Triumph Speed Triple 900

Triumph Speed Triple
Manufacturer	Triumph
Also called	Speed Triple SE, Speed Triple R ABS, Speed Triple ABS, Speed Triple RX, Speed Triple R, Speed Triple RS, Speed Triple S, Speed Triple T509, Speed Triple 900
Production	1994 - 96
Engine	Four stroke, transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.
Compression ratio	10.6:1
Top Speed	217.4 km/h / 135.1 mph
Air Filter	K&N TB-9097 `94-98
Ignition	Digital
Spark Plug	NGK DPR8EA-9
Battery	YUASA YB14LA-2
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain: 530x108
Front Sprocket	18T
Rear Sprocket	43T
Suspension	Front: 43 mm Kayaba telescopic forks, adjustable for preload compression and rebound Rear: Tri-link rising rate mono-shock
Brakes	Front: 2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers Rear: Single 255 mm disc
Front Tire	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire	180/55 ZR17
Weight	209 kg / 461 lbs (dry), 225 kg / 496 lbs (wet)
Oil Filter	K&N KN-192
Fuel Capacity	25 Liters / 6.6 US gal / 5.5 Imp gal
Manuals	Service Manual

It could reach a top speed of 217.4 km/h / 135.1 mph.

Engine

The engine featured a 10.6:1 compression ratio.

Chassis

It came with a 120/70 ZR17 front tire and a 180/55 ZR17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers in the front and a Single 255 mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a 43 mm Kayaba telescopic forks, adjustable for preload compression and rebound while the rear was equipped with a Tri-link rising rate mono-shock. The Speed Triple 900 was fitted with a 25 Liters / 6.6 US gal / 5.5 Imp gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 209 kg / 461 lbs.

Photos

Overview

The bold and charismatic Speed Triple summed-up all that was best about the new Triumph firm from Hinckley. With its sleek styling, racy riding position, high-quality cycle parts and exposed three-cylinder engine, the original Speed Triple, launched in 1994, was a spiritual descendant of the Café racers of the 1960s - the days when British bikes, including old-style Triumphs, ruled the roads.

Aggressive and sleek

If there was one thing above all that the Triple shared with those old Café racers it was attitude. Lean, simple, unfaired but at the same time aggressive and sleek, the Triple was from the same naked musclebike school as Ducati's Monster. With a torquey three-cylinder motor, high quality cycle parts and no unnecessary frills, it was built for coffee-bar cowboys who took their bikes expresso style: simple, black and strong.

Depending on how it was viewed, the Speed Triple - whose name recalled one of the great early Triumphs, the 500cc Speed Twin of 1938 - was either a sporty version of Triumph's naked Trident 900 or a naked version of the Daytona 900 sportster. While sharing the basic liquid-cooled, 885cc three-cylinder engine layout and steel spine frame of both bikes, the Triple differed enough from either to be very much a distinct model. Its engine was the same 97bhp unit that powered several other bikes in the range, but the Speed Triple alone had five gears, instead of six. To match its lean look and all-black engine and bodywork (yellow paint was an option), the Triple was also fitted with aluminum silencers whose dark finish resembled carbon-fibre.

There was no pretence with the cycle-parts. Forks were 43mm, multi-adjustable Kayaba units; the same Japanese firm's shock could be set for preload and rebound damping. Front brakes were a high-quality blend of 310mm discs and four-piston calipers from Nissin, also of Japan. And the three-spoke wheels held sticky Michelins, the rear a massive 180-section radial.

The Speed Triple certainly lived up to its name, thanks mainly to its supremely responsive motor. By superbike standards the British machine's top speed of about 130mph (209km/h) was unremarkable, but the Triumph scored with outstanding smoothness and flexibility. Almost regardless of revs, it stormed forward in thrilling fashion in response to a twist of the rider's wrist. . Handling was very good, although like other Triumphs the Triple was tall and, at 4601b (209kg), rather heavy. Its rigid frame combined with the sophisticated suspension to give agile cornering without compromising stability. This was the lightest and lowest Triumph model yet, as well as one of the best equipped for hard and fast riding.

For day-to-day use the Triple was also reasonably practical, its lack of luxuries offset by a generous fuel range, comfortable seat and good standard of finish. Despite its similarity to other Triumph models, the Triple managed to project a strong and entertaining character all of its own. In many countries the naked bike became Triumph's best-selling model, and it was easy to see why. The spirit of the pure, simple British Café-racer lived on in the Speed Triple.

Source Fast Bikes by Roland Brown

Make Model	Triumph Speed Triple 900
Year	1994 - 96
Engine Type	Four stroke, transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.
Displacement	885 cc / 54.0 cu in
Bore X Stroke	76 x 65 mm
Compression	10.6:1
Induction	3 x 36 mm Fatslide Mikuni carburetors
Ignition	Digital
Tarting	Electric
Max Power	73 kW / 98 hp @ 9000 rpm
Max Power (at Rear Wheel)	70 kW / 93.6 hp @ 9000 rpm
Max Torque	79.4 Nm / 8.1 kgf-m / 58.6 lb-ft @ 6750 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	43 mm Kayaba telescopic forks, adjustable for preload compression and rebound
Rear Suspension	Tri-link rising rate mono-shock
Front Brakes	2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 255 mm disc
Front Tire	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire	180/55 ZR17
Dry Weight	209 kg / 461 lbs
Wet Weight	225 kg / 496 lbs
Fuel Capacity	25 Liters / 6.6 US gal / 5.5 Imp gal
Consumption Average	5.5 L/100 km / 18.3 km/l / 43 US mpg / 51.6 Imp mpg
Braking 100 Km/h - 0	37.5 m / 123 ft
Standing ¼ Mile	11.4 sec / 188.2 km/h / 116.9 mph
Top Speed	217.4 km/h / 135.1 mph