TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLEPLE RS
THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Window shopping!”
Iam now into my fifth month with the Triumph and so far have added nothing to the package since it arrived. I will argue this away, by stating that until this point I have been testing the launch observations of my erstwhile colleagues and making my own mind up about the RS, and then deciding where to go with it. Overall this package represents the higher end of the specification of the triple-pot range for 2017, it’s the one to ride if you are intrigued by what will be powering Moto2 in 2019. But credit to Triumph, they have developed a bike that’s more than adequate at the lower ranges of the rev scale for you in town traffic via a smooth and consistent ride-by-wire delivery. But hunt out quiet roads (or tracks) in the UK, pin the gasser and hold on tight – this is the RS’s specialty.
Unfortunately the pleasure of the RS on track has only amounted to one trackday at Castle Combe so far. My hopes for this month’s snarl around an asphalt ring has eluded me, though. Thus my mileage, though consistent with my commute, has been low and the opportunity to travel the distances I usually do at this time of year have not been as frequent. A tick in the ‘must do better’ box of my monthly report has spurred me on to more lengthy trips for August so that I can have a look at the range of the RS, and its suitability for the mile munching. I can only think it’s going to be good; I have never ridden a triple ove er distance that wasn’t an utter j oy.
One such trip is up to Triump ph itself where I will leave the bike to h have a few choice additions made. Tri umph have an extensive range of add ditional extras which give you plenty o of opportunity to personalize you ur ride, be it the (TPMS) tyre pressure monitors, onitors, round bar end mirrors, LED indicators or pillion grab handles. With most things covered this keeps you well within the Triumph family and the benefit of purchasing directly via the manufacturer is the guaranteed fit and indeed the quality you would expect.
I have requested, firstly, a full set of protection which arguably I should have had from the outset. Past experience tells me that the engine protection kit is well worth having, they are not cheap – but then neither is repairing a hole in the engine. Furthermore will be the frame, forks and swingarm protection kit. In addition, I have asked to have a fly screen fitted – granted I have not done the long miles but have spent enough time at speed to know the battering you get from the wind with a low front. It will be a valuable exercise to see how much resistance can be alleviated with this simple addition.
Jump to the rear and tail tidy would not go amiss. The standard item is not awful by any means, but a nip and a tuck here and there can’t do any harm. The real extravagance will be the Arrow silencer, a beautiful bit of kit which must come with a disclaimer from me that the underbelly OE pipe is no eyesore. However having dyno’d the RS totally as standard, seeing what the end can adds to the performance makes sense, especially as it is by far the most weighty addition at some £615.
All of the above will hopefully be fitted by next month and in the ideal world I will ride into Triumph on the RS and ride out on either the R or the S as a courtesy loan. This potential of a direct comparison back to back would be fascinating. Fingers are crossed and pleading letters have been sent. Watch this space.