Triumph Speed Triple R test: the wheels of fortune
Like the Daytona 675 R last year, the Speed Triple R receives high-end elements in 2012: Ohlins suspensions, Brembo monobloc calipers and carbon parts. As a bonus, the Triumph roadster is adorned with forged aluminum rims. For 3100 €, I would like an R !
The Speed Triple on its 31…
When Triumph launched the invitations to the launches of its flagship products, there was suddenly a great stir among the editorial staff of the specialized press. Even the intrepid and unbiased Site Testers – who else? – know it: they will be able to have fun !
Already last year, MNC had the privilege of testing the excellent Daytona 675 R on the equally exciting Portimao track, usually surveyed by the pros of the World Superbike (read our). In 2012, Triumph is back: the place of the tasting is not lacking in flavor, since it is the Jerez circuit, test track and MotoGP race !
The bike to eat is just as enticing: the British manufacturer serves us on the Speed Triple the famous “R” sauce that we discovered a little over a year ago, on the private circuit of Ascari and on the surrounding roads (read our and our).
"This project was born at the same time as the standard Speed Triple", confesses Simon Warburton, product manager at Triumph, from July 2007. Started in June 2009 once the geometry of the new Speed was finalized, the development of the maxi roadster in its R version followed that of the Daytona 675 R, this which explains the similarities between these two exceptional Triumph motorcycles.
First of all, we find on the Speed Triple R the original Ohlins suspensions: the NIX30 front fork and the TTX36 shock absorber, duly calibrated by the Swedish and English teams: "the first prototypes were tested on various Spanish circuits, in the presence of engineers and test pilots Ohlins and Triumph", specifies the English brand.
Thus, although they bear the same names, the suspensions of the Daytona 675 R and those of the Speed Triple R are naturally not interchangeable: the calibrations of the springs and the adjustments of the hydraulics vary according to the sizes of the motorcycles and of the constraints to which they are exposed.
Likewise, Brembo calipers – "one-piece", please! – of the Speed Triple R continue to bite the two 320 mm front discs that originally equip the Speed Triple, while the Supersport is satisfied with 308 mm discs. But should we remember that in their standard version, the Daytona weighs 29 kg to the Speed Triple on the scale ?
Precisely in order to reduce the weight of its maxi roadster – which goes from 214 kg as standard to 212 kg all full made in version R -, Triumph wanted to offer him – "offer" to the bike, but "charge" to its purchaser – sublime forged aluminum rims "made by Otto Fuchs, famous for the legendary alloy wheels of the Porsche 911 of the 1960s, and machined by PVM".
"These flow-rotated rims are up to 20% lighter than conventional cast rims thanks to their thinner walls (2.5 mm compared to 4 mm for a cast rim). They reduce the unsprung weight of the Speed Triple R by 1.7 kg, reducing inertia by 16% at the front and 25% at the rear.", assure the English.
In addition, the exclusive design of its new wheels allows the Speed R to differentiate itself from the classic model. At the same time, Triumph has the good taste to fit its new roadster with very sporty compounds: Pirelli SuperCorsa SP (against Metzeler Interact K3 on the "straightforward" Speed Triple).
Aesthetically, the Speed Triple R is greatly inspired by the Dayto R and we immediately notice the coat of red paint on the rear loop of the frame and the matching rim trims. But unlike the white Daytona R, the Speed R is available in two colors: "Crystal White" and "Phantom Black".
Still on the roadster, it is the radiator, tank and fork guards that add a touch of carbon and reinforce the high-end character of the bike. And Simon Warburton to insist at the press conference before the track test: "for these elements, we use the same supplier as Lamborghini for its Gallardo Superleggera or Audi for its R8". The best of the best, therefore !
The British official then warns us that the gearbox has been overhauled. "The English are very attentive to your comments and those of our customers, which is why this transmission element has been improved.", asserts us the press manager of Triumph France, Eric Pecoraro..
"The 1050 cc gearbox has been redesigned, with new shift axles and shafts and a new shift drum", specify the engineers of Hinckley."The new reports present five dogs instead of four, more resistant than the old ones thanks to a new composition and a new shape. Tolerances have been reduced on most gears and shaft splines are now formed instead of cut, reducing friction".
So, still according to the manufacturer, "the driver benefits from a significantly improved gearbox which allows him to appreciate even more the sensations offered by the bewitching three-cylinder 135 horsepower, which does not present any other modification compared to the standard model launched 12 months ago".
Drivers of Speed Triple "without R" will also benefit from this new element. So that the "2012" box does not enter into the additional cost of the "R". A letter which is worth, on this motorcycle, the trifle of 3100 €, advanced equipment requires !
"The price difference between the standard and the R is greater on the Speed Triple than on the Daytona, because the evolutions are not exactly the same", explains Simon Warburton to Site. The men of Triumph had thought for a time to equip their Supersport with pretty PVM rims, but"the invoice of "this" Daytona R would have reached that of a Superbike almost … On the Speed, the operation was feasible".
Because as always, money is the sinews of war: "we had thought of the carbon light support for the Speed, the part was even made and the result was superb, unfortunately this made the bill even higher", regrets the big boss of production Hinckley forced to limit the number of carbon parts to three.
"Indeed, we will not see, for the same economic reasons, Ohlins suspensions and Brembo monobloc calipers appear on a "new" Street Triple R", assures us the English manager."The price of a Street Triple R of this type would come too close to that of a Speed Triple".
But enough chatter: Saïmone invites us to put on our leather suit to spin the new wheels of the Speed Triple R !
On the program: four 20-minute sessions on the fabulous Jerez circuit, a three-cylinder still developing 135 hp and 110 Nm, the frame and general configuration of the 2011 Speed but new suspensions, a new front brake and two new rims … ready? Action !
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