Taking it to the streets
The Street Triple is, most definitely, going down in the history books. Maybe not as an iconic motorcycle that changed the game but surely as a modern classic that will be remembered for years to come. But what makes the Street Triple as good as it is and how good is good in the first place? To start with, the Street simply eliminates any and every feeling of a “big bike” the moment you saddle up. Heck, it barely looks intimidating. It is undoubtedly, a handsome looking motorcycle and we’ll leave the bug-eyed headlamps to your judgement. They’re unique, we like them and many more would agree as their prominence has been restyled to a more aesthetically appealing shape in this newer iteration of the motorcycle. The Street Triple is both approachable and endearing visually and that’s a huge accomplishment for a motorcycle trying to entice new riders stepping up into the big bike space.
As you sit on the motorcycle getting a feel of its dimensions and weight, you’ll realise that it isn’t much larger or heavier than
The Street is where all the fun is and multiplying that fun is Triumph’s middleweight street naked. We finally get to ride the fully loaded Street Triple RS THE STREET TRIPLE ELIMINATES EVERY FEELING OF A “BIG BIKE” THE MOMENT YOU SADDLE UP
say, a standard 300-400cc motorcycle. Surprised? Don’t be because the approachability of the motorcycle comes from various factors that contribute to this friendly, lightweight feel. Take for instance, the twin-spar aluminium frame coupled with a new swingarm that lends to the motorcycle’s rock solid stability and drive out of corners or the quality Showa Big Piston Forks (BPF) that are fully adjustable and are complemented by Ohlins STX40 fully-adjustable monoshock. Then there’s the new 765cc in-line 3-cylinder engine, all of which is packed into a compact 1,410mm wheelbase and weighing in at 166kg without fuel and fluids. To put things into perspective, that’s just 10mm more than the wheelbase of the Kawasaki Z250.
Aesthetics aside, the engine needs to be friendly towards new riders while at the same time, engaging for seasoned riders. The new 765cc manages to incorporate both qualities with ease. Smooth and tractable, the 3-cylinder engine barely gives a hint of its true potential when kept under 6,000rpm, trotting about in fourth, even fifth gear. Drop a few cogs and get past
SMOOTH AND TRACTABLE, THE 3-CYLINDER ENGINE BARELY GIVES A HINT OF ITS TRUE POTENTIAL WHEN KEPT UNDER 6,000RPM
7,000rpm and you’ll be hard pressed to think if you’re riding the same motorcycle, that’s if you can come to terms with the ballistic surge of power and rabid acceleration lifting the front wheel with every up-shift. It doesn’t take much time or effort for the Triple to sit at illegally high speeds. The ease with which the Street Triple transcends supersport performance in a street-biased package is simply astounding. This however, comes with supersport matching equipment to reign in that power.
We’re talking about 121bhp being produced at a heady 11,750rpm with a healthy 77Nm pushing a sub-200kg motorcycle. Add a quick shifter to the mix and you’re rapidly progressing through the 6-speed gearbox without the clutch and the throttle pinned to the stop. Then there are five riding modes thanks to ride-by-wire tech that allows for traction control and ABS while top-notch Brembo M50 4-piston radial monobloc callipers grabbing twin 310mm discs for braking prowess contrast the brutal acceleration. There’s also 23.9 degrees of rake making for sharp turn-ins and intuitive handling characteristics along with grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres. The Street has no issues holding its line through a corner and offering confidence to a rider to keep upping speeds around one.
Not all is good in this nearly immaculate street package. The Showa BPFs are set stiff overall in its stock settings which makes for a really bumpy frontend over regular roads and gets progressively worse with bad roads. The effect transfers to the sensitive ride-by-wire throttle which changes with the suspension movement making the ride jerky. Thankfully, the rebound and compression adjustability should be able to make the suspension a tad more pliant.
VERDICT
Triumph has constantly improved the Street Triple since its inception and it has come to a point where it’s a formidable street package that’s much sought after. With the entry-level S and the alpha RS variants, the company has distinct options for various riders.
The RS trim is in fact, great as a track tool with class-leading cycle parts and electronics. At its price point, the Street Triple RS is an enticing package that’s hard to beat.