2003 Triumph Speed Triple

[jrandom]

As I posted recently, I've decided that I need a road bike with lazier ergonomics than my current GSXR.

I rang AMPS this morning and arranged to pick up a black '03 Triple at lunchtime for a test ride. It's on sale for $12K.

I turn up, and the sales guy mentions that they've just put a brand new set of tyres on (Metzeler M1s), so would I mind taking it easy.

It's a dry day, so no worries. Hop on, fire it up. It has a stock exhaust. A very stock exhaust. The Speed Triple muffler virtually defines the ugly, boring, overly-quiet exhaust systems that factories love to ship bikes with. Is it some sort of collusion between design engineers and aftermarket exhaust brands?

The engine's warm, so I give it a blip or two in neutral. The revs rise and fall too slowly for my liking. I hop on and head down Khyber Pass and onto the northbound motorway, making my way through the traffic to the Albany turnoff. A few squirts between cars and up hills fail to impress - what are those 955 cubic centimeters down between my legs doing?

I turn off and head toward the Coatesville-Riverhead road, the same ride I did last night on the K2. Some experimental acceleration up the hill before the turnoff reveals the significant difference in power between the Triple and the K2 GSX-R1000, or even my old SRAD 750. The rush just isn't there.

Still, I'm comfortable. That's a good start.

Turn off onto SH28 and open the throttle. Lazy acceleration but confidence-inspiring handling is the order of the day. The engine pulls until 7500rpm or so. There's little point reaching for the 9500rpm redline; from 8000 upwards it generates sound and fury but little forward momentum.

The Triple corners nicely. Reasonably sensitive handling, but stable and very ready to be pointed where I want to go. The front never feels light. Still very comfy, and I notice that I'm not at all stressed or bothered, just steering the bike through the corners with nice big pushes on the bars, and whacking the throttle open much more ham-fistedly than is my wont on your average sprotsbike.

I look at the speedo a few times. I'm definitely going a touch slower than I did last night on the K2. I suppose that's to be expected. Still, everything feels pretty relaxed. I'm having fun.

I continue on up to the intersection of Old North and Peak Road, stop, and hop off for an inspection. No chicken strips left on the rear tyre (which, I notice, is an 180/55 - didn't these bikes come with 190s stock?)

Time to turn around and head back to town.

Impressions...

The Speed Triple is heavy and slow compared to most other bikes in its price range and market focus. Did Triumph really use that engine in a 'sportbike'? Ridiculous. The riding position is quite comfortable; I'd be happy as a pig in shit sitting on it all day up and down the countryside.

Compared to any Japanese or Italian sportbike of the last decade, it feels almost cruiser-ish, but has enough ground clearance and functional suspension to be punted around corners at similar rates. Just don't expect to leave black stripes on the road when you whack the throttle on from the apex!

I can't imagine one of these putting down impressive lap times at a track, but a competent rider on a Triple shouldn't have any trouble keeping up with the average toothpaste tube on a crotch rocket around the back roads.

Would I buy one?

Dunno. It didn't grab me like I thought it would. The relatively anaemic engine lets down an otherwise pleasant package.

Roll on tomorrow and a test-ride on the Street Triple!

[Devil]

Cant say i've ridden the 955 speed triple, the 1050 evolution of the engine is pure sex.

You'll have more fun on the street triple! just make sure you get it out into the twisties!

[jrandom]

Cant say i've ridden the 955 speed triple, the 1050 evolution of the engine is pure sex.

Aye, I bet, but I'm not going to bother riding anything I can't afford to buy.


You'll have more fun on the street triple! just make sure you get it out into the twisties!

Yup, that's what the Northwest Test Track (tm) is for.

:yes:

[Devil]

Yup, that's what the Northwest Test Track (tm) is for.

:yes:

Hell yeah, it's like riding a motard.

[SPman]

The rush just isn't there.

After a 1000 sports bike! Of course not - unless you're going ZX12/14, or 'busa.
The ZX9R felt positively leisurely after the K4, and it was a damn site quicker than a 750.

Strangely enough, the executive armchair (XJR) feels reasonably brisk!

[Scouse]

j you can take my S3 for a punt any time you like just give me a pm and Ill hook you up

[jrandom]

After a 1000 sports bike! Of course not - unless you're going ZX12/14, or 'busa.
The ZX9R felt positively leisurely after the K4, and it was a damn site quicker than a 750.

Yes, I've been spoiled.

I think something along the lines of an FZ1 or ZRX1200 might push my buttons a little harder.

The Z1000 had enough poke, but I didn't enjoy the skippy handling and buzzy engine.

[Scouse]

Yes, I've been spoiled.

I think something along the lines of an FZ1 or ZRX1200 might push my buttons a little harder.

