TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1050 (2005 - 2010) Review

Year: 2010

Pro’s Raw power, smooth, reliable, looks. Con’s Very few, just showing signs of age in places, so little bits of corrosion need keeping in check.

Buying experience: Dealer £4500 advertised £4250 paid

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £300

I really enjoy the bike; performance, looks and presence but three areas let it down - read on

Buying experience: Private sale

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £300

Comfortable to ride, fun with plenty of grunt

Buying experience: Bought from Jax in York

Version: 1050

Year: 2010

worst is i had to replace cylinder head shortly after warranty expired and triumph would not help with the cost so this is my first and last triumph.

Buying experience: dealer /£7200

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £100

Comfortable, great handling , plenty power , amazing brakes , superb fuel range and one more thing , it’s beautiful .

Buying experience: Private from an older gentleman who was giving up bikes , as his wife said to him just before she died she didn’t want there son to lose both parents if he was in an accident on the bike so promised to sell it when she did . We both had a wee tear in our eyes when he told me the story . When I saw the bike in his garage after a cuppa and a chat I knew that was the bike as it was spotless and dripping with all the extras and a massive box of all the original bits never used as all where fitted from day one at Triumph . It was an overnight journey and a hire van to go get the bike but my wife really enjoyed the adventure and it was nice to meat Bruce the owner . We even keep in touch and I send him regular pics of how she looks and it looks like a day old but is actually 12 . ! A credit to its previous 2 owners , this bike is a keeper for me .

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £100

After 35 yrs of sport bikes this is amazing . Once I changed the seat for a gel one it has become so comfortable. The riding position is great as well as the power and fuel consumption. Worst thing about the bike is that I should have done it years ago . But seriously, wish it had a gear indicator??

Buying experience: Bought private and got a great deal .

Version: 2009 Carbon Edition

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £500

Beauty and the beast combined. A five star machine. It ticks all the boxes for me: looks, engine and handling. This is a true Goldilocks bike, hits that sweet spot in so many areas. Fast, comfy, smooth, characterful, sounds great, handles well and of course is a beauty. This bike has been great for touring, cruising, commuting and b road blasts. For me the 2008-10 looks the best, it has a classic look about it that someone who doesn't like bikes would appreciate, and it has more performance than I'll ever need. Can't recommend it enough.

Buying experience: Bought second hand from a dealer, paid £5 for the bike with 10,000 miles on it. In very good condition, carbon edition etc.

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £500

Would be 5 if it wasn't for those darned electrical issues.

Buying experience: I bought mine for £3000 in 2009 as a cat D cosmetic insurance write off. £400 and a bit of labour later and it was as good as new. If you know what you are looking for the bargains are always to be had privately.

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £400

I bought my Speed Triple new in 2008. Since then I've had a great time on this bike. The engine is, in my opinion, perfect for a street machine. The bike possesses gobs of torque, and that wonderful sound stirs the blood in a way that no high-revving boy-racer can. The stock suspension is probably spot on for a typical rider, but as I tip the scales at about 230 lbs. I've upgraded the suspension with an Ohlin's rear shock and GP Racing fork kit. The fork now doesn't bottom under hard breaking and the rear is much more planted and precise. Some will say that the suspension is pretty stiff, but it suits me fine.

Buying experience: My dealer was Cascade Moto Sports in Beaverton, OR, USA. The price, with exhaust, was about $12,500.00 in 2008. They are a great dealer and I would have no qualms about buying from them again.

Fantastic Bike!

I liked the Triple. It has all the must have bits on, and looks like it would bully the other bikes in the garage! Obviously we know it performs well, and Triumph have done a great job of designing a solid common sense engine to work on too. My only gripes were the skinny hand grips as standard, and being so cramped in the leg for a naked (though I am 6'1" and a little lanky). Other than that, if you like it, buy it! Triumph really are making some of the best quality bikes available at the moment. I have had 3 in the last couple of years, all very good, in fact I would go as far to say the best bikes I have ridden to date!

