MCN and S3 '05

Does anyone have the MCN issue that had a small insert with someone claiming to have ridden the '05 Speed Triple?????? :???: If you do, please, PLEASE, scan it and upload a high res image so that I can read it!!!!!! I have ordered the bike but I haven't read anything anywhere. And here in Crete it going to be a while before I can get my hands on that MCN, if I can find it!!!!!!!!
Thanx in advance!

[georamage]

cant remember any article about the new bike being ridden.you might be able to find it through there website
motorcyclenews.com.
george r

[OMEGA]

Just read 2 UK mags that had ride impressions from the superduke launch, one was "bike" the other was "TWO", both said it was mental as hell.
Still no sign of a production S3 anywhere, anyplace, and here it is what, mid january???????2005???????? :evil:

It wasn't an actual test of the bike. More of a presentation and it had a small insert on the bottom left of the page titled I've ridden it!!! The issue should be about 1 month old. I've seen it on their site but could not read it!
Please anyone!!!!

I can't understand why when the bike is announced and they announce a release date which by all accounts is early 2005 guys start jumping up and down asking why there are no tests etc. When production bikes start rolling off the lines, which I believe they are now, I expect we will see the reviews starting to appear. Be patient

On 2005-01-10 20:17, OMEGA wrote:
Just read 2 UK mags that had ride impressions from the superduke launch, one was "bike" the other was "TWO", both said it was mental as hell.
Still no sign of a production S3 anywhere, anyplace, and here it is what, mid january???????2005???????? :evil:

This is what I was talking about!!!!

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/jpeg/140/1636600.jpeg

Unfortunately, I cannot read the small insert to the left!!!

The article in MCN discussed the new bikes and also carried comments from Bruno Tagliaferri, Triumph Marketing Manager (or Head of Sales - not sure which). The "I’ve ridden it" insert was simply him giving the standard 'tow the company line' ‘I've had a go’ on it riding impressions in which he said it was easier to ride, was faster, better handling etc etc - his isn't going to saying anything bad about…...but I wouldn't, and didn't, read anything into it, so you've not missed anything significant. There is a small comment in the 'Great Britain’ supplement in this months Bike magazine which says something along the lines of it's got loads more power and that there are pre-launch testing rumours of 'extended fifth gear mingers' - which for the none Brits among us means wheelies, so it's obviously got a bit of poke.

Hope this clears it up............if I find anything else I’ll post asap.

Thanks for the info!!!!!
You really made my day!!!!!!! Extended fifth gear wheelies you say??? Oh my!!!!
I think I have bought a rather interesting bike!!!! :-D
Please keep us posted on publications because here at the far end of Europe news travel soooo slow!!!

No probs and will do. Apologies though, as my Grammar was shocking in that last post, i'll try harder (or at least I'll read it through first) before posting next time.

[Sir_Loin]

The most I've seen so far is this cut & paste from the Triumph Marketing guys:


"The main changes are:

Long-stroke 1050cc motor from the new Sprint ST, tuned for 128bhp

78ftlb of torque – more than a Yamaha R1

Upside-down forks

Superbike-style radial front brake calipers

Radical styling, including ultra-short seat unit and new fuel tank

Stylish new instrument panel

New single-sided swingarm

Lightweight five-spoke wheels

Twin high-level exhausts

Triumph’s product manager Ross Clifford said: “The Speed Triple is one of our strongest-selling models. It’s an iconic bike, and we want to build on that.

“We wanted a masculine, aggressive look, giving more from the engine and the styling.

“We wanted to combine the masculinity of the ’94 bike, with iconic styling, such as the frame and twin lights from the second generation. And we wanted to make it a really strong riders’ bike.”

Styling: The 2005 Speed Triple has a pure streetfighter look – reflecting the sort of aftermarket changes many owners would make. Triumph has saved them the bother...

Clifford said: “For the styling we looked to some of the specials that have been based on the Speed Triple. We wanted that feel for the production bike, with minimal bodywork and a powerful engine, plus top-spec chassis components. The bike’s minimalist bodywork accentuates the feeling of riding a small bike with a powerful engine.”

Engine: The new bike gets a reworked version of the new1050cc Sprint ST motor, with 128bhp and a huge 78ftlb of torque. But that’s not the whole story.

Clifford said: “The new engine is just phenomenal. There’s 25 per cent more torque at 3500rpm than the old one, and at 3400rpm it makes the same as the old Speed Triple did at 6000rpm. It also gets the same refinements as the new Sprint ST, with a shorter-action throttle and a backlash gear on the clutch to reduce vibrations.

“The new exhaust with two really short cans gives a much deeper tone than the current bike.”

Chassis: While the frame is the same as the current Speed Triple, the suspension and brakes are a step forward.

Clifford said: “We’ve really specced-up the chassis. The Showa forks are fully adjustable, and we did a lot of work on the Nissin radial calipers before we were satisfied with them – we didn’t originally feel they were as good as our current set-up, which is already very strong.

“There’s a 180-section rear tyre instead of a 190, which improves the steering, and new five-spoke wheels, which work really well with the styling of the Speed Triple.”

Instruments: From the rider’s seat the Speed Triple still looks great thanks to completely new clocks.

Clifford said: “The new instruments are very high spec. The digital display offers all the functions you need, like average and maximum speeds, journey time, a clock... and there are programmable gearshift lights, which can be set by the rider.”



I've had my deposit down for 2 months now, and although I'd love to see a test soon, I'm still banking on good things from this bike.
I foresee nice quick steering, 1 finger front brakes, and with that type of torque signature 1st & 2nd throttle mingers easy and 3rd with a wee bump and a good twist. No clutch needed.