2011 Literbike Streetfighter Shootout

Honda CB1000R vs. Kawasaki Z1000 vs. Triumph Speed Triple

By Pete Brissette, May. 05, 2011, Photography by Alfonse Palaima, Video by Fonzie & Chris Blanchette

Conclusion

A Triumphant return for the Speed Triple!

By definition the term streetfighter doesn’t say a bike fitting this mold has to excel at hooligan antics. But “streetfighter” does imply that any motorcycle falling under this category will elicit from its rider strong urges of unnecessary two-wheeled tomfoolery, and make that rider a repeat offender.

Furthermore, the Triumph Speed Triple draws inspiration from a heritage of British motorcycle hooliganism that started the whole barebones, no-nonsense, wheelie-happy, stoppie-inducing, tire-burnout-blowout, raucous-exhaust-having, streetfighter scene.

Look at the new Speed Triple, and you can almost hear it say, “Oi! Arsehole! Ye puttin’ me in yer gar-age, roight?”

While we found many admirable and desirable qualities in Kawasaki’s Z1000 and Honda’s new CB1000R, we’d “brown-bag our lunches for a year to afford the Triumph’s price premium,” as Kevin said, just so we could reply to the Speed, “Right, mate!”

2011 Literbike Streetfighter Comparison Specs Chart
	Honda CB1000R	Kawasaki Z1000	Triumph Speed Triple
Engine	998cc (75.0 x 56.5mm) inline-Four, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder; 11.2:1 c/r	1043cc (77.0 x 56.0mm) inline-Four, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder; 11.8:1 c/r	1050cc (79.0 x 71.4mm) inline-Triple, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder; 12.0:1 c/r
Frame	Aluminum frame; alum. single-sided swingarm	Aluminum frame; alum. swingarm	Aluminum beam twin spar; alum. single-sided swingarm
Suspension	43mm usd fully adjustable fork	41mm usd fully adjustable fork	43mm usd fully adjustable fork; Fully adjustable shock
Rake, Trail, Wheelbase	25.0°, 3.9 inches, 56.9 inches	24.5°, 4.1 inches, 56.7 inches	22.8°, 3.5 inches, 56.5 inches
Tires	120/70 x 17 and 180/55 x 17	120/70 x 17 and 190/50 x 17	120/70 x 17 and 190/55 x 17
Brakes	Dual radial-mount 4-piston; 310mm rotors	Dual radial mount 4-piston; 300mm rotors	Dual Brembo radial-mount 4-piston; 320mm rotors; optional ABS
Seat Height	32.5 inches	32.1 inches	32.5 inches
Curb Weight	485 lbs	481 lbs	471 lbs
Fuel Capacity	4.5 gal	4.0 gal	4.6 gal
Base MSRP	$10,999	$10,599	$11,799; $12,599 w/ABS