Top 12 Sportbikes of the 1990s
When motorcycles were fat and we were skinny
1997 Triumph Speed Triple
The ’93 Ducati Monster usually gets credit for being the first modern “naked” bike, but the second-generation T509 Speed Triple was really the one that set our little hearts all atwitter, launching a new Beatlemania for the not-quite middle-aged motorcycle male. The big chrome headlights stirred up a little Quadrophenia, the outlandish colors (Roulette Green here) were pure punk, single-sided swingarms were exclusive, and the torquey/raspy 885cc Triple just seemed to encourage bad behavior: With no expensive bodywork to shred, what’s the worst that could happen? Slightly sanitized and much more sophisticated, the current Speed Triple remains a favorite today.
