2022 Triumph Speed Triple RR Packs Speedy Cafe Racer Style

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Two names loom large in the history of naked bikes. One is the Ducati Monster, which helped kick off the segment in the early 1990s. And the other is the Triumph Speed Triple, which is arguably the naked bike poster child. However, while the Speed Triple is faster and sharper than its Street Triple sibling, especially in RS form, some of the latest-gen super streetfighters have started out-pacing it. But the icon isn’t taking that lying down. Instead, it’s fighting back with its strongest incarnation yet: the 2022 Triumph Speed Triple RR.  

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR doesn’t get more horsepower, but it does have new suspension tech

2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR | Triumph
Spec 2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR 2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
Engine 1160cc liquid-cooled inline-three 1160cc liquid-cooled inline-three
Power 178 hp 178 hp
Torque 92 lb-ft 92 lb-ft
Transmission Six-speed manual with slipper-assist clutch Six-speed manual with slipper-assist clutch
Front suspension and travel Ohlins S-EC 2.0 OBTi electronically-controlled fully-adjustable inverted forks; 4.7” Ohlins NIX30 fully-adjustable inverted forks; 4.7”
Rear suspension and travel Ohlins RSU electronically-controlled fully-adjustable mono-shock with S-EC 2.0 OBTi system; 4.7” Ohlins TTX36 fully-adjustable mono-shock; 4.7”
Seat height 32.68″ 32.7″
Curb weight 439 lbs 437 lbs
Starting price $20,950 $18,500

Up until now, the 2022 Speed Triple RS has been Triumph’s most powerful three-cylinder motorcycle. Now, though, it has to share that appellation with the 2022 Speed Triple RR. However, that’s not the naked bike’s biggest development.

While both the Triumph Speed Triple RR and RS have Ohlins suspension, the RR has electronically-controlled semi-active suspension. So, not only is the RR’s suspension adjustable but it’s linked to the selected riding mode. That should make it more comfortable on both the street and the track than the RS, MCN notes.

Speaking of riding modes, besides the trick suspension, the Triumph Speed Triple RR pulls most of its tech from the RS. Both bikes have 5” full-color TFT displays, five riding modes, wheelie control, cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control, and electronic quickshifters. And as on the RS, you can adjust the settings via the display, RideApart notes. Plus, the RR and the RS have identical Brembo disc brakes with adjustable brake levers.

It’s not quite a Thruxton, but the Triumph Speed Triple RR borrows its café racer duds

The overhead side 3/4 view of a red-and-black 2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR in a garage
2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR overhead side 3/4 view | Triumph

RELATED: The 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000 Should Be a Sharper Streetfighter

Oftentimes motorcycle trims’ differences are most apparent under the skin. But that’s not the case with the 2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR. Although it shares a lot with the RS and was co-developed with it, RevZilla says, the RR has its own style. That style is specifically ‘café racer,’ similar to the current Triumph Thruxton. But it goes further than just a new fairing.

For decades, the Speed and Street Triple have had dual round headlights. The 2022 Speed Triple RR, though, has a single LED headlight. And if that reminds you of the MV Agusta Superveloce 800, that might be deliberate, as Triumph claims that bike is one of the RR’s main competitors, RevZilla reports.

RELATED: Aprilia Relaxes the RS With the Naked 2021 Tuono 660

Besides the fairing and headlight, the Triumph Speed Triple RR also has different ergonomics than the RS. Rather than the RS’s one-piece handlebar, the RR has clip-on bars that sit lower and more forward. Plus, the new bike’s footpegs are higher and slightly further back. So, while the Speed Triple RS has a ‘standard’ riding position, the RR’s position is more like a sportbike. Fitting, considering its café racer style.

Finally, the RR has Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 tires, which RevZilla describes as “practically street-legal slicks.” In contrast, the RS has Metzeler Racetec tires.

When can you get this naked speed machine?

A white-and-gold 2021 MV Agusta Superveloce 800 S in a fall forest
2021 MV Agusta Superveloce 800 S | MV Agusta

RELATED: The Limited-Edition MV Agusta Rush 1000 Has a ‘Brutale’ Price

The 2022 Triumph Speed Triple RR should hit US dealers in January 2022. By then, its various Triumph accessories, such as heated grips, a GPS tracker, and an alarm, will also be available.

But is the RR worth the $2450 upcharge over the RS? Without riding both trims back-to-back, it’s difficult to tell. However, that extra cost likely stems from the electronic Ohlins suspension. If that’s the case, $2450 isn’t terribly expensive, where suspension upgrades are concerned.

