The style originated with bikers who, having crashed their race replicas, put the bikes back on the road without fairing, and has since become popularised.

As with all the modular Triumphs, the T309 series Speed Triple had a very large single steel tube backbone frame, and used the engine as a stressed member.

At the rear was a single monoshock with a progressive linkage, and at the front were standard hydraulic forks fitted with dual disc brakes.

The engine was very similar to the unit found in the Sprint ST, but the motorcycle did not feature Nikasil lined cylinders.

Cosmetically, the T509 and the 1999 Speed Triples were nearly identical, and they shared many of the same components including the dual headlamps and single sided swing arm.

Minor differences include the removal of the T509 decal on the rear quarter panel and the addition of a header cross-over pipe.

Other notable differences were silver wheels instead of black ones, and the Speed Triple logo on the rear quarter panel was in print rather than cursive.

In late 2007, a few changes appeared in the Speed Triple, consisting of an updated engine management system and a revised exhaust containing a catalytic converter in a different location.

The revised electronic control unit had more memory, and provided a solution for some starting and low-speed fueling issues.

Triumph celebrated the Speed Triple's fifteenth anniversary in 2010 with a limited edition model that featured black paint with red trim and a number of optional accessories that were added as standard equipment.

[7] Ride-by-wire was added for the first time with five ride modes with traction control and an anti-lock braking system that can be turned on or off.

Taking design cues from café racers, the 1200 RR mounts a redesigned front end, with a new single round headlight unit and bikini half-fairing.

Intended as a road-oriented large-displacement sport bike, the 1200 RR has lowered, clip-on style handlebars and raised and rearward-set foot pegs (compared to its RS sibling), bringing the riding position closer to a traditional sportbike.