2018-2020 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 S used buying guide - not a bad bike but you should buy the RS!

Highlights
- Excellent inline-triple engine
- Successor to the original mass-produced streetfighter
- Not worth the saving over the top-spec RS model
At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Power: | 148 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.5 in / 825 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (423 lbs / 192 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesIt’s ironic, but in making the RS such brilliant value for money, Triumph did this model a disservice at the same time. You see. the Triumph Speed Triple 1050 S was a great naked roadster motorbike that had a wonderful triple motor and a good level of equipment.
But, and it is a big but, the Triumph Speed Triple 1050 RS was priced so tantalisingly within reach for an incredible amount of extra equipment, it was almost impossible to turn it down – especially as most of the items were inevitably bought aftermarket by owners anyway. If you owned a Speed Triple S you would be delighted, right up until the moment you parked it next to an RS, at which point your heart would sink slightly.
Triumph finally gave the Triumph Speed Triple RS a proper overhaul to bring it up-to-date with the super naked motorbike competition in 2023 with the Triumph Speed Triple 120 RS.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe S rides beautifully on the road and you never call into doubt the quality of the Showa suspension or that beautiful triple motor. It’s just a wonderfully good fun bike to ride and while not as full-on as other super nakeds in terms of performance, that’s not its target audience.
This is a bike to be enjoyed – and thanks to that triple motor with its new lease of life, you will certainly enjoy riding the Speed Triple S.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe 1050cc triple has received, according to Triumph, over 105 new parts for 2018 that boosted its power by 10bhp and torque by 4ftlb. It’s a wonderful motor that sounds deeper and responds faster than the previous generation’s engine.
As a relaxed road bike it’s perfect and has enough grunt to deliver thrills without too many spills while the gearbox is positive and precise – unlike on so many of the previous models.
And being less highly strung, it's possible it'll stand the test of time better than some of its livelier rivals.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe build quality appears very impressive on the Speed Triple S and anyway, if it all goes wrong Hinckley isn’t that far to travel to and complain.
Indeed, our Triumph Speed Triple 1050 S owners' reviews show delighted buyers and nothing negative from a reliability perspective, other than a loose nut on a quickshifter that was promptly sorted by the dealer.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentAt £11,350 when launched (plus £150 if you want a white bike), the Triumph Speed Triple S was at the top end of the super naked scale. There again, it did come with a good electronics package, TFT dash and a high level of build quality. It’s only when you see the all-singing RS model was just £1900 more that you start to question its price tag. As a used buy it's going to be fairly rare to find an S, because the RS is such a fantastic buy, but they're available from £6k in our Bikes for Sale section.
The super naked motorbike market has gone berserk in recent years and the old 1050 feels more like a middleweight by comparison. The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS marked a big step up in performance for the model, but it has to compete with weapons like the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory, the superbike with flat bars BMW M1000R and the gorgeous but also powerful Ducati Streetfighter V4S. With that competition in mind this Triumph is lagging behind a little...
Equipment
While you get traction control and ABS, they aren’t angle-sensitive, which is a shame. The Showa suspension is fully-adjustable, you have Brembo monoblock radial brakes, four rider modes, a TFT dash, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres, cruise control and back-lit switchgear. It’s all very impressive - but again, until you see the RS’s spec list.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1050cc |
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Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 12v, triple |
Frame type | Twin spar tubular aluminium with single-sided swingarm |
Fuel capacity | 15.5 litres |
Seat height | 825mm |
Bike weight | 192kg |
Front suspension | 43mm, Showa inverted forks, fully-adjustable |
Rear suspension | 43mm, Showa inverted forks, fully-adjustable |
Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs with Brembo four-piston radial calipers |
Rear brake | 255mm single disc with single-piston caliper |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 190/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 52 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | - |
New price | - |
Used price | £6,500 |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 148 bhp |
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Max torque | 86 ft-lb |
Top speed | 150 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 186 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
Over the years there have been several significant changes to the Speed Triple range. In 1994, the 885cc steel-frame Speed Triple was launched.
In 1997, the second-generation of Speed Triple, the T509, gained the iconic twin headlight look. T
he following year, 1998, the motor grew to 955cc.
In 2005, the ‘underseat pipe’ 1050cc Speed Triple was launched.
In 2008, the Speed Triple 1050 was updated with new wheels, brakes and subframe.
In 2011, an all-new Speed Triple was launched with sportier handling.
The first Speed Triple R arrived in 2012 with Öhlins suspension and most recently in 2016 the Speed Triple was updated and available in R and S forms.
Other versions
Other Triumph Speed Triple reviews on MCN
Owners' reviews for the TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1050 S (2018 - 2020)
3 owners have reviewed their TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1050 S (2018 - 2020) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1050 S (2018 - 2020)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: |
Year: 2018
Brilliant bike for the road you don’t need the RS or anything more power handling brakes etc are perfect for today’s roads
Ride is superb At it’s best on fast A roads where the engine is faultless, you can either leave it in a high gear and just roll the throttle on or off or you can play with the gearbox either way it’s bloody brilliant getting about 150 miles to a tank average which by that it’s nice to have a leg stretch. My wife has been on the back a couple of times and has said !!! Urm no !!! Make of that what you will !!!
Beautiful
No worries with build quality or reliability had the recall for the quick shifter all professionally done by Webb’s of Peterborough
Servicing still think is a bit expensive but probably no more than any other big bike getting about 50 mpg average so good for the performance
Bought it when it was 5 months old with next to no miles came with arrow cans quick shifter carbon tail tidy plus extras have since fitted radiator and oil cooler protector all highly recommended especially arrows sounds fantastic bikes black the only colour in my view for a speed triple !!, little fly screen helps but how much I’m not sure , it came with supercorsa’s which were brilliant but didn’t last long was recommended Rosso 2’s by Mark of mobile bike tyres ( highly recommended) and they are spot on
Buying experience: Bought it from triumph of lowestoft no problems very professional good bunch of guys
Year: 2018
Fitted with arrow cans quick shifter carbon extras flyscreen tail tidy led indicators plus extras
Beautiful
Servicing dear larger fuel tank would be better
Arrow exhausts a must quick shifter is lovely plus bikes black
Buying experience: Triumph in lowestoft very good no problems nice bunch
Year: 2019
The engine, suspension, braking, styling and new dash are awesome. The twin exhaust sound great, rider modes and back lit switchgear are brilliant with the added bonus of cruise control. The only downside I’ve had are the tyres which are superb in the dry but not to good in the damp or wet. Handlebars are quite buzzy.
Ride is a little on the stiff side for the poor road conditions. I do plan to take it to have the suspension set up for me.
Absolutely fantastic, loads of torque, smooth delivery and plenty of speed when needed or wanted.
Build quality is brilliant. The only issue I’ve had is the quick shifter wasn’t tightened up properly when I collected the bike which resulted in a nut falling off and I couldn’t down shift but managed to limp back to triumph who sorted straight away. Had a recall on the front brake pads which I never had an issue with anyway.
Triumph have fixed service costs depending on engine size and if it’s an annual or major service.
The triumph windscreen is great and very good value. The up and down quick shifter is slick and a must. I’ve just fitted bar risers to take some weight off my wrists and hands as I am a shorty. Rad and oil cooler guards are recommended. If you plan to use the bike in the wet I would recommend a tyre change (my next change)
Buying experience: Bought the speed triple S from Triumph in Watford. It was on special offer at £9.999. Highly recommend this dealership as the staff are awesome and made the buying experience feel special.