OUR BIKES
I t was back in 2012 when I walked into my local Triumph dealer to check out the latest model Speed Triple . I ’ d always been a fan of the bug-eyed streetfighter look which Triumph had taken from the custom scene and run with . The bike had a reputation as fun regardless of whether you were riding crazy , or lazy . My intention walking in was have a test ride on an ex-demo 2011 model , the first model year which Triumph dropped the round-eye look and switched to the insect eyes the Speedy has worn ever since . What was on my mind as I walked out of the shop was a different matter .
CAUGHT MY EYE There , in the middle of the showroom floor , was a mint 2010 Speed Triple SE ( Special Edition ). Wearing a beautiful two-tone red and white paint scheme that ’ s slightly retro , that was the one which caught my wandering my eye . It even had a colour-matched pillion seat cover , which was a nice touch . The SE had 8000km on the clock and , a couple of days later , my name on the rego papers .
ALL ABOUT THE BEEF First impressions ? Engine . It ’ s all about the engine . It was , and still is , one of the most fun , useable motors I ’ ve had the pleasure to ride . While it only claims around 130hp , the torque is where all the fun lives . It ’ s the sort of motor that , on backroads , you can just leave in 3rd or 4th gear . There ’ s no real need to constantly change gears , just ride the big beefy torque curve from 3000rpm all the way up to where the blue ‘ change gear or you ’ ll break something ’ lights that circle the rev counter start flashing . Oh , and they ’ re configurable , so if you like the light show , you could set them up to come on at 7000rpm or less ... but where ’ s the fun in that ?
38 KIWI RIDER