2007 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 - One Month Review - Things I HATE & LOVE 

These older Street and Speed triple bikes have so much style and class... the new ones are sports bikes with handlebars... I'm getting tired of bikes with the looks of a transformer. Was already checking this bike but you make me want to buy it haha

Enjoyed the review. Currently I have a 2010 street triple which I love but been thinking about getting something with more power. So maybe the speed triple, we'll see. Ride safe!

🏍 👊

You just can not beat the sound and looks of this bike! 😍😍

You got a tame one. Mine tries to throw me off the back all the time. Front wheel always lifts. Sometimes the back wheel lifts when I brake

They absolutely have a heavy shift, every Speedy I've ever owned does - From my '96 to my '13. At the dealership, we used to spin it as "Triumph's gearboxes have a very positive engagement". It's not a problem though, just something you get used to.

These bikes are known for capabilities to pop front wheel easily, but the engine is starved of oil, so catastrophic engine failure is to be expected

What color is your Triumph

Interesting, I personally love the kick stand, it seems way more confidence inspiring to me then my buddies bikes that I've road. Suspension is easy enough to soften up a bit, you just need a spanner to adjust the rear. And a new (quality) battery helps prime the pump faster (very picky on voltages).

I’ve got a 2012 Speed Triple and I love it! This British ‘Bulldog’ is all about torque and it delivers, big time! Once you set the suspension up properly, it’s a lot more comfortable to ride too. It’s a wheelie monster and is still a match for newer bikes on acceleration. Not that I break any laws officer!!😇

i own this bike (mod '06) the last 15 years, totally in love when it was first introduced and i still love it. Only three minor issues so far, many many long trips, a few trackdays per year and rarely commuting. I just love it, you ride it and it is like a visit to the psycologist.

Top stuff Illistrator! I also have a white 2005 Speed Triple, and yep coming from a Honda CB I first saw the Speedy for sale and jumped on it, and not looked back You can use a Yamaha PW80 shift leaver directly onto the shift rod to replace the factory linkage and it really improves the feel (removes any looseness in the linkages). Also TuneEcu can easily reflash the ecu using your phone and an OBD2 dongle, the so called 'Tune of Death' is available for free which gives even more mid range torque (I blended the standard map with the T.O.D when I added a low mount pipe). Don't be afraid to play with the compression and rebound settings, the standard bike can be made less harsh (I ride Australian country roads which are bumpy as hell, and some fiddling made the ride a little nicer). I thought the same and installed a Healtech quickshifter which works well but apparently (according to the Facebook world) full power shifting can grenade gearboxes so I don't use it as much as I have on previous bike. The slow starting is due to the thin guage battery cables, guys are upgrading to thicker cables and getting a quicker, more confident start; this is my next upgrade. Keep it up man! Speedies kick butt in the city.

I f*cking love these bikes and need to own one at some stage. I had an OG Street Triple and now I've got a Daytona, but I've always wanted a Speedy too. Just a thought on the hard starting thing, have you tried shutting the down via the key instead of the kill switch? Triumph always recommend using the key as it allows the bike to go through its full shutdown procedure where it resets the ISCV stepper motor and things so they are in the correct position for startup. When I saw your first dislike about the neutral light and kill switch it reminded me. Anyway, something worth experimenting with.

Engine temperature in bars is because many bikes run so hot that people panic when it would read over 100degrees celsius in traffic. Just giving bars is better for most people.

Man that bicyclist is a prime example of why I dislike most of them. Dumb stuff like that could have got you and him/her hurt.

Need to set the sag/preload, might need a workmate at revzillia to help as normally a two person task. Then do compression & rebound start with factory setting or half way. Counting clicks or turns from full in to full out.

I use to own a 2016 Triumph Rocket 3 Roadster and it use to power wheelie easy as with out slipping the clutch and had awesome torque and power!

Great review! I noticed the same things when I got mine.. It is my first bike tough😂

Dude you can adjust your suspension damper on top of forks… make it softer yourself.

It’s a good day when the illestrator uploads

Install a new starter relay including new pigtail harness. Get a massive battery.

This era speed is notorious for starting issues due to the battery not having enough CCA and are known to damage the sprag, lithium batteries are a recommended swap from many forums. The other issue is batteries get swapped out for lead acid and others, but aren't designed to be laid flat which the speed triple install is.

