Triumph Speed Triple S 2017 — Specifications

Can a legendary roadster regain its health without losing its soul? That's the risky bet Triumph took with the Speed Triple S of this era, a model that made an impression between 2016 and 2020. Faced with competitors like the Monster 1200 or the GSX-S1000, which freely draw on parts from their sportier elders, the British brand had to react. And it did, not through a revolution, but through meticulous evolution, with over a hundred modifications to meet Euro 4 standards. The result? A machine that remains faithful to its dark streetfighter DNA, but gains versatility and precision.

Under the 17.5-liter fuel tank, the inline three-cylinder engine of 1050 cm3 has been deeply reworked. Power now reaches 140 horsepower at 9500 rpm, and the torque of 112 Nm is more present from mid-range. This engine is the great success of this generation: it combines the responsiveness of a four with the characteristic smoothness of a triple, offering an incredibly wide usable range. The adoption of ride-by-wire throttle control and five injection maps – Road, Rain, Sport, Track and one customizable – radically changes the game. For the first time on a Speed Triple S, electronics come to support the rider, with switchable traction control and ABS, offering a level of sophistication that elevates it to the level of its rivals.

The chassis, a perimeter aluminum frame inherited from the glorious Daytona, has not fundamentally changed. It ensures precise and reassuring handling, with a wheelbase of 1435 mm that favors agility without sacrificing stability. The 43 mm Showa inverted fork and the fully adjustable mono-shock are serious equipment that allows you to adapt to all riding styles. The braking system, with its four-piston Brembo radial calipers clamping on 320 mm discs, is simply exemplary, offering power and a feeling of control beyond reproach. With a dry weight announced at 192 kg, it is not the lightest in the segment, but its agility in the city and its stability in corners make you forget this detail.

So, who is this Triumph Speed Triple S for? Certainly not for the beginner, intimidated by its power and lively temperament. It is aimed at the sporty touring rider or the Sunday track day enthusiast looking for a characterful machine, capable of devouring a daily commute as well as having fun on a mountain road. Its price, around 12,700 euros at the time, positioned it as a premium option compared to often less expensive Japanese models. Its weakness? Perhaps a slightly high fuel consumption, announced at nearly 7 liters per 100 km, and a design that remains as polarizing with its oval headlights and front air intake.

Ultimately, this evolution of the Speed Triple S is a success. Triumph has managed to modernize its iconic roadster without denaturing it. It gains in electronics, refinement and performance, while retaining that raw charm and expressive mechanics that made its reputation. It is not the most extreme or the most technologically advanced machine on the market, but it possesses a unique personality, a soul that its more aseptic competitors struggle to offer. For those looking for a demanding and charismatic road partner, it remains one of the most seductive propositions.