Triumph Speed Triple RS (2018-2020) Maintenance Schedule

This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Speed Triple RS made from 2018 onward.

Here are all the motorcycles in the Triumph Speed Triple range from launch in the 90s:

The Triumph Speed Triple RS takes over from the 2016-2017 Speed Triple R. It’s the “premium” of the premium sport motorcycles, and has high-spec suspension and ride electronics.

Both the 2018+ Triumph Speed Triples share the same engine, a 1050cc liquid-cooled DOHC in-line three-cylinder engine. In stock trim, it produces 110 kW (148 hp) @ 10500 rpm, and 117 Nm (86 ft-lb) at 7150 rpm. It puts power down through a wet clutch and chain drive.

The engine in the Triumph Speed Triple RS is the same as that in the Speed Triple S made from 2018 onward, but the S gets slightly lower spec suspension and electronics (the S lacks an IMU and lean angle-aware ABS and traction control).

In 2021, the premium motorcycle in the range became the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS.

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2018-2020 Triumph Speed Triple RS Service Intervals

Basic service intervals for the Triumph Speed Triple RS are, similar to its stablemate with the same engine, every 6000 miles / 10000 km or year. At each service, change the oil and filter, and do a once-over of the bike checking for the condition of controls, hoses, and moving parts (see the inspection checklist list below).

The major valve inspection and spark plug service for the Speed Triple RS with the 1050 motor is every second service (every 12000 miles / 20000 km).

Regularly maintain the chain slack and condition, and replace the brake fluid every two years (under normal use).

Finally, make sure you keep the coolant in the Speed Triple RS up to date. Triumph recommends a specific coolant that is hard to find, but there are alternatives on the market.

What you need to service the Triumph Speed Triple RS

To service the Triumph Speed Triple RS, you will need the following parts and consumables.

PartSpeed Triple RS spec
Engine oilThe manual suggests semi or fully-synthetic 10W/40 or 10W/50 motorcycle engine oil which meets specification API SH (or higher) and JASO MA, such as Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) engine oil. Or use another high-grade oil like Motul 7100 10W-40.
Oil filterReplace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Use Triumph part number T1218001. You can also use Hiflofiltro HF204RC.
Spark plugsUse NGK spark plugs with code CR9EIA9.
Air filterUse Triumph part number T2204093 or K&N equivalent part TB-1016.
CoolantTriumph uses Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant with a 50% ethylene glycol mix. Zerex G05 is a HOAT coolant that meets this spec. (See Triumph HD4X coolant alternatives)
Brake padsFront: EBC part FA447HH (you need two sets)
Rear: EBC part FA214/2HH (just need one set)
Chain maintenanceMaintain the chain of your Speed Triple RS and S with a Motul chain care kit or just Motul chain paste.
Consumables for Triumph Speed Triple RS

Maintenance Schedule for Triumph Speed Triple RS

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Triumph Speed Triple RS with the 1050 motor. The below is broken up into daily checks (which you do regularly) and the recurring maintenance schedule.

Daily Checks

Below is the list of daily checks on the Speed Triple RS. Do these as part of regular maintenance, too.

Triumph Speed Triple RS Daily Checks
Engine and oil cooler – check for leaks
Fuel system – check for leaks
Cooling system – check for leaks
Coolant level – check/adjust
Clutch cable – check/ adjust
Wheels – inspect for damage
Tyre wear/tyre damage – check
Tyre pressures – check/adjust
All lights, instruments and electrical systems – check
Steering – check for free operation
Forks – check for leaks/smooth operation
Brake fluid levels – check
Brake pads – check wear levels
Drive chain slack – check/ adjust
Fasteners – inspect visually for security
Bank angle indicators – inspect visually for wear
Side stand/Centre stand – check operation
Triumph Speed Triple RS Daily Checks

Maintenance Schedule

Below is the recurring maintenance schedule for the Speed Triple RS.

  • The break-in service is redundant as it would have been completed on all these bikes.
  • Be sure to do the daily checks above along with these, at every service.
  • Annual service items are separated out below.
mi x 10006121824
km x 100010203040Every
Annual service checklist (see below) — Perform all itemsYear
Engine oil – renew (Motul 7100 10W-40)Year
Engine oil filter – renew (HF204RC)Year
Fuel system – check hoses for chafing, cracks or damage
Air cleaner – replace (TB-1016)
Throttle bodies – balance
Fuel hoses – replace 4 years
Evaporative loss hoses – replace4 years
Secondary air injection system – check
Spark plugs – check
Spark plugs – replace (CR9EIA9)
Cooling system – check hoses for chafing, cracks or damage. Replace hoses if necessary
Coolant – renew3 years
Valve clearances – check/ adjust
Camshaft timing – check/ adjust
Rear wheel needle roller bearing – lubricate
Headstock bearings – lubricate
Fork oil – renew
Rear suspension linkage – check/ lubricate
Brake fluid – renew (Castrol DOT 4)2 years
Drive chain – lubricate (Motul chain paste)200 mi / 300 km
Drive chain – wear check500 mi / 800 km
Side stand pivot – clean/grease
2018-2020 Triumph Speed Triple RS maintenance schedule

Annual checks

Below is the annual service checklist for the Triumph Speed Triple RS. Items marked [T] are to be done by dealers (unless you have the tools)