You need some better mufflers with some cooler sound. But maybe the regulation over their dont allow those changes because the Speed and Street Triple have a great sound to offer with the right setup. Take care. 👍

I've owned 2 triumphs. 2006 Dayona and a 2017 street triple Rs. Adored them botj, great feel, sound and riding experience. Had a few faults but my god it was so rich in character! Fantastic, triumphs are amazing. Funny enough I have a 2021 Mt09 Sp, loving it !

Interesting bike. To each their own. Anyway, ride safe, god bless u.

I don’t own one of these but if you think the bike is too upright while on the kickstand, turn the wheel all the way to the right. That will make the bike a little harder to fall to the right due to the counter steer.

does it burn oil?

I noticed your kickstand comment was made while the handlebars were centered. If you lock full left when you park up it may bring down that angle for your side stand if you're feeling paranoid. Love your vids!!

Njoy the Bike, I also have an 07 Triple it’s the best looking bike for me too! I changed the shiftpedal for a Yamaha YZ 80 pedal. I changed my stator and regulator and removed the connectors. Made a direct connection with the wires because the old connectors were burned. Put a lot of Carbon on my bike too!

The kickstand is absolutely garbage. Same issue with my 08. Mine had a MIVV pipe, Motodemic headlight conversion, higher bars because I have short arms…in Cali lane splitting is legal. And this bike splits lanes at high speed so dang easily. It gets addictive. I sold the bike at the wife’s request when she saw my GoPro video of me splitting lanes at 120 lol

5:42 I love high mount exhaust but the big ass old jeep headlights side by side with no shroud 🤔 they look better than the newer style speed triple headlights though. Love the 3 cylinder sound!

Mostly owned japanese bikes too. recently had aprilia tuono 1st gen, beautiful bike also and a lot of the mentioned things are same issues. I think we (japanese bike owners) are just spoiled 😂 Btw picking up 07 triple tomorrow, same as yours but blue. Crank no start, so will see... Super excited tho, been eyeing these bikes forever. Love your channel, been folowing for years, make me miss brookyn, although i levt it yeas ago and dont look back. Keep up the anazing work!

Head to Washington Cycle Works in NJ. I first heard about them from Ducati NYC and a lot of people in NJ recommend them. After taking my Daytona 675R the motorcycle is so much better.

What's going on brother! I just picked up an '06 Speed Triple. What upgraded battery did you buy? You got recommendations for a coolant brand type? New Speed Triple owner, thanks!

Triumph bikes are the best bikes money can buy..an also they are unique. It's rare to see one next to you at a traffic light...so you are unique too... Keep her safe..and a tip..when that bike raises temp ,keep her a little bit high in revs...that will circulate the water faster and drop the temp..but it's normal for these bikes to raise temp.too much compression and and toonmuch heat...ride safe bro..

You had lost me with the other bikes you got after the SV butttt you got me right back especially being a former speedy owner plus Brooklyn rider and now looking for a 1050 or 800 tiger to get and keep for a while if not another speed triple 2011 this time since i had a 06 before…lol wish I could’ve commented pics here

Have a 2010 speed triple se. Check my picture. Great fun torquey bike. I've done 1500kms weekends away. Pretty comfortable except for the obvious wind blast. Average gearbox though. Fit a Yamaha yz85 gear lever which does improve it a little. Awesome brembo brakes.

Yes - hard to start - if you are below a certain voltage it will not work - my bike has fallen over because of the crappy kickstand - super clunky (just put it in 6th and chugg lol) - the brembos are completely overboard (accidental stoppies) - mine is temperamental / it's like a really hot woman that is psycho (you want to get rid of her, but you can't because she so much fun)

That looks like a Racetech blue spring on the rear shock. I wonder if this bike was resprung for a big guy before you got it? If potholes are that jarring it's definitely worth getting a different setup. I mean even if you're Mr. Backroads and twisties, twisties have potholes in em, too. You dont want something throwing off your composure like that. You might be able to calm it down in the mean time by turning down the compression damping a bit (if you havent already)

I picked up a 06 1050...there is no other bike now....yeah it got some attitude and qwerks..

