Should I buy a 2016 Speed Triple R?
Discussion
Currently riding a 5 month old Ducati Diavel dark stealth, in some ways the best bike I've had, in some ways the worst.
Main bad point is the appallingly stiff suspension, especially the front, can't dial it out sadly. Still love the noise, power and general attitude of it. Tiring of the twin vibrations too now
So I took a 2016 speed triple r out for a demo ride today and loved it. It's noticeably better than the previous one, handling is superb and it's soooo smooth
I've had a 955 and a 2008 1050 before and loved those
Other options;
S1000R - not ridden one but tried an xr and appreciated the brilliance but it bored me a bit, lacked something
Tuono 1100 - not ridden but tried a 1000 last year and it's a great bike, but worried about reliability/support?
MT10 - not usually a jap bike fan, but quite like the sound of these
Oh what to do............I think I'm a speed triple man but the internet says it's not the best bike.................
Main bad point is the appallingly stiff suspension, especially the front, can't dial it out sadly. Still love the noise, power and general attitude of it. Tiring of the twin vibrations too now
So I took a 2016 speed triple r out for a demo ride today and loved it. It's noticeably better than the previous one, handling is superb and it's soooo smooth
I've had a 955 and a 2008 1050 before and loved those
Other options;
S1000R - not ridden one but tried an xr and appreciated the brilliance but it bored me a bit, lacked something
Tuono 1100 - not ridden but tried a 1000 last year and it's a great bike, but worried about reliability/support?
MT10 - not usually a jap bike fan, but quite like the sound of these
Oh what to do............I think I'm a speed triple man but the internet says it's not the best bike.................
k what the internet says?
You're obviously no stranger to a big, grunty triple. If you know what you like, stick with it! I've often read journalists who've ridden all the super nakeds saying of the Speed Triple: "it's no longer competitive with the 180bhp naked monsters but it is in the absolute sweet spot for road riding fun". Put it this way, the revised 1050 triple in the Speed now makes more power than the 955i Daytona did at the end of it's run!
The only caveat I would add would be to try the Street Triple too because the ability of the chassis is intoxicating. I've read that the Speed Triple can't loses some of the delicacy of the Street but I've not yet tried the current Speed Triple.
The only caveat I would add would be to try the Street Triple too because the ability of the chassis is intoxicating. I've read that the Speed Triple can't loses some of the delicacy of the Street but I've not yet tried the current Speed Triple.
Buy whatever you like - all of those bikes are fast and more capable than you can really use on the road 
I was after a big naked bike a couple of years back and had long weekend test rides over a year or so, did a few hundred miles on:
Diavel
S1000R
Tuono
Superduke 1290R
Speed Triple
Ended up buying on impulse and doing a deal on a bike I could only get a short dealer test ride on; - MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR. Got a nice deal, discount, interest free and all that, it looks great and goes as well as any of the others for my road use.
So ignore logic, magazine reviews which often have outside influences and buy what you like the most. There is not a "bad" bike among them
...since then MV went out of production, thankfully dont need parts as hard to get at the mo ...but no different to when I had a poor experience with Aprilia in the early 90s ....at least there are still some dependable MV dealers left and they will back any time soon.....the bike still goes the same regardless
I was after a big naked bike a couple of years back and had long weekend test rides over a year or so, did a few hundred miles on:
Diavel
S1000R
Tuono
Superduke 1290R
Speed Triple
Ended up buying on impulse and doing a deal on a bike I could only get a short dealer test ride on; - MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR. Got a nice deal, discount, interest free and all that, it looks great and goes as well as any of the others for my road use.
So ignore logic, magazine reviews which often have outside influences and buy what you like the most. There is not a "bad" bike among them
...since then MV went out of production, thankfully dont need parts as hard to get at the mo ...but no different to when I had a poor experience with Aprilia in the early 90s ....at least there are still some dependable MV dealers left and they will back any time soon.....the bike still goes the same regardless
I test rode a 2016 Speed Triple R a few weeks back and loved it. BIg grunty engine and I'd personally not want to go any quicker on a naked bike.
