1998Triumph T509 Speed Triple

17 fields on record

The 1998 Triumph T509 Speed Triple is a middleweight naked bike built for riders seeking authentic British character and accessible performance. Its 885cc three-cylinder engine delivers 105 horsepower with distinctive triple-cylinder aggression, making it ideal for both commuting and spirited riding. Known for nimble handling and retro-modern styling, the Speed Triple became iconic for reviving Triumph's sporting heritage.

Capacity: 885.0 ccm
Engine: In-line three-cylinder, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 196.0 kg
Seat height: 800 mm
Power: 105.0 HP (77.2 kW)

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How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail10%

Cornering90%

City riding78%

Daily riding65%

Touring40%

Two-up45%

Track70%

Best for: Built for aggressive street riding and twisty backroads where its punchy triple engine and light chassis can shine.
Built for: Raw, characterful and torquey, this early Speed Triple delivers a growling three-cylinder soundtrack with hooligan-friendly aggression.
Not ideal for: Not ideal for riders seeking long-distance comfort, wind protection, or any off-road capability.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

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Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 800mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 1998 Triumph T509 Speed Triple, with a moderate knee angle of around 105 degrees and a forward-leaning riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 751-820 mm — Middle Ground →

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Reliability & safety

Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaints

Bike Reliability

How the score works →

out of 100Average

The Triumph T509 Speed Triple passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 79.4% of the time, 1.7 points below expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 41% of models.

Bikes first registered in 1998 have 57 tests, too few for their own score, so this covers every year.

79.4%Passed first time

10.0%Failed outright

10.6%Fixed during test

19,000Typical miles

631Tests

Pass rate by miles ridden

0-10k

76.7%

10-20k

79.7%

20-30k

80.1%

30-40k

78.3%

All years of this model.

Score by year first registered

19971999

Against its rivals · ranks 6 of 6

#	Model (all years)	Score	Tests
1	BMW R 850 R	84 Excellent	6,171
2	Moto Guzzi V10 Centauro	66 Good	841
3	Triumph Speed Triple	62 Good	87,400
4	Triumph Adventurer	59 Average	5,945
5	Ducati Monster 900	44 Average	680
6	Triumph T509 Speed Triple	41 Average	631

Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.

From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.