2008 Triumph Speed Triple
The Speed Triple, with its mix of a powerful three-cylinder engine, a top quality chassis and an aggressive, stripped down stance, enters its fourteenth year as part of Triumph's Urban Sports range.
This year it brings with it a host of styling refinements to refresh this iconic motorcycle, helping ensure its status as the definitive factory street fighter.
Starting from the front of the bike, a redesigned radiator shroud gives the bike a more integrated appearance, while the new tapered anodised aluminium handlebars and the black anodised front forks enhance the aesthetics. The brakes have been upgraded to high spec twin Brembo radial front caliper four pad, four piston units with a radial master cylinder for outstanding braking performance. The alloy multi-spoke wheels have been completely restyled too. The rear end of the Speed Triple takes on a completely new design, with a brand new sub-frame, polished stainless steel heat shields and new ball burnished aluminium pillion foot rests to give the pillion rider more leg room. The clear lensed LED rear light is taken from the Daytona 675 and, thanks to the rear end redesign, the bike looks great from the back, which fellow riders can admire as you leave them behind…
The 1,050cc, DOHC, fuel-injected, three-cylinder engine that powers the Speed Triple remains unchanged for 2008, and for good reason - the gnarly character of the inline triple is intrinsic to the Speed Triple's brutish charm. The engine pumps out a great surge of bottom end torque, followed by a massive mid-range punch and an impressive level of overall power, all of which is delivered to the rear wheel via a slick shifting six-speed gearbox. Peak power is 132PS at 9,250rpm while peak torque of 105Nm arrives at 7,500rpm. Triumph's second generation Keihin Engine Control Unit offers sophisticated mapping for quicker starting, cleaner running and fuel economic engine.
A rigid aluminium frame contains the engine and provides massive strength with steering geometry that gives fast steering neutrality plus great stability. The fully adjustable 43mm upside down forks and rear monoshock - specifically developed for the Speed Triple - add superb levels of quality and control. The evocative single sided swingarm adds style and substance while the twin-level oval section exhaust pipes enhance the engine's distinctive and addictive induction roar.
The Triumph Accessory range for the Speed Triple includes the popular Arrow 3 into 1 full race system (for circuit use only), as well as a host of other factory approved parts. The list includes fat handlebars, high performance silencers (for circuit use only), belly pan, rear hugger and a wealth of carbon fibre goodies and other cosmetic additions, such as the anodised radiator cowl and heel guards. Three colour options are available for 2008; Jet Black, Fusion White and Blazing Orange.
2008 Triumph Speed Triple
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity: 1,050cc
Bore/Stroke: 79 x 71.4mm
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Fuel System: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Exhaust: 3 into 1 into 2 stainless steel, twin high level silencer catalyst insecondaries.
Ignition: Digital-inductive type via electronic engine management system
Transmission: Primary drive: Gear, back lash eliminator
Final Drive: X ring chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox: 6-speed
Throttle body diameter: 46.0mm
Frame: Aluminium beam perimeter
Swingarm: Single-sided, aluminium alloy with eccentric chain adjuster
Suspension: Front - Showa 43mm upside down forks with dual rate springs and adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping. 120mm travel Rear - Showa Monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound and compression damping. 141mm travel
Brakes: Front -Twin 320mm floating discs, Twin Brembo 4 Piston 4 pad radial calipers. Radial master cylinder
Updates for 2008:
_ High-spec Brembo front brake calipers and radial master cylinder
_ Restyled alloy multi-spoke wheels
_ Black anodised 43mm Showa upside down front forks
_ Tapered, anodised aluminium Magura handlebars
_ New rear sub-frame and redesigned bodywork
_ Redesigned radiator shrouds
_ Repositioned aluminium pillion foot rests

