WHY IT’S TIME TO GET NAKED
Whether you want stripped-back aggression or a relaxed retro, Triumph have the deal for you
The Street Triple has always hit the nail on the head, astounding riders with its sporty chassis and storming motor – not to mention its affordable price. When you are in the mood for sporty riding, which is something the Street Triple has always been more than up for, the R proves its worth with its suspension set slightly firmer than on the S. Quite compact due to the small size of the bike, the riding position is that of a typically relaxed street bike with flat bars and not overly high pegs. It’s all very normal and comforting. As soon as the engine makes itself known, however, the Triumph becomes something special. With all the Street Triples so far there has been a special chemistry between the engine and chassis that instantly makes you feel at home. Balancing power, performance, handling and price is a tricky act, but the Street Triple R has managed it perfectly. Updated in 2020 with an aggressive new attitude and style, and a more responsive Euro5 compliant high-performance 765cc engine – it’s lost none of its character: light, fast, fun, agile and stylish – the R is close to being the perfect road bike.
There were a raft of styling updates, with the fly screen and air intake now being more pronounced, echoing the shape of the new twin LED headlights and giving a much more distinctive front end. The engine got sharper, too – with a claimed 7% reduction in rotational inertia, helping to deliver low and midrange grunt and peak power of 116bhp at 12,000rpm, and peak torque of 57lb.ft torque at 9400rpm.
In the bling department, you get high-spec Brembo M4.32 fourpiston radial monobloc calipers, Showa 41mm SF-BPF forks and a Showa piggyback reservoir monoshock – both fully adjustable for preload, compression damping and rebound damping. You also get the Triumph Shift Assist two-way quickshifter fitted as standard, three riding modes – Road, Rain and Sport – and ABS and traction control. And it could be yours for just £95 per month!
Or take the relaxed route
The Bonneville family has many threads to it, but if you simply hanker for a pure and simple retro that rides as well as it looks, the T100 range is a great place to start. Far more than simply a retrostyled Street Twin, the Triumph Bonneville T100 has all the relaxed nature of the larger T120, but in a smaller, lighter and arguably more fun package.
With its peashooter exhausts, wire wheels, long mudguards and classy paintjobs, it brings every bit of T120 quality with it. For fans of the traditional Bonnie styling, it ticks every box.
The water-cooled parallel twin still thumps along as you’d expect but is smoother than before with a pleasing midrange and even a bit of a top-end zip when you crack open the throttle.
The clutch is nice and light and there is even a neat ‘anti-stall’ rev rise. It may not look modern, but the T100 comes loaded with traction control, ABS, ride-by-wire, an immobiliser and even a USB slot hidden under the seat. Cruise control and heated grips are optional extras. Triumph have lavished care and attention to detail on the T100 and it looks fabulous.
Let’s make it personal
Right now, Triumph are sweetening the proposition of owning one of these gems with a £1000 ‘personalisation contribution’ when you sign on the line for either the Bonneville T100, Bonneville T100 Black, or T100 Bud Ekins Special Edition. The £1000 can be used as a finance deposit or a contribution towards official accessories – of which there are loads to choose from. ● Find out more by contacting your local Triumph dealership, or by visiting www. triumphmotorcycles.co.uk