From what I’ve read the transmission were pretty clunky up until the mid 2010s. Apperantly it was a trait carried over from the older 955 models.

*That's* a comparison I'd like to see. Sporty bikes that can transport female passengers that aren't the size of Peter Pan.

I've had a slightly later model (similar but with Brembos, longer subframe and different wheels)for years. I prefer the look of the shorter subframe on yours. More aggressive. They have an issue starting but yours sounds extreme. The issue is that it takes a lot of juice to crank the starter and it's set up to have the lights on when you're starting. It's BS. The way around it is to fit a switch for your lights and switch them off when you're starting. It's a fairly simple job and will eliminate starting problems. Don't worry about the sidestand. It's fine. Just don't park sideways on a hill. Get an Arrow lowboy exhaust. For the weight as much as anything else. Those stock cans weigh a ton. Luckily, I bought mine with the full system already installed including downpipes. They are marked as "not for road use" but were a factory option! However, I have to instal stock pipes to pass the vehicle test every two years. I really notice the difference in weight.

The trans is clunky its normal. Get yourself tune ECU and the cable it is awesome software and works with android phone or windows computer, like David said get the PW80 shifter you will notice a pretty big difference, the suspension you can adjust to make it a bit softer i had to do that with my 07 the previous owner thought he was a street Rossi and had them cranked full hard, as far as the tail light and the rear subframe, the subframe is the same its just all the plastic shit on the back that’s different you should be able to bolt up the newer style tail light to it that’s actually something i plan to do with mine, i put the full integrated tail on my 2009 and and plan to do it on the 07 when i get it going again and, anyways i love seeing the videos on the speed make me want to be home on mine

If I look at the starter button my 09 Speed cranks up. My wife’s 13 is the same way. That’s your specific bike, not the model. Yes, the shifting is clunky and there are false neutrals. I find if I ride it a little more aggressively it smooths out the shifting. The suspension is a little rough. For me and probably you it’s under sprung, which makes it feel harsh. Springs are easy and cheap, so I’d start with that. I’m adding a Penske shock and either gold valves plus springs in the forks or just springs to start. I bought a used Penske and they’re going to help me revalve it myself. They’re all about service after the sale apparently. I’m loving working with them so far.

I have to say a speed triple in Brooklyn in Autumn is fricken AWESOME.

great video

Yeh bro, definatley agree with you on the suspension. I hit some bumpy roads last weekend and I almost got rattled apart. In saying that I'm about to tune the suspension so hopefully I see some improvement. Awesome review. Love ya work.

2:50 You madman, Doing 155 downtown Brooklyn! (its the clock people.. lol.. )

Check the handbook for details on adjusting the suspension. I've moved mine to comfort setting which is fine.

Your right about the seat being high. I'm 5'6 and stop at lights on my toes. Then when I blast off on it I feel like a race horse jockey with the high foot pegs.

That bike is dope! Lovin it. That single sided swing arm looks great. Bar end mirrors would be nice. Do you still have the K bike?

I have a 2006 and the previous owner added led bulbs to the headlights. It’s much better than factory bulbs. Love the engine!!

That was a lovely video, it is always nice to see other places on this globe. Good luck with the bike; I have never owned a Triumph, but I have friends here in the cold and dismal UK, who own original Triumph bikes from the sixties and who get very hot under the collar when I mention these newer models! Sometimes it is fun to push such buttons... 🤣

You cover the Triumph Speed Triple pretty well. I owned a 2009 Triumph Speed Triple, that I regretted selling in 2021. So I just bought another 2009 Triumph 1050 Speed Triple, John Bloor Edition that I'm picking up on Sunday. No motorcycle sounds as good, as a Triumph 1050 Speed Triple. The handling is next level. I enjoyed the video, and the previous one I viewed, when you first purchased it. Ride safe and have fun.

I'm about 235 lbs as well. I have the rear spring preload nut almost to the top about 4-5 threads showing and the rebound 2/3 of the way towards negative. I like the front stiff as it doesn't effect comfort over potholes much IMO. Softer rear also slightly increases the amount of throttle needed for power wheelies. Hope these settings help, or at least give you a starting point.

