Triumph’s supernaked gains more power, more tech in a brand-new iteration, due to arrive in Singapore in March 2021

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Text by Deyna ‘Crack Rider’ Chia

Hinckley, UK – Triumph’s has announced the new fifth-generation of its Speed Triple high-performance naked bike, and it looks to arrive in Singapore as soon as next month. 

This model is all-new, and according to Triumph distributor for Singapore Mah Motor, the bike is expected to launch here in March 2021.

As the only model in the Speed Triple range, the RS, Triumph will not be offering lower spec models like the R and S previously. This is in response to customer feedback (and presumably sales figures), indicating that customers prefer the top-of-the-line RS over spare change for fuel and tyres.

According to Triumph, it acted extensively on customer feedback from the last generation of Speed Triple (which included the first Speed Triple RS model) to develop the new bike. The brand says it’s made significant gains in all areas, which is exactly what the bike needs to compete in a very fierce supernaked segment which now includes Aprilia Tuono, BMW S 1000R, Ducati Streetfighter V4, and KTM Super Duke. 

Overall the bike has lost 10kg and gained a considerable 30hp, for a 198kg wet weight and 177.5hp total – the new BMW S 1000 R has an identical weight, and 165hp, in comparison. Impressively, the RS’ power to weight ratio is 25 percent greater than the outgoing model, and nearly double the original 1994 Speed Triple.

The engine itself is seven kilos lighter, developed from insights taken from Triumph’s Moto2 765cc race engine programme, and now 1,160cc up from 1,050cc before and with twin-spark ignition, plus more 8Nm more torque (125Nm) across the rev range. To help shed weight further, the exhaust has been moved from under-the-seat to a conventional three-into-one unit. Triumph says this has been maximised for performance, so no accessory version is needed.

The aluminium frame is also lighter than before (claimed 17 percent less mass) and a more compact gearbox has made space for a longer swingarm, despite keeping the same wheelbase as before. Like before, the Speed Triple has been optimised for on-road use, ergonomics are claimed to be improved, with 13mm wider handlebars, a new footrest position (slightly inwards, without compromising leg room), improved seat profile to allow a more natural tucked-in position, at a seat height of 830mm.

The RS is fitted with adjustable, non-electronic Öhlins suspension (NIX30 forks, TTX36 rear shock) and Brembo Stylema brakes, Triumph noted that customers indicated a preference for non-electronic suspension, and also to avoid the additional pounds the bike would put on taking on the electronic trickery. 

The latter is still unavoidable though, as befitting a modern, flagship supernaked. The 5.0-inch TFT colour screen is new, controlled via a joystick on the left-handlebar, there are five rider modes (Sport, Road, Rain, Track, custom), and rider aids include corner ABS and switchable traction control, wheelie control. There’s also a fully keyless system (start, lock, gas cap) and connectivity options via an app. 

The first Triumph Speed Triple was one of the first new models that rolled out of the new Hinckley factory in 1994. It was one of the first of the modern supernaked breedstill, featuring in the first Mission Impossible movie in 1996. Triumph has sold over 100,000 Speed Triples to date.

The flagship of the road bike series, Triumph made significant updates to the Speed Triple in 2005, and then introduced the first Speed Triple RS in 2018, the model with the most track-focused features. 

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