It had character in a way that the Street triple I rode before it didn't.
I'm toying with the idea of buying one so my GSXR 1000 can become a track bike, so while it I'll be exclusively for road use I'm toying with a non R.
Great bikes though, I was really pleasantly surprised.
It had character in a way that the Street triple I rode before it didn't.
I'm toying with the idea of buying one so my GSXR 1000 can become a track bike, so while it I'll be exclusively for road use I'm toying with a non R.
Great bikes though, I was really pleasantly surprised.
They are great bikes and really enjoyable to ride.
TBH - the engine is well overdue for a complete re-design, so is a bit too heavy and lacking in revs and ultimate power (or ability to rev due to very long stroke). It's no worse for it, but relevance to the 2016 upgrade is that they just skirted around the edges on the engine updates, whilst adding pointless power modes and TC that the bike doesn't need.
For that reason, I bought a late 2013 model back in January with 1000 miles on the clock as the engine is such a good road engine in a naked. You can't go wrong with a 2016 though. Group tests will objectively say it's behind the competition, but if you enjoy it and aren't riding all the bikes back to back, who cares? Buy the one you like.
Saying that, I thought it would be well out of its depth on track, but I gave it a go and was knocking out 56 sec laps in fast group on it!
TBH - the engine is well overdue for a complete re-design, so is a bit too heavy and lacking in revs and ultimate power (or ability to rev due to very long stroke). It's no worse for it, but relevance to the 2016 upgrade is that they just skirted around the edges on the engine updates, whilst adding pointless power modes and TC that the bike doesn't need.
For that reason, I bought a late 2013 model back in January with 1000 miles on the clock as the engine is such a good road engine in a naked. You can't go wrong with a 2016 though. Group tests will objectively say it's behind the competition, but if you enjoy it and aren't riding all the bikes back to back, who cares? Buy the one you like.
Saying that, I thought it would be well out of its depth on track, but I gave it a go and was knocking out 56 sec laps in fast group on it!
3DP said:
They are great bikes and really enjoyable to ride.
TBH - the engine is well overdue for a complete re-design, so is a bit too heavy and lacking in revs and ultimate power (or ability to rev due to very long stroke). It's no worse for it, but relevance to the 2016 upgrade is that they just skirted around the edges on the engine updates, whilst adding pointless power modes and TC that the bike doesn't need.
For that reason, I bought a late 2013 model back in January with 1000 miles on the clock as the engine is such a good road engine in a naked. You can't go wrong with a 2016 though. Group tests will objectively say it's behind the competition, but if you enjoy it and aren't riding all the bikes back to back, who cares? Buy the one you like.
Saying that, I thought it would be well out of its depth on track, but I gave it a go and was knocking out 56 sec laps in fast group on it!
Great pic Pete...TBH - the engine is well overdue for a complete re-design, so is a bit too heavy and lacking in revs and ultimate power (or ability to rev due to very long stroke). It's no worse for it, but relevance to the 2016 upgrade is that they just skirted around the edges on the engine updates, whilst adding pointless power modes and TC that the bike doesn't need.
For that reason, I bought a late 2013 model back in January with 1000 miles on the clock as the engine is such a good road engine in a naked. You can't go wrong with a 2016 though. Group tests will objectively say it's behind the competition, but if you enjoy it and aren't riding all the bikes back to back, who cares? Buy the one you like.
Saying that, I thought it would be well out of its depth on track, but I gave it a go and was knocking out 56 sec laps in fast group on it!
3DP said:
TBH - the engine is well overdue for a complete re-design
>snip<The engine was overdue a re-design when it was first launched in 1050cc form
It's basically a stroked 955 built down to a price, if you look at a 1050 crank you can see where the big ends are ground off centre from those on the original 955 forging.
The engine dates back to the T595 of 1997 and it shares a lot and I mean a lot of DNA with the GPZ engines of the 80's. My brother managed to blow the big ends out of both a GPZ900 and a 1000RX back in the day and having looked inside an over revved a 1050 there's not much difference between them.
