Triumph Speed Triple S 2011 — Specifications

Remember 1994. A roadster appeared, stripped down, with two round headlights that stare at you like a cat in the night. Fifteen years later, this raw idea has evolved into a much more sophisticated animal, but one that has lost nothing of its bad attitude. The 2009 Triumph Speed Triple S is the culmination of a philosophy: take a sports engine, graft on an aggressive frame, and make it the terror of city centers. Next to it, a Ducati Monster from the time seems almost restrained, and a Brutale too mannered. The Triple, on the other hand, has kept its fangs.

Beneath its 18-liter tank beats the heart of the beast: a 1050 cm3 three-cylinder engine that spits out 132 horsepower at 9250 rpm. The figures are impressive, but it is mainly its torque of 98 Nm, available from mid-range, that defines its character. This force is channeled through an aluminum frame that is nothing to be ashamed of compared to that of a sports bike, and a 43 mm inverted fork. The braking system, with its two 320 mm discs and radial Brembo calipers, is up to the engine's fury. With 189 kg dry weight, it is not a featherweight, but this mass is well positioned, giving a feeling of a compact block ready to fight.

This year 2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the model, and Triumph celebrates it with a special series signed by John Bloor himself. The paint scheme is a deep black, Phantom Black, brightened with red decals on the tank and the windscreen. The rims receive a scarlet trim, and the calipers proudly display the Brembo logo. For 12,290 euros, the buyer also received some nice trinkets: a gel seat, a protection pad, and above all an exclusive watch in the colors of the motorcycle. It's a detail, but it symbolizes the cult object status that this roadster had already achieved.

Who is made to ride this machine? Not the beginner, certainly. The seat height of 815 mm and the ever-present power require some experience. It is the urban rider's motorcycle who likes sensations, the globetrotter who prefers winding national roads to motorways, and the one for whom character is more important than aseptic perfection. It has a soul, a hoarse sound, and an attitude that does not go unnoticed. Trying a Triumph Speed Triple S of this generation is to understand why this model defined the streetfighter segment for years.

Today, when we look at the evolutions like the Triumph Speed Triple S 2016, 2017 or 2018, we measure the path traveled in electronics and refinement. But the 2009 version remains an essential milestone. It captures a moment when raw power and bold design spoke louder than driving aids. Consulting a Triumph Speed Triple S 2018 specification sheet is to see a more accomplished motorcycle. Returning to this 2009 model is to rediscover the very essence of the mean roadster: direct, engaged, and terribly charismatic.