Triumph Speed Triple 955i (1999-2004) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the Triumph Speed Triple 955i, made between 1999 and 2004.
The Speed Triple 955i is a sport standard bike, one of the “round eye” generation that sadly (according to some, anyway) vanished in 2011. The 955i series is powered by a 955 cc inline three-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and 12 valves (four valves per cylinder), the same engine as in the Triumph Daytona 955i.
The 955i engine in the Speed Triple makes peak power of 89.5 kW (120 hp) at 9100 rpm, and peak torque of 74 ft-lb (100 Nm) at a low 5100 rpm.
Here are all the motorcycles in the Triumph Speed Triple range from launch in the 90s:
- Speed Triple 900 (1994-1996), 885cc, carburettor-fed, single round eye, basic looking
- Speed Triple T509 (1997-1998), new look with round eyes
- Speed Triple 955i (1999-2004), bigger 955cc fuel-injected engine from Daytona
- Speed Triple 1050 (2005-2010), bigger 1050cc engine, still round-eyes
- Speed Triple 1050 (2011-2015), new slant-eyed look
- Speed Triple R and S (2016-2017), higher spec
- Speed Triple S (2018-2020), “less high” spec
- Speed Triple RS (2018-2020), 6-axis IMU and cruise control
- Speed Triple 1200 RS (2021+), bigger 1160cc engine
- Speed Triple 1200 RR (2022+), a sport bike based on the Speed Triple 1200 RS
The Triumph Speed Triple 955i was a capacity update to the T509, which was 885cc. Triumph decided to bring the capacity in line with that of the Daytona 955i from 1999 onward.
From 2005, Triumph replaced the 955i with the Triumph Speed Triple 1050. The bigger-capacity, more high-tech Triumph remained in production for many years with that capacity, though with many other changes along the way.
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What you need to service your Triumph Speed Triple 955i
Aside from general motorcycle maintenance tools, you might find the following useful in maintaining your Triumph Speed Triple 955i.
| Part | Speed Triple 955i spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | The manual suggests semi or fully synthetic 10W/40 or 15W/50 motorcycle engine oil which meets specification API SH (or higher) and JASO MA, such as Mobil 1 10W-40 (fully synthetic) engine oil. |
| Oil filter | Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Use Triumph part number T1218001. You can also use Hiflofiltro HF204RC. |
| Spark plugs | Use NGK spark plugs with code CR9EK. |
| Air filter | Use K&N equivalent part TB-9097 Note: For the 885cc Speed Triple (1997-1998), use TB-9091 |
| Coolant | The manual recommends Mobil Antifreeze or any coolant with a 50/50 ethylene glycol and water mix. Later model Triumph manuals recommend HD4X, which you can get from a dealer, or get one of these alternatives. |
| Brake fluid | Use Castrol DOT 4 brake fluid. |
| Brake pads | Front (6-bolt front disc): FA236HH Rear: FA214/2HH |
| Chain maintenance | Maintain the chain of your Speed Triple 1050 with a Motul chain care kit or just Motul chain paste. |
| Grease | Use lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points. |
| Cable maintenance | Use Protect all cable life to keep the cables maintained. |
Maintenance schedule for the Triumph Speed Triple 955i
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Triumph Speed Triple 955i.
Generally, for the Speed Triple:
- There are a list of daily checks to do. Do these along with the maintenance items in the schedule.
- Maintain the chain regularly (see below)
- There’s a service interval every 6000 miles (10000 km) OR every year. When any of those periods has passed, check to see what’s due.
Daily checks
Do these checks often as well as with each service.
Many of these checks can be done with a visual once-over, especially since the Speed Triple 955i doesn’t have fairings. And some can be done as you roll away, e.g. making sure the brakes aren’t sticking.
| Speed Triple 955i — Daily/Pre-ride checks |
|---|
| Fuel system – check for leaks, chafing etc. |
| Cooling system – check for leaks |
| Coolant level – check/adjust |
| Throttle cables – check/adjust |
| Clutch cable – check/adjust (Protect all cable life) |
| Wheels – inspect for damage |
| Tyre wear/tyre damage – check |
| Tyre pressures – check/adjust |
| Lights, instruments, and electrical systems – check |
| Steering – check for free operation |
| Forks – check for leaks/smooth operation |
| Brake pad wear – check |
| Brake calipers – check for fluid leaks and seized pistons |
| Brake fluid levels – check |
| Drive chain slack – check/adjust |
| Fasteners – inspect visually for security |
| Side stand – check operation |
Chain maintenance
Maintain the chain every significant ride, or after a period of commuting or riding in rain / dirty conditions.
| Chain maintenance task | Every |
|---|---|
| Drive chain – lubricate (Motul chain paste) | 200 mi (300 km) Or after riding in rain / washing motorcycle |
| Drive chain – wear check | 500 mi (800 km) |
Full maintenance schedule
Below is the full maintenance schedule for the Triumph Speed Triple 955i.
