Triumph 955i SPEED TRIPLE 2001 — Specifications

What drove Triumph, at the dawn of the 2000s, to unleash such a ferocious roadster onto the tarmac? The 2001 Triumph 955i Speed Triple doesn't try to please everyone. It divides, it provokes, it owns it. With its 955 cc triple putting out 110 horsepower at 9,200 rpm and, more importantly, 93.2 Nm of torque from just 5,800 rpm, the Brit plays in the big leagues without any inferiority complex against the Ducati Streetfighters or the Suzuki SV 1000 S of the era. Except it adds that unique sound signature, that hoarse rumble halfway between a twin and an inline-four, which plasters a stupid grin on your face from the first blip of the throttle.

On the road, the engine's temperament doesn't disappoint. There's enough flexibility to roll through town without complaint, but it's above 5,000 rpm that the Triumph 955i Speed Triple reveals its true nature. The engine pulls hard, with a linear and honest surge that launches the 217 kg wet weight with a conviction rare for a motorcycle of this generation. The aluminium multi-tubular perimeter frame, a visual hallmark of Triumph from this era, soaks up the triple's punch without flinching. It delivers reassuring rigidity through corners and, combined with the raised handlebars, provides an agility that many faired sportbikes would envy. The Speed Triple darts, dives into lean, and drives out with disconcerting ease. The natural riding position, with the seat at 800 mm, suits average builds and encourages committed riding without torturing your wrists.

The front braking does the machine justice. The twin 320 mm discs squeezed by four-piston calipers bite with power and progressivity. More than enough to scrub off speed from this rocket headed toward its 230 km/h top speed without breaking a sweat. On the other hand, the rear brake, with its single 220 mm disc, is sorely lacking in bite and feel. A recurring weak point across these model years, from the 1999 955i Speed Triple to the 2004 955i Speed Triple, that Triumph never truly addressed. Another serious gripe: the suspension. The 45 mm telescopic hydraulic fork and the mono-shock come with very firm damping, almost track-spec. On smooth tarmac, it's precise and reassuring. On rough everyday roads, your back and neck take a beating. The 2002 and 2005 versions didn't fundamentally change the picture on this front.

The single-sided swingarm, inherited from the T595 lineage, remains a feast for the eyes and showcases the rear wheel wrapped in a 190/50-17 tyre. It's this kind of detail that sets the Speed Triple apart from a more conventional Japanese roadster. The 18-litre tank allows decent range for a muscular roadster, and the six-speed gearbox shifts with precision. At 11,500 euros when it launched, the 2001 Triumph 955i Speed Triple stood toe-to-toe with the Japanese and Italian competition without blushing. Today, on the used market, it represents a gateway to a character-packed roadster on a controlled budget, provided you accept its rough edges. This is not a beginner's bike, nor a grand tourer. It's a tool built for the rider who likes to feel the mechanicals living beneath them, who wants a Triumph 955i Speed Triple ride that hits like a slap rather than a caress. An unapologetically hooligan machine, slightly unreasonable, utterly addictive.