The potent English roadster is back, sharper, quicker and more refined than ever. The new Japanese rockets better watch out: the Speed Triple is set to reconquer the class where it called the shots for years on the Canadian market.

If you know the reputation of this English sportster, you undoubtedly couldn’t contain your glee when Triumph announced it was going back to the drawing board. The atypical mount motivated by a powerful and charismatic three-cylinder mill has sailed through the past 15 years with head held high, outstripping its shootout opponents almost every time.

The potent English roadster is back, sharper, quicker and more refined than ever. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Moto123.com)

The overall finesse of Triumph’s new offering brings tears to the eyes, with the three-cylinder mill, which is narrower than the four-bangers powering the competition, giving it an exclusive cachet. The English bike’s strong visual identity has earned the public’s favour over the years, and you’ll be happy to see that the beast’s aura remains intact: simple twin headlamps, aluminum wheel highlighted by a single-sided swingarm and twin silencers overhanging the beefy rear tire.

Smooth and responsive
Tweaked rather than fully redesigned, the new model has thankfully kept the same engine and frame as the outgoing version. Electronic updates and revised internal components give said engine more explosive punch.

Output is up by 5 hp for a total of 135 ponies unleashed at 9,400 rpm, and torque is up by 8.2% for 82 ft-lb at 7,750 rpm. The crankcase has been flattened out to increase ground clearance, while the now-curvy radiator boasts a greater capacity in order to lower the engine’s operating temperature.

The exhaust note so admired by Speed fans is still as intoxicating as ever, no matter the pace you set. Torque is available from 1,500 rpm onwards, propelling the bike with a great compromise of smoothness and responsiveness.

Output is up by 5 hp for a total of 135 ponies unleashed at 9,400 rpm, and torque is up by 8.2% for 82 ft-lb at 7,750 rpm. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Moto123.com)