BIKES: 2012 Triumph SPEED Triple R First Ride

New Models

BIKES: 2012 Triumph SPEED Triple R First Ride

Justin Dawes reviews the 2012 Triumph Speed Triple R.

MotorcycleUSA.com Staff | http://www.motorcycle-usa.com | Posted March 01, 2012 Charlotte, NC

2012 Triumph Speed Triple R First Ride. (Photo: Motorcycle USA)

I’m sure it’s part of a Sesame Street sing along – “R is for Race.” I’ve known this since I was a wee tike; I think we all have. The common train of thought behind the addition of an R to a motorcycle model’s moniker is that with that single letter comes a slew of parts to create a “race” version of its former soft-shelled and pudgy self. Always the R is more desirable to the hardcore moto-fiends, but usually with that all-important consonant and all it promises comes some trade-offs – a stiff ride, finicky engine performance and a significantly lighter wallet. But is it worth it? Absolutely, just about every time.

For Triumph Motorcycles the Speed Triple personifies the brand's return to glory. As Triumph Project Manager Simon Warburton put it simply, “The Speed Triple is Triumph.” The goal of the R is simple for the English manufacturer – to create the ultimate Speed Triple. Using top shelf components Triumph is seeking to further intensify the appeal of the brand and the Speed Triple.

The very first question most riders will ask is how much more horsepower pumps out of the Speed Triple R over the standard model. Zero, nada, not one measly pony. It’s odd for a R-designation to not come with an extra dollop of power, but in all honestly the 1050cc inline three-cylinder mill is already one of the best in its class. Down low the torque is meatier than anything this side of a Texas BBQ hoedown, and the revs pull strong all the way until the rev limiter kicks in with a machine gun ratta-tat-tat.

So where does the R come in here? Just about everywhere else. Triumph kicks off the Speed Triple with new gold springy bits at the front and rear. That’s right, Ohlins. Just saying the name of the Swedish suspension company makes you feel all warm inside doesn’t it? A NIX30 big piston cartridge front fork is sprung just slightly stiffer than the stock unit with a 9.5 N/mm spring versus a 9.0 N/mm. A TTX36 piggyback shock complements the golden goodness up front with a 100 N/mm spring rate over the stock 95 N/mm.

Not drawing the line at some very spendy suspension, Triumph upped the ante even further with a set of forged PVM wheels built exclusively for the Speed Triple R. These machined wheels are thinner everywhere it counts and drop 3.7 pounds from the reciprocating mass of the Triple R. That calculates to a 16% and 25% reduction of the front and rear wheel’s inertia respectively.

Attached to the beautiful black PVM front wheel are 320mm floating rotors from the standard Speed Triple, but R here means Brembo monoblocs replace the radial mounted standard units. Out back a Nissin twin-piston caliper squeezing a 255mm disc carries over from the non-R version. ABS is standard for the US model and can be switched off through the in-dash menu. Finishing off the round bits on the Speed Triple R are a set of Pirelli’s fantastic Supercorsa SP tires.

Triumph worked over the transmission, retooling 10 of the 12 gears, both shafts, the shift drum and fork rod in an effort to smooth out the shift action. Most of the gear tolerances have been tightened up, the friction on the shaft splines have been reduced, and the gear dogs have been increased from four to five for more solid engagement. Sixth gear has also been reduced to a 3.4% lower ratio. All of these gearbox changes will carry over into the standard model next year.

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