Triumphrat

Tbirdnz

2011 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 Review

An original hooligan gets sharpened
By Troy Siahaan, Apr. 06, 2011, Photography by Nelson and Riles





When it comes to motorcycling, no two words are more synonymous with hooligan-like behavior than “Speed” followed by “Triple.” For almost two decades, Triumph’s raw, naked and all-together spritely Speed Triple has redefined the boundaries between standard and sport-type motorcycles. Its three-cylinder engine is seemingly the best combination of torque and horsepower — especially for a street-oriented machine — and it doesn’t hurt that it’s filled to the brim with character.

What has set the Speed Triple apart all these years is its styling — or rather, lack thereof. Its naked stance has been the major draw to this bike since day one, and since a naked bike doesn’t have many distinguishable features by nature, the Speed Triple stood out because of one instantly recognizable trait: its round headlights.
Well, those lights are gone now, replaced by more angular units. But the lights are just a small part of an overall whole that’s radically different, yet still largely based on the same basic motorcycle. Allow us to explain.

More

rogue_e5

Ok fine. You twisted my arm. I guess i will let you buy me one

__________________
Tonrunners.....UNITE!!!!!

swan1114

Bring back the old headlights, then it would be perfect

Kahless

thats part of it. but when i went to the demo to ride this month after riding the last gen in november i didnt like this one nearly as much. the lights and seating position bothered me. my legs didnt fit around the tank nearly as well. last years fit me perfectly and i loved it.

Boogaloo Dan

For Goodness Sake! Criticise the headlights, fair enough (buy one at certain UK dealers and they'll fit round headlights at no extra cost, if it bothers you that much), but anyone who rides the new Speedie and says it is in any way inferior to the older models doesn't know what the @#!%£ they're on about. The new Speedie goes better, stops better and handles better. What else is there?!

thekurgan111

Agreed, I'm not crazy about the new headlights...I think triumph took too much away from the "rugged but classy" st look. I guess it would still look okay after replacing those lights.

__________________
My hypocrisy has no bounds.

-Doc Holliday

mikeswe

The new lights look good together with the flyscreen.

__________________
*************************
Speed Triple SE 2010 red/white *SOLD* :-(

framebinder

All I know is that this bike would get me in a world of trouble with the law.
I kinda like the new lights, but miss the old ones.

__________________
Framebinder
coastal Maine
2012 800XC

jamboa2003

Some people will always cut down the new bike on the block simply because they can't cough up the bread to buy the new Huckleberry!

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
04 Bonnie 904cc Assembled In England, 08 B King,10 650 Versys
Triumphs Gone With the Wind=95 T-Bird,98 1200 Trophy,05 Tiger 955I,05 2300 Rocket,06 Scrambler Assembled in England,06 1050 Speed Triple,06 1050 Sprint,07 1050 Tiger

Johnny_Strabler

It's a cool bike I guess, if you ride in outer space.

__________________
"220...221... whatever it takes."