Also, it’s worth noting that the MV Agusta Superveloce doesn’t offer suspension like that. Plus, it’s down 30 hp and costs about $4000 more than the RR. So, it might be worth giving Triumph’s new speedy naked café racer a test ride.

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RELATED: The 2020 Triumph Daytona 765 Moto2 Isn’t Racing Cosplay

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Consumer Reports Doesn’t Test or Rate Almost Any Supercars

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are many reliable sources of information when it comes to starting your adventure of purchasing a new or a used vehicle. Of course, you want to take a few cars on a test drive, but unless you want to spend weeks personally analyzing and researching every individual vehicle within your budget, chances are you’ll start your search online. Websites like Consumer Reports give consumers the information we need to make well-informed purchases. This is a great resource for the average consumer, but if you’re in the market for a supercar you may be disappointed.

How does Consumer Reports test vehicles?

Aston Martin Vantage | Martyn Lucy, Getty Images

It is important to discuss how Consumer Reports tests the vehicles that they review and rate in order to understand exactly why they don’t follow the process for consumer-focused supercars. To test and rate their vehicles, the team uses a private track as well as surface roads to report on the first-hand experience of driving the vehicles and rating them in comparison to similar vehicles of their class. The testing can be rather extensive, giving consumers a better idea of what the car is actually like rather than just the short impressions we get from test driving.

Why doesn’t Consumer Reports test any supercars?

Consumer Reports has not given any concise reason as to why they don’t test and rate supercars, but there are more than a few potentially reasonable answers. For one, Consumer Reports focuses on extensive testing — more than just your average quick test drive and analysis, sometimes taking days or even weeks depending on the mileage and vehicle-type specific testing. From a time and energy standpoint, it makes sense for the website to focus on high-production cars that are more regularly purchased by consumers.

Road test is only one factor they consider — why don’t they rate on the other three factors?

There are four factors that Consumer Reports takes into consideration when reviewing and rating vehicles, and the road test is only one of them. In fact, for newer vehicles, or vehicles that haven’t been entirely released yet, Consumer Reports will still build a profile for the car, as it did for some supercars, like several years of the Dodge Viper. However, even the Viper doesn’t have an official rating through the website, and you’ll find that you’ll have the same unfortunate luck when looking at the reports on other supercars as well. The four factors the reviewer takes into account when rating tested vehicles are:

  1. Road test — according to the website, an average of 50 vehicles a year are tested. These tests are done on a privately owned track, a 327-acre testing facility located in Connecticut. The road test is used to evaluate acceleration, braking, handling, noise, ride, and safety systems, among other things.
  2. Predicted reliability — data is collected from a survey of members and presented on the topic of 17 key areas of reliability and potential issues.
  3. Owner satisfaction — also based on data collected from members that give consumers the first-hand experience of what other consumers have already experienced, as well as their unbiased, personal opinions.
  4. Safety ratings — safety ratings aren’t always released by supercar manufacturers as testing, such as crash testing, isn’t actually required to be published according to NHTSA guidelines. The website also notes standard and optional safety features available for each car.

Consumer Reports doesn’t give official ratings on almost any supercar on the market — even the more affordable ones geared towards consumers, but that isn’t that uncommon. Edmunds also doesn’t give many supercars hard ratings or statistics based on testing but will give a small excerpt on each vehicle from what is available. Really, it seems supercar manufacturers focus on different types of publications that will review the car overall, rather than giving it a hard and fast ranking.

RELATED: Here are 3 Used Supercars You Can Buy for Under $80,000

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Watch: Bronco Pitchman John Bronco Is Back!

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Remember that goofy Bronco pitchman parody last year that Ford brought out. The “spokesperson” was John Bronco, played by actor Walton Goggins. We sort of thought this was just a placeholder for anxious Bronco faithful until it was launched. But now he’s back with a new short comedy.

This is a surprise Bronco promo for something Ford doesn’t need to promote

2021 Ford Bronco | Ford

Running on Hulu right now, it is another reminder of how popular the SUV really is. Of course, Ford isn’t doing much in the way of promotion for its latest SUV. It doesn’t have to. With orders for 2021 filled and production proceeding in fits and starts, it doesn’t have to. 

This new short hypes that John Bronco is back “and ready to get on the saddle again.” Others lending their talents to the piece include Tim Meadows, Michael Chiklis, Brian Austin Green, and Bo Derek. They support John Bronco, “a rodeo rider, a racing champion, a sex symbol, and the greatest pitchman in history.” 