I've been given one of these as a loan bike after the garage crashed my Street Triple and it's an amazing machine. The power, handling and looks (despite the metalic green paint job!) are really impressive. Bit heavy and not as nimble as the Street Triple, so it becomes a bit hard going after a while on the really winding roads and in rush hour traffic, but on the open roads with sweeping bends, it's awesome. The power delivery is aggresive but smooth and the torque is neverending. I opened it up a bit in 1st (not full throttle) while pulling away and I ended up on one wheel, despite leaning forward over the handle bars. Def need to be careful in the first couple of gears! I do prefer my Street Triple, but that's mainly because I use it to commute and do a lot of miles on very windy roads, which it eats up. The only downside is that it was noticably very thristy compared to the Street Triple, but it is a big engine, so to be expected. I got 31mpg over the weekend on a pretty sedate ride. I'd have expected at least 50mpg out of the smaller Street Triple. Great bike though, and I may consider one in a few years if I can afford to have another bike too just for commuting.

I have had my Triple 15th anniversary for 6mths, covered about 2k, I am affraid to say not that impressed, I think I must have a friday afternoon one,It stops ok, rides ok, excellerates ok, but as you can tell it seems ok, but I must admit it is a looker after I changed the pipes, added a few bits to make it my own, but a least I don't have to keep shutting the throttle like I did on the Aprilia Tuono or the Yam FZ1. I think it may need to go to the shop as mine tops out at 125mph.Its ok as long as I stay on the small roads you would never know.

Wow, This is one hell of a good looking bike, that beautiful big back tyre and the gorgeous black paintjob, its probably one of best looking Streetfighter around. Triumph have kept their traditional look twin headlight and it just looks much better than the rest! If you think it looks good from a far, wait till you get on it and start her up !,, and prepare to dribble like a 6 week old baby. Unlike anything else, well this bike makes such a beautiful sound it constantly takes my breathe away. Mine has a full arrow 3-1 Racing exhaust system. But I have heard a standard one as well, and you simply cant get over the noise as you open up the taps, or my favourite bit, the burble and pops you get when you come off the throttle suddenly. Sounds like a Roaring Lion after having just eaten some TNT. The biggest shock though is the performance, this is a Streetfighter, it's pretty upright and really comfortable, so it comes as a complete surprise when you open the throttle and find yourself in some sort of alternate reality as you have ripped a whole in the [Space Time continuum] Yes it is that quick and it's the surprise that gets you, I am used to a Streetfighter being slightly detuned to allow for smoother riding, not here, this Machine is scarily fast, and because of the engine set up and the fact its a triple, it can apply that shock factor at all times! Speed triple is a "Hand Grenade bike" which means you pull the throttle and just kind of hold on for your dear life! Luckily the handling and suspension can handle it, and the brakes are so good that even if you do get surprised by the power, you can easily take off the speed before you kill yourself or find the road running out. Every time you get on this bike your guaranteed a thrill, its definitely not for the novice rider, but for a decent rider who wants to be able to stay up with the big boys on the Superbikes but still retain that Streetfighter style and image, then this is the bike for you.

I have had quite a few Jap bikes and wanted a change so purchased a 955i Daytona 2 years ago. I wasn’t looking to buy a triumph ( I wanted Italian) Found that the Daytona was a cracking bike for the money. This year I looked into getting a 1050 speed triple but thought that it can’t be that far off the Daytona, how wrong, this bike raises the bench even higher, after the test ride I had to have one. I now look for excuses to ride it. Its like you have just passed your test and got your first big bike. May it continue.

