2018 Triumph Speed Triple S and RS—The streetfighter motorcycle would arguably not be here had it not been for Triumph and the original Speed Triple in 1994.
The British brand hit the nail on the head with what was essentially a stripped back Daytona 900 (it eve had clip-on bars), but that was over 20 years ago. Now the category is filled with superbikes without fairings—such as the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, Aprilia Tuono 1100 and BMW S 1000 R—and Triumph was left fighting with one hand tied behind its back.
But for this year, the Hinckley boys and girls have given the Speed Triple a new lease of life by creating two versions of the machine in the S and high-spec RS. Both machines share the same 1050cc three-cylinder motor that’s fitted with 105 new parts and pumps out a claimed 148hp—a seven percent increase—from the crank and 86lb-ft of torque with five individual riding mode options.
The new motor is claimed to be faster revving with a 1000rpm higher rev ceiling than the 2017 model, with the RS getting Arrow silencers as standards fitment. The RS also gets 43mm Ohlins forks and an Ohlins shock, with the S, will get Showa versions while both machines enjoy Brembo Monobloc front brake calipers as standard. The RS is claimed to be the lightest Speed Triple of all time, with 7lb saved compared to the 2017 machine.
The 2018 Speed Triple will get all new electronics with a Continental Inertial Measurement Unit fitted, which mitigates the new Cornering ABS and traction control as standard, while the RS also gets the Triumph Shift Assist (quickshifter) fitted.
Both machines will get Daytime Running Lights, cruise control and a USB charging port as standard.
Like the outstanding Street Triple 765 of 2017, the new Speed Triple will be graced with the excellent 5-inch TFT display dash that allows three different layouts for the S and an extra three for the RS, all with a daytime and nighttime mode.
We will be testing the new Triumph Speed Triple in the coming weeks and will report back to you guys on our findings.
