For today first riding impressions, I swapped Triumph triples, from the Street Triple R to the nasty-looking 1050 Speed Triple.

Both bikes project that typical three-cylinder feeling, neither the turbine effect of a standard four (The Yamaha R1 is not part of that bunch...) nor the well defined poundings of a twin, just a nice purr to let you know it is at work. The larger displacement of the Speed Triple naturally means more torque and power, as well as extra mass. 


We can feel the difference on the larger machine, but not as much of a difference as you would expect; the bigger bike remains agile in town as well as in corners, while the extra torque is there, but again not the leap that you would have expected.

One difference did jump at me: the extra space afforded the rider on the Speed, with a "looser" seat, lower foot rests and a slightly less forward-leaning riding position. All good as far as I am concerned. Look for a more complete report in the coming weeks.

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Photo Credit : Bernard Suquet