Triumph Speed Triple RS (1050) Annual Checks
[T] Autoscan – Carry out a full Autoscan using the Triumph Diagnostic Tool
Wheel bearings – check for wear/smooth operation
Headstock bearings – check/adjust
Brake master cylinders – check for fluid leaks
Brake calipers – check for fluid leaks and seized pistons
[D] ABS and immobiliser ECMs – check for stored DTCs
Drive chain rubbing strip – check
[T] Engine ECM, Instruments and Keyless ECM – check for latest calibration download using the Triumph diagnostic tool
[T] Carry out all outstanding Service Bulletin and warranty work
Carry out road test
[T] Complete the service record book and reset the service indicator
Triumph Speed Triple RS (1050) Annual Checks

Chain Maintenance

The Triumph Speed Triple RS has a chain final drive. As a high-powered sport bike, it’s likely the chain will get put under a lot of pressure which means that it needs regular attention in the form of

  • Cleaning and lubricating it
  • Checking for wear, and replacing if necessary, and
  • Checking and adjusting tension.

Clean and lubricate your Speed Triple’s final chain with a chain cleaner and lubricant. Triumph recommends lubricating every 200 miles / 300 km or after riding in the wet or on dusty roads — or just any time that the chain appears dry. Triumph doesn’t specify a chain lubricant, so Motul Chain Lubricant is a good and popular choice.

Check for chain wear periodically per the maintenance schedule. Look for cracked or broken teeth, “shark toothing” or just excessive stretch.

To check for chain stretch, remove the chain guard and hang a weight of 10-20 kg (20-40 lb) on the chain’s lower segment. On a straight part of the chain, measure a length of 20 links (from 1 to 21). Measure the length in several places. The length should be a maximum of 321 mm on the Speed Triple RS 1050. If it’s beyond that, you should replace the chain and sprockets.

Finally, check and adjust chain tension. Refer to the following graphic.

Triumph Speed Triple RS 1050 2018-2020 Chain Slack Adjustment

Put the motorcycle on a level surface and hold it upright with no weight on it. Find the loosest point of the chain by rolling it around and watching the chain slacken. Check the free vertical movement of the chain at its loosest point (the chain wears unevenly). Again, roll the bike around until you find it.

Target chain slack on the Triumph Speed Triple RS 1050: 21-30 mm (0.8-1.2 inches)

If it’s beyond that range, you need to adjust the chain tension

Adjust the chain in this manner. This is specific to the Speed Triple 1050, though it’s somewhat similar to other motorcycles with a single sided swingarm.

  1. Put the motorcycle on a level surface and hold it upright with no weight on it.
  2. Loosen the clamp on the eccentric hub.
  3. Use the C-spanner (in the toolkit) to adjust chain tension. Turn it clockwise to slacken the chain, and anti-clockwise to tighten the chain.
  4. Once you’re at the right slack level, tighten the clamp bolt again to 55 Nm / 41 lb-ft.

If you’re unable to get the chain to the correct tension, it’s likely that it’s too worn.

Wheels and Tyre Specs

Below are the tire sizes and recommended tire pressures (when cold).

WheelRim sizeTire sizeTire pressure (cold)
Front17 x 3.5 in120/70 ZR 172.35 bar / 34 psi
Rear17 x 6.0 in190/55 ZR 172.90 bar / 42 psi
Tire sizes and pressures

Tightening torques

Below are maintenance torques for the Speed Triple RS.

Tightening TorquesNmlb-ft
Front Brake Fluid Reservoir Cap Retaining Screws10.74
Fuel Tank Front Fixings43
Fuel Tank Front Panel Fixings21.5
Headlight Bracket Bolts75
License Plate Bracket Fixing22
Oil Filter107
Oil Drain Plug2519
Rear Wheel Eccentric Clamp Bolt5541
Rider’s Seat Fixings97
Spark Plugs129
Tightening torques for the Triumph Speed Triple RS

About the Triumph Speed Triple RS

2018-2020 Triumph Speed Triple RS
2018 Triumph Speed Triple RS

The Triumph Speed Triple RS released in 2018 was at the time the premium roadster from Triumph — and one of the greatest of all time.

The inline three-cylinder engine is what makes the Speed Triple line so special. Like the Street Triple, it’s a sporty inline triple that’s tuned for the street, rather than for a highly-strung sport bike.

But the Speed Triple RS has that extra engine capacity advantage over the Street Triple. Its 1050cc engine makes a peak of over 100 kW (148 hp) at around 10500 rpm. That’s enough to get you in a lot of trouble — very quickly!

What’s even more impressive though is the torque delivery. The Speed Triple RS has, in short, torque everywhere. You can leave it in 2nd or 3rd gear most of the time around many tracks, and especially on the street. It’s almost like cruise control.

The Speed Triple RS is distinct from the contemporary Speed Triple S in that it gets

  • Öhlins suspension front and rear. Fully adjustable of course. But bear in mind that the Speed Triple S is no slouch in this domain — its fully adjustable Showa suspension would be the envy of many.
  • A six-axis IMU and all the benefits, including cornering ABS and lean-aware traction control. The regular S has ABS and traction control, but it’s not inertia-aware.
  • Cruise control
  • An extra riding mode, a rider-configurable “Track” mode

Apart from that, both models are premium, fast bikes, almost guaranteed to make you quicker than your mates!

Beyond 2020, the Triumph Speed Triple RS was replaced by the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS, with a newer, shorter-stroke motor.

Manual for the Triumph Speed Triple RS

Triumph Speed Triple RS Maintenance Schedule Screenshot From Manual

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2019 Triumph Speed Triple RS, which is available on the Triumph website.

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