Englishman in Brooklyn XD, my 250R is the same. Put Key in, wait 5 - 10 seconds and hammer the starter. it's injected 0 carbs

Oh yeah dude - that R1 design scheme is so good.

Yeah my suspension was ass, changed out rear shock for a Nitron, cartridge kit and respring on the forks, then a proper setup. Transformed the bike. Has brembos from factory (is 2010 model) and they bite really nicely, one finger most of the time tbh. Haven't thought about a qs, but maybe that'll be the next mod... 🤔

Great video and awesome tour around Brooklyn!

Uh you have plenty of co-workers at RevZilla who can tune that suspension into sunshine. Go bug em. 😅

This could be a new segment on Revzilla, big city living/commuting/backyard shop segment. I do like the very real perfective on city riding. Maybe a video on gear you use during the fall/winter? Keep up the good work.

The Illestrator is back! and I already binged all the vids 😅 We missed you mate! Always wanted a speed triple too, great choice. Seems like the fuel pump is super loud, hear it buzzing along in your vids. Still got the K100?

My 2008 Speed shat 2nd gear 5 yrs ago and hasn’t turned a wheel since. Long crank is most likely battery voltage, these have weak charging systems which can lead to other issues (sprag clutch, stators and RR’s). Throttle bodies out of balance could also not help the cold start or general running. Coolant temp should hang half way and not really go above. Noticed the fan was running quite often in your other vids, could probably do with a flush, new stat and rad cap. Get yourself TuneECU (free software) and a cheap cable and you can flash a known good tune on it and see the TB balance and adjust if needed. Miss riding mine even though I have a 1290r too, cracking bike and wheelies are glorious on it!

My 05 is the same on cold starts. I love the styling the same as you. Chrome headlights and handlebars just make it look good. When I first got my Speed someone plastic dipped the whole front end black. idk why someone would want to cover up them beautiful gold forks

Everyone love gold, im onto you.. gold forks and shock absorber all de way 😂

Hi, excellent video as always 😀 Re the difficulty with cold starts. On Honda's they use a wax thingy on the fuel injection throttle body that simulates a choke - as it warms up it recedes a linkage and idle drops to normal level. It might worth investigating that on your bike - if it uses same kind of thing? Might need a lube?

I hear you with the kick stand lean angle. I am an old cruiser boy and my Harley leans way over...sometimes it tricks me into thinking it is going to fall over and I quick look down to check that the kick stand is actually down. But I recently bought a Kawi W800 and it barely leans so I get nervous about parking on any unlevel ground. Plus, the kick stand does not lock into place (at least I don't think it does) so I always want to point up the incline even if on a mild hill.

Fire bike chief🔥 I have some experience with a speed1050, theyre special. I like the white blue gold scheme

OK, the hard start issue. Didn't this bike come from Italy ??IIRC You can adjust the initial start-up fuel map via Tune ECU to resolve that in the future .. If it did come from Europe, it has a completely different map software .Mean time ..This is a cold start tip I got from my Ducati tech as Ducati L twins are hard starting.. works with ANY hard starting FI motorcycle Turn key ON, kill switch ON...while thumbing the starter give it a smidge a little bit of throttle.. let it crank only 4-5 times ONLY ..TURN OFF( Now wait 35-40sec and repeat turn ON, thumb starter it will start I almost guarantee it.. If it fails, repeat process.. You want to avoid wearing out the starter clutch by cranking it over and over again.. Get a TOR exhaust, Triumph can download the updated software map for free at most dealers . Or you can download a map off the Tune ECU site.....Many speedy owners throw in Daytona 955 cams .. For more FUN, drop the front sprocket 1 tooth, IIRC that would be a 17 tooth, up 2 or more in rear at minimum 44 tooth..really adds to the fun factor and acceleration .. free HP affect just changing final drive.. Make sure the clutch is in proper adjustment and pre-load the shifter pedal for crisper gear changes.. My Daytona 955i is same If your S3 has a 'linkage' rod to change gears, put a 2004 Speed or Daytona shifter on it and remove the linkage ..really helps smooth out 1-N-2 changes . SUSPENSION...add pre-load or 'tension to the shock spring.. your about my weight . Take a soft brass drift and unlock the spring collars, turn the adjusting collar down collapsing he spring... really helps .. JCM

street triple 675 a far better choice overall

Have you had any issues with the lights at night? I have to use my high beams all the time on my 08'

Get the bike tuned see where your A/F ratio is at from factory once you change the pipes

Love the sound and torque on these. I think Tom Cruise rode this on Mission Impossible 🤔

Get a new can and let that triple sing.

