2016 TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE R
FIRST RIDE
P62
Similar to the
outgoing model
in looks, but
you can't judge
a book by its
cover.
A
s it comes of age in celebrating its
21st birthday, the motorcycle, which
for the past couple of decades, has
been the marketplace reference for hooli-
gan-bike hot-rodding, has actually grown
somewhat warm and cuddly—respectable,
even. For indeed, that's what the Triumph
Speed Triple, last updated back in 2011,
has become by comparison with the brash
copycat kids from KTM, BMW, Ducati and
Aprilia, that have come along of late to try to
knock off the British bike ⎯ which invented
the streetfighter sector off its best-selling
pedestal ⎯ via more cubes, more power and
more grunt, plus racetrack-worthy electron-
ics and chassis hardware. Oh, and even
more attitude, an attribute which the best-
of-British trendsetter adopted big time in
breaking all the rules upon its creation back
in the mists of time. Well, 1994, actually.
So now as part of the huge ongoing
makeover of its entire range that already
kicked off with the expansion and ground-
up technical redevelopment of its Bonnev-
ille family of models (complete with added
1200cc big twin option), Triumph has turned
its attention to revamping the Speed Triple
TRIUMPH'S SPEED TRIPLE R IS NOW OF LEGAL DRINKING
AGE—SO IT'S TIME FOR SOME NEW CLOTHES!
BY ALAN CATHCART
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALESSIO BARBANTI
SERIOUS
SPEEDFIGHTER