Do the daily checks (mentioned above) in addition to these.
Notes on the maintenance schedule:
- At the end of the maintenance periods shown, continue in the same pattern (every 1, 2, 3, or 4 intervals)
- Later manuals are structured differently, and don’t have distance intervals for changing the brake fluid or coolant.
- Items marked [T] need Triumph dealer/mechanic tools or resources.
- The original maintenance schedule mandated many things to be done every year, but the below guidance of what to do every year is from later manuals (it’s much more reasonable).
| mi x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | Every |
| [T] Engine ECM — Check for stored DTCs | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Engine oil – renew (Mobil 1 10W-40) | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Engine oil filter – renew (HF204RC) | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Engine and oil cooler – check for leaks | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Valve clearances – check/adjust | • | • | |||
| Air cleaner – renew (TB-9097) | • | • | |||
| Spark plugs – check | • | • | |||
| Spark plugs – renew (CR9EK) | • | • | |||
| Throttle bodies – balance | • | • | • | • | |
| Cooling system – check hoses for chafing, cracks or damage. Replace hoses if necessary | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Coolant – renew | 2 years | ||||
| Fuel filter – renew | • | • | |||
| Headstock bearings – check/adjust | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Headstock bearings – lubricate | • | • | |||
| Fork oil – renew | • | ||||
| Brake fluid – renew (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||
| Brake caliper and master cylinder rubber seals – replace | 2 years | ||||
| Brake master cylinders – check for fluid leaks | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Drive chain rubbing strip – check | • | • | • | • | Year |
| Rear wheel bearing – lubricate (Lithium soap-based grease) | • | • | |||
| Secondary air injection system – check | • | • | Year | ||
| Fuel and evaporative loss hoses (if fitted) – renew | 4 years |
About the Triumph Speed Triple 955i
The Triumph Speed Triple 955i is a continuation of the theme of the Speed Triple (in its time) of being a standard / sportbike with a superbike engine.
Like its stablemate with the same engine, the Triumph Daytona 955i, the Triumph Speed Triple 955i has a three-cylinder 955cc engine that’s heavy on midrange torque but also with generous top-end power.
The 955i engine in the Speed Triple was rated for peak power of 89.5 kW (120 hp) at 9100 rpm, and this seems to bear truth as many owners reported 100-110 bhp at the wheel when it was put on a dyno.
In terms of power, that was (and is) huge for a naked bike — on-par with the most powerful ones out there, like the Ducati Monster S4R (which came out just at the end of the reign of the Speed Triple 955i).
Compared to later versions of the Triumph Speed Triple, the 955i is good-looking but not as stunning as the one that immediately replaced it, the Speed Triple 1050, which adds under-seat exhausts to the mix. But the 955i does have those twin round headlights, snaky frame tubes and single-sided swingarm that gets motorcyclists lightheaded.
Another aspect of the earlier Speed Triple that’s a little simpler is the ride gear.
The suspension is capable and adjustable, but they’re non-inverted forks, and they tend to beat up their fork fluid — which is why that’s a regular replacement item in the maintenance schedule.
Similarly, the Nissin brakes in this early Speed Triple are often described as “wooden”, lacking feel, and having massive lever travel (once broken in) and bear replacement with higher-end or just newer items. Luckily many other calipers from Japanese sportbikes are bolt-on replacements.
Otherwise, maintaining the Speed Triple 955i is much like replacing many other liquid-cooled Triumph sportbikes: Change the oil religiously (every 6000 miles or 10000 km), check the valves every second service, and make sure to replace aging liquids and rubber components, and you should be golden.
Reference — Manual for the Triumph Speed Triple 955i
Below are screenshots as references for the maintenance schedule for the Triumph Speed Triple 955i.
The manual is shared between the Speed Triple and the Daytona of the same vintage (though the Daytona was made for two years prior).
You can download most manuals for Triumph motorcycles from here, though for old models they tend to stop printing them.