How’s the torque characteristics compared to the SV1000?

That's Beautiful . I love it !!!

Love the speed triple. I have a 2012

Do you like this or the Fz1 better?

6:38... friend, or did a random Ural end up in your "still" shots???

Thx 🙏 for sharing, your videos are 👌👌👌🔥🔥🔥⚙️⚙️⚙️ very inspiring and entertaining !!! I love going back and watching the cafe racer build on the k bike , any plans on doing another K bike or cafe racer build ..??? That’s the videos that had me hooked and also your docs or reviews of modern bikes !!! Very interesting perspective from your love of older bikes to your appreciation of modern bikes 🙏🙏🙏👌👌👌👏👏🔥

You lucked out. What a deal you got!

I have an idea. Why don't you do a video at a suspension shop and the person can dial in your suspension. It really does make a difference ! What you don't want is that you start hating the bike cuz its just so damn hard

I had the same issue with starting and finally someone explained to me the issue. You should never twist the throttle when starting it up or it will throw something off and take longer to start. Can usually reset this by starting bike and shutting it off a few times without giving it any gas. Mine starts up every time now as long as I don’t touch the throttle.

Been working on an 09 1050, having to run an 06 fiberglass tank so we've had to put shit on hold to pick up a matching o6 fuel pump bc apparently they changed that shit for a few years then swapped back. Also, hard agree on that exhaust heat, this bike doesnt even have heat shields at all and the owner is constantly burning holes in their bags. On the topic of wheeliees, still never been on a bike that powerful, but when I first got my cb300r the fact that the thing is readily willing to lift the front in first and on a gear shift to second meant I had to practice that stuff immediately. Scared the shit out of myself when I dropped the clutch and she shot up. I'm now practicing clutching up in first and riding out wheelies just so I have the practice to manage it.

That thumbnail be looking like a damn album cover 💯🔥

Hi, if you feel rear suspension is harsh it may mean you need to check linkage bearings ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4QAss_68p6g.html

Brooklyn has lots of trash

The Illestrator 💯💪🏿

Love the video man!

Hard start = tuneecu

The blinkers aren't stock. It comes with bulb ones. Yours has led's and they look good! As for the suspension, dial it back to factory clicks, and go from there. As mentioned by others as well; check the linkage bearings :) The gear clunks are normal, they help you hear that it has shifted gear. I kinda like the clunks, makes it feel solid. Mine does not have cold start issues. Even after not riding in winter it starts quick. I do have a new battery though. Are you planning to remove the SAI?

Iv'e got the 2014 Speed and have the same issue with the kickstand.especially if there's any kind of angle on the footpath. Also quite often i get that almighty clunk going into first gear.iSuspension s also hard af even with the ohlins on the R model.Also power wheelies are scary for me on this bike.i came from the street triple and this thing is way more aggressive.Fantastic bike i do prefer the round headlights on the older models though.Enjoy !! good reveiw ;)

Such a beauty

I got the Speedy 2011 SE and I love it too!

I love the bug eye headlights. I had them on my Speed Four. You can adjust them individually to get nice light at night. You may be able to file the stop nub on the frame to get the kickstand to lay over more, or file the kickstand. Also, when going with an aftermarket quick-shifter, keep in mind that they are designed for mostly racing situations where you’re shifting aggressively at high rpm. If you are just tooling around town at low rpm they can be clunky and bang the gears hard. I used a Healtech quick shifter and experienced that problem and couldn’t get it smooth at low rpm so when I called the company they explained about the need to be 'on the boil' when shifting. The Healtech distributor was excellent and took the unit back without issue. I recommend them for that alone but just beware you shouldn’t use the quick shifter in all situations. It felt like gearbox damage could occur at low rpm. It was fun tho when screaming through the gears but I don’t normally ride that way.

Great job on the video, keep up the content

Great review and a fun ride keep on doin them.

235 pounds, my boi is thicc riding a thicc bike

God this bike is sweet. Good on ya.