Find or Sell Motorcycles & Scooters in USA

Church of MO: 2002 Triumph Speed Triple

Sun, 09 Jan 2022

Still no score and twenty years ago, yours truly came to work at MO for the first time (where I apparently found it my duty to insert a lot of parentheticals signed Ed). I think the 2002 Triumph Speed Triple was one of the first bikes we reviewed upon my arrival. That’s me resting on the couch after performing the horn mono for Minime’s Kodak Brownie, which took a lot out of me. Calvin “Clavin” Kim moved onward and upward, and now does something important at Porsche North America. Those were the days my friend.

All the sport without the plastic

Torrance, California, March 4, 2003 — The last time we rode a Speed Triple was for our 1997 Open Bikini Shootout where we compared it (then known as the T509) to the likes of the Ducati Monster 900 and the Buell S1 White Lightning. Unfortunately for Triumph, their triple finished third. (Nothing could better back up my theory that the internet used to be manned by yahoos–Ed.)Thankfully for Triumph, a lot has changed since then. Buell’s S1 is no longer in production and both the Monster and the Speed Triple have grown up since that last test. But we’re not here to discuss the Ducati and the Buell. Oh no, we’re here to talk about the bike that was seen gracing last year’s action flick, Mission Impossible II.

Only it really wasn’t a Speed Triple. Well, it was. Then it had knobby tires. Then they used a Speed Triple, er, Speed Single that used a 2-stroke motocross engine with a look-a-like engine made of plastic. Anyway, would the real Speed Triple please stand up?

There it is. But looking at it and riding it are two different things, for the 2002 iteration of the bike is further refined into an even more aggressive machine.

“For starters, the engine is a redesigned unit shared between the 955i Daytona and the other triples in the Triumph line up.”

Noteworthy changes include a repositioned alternator and starter, revised oiling and cooling passageways, as well as lightened internal bits and raised compression. Showcasing the motor is the same oval-tube aluminum perimeter frame from the previous iteration of the Speed Triple, but with changes including a wheelbase that’s been shortened to 1423 mm,steeper rake–23.5 degrees–and a slightly raised rear end, all of which adds up to quicker steering. Figuring in the bike’s claimed dry weight of 416 pounds (well above 450 in running trim) (Somebdoy make note to get a dang scale in here–Ed.), and you begin to realize that those wide bars are there for a reason. The look remains distinctively aggressive though the plastic, what little there is of it, has been subtly redesigned, and firing up the rasty triple in the shop completes the rider transmogrification from innocent motojournalist/web genius to lane-splitting traffic slayer. Something about this bike inisists its pilot adopt an aggressive riding style, though maybe not aboard the pink version (Nuclear Red, Triumph calls it)– and where’s my Beretta?

Dual four-piston front calipers deliver what you want how you want it. Trail braking the front tire into corners is easy and, thanks to a responsive and communicative front end sporting 45mm right-side-up Showa legs, you can use all the brakes in the bank without bouncing any checks or body parts. After the third pass of a 13-mile stretch of road, a little fade in some hard-braking downhill zones began to filer in. No worries,the rear brake and engine braking slowed things down nicely and you get to listen to the triple howl on the overrun. (Hackfu, king of the late-braking street squids… what have I gotten myself into?–Ed.)

On swervy roads, the Speed Triple makes you feel invincible, like you’re in charge of a big dirt bike with really good traction.

Strongish brakes are good things to have on this bike, as the new 955cc triple produces a bunch more power than last year’s bike: 68.5 foot-pounds of torque at 7600 rpm, and 114.3 horsepower at 9500 rpm moves the whole kit along quite nicely, and gives the Speed Triple a superior power-to-weight ratio compared to the other bikes in its class (if you think of the ZRX1200 Kawasaki, Yamaha FZ1, and Ducati Monster S4 as being in its class, that is).

On the Triumph you’re kind of a tough guy, see? It’s so James Bond. It so, well, it’s just plain cool.

For those who’ve never experienced one of Triumph’s menage a trois triples, it’s sort of like the power below three-thousand revs is inline-fourish, the mid-range is undeniably twinlike.

Then, where a twin might start gasping for breath, the triple goes ahead pulling all the way to redline (long as you pay no mind to the fact that modern twins pull past 9500–Ed.).

We found the motor to be most enjoyable anywhere from five-thousand revs on up to redline. In first or second gear, wheelies are but a clutch slip or manly twist of the throttle away.

The layout of the instruments is straight-foward, but with a bit of a British twist peering down onto the big mean bug-looking front end.

The new engine doesn’t seem to have quite as much poke off-idle and up to 2500 rpm as other ’02 Speed Triples we’ve ridden, which you either learn to ignore by slipping the clutch a little, or eventually fix by, like many other Triumphs, taking it back to the dealer until the right FI program appears from the factory. Either way, it’s no big.