The Z1000 had enough poke, but I didn't enjoy the skippy handling and buzzy engine.Man the Z1000 feels flat compaired to a 1050 plus the Z1000's seat is quite uncomfortable.

ZRX1200R's on the other hand

[jrandom]

Man the Z1000 feels flat compaired to a 1050 plus the Z1000's seat is quite uncomfortable.

I'm sure the 1050 is indeed lovely. My problem is, though, that I need to find a bike that I can afford. If I had $20K, I'd just buy a Brutale and be done with it.


ZRX1200R's on the other hand...

Yessssssss...

[Devil]

Second hand 05/06 speed triple is around $15k. Which is the price of a new Street Triple

[jrandom]

Second hand 05/06 speed triple is around $15k. Which is the price of a new Street Triple

I didn't say I could afford a new Street Triple. I'm just making an exception and riding it because the guy at AMPS virtually begged me to.

;)

[Devil]

Oh heh. Well... start saving, because you might want one.

[Storm]

Good of you to make him feel better :) Its great to see such selfless behaviour :bleh:

[SPman]

Yes, I've been spoiled.

I think something along the lines of an FZ1 or ZRX1200 might push my buttons a little harder.

FZ1's are good, if a little nervous.

[marty]

I didn't say I could afford a new Street Triple. I'm just making an exception and riding it because the guy at AMPS virtually begged me to.

;)

lucky it was the bike he was begging for....

[skelstar]

I know the Bike magazine really rate the older FZ1 (about '03 I think)... not so much the latest, by a long shot :mellow:

[carver]

no disrespect to zxrer, but on the loop i dont feel his triple is too much quicker than my ER6n, even though it wheelies away from me, it doesnt go as fast as i thought it might.
im going hard though.
very cool bike though

[86GSXR]

Nice write up. It's worth noting that the 955i Street Triple engine was significantly derated compared to the Daytona, in later models anyway. Sounds like a fun bike to ride and they look great. As far as the Daytona is concerned, there's no way it will keep pace with a similiar capacity Jap sportsbike in a straight line (believe me I've tried) and I'd imagine the same goes for the Triple. Class, not blast is the name of the game with the Trumpys I reckon :yes: Good luck with whatever you end up getting :niceone:

[James Deuce]

Ah! Sounds like something I'd like then.

[Hitcher]

ZRX1200Rs on the other hand

Suddenly I've gone all moist...

[zx10ruser]

Yes, I've been spoiled.

I think something along the lines of an FZ1 or ZRX1200 might push my buttons a little harder.

The Z1000 had enough poke, but I didn't enjoy the skippy handling and buzzy engine.

iam going to have a 2005 cbr1000rr for sale soon mint,red 5000kms $12K will piss on the fz and zxr!

[Big Dave]

Were you stoned or something.
It's a wheelie monster demon - you have to rev it and ride it. Hard. In the right hands it will do everything a sprotsbike does.
It's got the torque of a big twin and revs like a multi.

[Big Dave]

but on the loop i dont feel his triple is too much quicker than my ER6n,

ZRXER rides to survive.

I've got video of 1050 mounted Stretch hosing a R6 and a ZX6 at Meremere.

[carver]

ZRXER rides to survive.

I've got video of 1050 mounted Stretch hosing a R6 and a ZX6 at Meremere.

i ride to own.

MORMON FEW-STUNT CREW

i have no doubt if ridden hard, it could own

[Bonez]

Ah! Sounds like something I'd like then.
Hurrah another ol mans bike ;)

[Bonez]

ZRXER rides to survive.

I've got video of 1050 mounted Stretch hosing a R6 and a ZX6 at Meremere.Hows it go against gixxer thous and the like?

[sinned]

Hows it go against gixxer thous and the like?

I don't know or care how it compares. The S3 1050 has more zip than I can use, lifts the front too easily, is beautiful to ride over the rimutakas and in the twisties, and that motor???? hummmm. She is black and beautiful and safer than the other type of mistress.

[Bonez]

Is'nt it funny how the thread went from comparing a 5yo 955i then jumped to a 1050?

[86GSXR]

God, I'd love a 1050 Triple! Hmmm

[Bonez]

God, I'd love a 1050 Triple! HmmmLol shouldn't you be in bed young man?

[Dooly]

I brought a 07 1050 Speed triple new this year and loved it, but found myself hardly using it after a few months and preferred to use my Ducati SS, so sold it.

Since then I've thought about another naked bike for longer hauls and better comfort, and use the Duc for short blast fun.