Tango13 said:
3DP said:
TBH - the engine is well overdue for a complete re-design
>snip<The engine was overdue a re-design when it was first launched in 1050cc form
It's basically a stroked 955 built down to a price, if you look at a 1050 crank you can see where the big ends are ground off centre from those on the original 955 forging.
The engine dates back to the T595 of 1997 and it shares a lot and I mean a lot of DNA with the GPZ engines of the 80's. My brother managed to blow the big ends out of both a GPZ900 and a 1000RX back in the day and having looked inside an over revved a 1050 there's not much difference between them.
Main issues are overly long stroke, non-stacked gearbox and it's about 15kg too heavy as a lump. I'm guessing all the R&D budget has gone into their 1200 twin redesign recently, but I would imagine a new 1100cc-ish engine based on the 675 topology must be in the pipeline for 2018 or 2019.
Personally if I was buying new now, I'd get an S model with a belly pan added. They are good value and come with the Brembo calipers of the R as standard now. The Ohlins stuff is overkill.
3DP said:
Tango13 said:
3DP said:
TBH - the engine is well overdue for a complete re-design
>snip<The engine was overdue a re-design when it was first launched in 1050cc form
It's basically a stroked 955 built down to a price, if you look at a 1050 crank you can see where the big ends are ground off centre from those on the original 955 forging.
The engine dates back to the T595 of 1997 and it shares a lot and I mean a lot of DNA with the GPZ engines of the 80's. My brother managed to blow the big ends out of both a GPZ900 and a 1000RX back in the day and having looked inside an over revved a 1050 there's not much difference between them.
Main issues are overly long stroke, non-stacked gearbox and it's about 15kg too heavy as a lump. I'm guessing all the R&D budget has gone into their 1200 twin redesign recently, but I would imagine a new 1100cc-ish engine based on the 675 topology must be in the pipeline for 2018 or 2019.
Personally if I was buying new now, I'd get an S model with a belly pan added. They are good value and come with the Brembo calipers of the R as standard now. The Ohlins stuff is overkill.
The 1050 lump in my Daytona is on standard cams and produces peak BHP @9,700rpm. I wouldn't fancy my chances of revving a standard engine that high though, the little ends on standard rods are a known weak spot if you like a bit of mono wheeling...
It will be interesting to see what Triumph come up with in the next 2-3 years engine wise. I don't think we'll ever see a big bore Daytona again but I agree we'll see a new 1100-1200 lump for the Speed Triple/Tiger/ST family.
I quite like the idea of a Thruxton with big-ish twin headlights and some engine work though...
Tango13 said:
>snip<
The engine was overdue a re-design when it was first launched in 1050cc form
It's basically a stroked 955 built down to a price, if you look at a 1050 crank you can see where the big ends are ground off centre from those on the original 955 forging.
The engine dates back to the T595 of 1997 and it shares a lot and I mean a lot of DNA with the GPZ engines of the 80's. My brother managed to blow the big ends out of both a GPZ900 and a 1000RX back in the day and having looked inside an over revved a 1050 there's not much difference between them.
When you say it shares DNA, what do they share exactly? I recall on another thread you had mentioned that it was essentially a GPZ engine with a wider bore and a cylinder removed? The engine was overdue a re-design when it was first launched in 1050cc form
It's basically a stroked 955 built down to a price, if you look at a 1050 crank you can see where the big ends are ground off centre from those on the original 955 forging.
The engine dates back to the T595 of 1997 and it shares a lot and I mean a lot of DNA with the GPZ engines of the 80's. My brother managed to blow the big ends out of both a GPZ900 and a 1000RX back in the day and having looked inside an over revved a 1050 there's not much difference between them.
How would Triumph have ended up with this? I've read a lot on that engine but I've never heard of it's connection with the GPZ. I'm not aware of Triumph having licensed the design from Kawasaki. Could they have copied the block?
