Triumph Speed Triple S 2018 — Specifications

Imagine a roadster that never really played fair. Since its inception, the Triumph Speed Triple has cultivated this aura of elegant brute, a blend of British muscle and a rebellious attitude. The 2018 S version, which some are still searching for under the references Triumph Speed Triple S 2016 or Triumph Speed Triple S 2017, does not deviate from the rule. It arrives on the naked bike market with 140 horsepower nestled in its inline triple, a figure that immediately places the conversation at the level of Yamaha MT-10s or Ducati Monster 1200s. Triumph felt the pressure: in this segment, you now need to align power, but also refinement.

The heart of the machine, this 1050 cm3 engine, has undergone a deep facelift to pass the Euro4 emissions standard. They reworked the intake, cylinder head, crankshaft… no less than 104 modifications according to the factory. The result is an engine that breathes better, with power reaching 140 hp at 10500 rpm and a torque of 116.6 Nm available fairly high, at 7150 rpm. This is characteristic of this triple: you sometimes need to rev it to get the most out of it, but the reward is a raspy sound and a linear progression that is always appealing. The announced consumption, around 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers, is honorable for such a mechanical setup.

Regarding the chassis, the Speed Triple S 2018 remains faithful to its perimeter aluminum frame, a long-time accomplice from the Daytona. The 43 mm Showa inverted fork and the shock absorber are adjustable, offering a serious base for road use or more sporty getaways. The brakes, four-piston radial Brembos, are effective and precise, supported by an ABS that can be deactivated. This is where the S differs from the R, which is more track-oriented with its Öhlins. The dry weight of 192 kg and a 825 mm seat height make this machine accessible, without transforming it into a docile animal. It requires a bit of commitment, it responds with frankness.

Electronics have made their entrance, as on all its competitors. A Ride-by-Wire system, five maps (Road, Rain, Sport, Track and one customizable) modulate the injection and interventions. For a Triumph Speed Triple S test ride, this changes the game. You can soften the response for urban riding or harden it for a mountain run. This modernizes the beast without taking away its character. The oval headlights, the rear monobrach, the under-seat exhausts… these stylish details continue to be part of its visual identity, even if the central air intake on the nose can divide purists.

Ultimately, this Triumph Speed Triple S 2018, for which the technical specifications Triumph Speed Triple S 2018 are easily found, is a roadster for those seeking an alternative to the overly polished Japanese or the sometimes temperamental Italian. It targets the sporty touring rider, who appreciates an expressive engine, a reactive chassis and a dose of technology without excess. Its price, around 12700 euros at the time, positioned it in the race against the KTM 1290 Super Duke R or the BMW S1000R. It is neither the gentlest nor the most extreme, but it possesses this English personality, a blend of toughness and refinement, which ensures it always has a loyal following.