Updated September 9, 2000

 

Simon Miller's Story
A note from a fellow rider in Northern Ireland

Firstly, my apologies if you find that I have pillaged any articles from other websites or literature, after all; plagiary is the highest form of flattery. I have only sought to promote the product, not myself.

Why specifically the 1996 Triumph Speed Triple? Well, if they never made the '96 model, I would be writing about the '95 model. I personally wanted a Speed Triple from the moment I saw one. I accept that the T509 is progression yet I was more struck by the 'family' of Daytona, Sprint, Trophy, Trident; Triple.

Unfortunately, I am not so well off as to be able to buy new and had to wait until such an obsession was affordable. This took four years and involved a pilgrimage of sorts in that I collected everything I could on Speed Triples and took advantage of as many Test Rides as dealers would allow. I even managed to visit the Triumph Factory on a Families Day and that was not easy!

Anyway, enough about me.

The Triumph Speed Triple was born in Hinckley, Leicestershire, in 1994 (I believe). Julian Ryder acknowledged that the Speed Triple was a clever reincarnation of the British Cafe Racer, complete with clip-on handlebars and rear-set footrests. The big three-cylinder engine in standard tune received an all black finish with black chrome pipes and silencers for the appropriate mean look. Black wheel rims and new bodywork completed a superbly styled bike available with black or yellow bodywork, the Speed Triple was the star of the (1995 NEC) show; a bike with attitude. A 'Speed Triple only' race series known as the Speed Triple Challenge which provided a generous amount of prize money, helped give the factory's products some racetrack credibility that would otherwise have been hard to come by.

So, history; The Triumph Speed Triple was introduced in 1994 and was basically a Triumph Daytona 900 without a fairing and with the top gear blanked off - leaving only five gears. An instant hit with its cafˇ racer looks, it was available in red, yellow or black.

The following year (1995) saw the availability of orange replacing yellow.

By 1996, the sixth gear was added along with updated suspension with pre-load & rebound damping - and with a touch of gold around the brake callipers and disks. At the end of the year, the 750cc Speed Triple was introduced which was a 750cc Triumph Trident 750 with Speed Triple bodywork, brakes and exhaust system.

By 1997, both the 750cc & 900cc Speed Triples were discontinued and replaced by the 'new look' T509 Speed Triple.

As I've already said, I'm not the wealthiest of people (rich in life but poor in money), I waited for four years and then, in 2000, the second hand prices for a Speed Triple had come down to around £2800 - £3800. I was fortunate enough to purchase a 1996 model which had the seat hub, belly-pan and a cafˇ racer style fairing attached - all in black.

Mention should also be made of the Speed Quattro - I believe an Italian development; to take the Daytona 1200cc four-cylinder engine and place it in a Speed Triple frame. Maybe there is a Speed Turbo out there? ...Speed Nitro?

Should you have any other suitable material on this subject, especially photographs, please send them to the.millers@cwcom.net