Choose your weapon

The 675cc Street Triple came in two specs – standard or R – and every bike from the late-’07 originals to the final few machines being registered today, has made the same amount of power. This all changes with the 765 family. Now there’s a trio of Triples: the regular bike is renamed the S while the sportier R continues, but they are joined by the new flagship RS. And now the three bikes not only differ in their chassis parts but also engine performance too.

The S (£8000) has unadjustable forks and a preload-only shock with twopiston front brakes, while its clocks use an analogue rev counter with a black -and-white LCD speedo. It makes 111bhp and 54lb.ft of torque – with more power than the 675cc version at all revs – and two rider modes (Road and Rain).

The R, ridden here, nudges the price up to £8900. As before, it adds fully adjustable suspension, radial brakes and sportier geometry, but now power and torque are both boosted too: there’s 116bhp and 57lb.ft, with a curve that outshines the S at all revs. It also has a colour TFT display and two extra modes (Sport and the custom Rider).

The RS is £9900 and takes a more track-minded approach to things, with an Öhlins shock, stronger brakes, near-slick Pirelli Supercorsa tyres, a fifth rider mode (called Track) and a quickshifter. The motor is even more powerful at the top end, with 121bhp.