Triumph returns the Speed Triple for its 14th year of production, with the streetfighter mount getting new brakes and redesigned rear end. It is also available now in this Blazing Orange color, excuse us, colour.
"Hard as nails. The definitive streetfighter."
That's how Triumph's PR refers to its own Speed Triple and this year the British marque returns the design for its 14th year of production. While the big news coming out of the British firm for '08 is the release of the much-anticipated 675-powered
Street Triple, or rumors that the British marque may get
sold off to the Indian firm Bajaj, the Speed Triple has arrived for 2008 with some upgrades like different brakes, a redesigned rear end and new wheels.
Unchanged for '08 is the Triple's 1050cc inline three-cylinder powerplant, with claimed power numbers matching the '07 motor. The difference for '08 being this year's sweet-sounding motor is cooled by a redesigned radiator.
The Triple's mushy brakes were our major complaint when we tested the '06 Trumpet in our 2006 Streetfighter comparo. Triumph's remedy for '08 has been to swap out last year's Nissin stoppers for Brembo binders. The supplying brand name has changed but the braking configuration remains, with four-piston radial calipers up front biting down on twin 320mm rotors and a two-piston caliper squeezing a 220mm disc out back.
The suspension components also return for '08, with a 43mm fork and rear shock both adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. The '08 difference is cosmetic, as this year's fork is a black anodized unit, which melts right into the black frame.
The rear wheels sport a different look as well. The '08 Triple retains its single-sided swingarm, but the back wheel ditches last year's star-like, five-spoke pattern for a design which resembles a flower.
The rear end has also received a facelift, with the subframe all new. The polished stainless steel unit helps shield heat from the underseat exhaust and Triumph promises a repositioned passenger footpeg increases the pillion's legroom. The back end also features an all-new clear-lens LED taillight.
The new 2008 Speed Triple features a redesigned rear end, with an all-new aluminum subframe and LED taillight. It looks like the new design will also have an aftermarket 3-into-1 Arrow exhaust available as well.
The steering geometry and claimed 416-lb dry weight are identical to last year's model. The only other changes mentioned in Triumph PR are the Magura tapered, anodized aluminum handlebar and the availability of a new color - Blazing Orange. Although we know the British street brawler would prefer us Yanks to call it an "aluminium" handlebar and new "colours."
The Speed Triple was notable in our
2006 Streetfighter Comparo in that it was the only entry to carry a sub-five-figure sticker price. So far the MSRP has an ominous TBD on the '08 spec sheet, which makes us speculate that inflation or the peso-like value of the American dollar compared to the Euro will mean this year's Triple just might crest the 10K mark.
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