So I could'nt resist the mint 04 Speed Triple I spied last weekend at Anza.
Its the last of the 955.
To be honest I prefer it over my 07 S3.
It feels to me to go pretty much the same in power wise, but according to the specs its 10hp down.
It has a 2bros alloy hi rise can and sounds sweet.
Has all the bling on it, and brings a smile to my face everytime I look at it.
Now the Duc is sitting lonely in the shed!

I find the Triumph triple very user friendly in the real world way and love it.
Buzzed up to 230 with ease yesterday on our KB ride.
Mind you a certain R1 reeled me in quick!:clap:

[robertydog]

I brought a 07 1050 Speed triple new this year and loved it, but found myself hardly using it after a few months and preferred to use my Ducati SS, so sold it.

Since then I've thought about another naked bike for longer hauls and better comfort, and use the Duc for short blast fun.

So I could'nt resist the mint 04 Speed Triple I spied last weekend at Anza.
Its the last of the 955.
To be honest I prefer it over my 07 S3.
It feels to me to go pretty much the same in power wise, but according to the specs its 10hp down.
It has a 2bros alloy hi rise can and sounds sweet.
Has all the bling on it, and brings a smile to my face everytime I look at it.
Now the Duc is sitting lonely in the shed!

I find the Triumph triple very user friendly in the real world way and love it.
Buzzed up to 230 with ease yesterday on our KB ride.
Mind you a certain R1 reeled me in quick!:clap:

Bloody nice bike you got there Dooly. And Red too.

[boomer]

thats nothing like the speed triple i had a pin on ... :blink:

the bike i rode was light, twitchy and the head just wouldn't sit still; it would wobble and shake constantly as it complained about not being on the ground.

You do run out of revs pretty quick but .. hey.. we've been spoiled on the sportsbikes.. haven't we.


it went round corners with no persuasion and ridden hard enough through the gorge i found the sprotbikes we're all still in line.

[BarBender]

Would I buy one?
Dunno. It didn't grab me like I thought it would. The relatively anaemic engine lets down an otherwise pleasant package.
Roll on tomorrow and a test-ride on the Street Triple!

I'm thinking of moving to / buying a naked.

If I buy one as a second bike - Id want something that I can ride to work everyday through traffic and have a blast on if I do a short run. I'd also want something something less powerful and avoid a bike that replicates engine characteristics similar to my 14. So for me...Im ruling out in line 4s....which is a bugger because Id love to have a ZXR1200R or a mint 2001-2005 Fazer

So, it will have to be a triple or a twin and affordable. I'd love something lazy, 'less responsive' and that made a shitload load of burble. Personally the point of having a second bike would be to have something totally different that still handled competently and provided a more realistic buzz factor.
Older Speed Triples and Tuonos would probably come into the frame...

[Maha]

So I could'nt resist the mint 04 Speed Triple I spied last weekend at Anza.
Its the last of the 955.


The very bike i had my eyes on Dooly, there a coulple more in Auckland but that one certainly caught my eye.:yes:

[Dooly]

The very bike i had my eyes on Dooly, there a coulple more in Auckland but that one certainly caught my eye.:yes:

I got a box full of extra bits with it too.
I had to take some bling off it to suit my tastes, its now minus its screen, bellypan and a few other bits, and looks great in its true nakedness.
But they're still all there if I want to change the look again.

[Dooly]

Bloody nice bike you got there Dooly. And Red too.

Red is good!
Hopefully this triple wont wound your bike eh?:msn-wink:

[jrandom]

Were you stoned or something.

Oh boy, do I have the T-shirt for you...

PM me.


It's a wheelie monster demon - you have to rev it and ride it. Hard. In the right hands it will do everything a sprotsbike does.

Buttock horse. I didn't say it wouldn't keep up. And it's a nice bike. But it has less midrange pull and top-end rush than my '99 GSXR750.

Yes, I'm spoiled. Not only that, I can't ride very well. Don't pick on me about it, though, or I'll go start a club with MotoGirl.

:laugh:

[robertydog]

Red is good!
Hopefully this triple wont wound your bike eh?:msn-wink:

Oh that wont happen again

[Big Dave]

Hows it go against gixxer thous and the like?

won't be disgraced up to disqualification speeds - then nakedness works against it.

as stated elsewhere - that is my preference.

[Big Dave]

But it has less midrange pull and top-end rush than my '99 GSXR750.



It needs a tune.

[Hitcher]

It needs a tune.

"Dancing Queen", perhaps?

[Big Dave]

"Dancing Queen", perhaps?

.........Waterloo

[James Deuce]

No, this calls for the gayest of them all: "Super Trooper"

[ratusratus]

i no the gut who owned the s3 and man did he looked after it

[Dooly]

i no the gut who owned the s3 and man did he looked after it

You mean my bike mate?
I spoke to the ex owner, seemed a good bloke, and yeah he did everything, it got the works.