Triumph Speed Triple RS 2019 — Specifications

So, you thought the Speed Triple had already said everything it had to say? That its trio of cylinders had finished roaring? At Hinckley, they decided to set the record straight. The 2019 Triumph Speed Triple RS is the British answer to those who believe that the modern naked bike should be a beast stifled by electronics or a brute without refinement. Here, we add finesse to ferocity, and that changes everything.

The heart of the machine remains the 1050 cc three-cylinder engine, but it has been reworked with nearly a hundred new components. The result: 150 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 117 Nm of torque at 7,150 rpm. This isn't the brute power of an Italian super-naked, but it's a more progressive delivery, a sonorous richness that gives character to every acceleration. A dry weight of 192 kg gives it a power-to-weight ratio that appeals to riders seeking agility rather than just the number on paper. Compared to an MT-10 or an S1000R, the Speed Triple RS stands out with this feeling of a "worked" engine, less brutal but still incisive.

What truly transforms this machine into a tool for the enthusiast is the high-end equipment. The Öhlins NIX30 fork and TTX36 mono shock offer precise adjustment that appeals to both the road rider and the track rider. The Brembo Monobloc brakes are remarkably precise, and the ABS, optimized by a Continental inertial sensor, becomes a discreet partner rather than an intrusive safety net. The five riding modes, including the exclusive Track mode, allow you to personalize the experience. For around €16,250, you get this array, as well as details like the Arrow silencers, carbon fiber parts, and keyless start. This is a strong argument against competition that is often less generous in series.

The target audience? This isn't the machine for a beginner, nor for those who are only looking for extreme performance. The 2019 Triumph Speed Triple RS, and its subsequent versions like the Speed Triple RS 2021 or 2022, seduces the rider who wants a complete motorcycle, capable of long days without fatigue, but also of more sporty moments without compromise. The 825 mm seat height and 15.5-liter fuel tank confirm this road-going vocation. Its design, with its monobrach swingarm and distinctive lights, remains a statement, a strong identity in a world of naked bikes that are sometimes too uniform.

Finally, we need to talk about the small regrets. The absence of an up/down shifter as standard on the 2019 Triumph Speed Triple RS is a drawback, when competitors integrate it. Some nostalgics still dream of lighter wheels or the round lights of the previous generation. And then, facing the Street Triple RS 765 which is gaining power, we would have liked a little extra horsepower to mark an even greater difference. But these points are minor compared to the whole. This machine proves that a sporty naked can be technological without being stifling, precise without being tense. It remains, fundamentally, a Triumph: character, sensation, and a touch of British insolence. To find a used Triumph Speed Triple RS or to know the price of a Triumph Speed Triple RS 2021, you often have to search, because those that are sold are rarely abandoned for long. This is perhaps the best indicator of its success.