Enthusiasts will like some of the footage of vintage Bronco SUVs

1972 Ford Bronco LUXE-GT made by Gateway Bronco parked on a road
1972 Ford Bronco LUXE-GT | Gateway Bronco

What enthusiasts will like are all of the old footage of vintage Broncos that appear in both the original and also this latest short comedy. This should also give you a bit of joy to realize that Ford is making so much dough off of the Bronco, it can indulge in offbeat promotions like this.

We don’t begrudge Ford for that. We just wish it could get its new vehicle launches dialed in without continuous delays. Not for us but for those on waiting lists for the all-new SUV.

Ford’s problems started months ago with the manufacturer of the hardtops not being able to keep up with demand. Some orders had to be delayed until the 2022 model year. At this point, only molded-in hardtops and soft-tops were being assembled.

Orders have continually been interrupted setting some orders into 2022

Ford Bronco Riptide Concept Off-roader
Bronco Riptide Concept | Ford

Owners started noticing flaws and separations in their molded-in-color hardtops. Others complained about the poor quality of the paint finishes. While Ford said these issues were “microscopic” it halted hardtop deliveries. Now it is replacing every hardtop on vehicles delivered as well as those sitting in lots waiting to be shipped. 

This wrinkle has also put some orders for delivery in 2022 as 2022 models. Ford will honor the 2021 prices for these customers. Some forums show upset owners, while there are also those who can be patient. 

The best thing about all of this is that Ford is trying to make these issues right. And some of this is attributed to the pandemic, which limited initial top production because of a lack of workforce or assembly line shutdowns. Maybe the new John Bronco comedy is a little band-aid to those patient Bronco souls. 

RELATED: Ford Bronco Delays: More Bad News About Top Issues

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Can the Nissan Leaf Still Compete Against Newer EVs?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the EV market, the Nissan Leaf has been around for a long time, usually as an alternative to the more expensive Tesla. There are plenty more EV options on the market now, and they are quite affordable. Here’s a look at the Nissan Leaf and whether Nissan has improved it enough to compete with its peers. 

A look at the 2022 Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf | Getty Images

While automakers are introducing their own EVs, Nissan hasn’t been sitting idly by. As Car and Driver wrote, the 2022 Nissan Leaf has quite a few changes from before. Unlike many other companies, Nissan actually slashed the price tag of the Leaf. It now starts at just $28,000, and that’s before federal tax credits. 

According to Car and Driver, that means that the Leaf is now about $4,000 to $6,000 cheaper than before, depending on the trim. Furthermore, the Leaf still qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, making it quite affordable for many folks now. This isn’t the only update. 

For the 2022 model year, Car and Driver said that the Leaf will now have access to Nissan’s semi-autonomous self-driving system. That system, called ProPilot Assist, is available on the SV Plus trim, which starts at about $36,000. Due to that low price tag, Nissan provides a relatively cheap way for folks to have access to semi-autonomous self-driving technology.

How the 2022 Nissan Leaf compares

Thanks to that major price cut, the Leaf is now the cheapest EV on the market. Eco-friendly customers on a budget have a clear choice for a new car. But of course, the Leaf isn’t perfect. According to Car and Driver, the regular Leaf only gets about 149 miles on a single charge. This can be upgraded to 226 miles by getting the Plus trim, but that’s still not great.

Compared to a Tesla Model 3, that’s a below-average range. The Model 3 starts at about $34,000 and gets about 263 miles on a single charge. According to Car and Driver, the Plus trim starts at about $33,000. So, for $1,000 more, customers can get almost 40 more miles of range. It’s a similar story with the Chevy Bolt. The Bolt costs about the same but gets more range than the Leaf Plus.

To be fair to the Leaf, neither Tesla nor Chevy are eligible for the federal EV tax credit. This means that, after adding in that tax credit, the Leaf will be significantly cheaper no matter what. 

Can the Nissan Leaf compete?

Despite that range problem, money talks. The Leaf is still selling well because Nissan has essentially cornered the market for affordable EVs. The Leaf is far from the fastest EV, and it has a short-range, but it’s ultimately a practical and comfortable EV. As Car and Driver wrote, despite being the cheapest EV on the market, its interior is quite comfortable and doesn’t feel very cheap.

Despite being a relatively small car, the Leaf can actually carry quite a bit of cargo. Car and Driver said that it actually beat the Chevy Bolt in terms of cargo capacity. The Leaf also has quite a few features, such as an 8-inch touch screen and many smart safety features. For these reasons and more, the Leaf continues to sell well and competes with newer EVs.

RELATED: Autotrader Just Proved That the 2021 Nissan Leaf is Worth a Second Look

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