Since 2007, when the first series was introduced, triumph street Triple RS has benefited from its image of being actually a racing machine. What could be dismissed as the finest marketing talk actually has a real background, because it is based on the Daytona 675. We have tried out how well the racer performs in everyday life.
The Street Triple by Triumph sets standards for riders of well-maintained road racers, as it was created with the help of engineers who make the MotoGP racing machines at Triumph legs. And even today, the race engineers had to help out with the update of the 2020 version. The mission to her: Make them even sharper, make them even faster, make them even fitter for everyday life.
So that everyone can identify the new model, let's first take a look at the optics: all the cladding parts were new, and in fact the overall impression is better than the previous model. Somehow, it seems more harmonious, without viewers being able to define exactly where the improvement comes from. We last had this with the update of the Kawa Z 900.
What remains is the emphatically sporty touch, especially the front. The updated lighting technology - all LED - now looks sharper. Small finishings of the optics can be found everywhere on the motorcycle. In addition to the carbon cap on the exhaust, the new mirror, high-quality surfaces, black footrest holders (front and rear) and silencer surfaces made of satin-cut metal. Overall, Triumph wanted to give the impression that a super athlete like the Daytona 675 is competing here, just without disguise. And that has been fully achieved.
The developers also knuckled down to the engine. In times of increasingly frequent speed limits, even for a racer, everyday driving is becoming increasingly important. This usually means more pressure from below and from the middle, which the developers tried to achieve here, among other things, by means of an interference tube on the manifold, which connects the individual pipes of the exhaust system. 123 hp are now pulling at the chain, we will try that later. Shorter lower gears are designed to shorten acceleration, as is the standard Quickshifter, which reduces shifting times when driving extremely sporty.
Finally, the Street Triple received the whole electronic package, which we know from other models of the English (yes, at least the developers are still sitting on the island). It includes four driving modes (road, rain, sport, track configurable by the driver) as well as the MyTriumph connectivity system, which can be used with the separately available Bluetooth module. Then the GoPro or the smartphone can be controlled for all those who need to retrieve their mails on the most beautiful passports in the world. The new and clear TFT display can be used to use this and other things while driving. Finally, a look at the traction control, which can be adjusted in several stages, as well as the ABS – is really good, so it remains incomprehensible why no curve ABS is available for the triumph street triple, which is not exactly cheap at 11,850 euros, at an additional cost.
Then let's go.
Oha. After a short turn on the gas handle, "then let's go" becomes a felt jump to the best time for zero hundred. But before that, a quick look at the display in the booth. As clear as it is, as many designs can be selected, it remains the same criticism as with the Tiger 900: The menu navigation is not thought through to the end. But since you rarely need this, it is to be tolerated.
Then we start through. And do it again. And again. And could actually do it again and again all day: enjoy the powerful, powerful and at the same time clean running engine. The new sound fits perfectly with the racer style without annoying in the long run (by the way, the neighbors don't either. Powerful does not necessarily mean loud, here first-class implemented).
With the sporty, well integrated sitting posture, the bike is also well under control for acceleration. But one thing must be clear about one thing: if the back pressure is missing from the driving wind, one bases oneanother in the city on the handballs. In the long run, this can hurt.
So get back up the runway, enjoying pure and pure physics. In addition to the fantastic engine and the clean gearbox, the Triumph Street Triple uses two physical laws to its advantage. First: The Triumph Street Triple RS is a real lightweight with only 187 kilos. Every pilot notices this in every curve, when manoeuvring or accelerating: lightweight construction cannot be replaced by sophisticated electronics or simple extra power. In this respect, the triumph is one of the most honest sporting motorcycles on the market.
The second reason is the standard Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tyres. The Ducati Panigale proudly wears something like this on the track, it is a semislick with a low profile and comparatively sticky running surface. It fits perfectly with the Street Triple RS, allows jagged steering, high inclinations and best grip. However: Only when the weather is good. He doesn't like rain or low temperatures at all. In adverse conditions, it is best not to put on a dedicated 125 scooter. The abrasion is also relatively high, so that these tyres are the reference for sports motorcycles, but are an expensive pleasure.
The Triumph Street Triple RS is a sharp sports motorcycle. Therefore, the initially questioned saying of the racing machine fits for the road. It sets the right accents for the sports driver with the foolproof Öhlins suspension, the appropriate knee closure and knee angle as well as this motor, which is always called to higher. But you have to be able to afford it. This is not even due to the entry price of 11,850 euros, where a Kawasaki Z 900 comparable in the data is available at the dealership with less than 10,000.
No, if you want to have the Triumph Street Triple RS and drive all year round, if you want to take a passenger further than to the dredging lake without listening to the suffering after the end of the journey – you will not be able to avoid the purchase of a second motorcycle. And this, despite the fact that it is actually present and suitable for everyday use.
The test bike was provided to us by Triumph-Hamburg.
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