Armed with three 14 in (356 mm) torpedo tubes and six light guns, she was capable of a top speed of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph).

The ship spent her first two years in service either conducting training maneuvers with the main Italian fleet or in reserve status.

[1] On 10 June, the annual fleet maneuvers began; Folgore was assigned to the "defending squadron", along with the ironclads Enrico Dandolo, Palestro, Castelfidardo, and Affondatore, the protected cruiser Dogali, and several smaller vessels.

The first half of the maneuvers tested the ability to attack and defend the Strait of Messina, and concluded in time for a fleet review by King Umberto I on the 21st.

The second phase consisted of joint maneuvers with the Italian Army; Folgore and the torpedo cruiser Tripoli were tasked with blockading Livorno.

Later that year, the ship was present during a naval review held for the German Kaiser Wilhelm II during a visit to Italy.

[6] In November, a small Italian squadron was sent to Smyrna to join the fleet in there; Folgore was mobilized as part of a larger force in Naples that consisted of the ironclads Francesco Morosini, Lepanto, and Ruggiero di Lauria, the protected cruiser Elba, the torpedo cruiser Calatafimi, and five torpedo boats.