“STREET TRIPLE RS Test Ride Review” The Machine that Supplied in Moto2

[TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS]Details and Test Ride Reviews

TRIUMPH has became the engine supplier for the "moto2" machine, the middle class of the Road Racing World Championships. The 3-cylinder 765cc engine has been installed in this STREET TRIPLE has been used as the base engine of the moto2.

Speaking of STREET TRIPLE, you may see it once even if you don't know about the TRIUMPH. It is characterized by its twin headlights and a 3-cylinder exhaust sound. The previous model was equipped with a 675cc engine even the same 3 cylinders. However, after the model has been changed, it has been upgraded by not only changed to 765cc engine but also getting into the latest electronic controls.

The STREET TRIPLE RS has already appeared several years ago as a market model, but I tested riding it again because it has been adopted as the base engine of the moto2 machine. We will report a test ride review of "STREET TRIPLE RS", which is the highest grade among all STREET TRIPLE.

1. Sophisticated unique style

[Overall Length / Overall Width / Overall Height]

2,065mm / 735mm / 1,085mm

[Curb Weight]

187kg

At first glance, it seems that there is no major change from the previous model, however, not only the engine but also each part of the motorcycle body has been newly designed. Its unique style has been more sophisticated by making changes in the model.

There are many changed parts such as the twin headlight that can be said to be its identity, exhaust design for mass concentration, swingarm of the gull-arm shape, the TFT LCD meter, and a bar-end mirror even only in the visible part. What surprised me most was its lightness. The lightweight body with a curb weight of 187kg and a dry weight of 166kg was light enough to make it think like a 250cc model after starting to ride, and I felt it was fun to tilt the body.

The handlebar is low in accordance with the streetfighter style that emphasizes riding performance. But, after I started riding, I did not feel any discomfort in a tilt forward position.

2. Foot grounding ability

[Seat Height]

825mm

[Foot grounding]

The seat height is not so lowered, but I felt the foot grounding is better than I expected due to the seat shape and the contract of front forks and rear suspension.

3. The featured headlights

The STREET TRIPLE is characterized by its unique twin headlights, and it is still present in this new RS. The shape of the headlight was pentagonal in the previous model, but it has been changed an inverted triangle in common with the new SPEED TRIPLE. The LED have been adopted to the position light inside the lens, tail light, and turn signals.

[Headlights]

[Tail lights]

4. The TFT LCD meter displays a lot of information

The brilliant TFT LCD meter only used in the flagship models of the each manufacturers is equipped. In addition to the settings of newly installed electronic control, you can visually check a lot of information from this display. The display layout can be selected from 6 kinds, and the angle of the meter body can be adjusted. The display is automatically reversed the color when it gets darker, making it easier to see both day and night.

5. Switches that control all functions

Switching between the information displayed on the TFT LCD and the electronic control is done by the joystick of the left switch. The operation is not only simple, but the switch box is also simple because it is integrated into one joystick.

The right switch is adopted a layout of the integrated switch of starter and engine off, that is becaming mainstream recently, and the throttle ride-by-wire, which can be said to be the key to electronic control.

6. The suspension that has been higher spec. in the RS

[Wheel]

Front Tire: 120 / 70-17
Rear Tire: 180 / 55-17

The wheel design has not been changed from the previous model greatly, but the tire has been equipped with PIRELLI Diablo Super Corsa SP as a standard. You can enjoy its sporty riding from the moment you straddle it.

[Brake]

One of the upgraded parts in the undercarriage is the brake, BREMBO calipers and break master cylinder have been adopted. Especially on the front, the braking power is greatly improved by the combination of 310mm floating disk and M50 type 4-pod radial monoblock caliper.

The BREMBO brake master cylinder has a better touch feeling than the NISSIN brake master cylinder that was used in the previous model, so the brake system has been easier to control.
The switch type ABS is equipped in both front and rear.

▲ BREMBO RCS radial master cylinder

[Suspension]

Another upgraded undercarriage is the suspension. The 41mm BPF (Big Piston Front Fork) made by SHOWA is equipped as front suspensions. The damping force adjuster on the rebound and the compression is integrated into the fork top, and the preload can be adjusted on the bottom side.

The link-type monoshock, equipped with a reservoir tank by OHLINS STX40, has been adopted in the rear undercarriage. It is a fully adjustable type with an adjustable damping force of the rebound side and the compression side in addition to the preload adjuster.

Even just riding on the street, I can understand that the gap of the road surface is absorbed flexibly. It is also attractive to be able to adjust further, according to the scene such as circuit and winding.

7. The 765cc engine was supplied in Moto2

The liquid-cooled parallel 3-cylinder DOHC 12 valves 765cc engine, completely new designed from the original 675cc engine, successfully improved both power and torque by using more than 80 parts newly designed. The max power has been increased by 16% of 123ps / 11,700rpm and its max torque has been increased by 13% of 77nm / 11,000rpm compared to the previous model.

The powered-up engine is not only controlled by 5 riding modes and traction control, but the shock reduction of shift up by quick shifter and shift down by assisting slipper clutch also creates a comfortable riding even in long-distance travel. There's a lot of newborn technologies that has been feedbacked from the race scene, but it is not over-specs, it gives the rider a sense of security and comfort.

8. The tank design with good fitting feeling

The tank design has not been changed significantly. The fuel capacity is 17.4L. The narrowing of the tank side with awareness of knee grip enhances the sense of unity with the motorcycle.

9. The seat that are more specific to position

In the previous model, an integrated seat with pillion seat were used, however, the seat is divided with pillion seat in this new model. By the division the seat, the area around the fuel tank has been become a sharp design, the rear part has been become a flat and wide like a sports model design. Instead of increasing the freedom of position, the pillion seat has been smaller.

10. What is the selling price to be concerned?

MSRP: 12,500 USD

The price can be said it is reasonable if you consider the latest electronic control and the hard parts of OHLINS and BREMBO to be standard equipment. Since prices of the Japanese liter SS are around 18,000 USD, the STREET TRIPLE RS is recommended for those who want to enjoy the latest technology that is emphasized on the city riding.

11. Summary

I'm owning the 675cc STREET TRIPLE, but the STREET TRIPLE RS with the 765cc engine has been advanced as to be able to say that it is completely different with my motorcycle. As an advanced part, of course, new adopted electronic controls are one of the point. In addition, it becomes easier to ride in the whole rev range due to the increased displacement and the maturing of the map.

In the previous model, I felt the throttle work is a little peaky instead of the enough torque. But in case of this RS, ride-by-wire and 5 riding modes allowed the throttle to be opened without stress.

Of course, it's not just easy to handle. The engine response when switching to the "TRACK" mode is also improved, and you can feel that the engine is firmly followed to the throttle when you want to accelerate.

Not only by the engine but also the upgraded undercarriage and its lightweight body, I experienced the amazing performance of the engine that makes me feel like "is my riding skill improved?".

In the test ride, I was able to experience how amazing the engine power of the STREET TRIPLE RS that became the base of the moto2 machine. To be honest, you can enjoy not only touring but also winding roads and circuit riding with this machine! It makes me satisfy the sense of ownership by its unique style and the fact that "I am riding the TRIUMPH". (lol)

If you want to experience a sporty riding with a naked, please try to ride.

See Accessories of PIRELLI
See Accessories of BREMBO
See Accessories of NISSIN
See Accessories of OHLINS
See Accessories of ARROW
See TRIUMPH Moto Index Page
See Accessories for TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS
See Accessories for TRIUMPH SPEEDTRIPLE