That steeper geometry does result in a bike that steers light, quick, and accurately, and in fact with that wide handlebar we don’t recall ever whining about needing a quicker-steering Speed Triple, but no complaints with this one either. On swervy roads, that handlebar makes you feel invincible, like you’re in charge of a big dirt bike with really good traction. There’s enough adjustability in the suspension to overdo it with rebound in the rear (like Hackfu–Ed.) and cause all sorts of wonky chassis behavior.

Luckily, the wonderful new Editor, Mr. Burns, we love him, was able to straighten things out and now we like the chassis very much. Firm, mostly compliant, well-damped.

Urban bike, urban hangout, the smell of urban herb wafting from the shoddy van parked across the street. The Speed Triple calls this home.

As much fun as the Speed Triple is in the mountains, commuting with the Triple leaves a little to be desired. While some may say the lack of wind protection is one of its character traits, if you plan on using this as a daily rider, we recommend something to keep all the nasty things from scratching and pitting your shiny new helmet and expensive, tinted visor. Triumph’s accessory flyscreen, for a mere $120 or so last time we checked, deflects a lot more air than you’d suspect from looking at it, and completes the big mean bug look nicely.

Aside from the lack of wind-protection, bikes like the Speed Triple make excellent urban assault vehicles. The same new seat that rubs thighs the wrong way because of its slight square-edgedness on the Daytona, feels perfectly fine on the sit-up-straight Triple. And though the suspension’s on the firm side–as it should be on a bike this powerful–the ride is generally very nice 99 percent of the time. Sharp freeway slabs will give your butt the occasional smack, but you can take it ’cause on the Triumph you’re kind of a tough guy, see? Sit-up ergonomics also makes passengers happy, and when passengers are happy, you have a shot at happy too, maybe. It’s British, so’s James Bond, some savoir faire could rub off on the rider. Very sweet if slightly pricey.

Specifications:

PRICE: $10,599

Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity: 955cc
Bore/Stroke: 79 x 65mm
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Fuel System: Multipoint sequential EFI
Ignition Digital: inductive type – electronic engine management system
Primary Drive: Gear
Final Drive: X-ring chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox: 6-speed
Frame: Tubular, aluminium alloy perimeter
Swingarm: Single-sided, aluminium alloy w/ eccentric chain adjuster
Front Wheel: Alloy 3 spoke, 17 x 3.5in
Rear Wheel: Alloy 3 spoke, 17 x 6.0in
Front Tire: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear Tire: 190/50 ZR 17
Front Susp: 45mm forks w/ dual rate springs, adjust pre-load,
comp. and rebound damping
Rear Susp: Monoshock w/ adjust preload, comp. and rebound damping
Front Brakes: Twin 320mm floating discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Single 220mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Length: 2115mm (83.3in)
Width: 780mm (30.7in)
Height: 1250mm (49.2in)
Seat Height: 815mm (32.1in)
Wheelbase: 1429mm (56.2in)
Rake/Trail: 23.5º / 84mm
Weight (Dry): 189kg (416lb)
Fuel Capacity: 21 litres (5.5 gal US)

Share
Print
#BestMotorcycleStreetfightersUsed #Bug-eyedSpeedTriple
John Burns

More by John Burns

2 of 7 comments
See more
Ryan on Jan 10, 2022

My first street bike.

  • Meaty Midrange on Jan 10, 2022

    (Wow...you really did put in a lot of editor comments - not Ed).

  • Sign Up to Comment
    New Rider's Hub
    Get Started
    Find your Motorcycle
    Top Brands
    Popular Articles
    2025 Ducati Panigale V4 and V4 S – First Look
    Official: 2024 Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT Announced
    2024 Ducati Diavel V4 vs Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R – Side by Side
    Official: The US Is Getting the 2025 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
    Small Adventure Bike, Big Adventure Dreams
    Next
    Prev
    You may also be interested in
    Church Of MO: First Ride: 2002 Triumph Speed Four Prototype
    Church of MO: 2002 Triumph 955i Daytona First Ride
    The 390 Adventure Project - Austin Moto Adventures
    2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Gallery
    View Gallery
    Out and About: 2024 Isle of Man TT Wrap-Up
    Cardo Releases PACKTALK PRO
    BMW R20 Concept Gallery
    View Gallery
    Voom Rolls into Florida
    Codename Colt: Indian’s Next Chief Variant
    Refreshed 2025 Honda Grom Announced for US
    Ducati Diavel V4 vs Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R Gallery
    View Gallery
    BMW and Tom Tom Join Forces
    2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Review – First Ride
    2024 MV Agusta LXP Orioli in Pictures
    View Gallery
    ABS, or The ABSence Thereof – Question of the Day
    2024 KTM 390 Duke Review – First Ride
    2025 Ducati Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition Gallery
    View Gallery
    2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S Gallery
    View Gallery
    About Privacy Terms Contact us Advertising Copyright
    Follow us
    © 2024  VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved.

    By John Burns


    See also: Church of MO: 2011 Triumph Sprint GT Review, 2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 - First Look, Big Tiger: Triumph has officially unveiled the new Tiger 1200.