Whilst not exactly sophisticated now, it did strike me as a good effort at the time, given that Triumph had only been resurrected a couple of years before this engine was developed. A groundbreaking fuel injection system (Jeff Stone said it was the first on a production bike), magnesium alloy engine covers, Lotus-tuned head and valvetrain, aluminium liners and semi-forged pistons etc etc.
Loyly said:
You're obviously no stranger to a big, grunty triple. If you know what you like, stick with it! I've often read journalists who've ridden all the super nakeds saying of the Speed Triple: "it's no longer competitive with the 180bhp naked monsters but it is in the absolute sweet spot for road riding fun". Put it this way, the revised 1050 triple in the Speed now makes more power than the 955i Daytona did at the end of it's run!
The only caveat I would add would be to try the Street Triple too because the ability of the chassis is intoxicating. I've read that the Speed Triple can't loses some of the delicacy of the Street but I've not yet tried the current Speed Triple.
In my opinion I think you've got that spot on The only caveat I would add would be to try the Street Triple too because the ability of the chassis is intoxicating. I've read that the Speed Triple can't loses some of the delicacy of the Street but I've not yet tried the current Speed Triple.
In my group we have almost all the bikes you talk about. We are all fast group track riders and fast road riders
The group consist of an Mt10 x2, s1000r, my tuono factory, a ktm super Duke and a triumph speed triple r
The trumpet is a nice bike but is way out of its league on power and one of the guys who has the mt10 had a street triple r before which he put 26k on before it got nicked
The Street Triple handled much better and if kept in the sweet spot would hold its own with the speed triple upto 3 digit speeds... It just lacked torque big time in comparison
I think any of these modern naked bikes would impress. The beemer is a bit characterless, the trumpet has a lovely sound but treat it as a sport rather than an 'R' the mt is a hooligan bike and sounds great if a little loud with a decat, the ktm and tuono are just bonkers
Loyly said:
When you say it shares DNA, what do they share exactly? I recall on another thread you had mentioned that it was essentially a GPZ engine with a wider bore and a cylinder removed?
How would Triumph have ended up with this? I've read a lot on that engine but I've never heard of it's connection with the GPZ. I'm not aware of Triumph having licensed the design from Kawasaki. Could they have copied the block?
Whilst not exactly sophisticated now, it did strike me as a good effort at the time, given that Triumph had only been resurrected a couple of years before this engine was developed. A groundbreaking fuel injection system (Jeff Stone said it was the first on a production bike), magnesium alloy engine covers, Lotus-tuned head and valvetrain, aluminium liners and semi-forged pistons etc etc.
When Triumph started up again under John Bloor the rumours doing the rounds at the time were that Triumphs engineers went out and bought half a dozen big bore Japanese bikes, GPZ's, FJ's GSX-R's etc and pulled them to pieces to find out how they'd been built.How would Triumph have ended up with this? I've read a lot on that engine but I've never heard of it's connection with the GPZ. I'm not aware of Triumph having licensed the design from Kawasaki. Could they have copied the block?
Whilst not exactly sophisticated now, it did strike me as a good effort at the time, given that Triumph had only been resurrected a couple of years before this engine was developed. A groundbreaking fuel injection system (Jeff Stone said it was the first on a production bike), magnesium alloy engine covers, Lotus-tuned head and valvetrain, aluminium liners and semi-forged pistons etc etc.
The less than kind jokes were along the lines of Haynes simply re-printing their Kawasaki manuals with a picture of a Triumph on the front...
If you look inside a 955 engine a lot of it is very similar to a GPZ in the way it's built, wet liners, cylinder head design, balancer shaft etc. I've looked inside both engines and as a precision engineer if I didn't know better I'd say they had been designed by the same team.
Back in the late 60's early 70's Kawasaki copied a BSA design but with an oil feed line on the other side of the head, Kawasaki also copied Suzuki's GSX TSCC heads, Suzuki couldn't really complain, they'd been copying Kawasaki's 2 valve head designs for their GSxxx bikes for years...
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