I have had my 1050 speed Triple for over 2 and a half years. I went from a 125cc to the triple with no problems. It is a really easy bike to handle. The triple is a good all rounder, it has been around europe twice, track days, commuting to work, high speed cruising in germany and been through a desert and has not missed a beat. The only problems with it i think are 1.the exhausts they look fantasic but they have melted rucksacks, hand bags, boots(pillon),helmets(badly placed when shopping) and coats. plus they stop you from putting panniers on but you can buy after market lower exhausts. 2. After 12,000 miles i had to get a new clutch. 3. Services(every 6'000 miles) can be expensive. and 4. I think it can feel a bit top heavy. But it is a fantastic bike and i'm glad i chose it for my first big bike. The problem i have now is what ever bike i get next has got some big shoes to fill.

Had my 1050 Speed Triple for 2 and a half years. After eventually getting working pistons fitted in the front brakes ( thank fook ). It's brilliant, the best ROAD engine you could want, handles pretty well and if only the Brembo brakes of the 2008 model were fitted to it originally. But Triumph build quality is getting worse. I have had one new wheel, rear footpeg hangers,front brake pistons and I know plenty of Triumph owners with many an issue, one with a Speedmaster, only 4 months old. Come on Triumph, get it together cos you make great products and go and ruin it with a cheep finnish. I love to say to people I ride a Triumph,and am proud to buy Brittish.But this is my second Speed Triple and my heart say's by another Triumph. My head say's up your's Triumph, give me a call if you are going to sort out the quality.Mr KTM is the only other contender on my list, and we will have to see what the new VENOM will be like when it's launched by the end of the year.

every time i get on my `speedy` i have the best riding experience a `naked`bike can give,ultra responsive in the `twisties` mid range torque is amazingly fun,and wheelies seem to be its natural position,brakes that actualy stop you and styling that is superb,what more can you ask for(apart from kylie on the back that is :) )

Absolutely fantastic bike. The need to slow down a bit and achey wrists drove me off my R1, so had a look around and decided a naked bike was for me and the speed triple at the top of the list. It's a totally different riding position to a sportsbike and not so hot on acceleration which takes a bit of getting used to. But once you do its brilliant !! The A roads rond the Cotswolds are the best, the bike is much more road friendly and I feel I can go on for hours, whereas it was an hour max on the R1 without stopping. Its a superb looking bike as well and gets noticed wherever it goes. I love the twin exhausts under the saddle and the aggresive front. Strengths: Handling, speed, looks, feels like a "real" motorbike when riding it. Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.

Had the bike for 7 months now and have had nothing but the best riding of my whole 16 years on bikes. It's fast, handles superbly with impecable road manners and it's easy to out ride sports bikes. I find it more comfortable than the GS I had previously even though I have arthritis in my hips and I have found a great luggage system from Ventura that lets me go where I want without having to sacrifice comfort at my destination. Strengths: All round great bike. Weaknesses: Triumph servicing and parts costs are bloody steep but once the warranty is out they can stick it up their arse.

I've owned one for three years and what a great bike forget sports bikes this will stay with them on any twisty and a good rider will leave most sports bikes standing . Strengths: Awesome engine for drive out of corners and rock steady suspension even two up when set up right. Weaknesses: Gear box a bit notchy and sometimes a bit stiff.

I had the original Speed Triple T509, and changed the motor for a Daytona to make things more exciting. I recently bought a new 2005 Speed Triple, and it is soo much better. I live in The Netherlands, and so use the bike to go home with, and see friends, so a lot of long trips on the old bike. I got the new one and went to Italy in the last week of September. I did 800 kms with a tank bag and a large bag on the back seat in an afternoon.. you can tour on this one too!!! I noticed one of the comments was about the lack of hooks for luggage, well turn the seat upside down and you will see they have made into the seat holes for straps to be fed thru..perfect for carrying a bag with, and believe me it works at speed too.. Great bike, great tourer (although in most people minds a bit unprotected for touring) great sports bike, and as common as hell in Italy.. Triumph.. keep it up.. Strengths: All round capabilites, can go crazy, green laner, tour, you name it.. Great looks, and sound fantastic. Weaknesses: None....the euro made this cost me around £9000, so expensive compared to UK prices :0(