumph yer bastards. I too am saving, hoping to trade in around Christmas. However, I hear whispers of a face lift model for 2018 with the 765's TFT screen......Maybe I'll keep saving

 

It is a brilliant bike. I thoroughly enjoy mine. As you mentioned, effortlessly and smooth ! Tony's got me curious now.... is the 17 that much better ? It sure is pretty

 

Couldn't have put it better.
Playing around with tyre pressures also improves ride quality.
If looking for something a little cheaper may be try a late '15 (pre engine modes), box is just as slick and chassis components the same. Engine character slightly different (better IMO - with a bit more character) and advantage of being self maintainable.

 

I still miss my Speed, maybe one day I'll have one as a second bike

 

1st bike, the tractor would atumatically be demoted to 2nd place!!!!

 

It is an improvement, but evolution not revolution. Motor and gear shift are both smoother, slicker. Its much more responsive, esp in sport mode. Track mode is more for brain out days (I liked it). Build quality is big improvement. Overall, lots of small changes adding up to quite sn improvement

 

It's a fantastic looking do anything bike for sure. From just knowing it's there in the shed to taking it for a touring trip. I love mine, it's paid for and I'm keeping it. Boom ❤️

 

I love my speed triple as well, had the same feeling as you did when you test rode it... Came to the dealer to look at buying an MT-10 ended up test riding the speed and fell in love instantly!
Spent 3/4 of the rest ride trying to work out in my head where I could pull the funds for the bike ... needless to say I'm so pleased with my purchase. Spent the whole morning doing chain maintenance and cleaning the bike

 

Very nice looking Van S ! I did my share of chain maintenance the other day and hours cleaning. Haven't been out since, planning an early morning ride for tomorrow whoo ha yes !!!

 

Love my 16 Speedy, narrower than the 4 cylinder bikes, lighter and the sound is music to my ears. Torque monster and even better than my former Ducati....it pulls!! A keeper for sure. I am unaware of any changes made on the 17 model and the dealer could not elaborate. Anyone have any facts about changes between 16 and 17 models, please?

 

Don't think there are any
T

 

Now that's a cracker
T

 

Nice one MrOrange

I can't wait to get a Speed Triple R. When I had the 2011 std model.....I loved everything about it.

 

Love my 05 speedy god knows what a 17 plate is like as mine handles like it's on rails as good if not better than the sports bikes I've had,

 

^^
I ride a 2003 R1 5PW now. And I can tell you I felt more confident and rode faster in a safe manner on the speed triple. If all my plans works out then I will be on a speed triple R in a flash

 

where did you get 140hp from seem more like 110 to 120 from the dyno charts i have seen

 

Ohhh, now that very much depends on where, with what equipment and under what conditions you take your measurement

T

 

And a nice long runway to go with; -)

 

I have the new Speed triple R . In the past I have had a Honda VFR 800 non vetec , a Cbr1000rr ,a 2009 speed triple ,a 2015 Street triple and now the new speed triple R . The speed triple ahs good usable torque that reches is peak at a very usable 7500 rpm . It leaves the BMW S1000R standing because the BMW peaks highr , which would be good for a Moto GP track but not on normal roads or a short track like Donnington or Oulton Park. The ohlins make it the best behaved bike I have ever rode and I can ride it faster than the fireblade in the twisties . The only improvement they could make is the new auto adjustable Ohlins and a quickshifter and maybe a less acutly angled fly screen ,