Triumph Street Triple R – Road test

Usually I'm not one of those testers who judges a vehicle in the first hundred metres and who then hardly change their minds. My first impression is often radically revised as I discover the characteristics and peculiarities of a motorcycle or a car. Especially when it's something I'm not used to or that differs from my personal tastes, and therefore something that takes more time to be understood and appreciated. The Triumph Street Triple R, on the other hand, was one of those bikes that you understand immediately, you appreciate its advantages much more than its defects.. It immediately involves you because it is a real motorbike, in look and substance, with brilliant performance, but not so much as to be demanding and reserved for an expert audience.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

More modern, better finished but perhaps less original than in the past

The 675 little sister of the Speed ​​Triple 1050 it is completely renewed in 2013, is much more attention to detail and follows the design dictates of recent years, having a queue even more slim and with a low discharge. Tastes are tastes, so we don't express our opinion, but the lines are balanced and the choices made are all motivated and acceptable. The exhaust, for example, may be appreciated by some, but not liked by others, but it remains an obligatory choice now, given the attention to the arrangement of the masses. I am The headlights are also new, with a more modern and mean design, just a little less personal than in the past. The R version, In addition to improvements related to cycling, and the presence of the gear indicator, also benefits from dedicated colors, with the frame painted red combined with the three colors of the basic Street: Phantom Black, Crystal White and Carribean Blue, to which a dedicated color is added, Matt Graphite. Some details mounted on the sample under test are available as options, such as the LED indicators or the practical, as well as aesthetically pleasing, engine protection pads. The license plate holder always stands out and appears a little out of context, but unfortunately the particularly slender line of the rear tail is not compatible with legal obligations, which restrict the positioning of the license plate beyond the rear wheel, which cannot be "cantilevered". compared to the dimensions of the motorbike. The only small sore point from an aesthetic point of view, together with a detail that does not affect performance and which only the most attentive will notice: the Street Triple features front brake calipers of a different brand from the rear one. Upon closer analysis, it turns out that the mixed system is a "reasoned" choice and that it is not limited to just the calipers, Nissin at the front and Brembo at the rear, but also the front brake discs, also from the Italian manufacturer.

Engine and performance:

rating:  

Everything changes except him, excellent sound and great boost at high revs

The Street is all new, but built around the three-cylinder which remains practically unchanged. THE improvements they are there, even if well hidden. It's mostly new related to nutrition. The injection system and the throttle bodies have in fact undergone some refinements, which together with a longer first gear, now the gearbox has the same ratio as the Daytona, should guarantee a better result in terms of consumption. Instead, they always are 106 horsepower available and 68 Nm maximum torque. In both cases the speed data makes it clear how much you love this engine rev high, at 11.850 rpm maximum power is delivered, at almost 10 thousand torque. The clutch is excellent, well modulated, with a classic cable control, even if mistreated it does not show the slightest hint of failure. Taking into account the limited torque of the 675, it is an excellent aid for having a little fun moving the front wheel away from the asphalt, when driving on roads closed to traffic. A little friction is enough to give rise to a soft and progressive wheelie, manageable and very easy to control. Thanks to the big airbox the sound is full and dark. The change in voice is clear when the engine comes into torque. Starts to push beyond 6 thousand rpm, more decisively beyond 8 thousand. Like all motorbikes with powerful engines but small displacement, it always encourages us to use it in a particularly high range, close to the one in which a sequence of blue LEDs above the rev counter tells us that we need to increase the gear ratio. In the case of the Street Triple the desire increases, because hearing the in-line three scream is really pleasant.

Ride and handling:

rating:  

A nice toy, easy and very satisfying

The bike is truly all new, with an improved chassis and chassis, a significant weight reduction, I'm good 6 kilos less, down to 183 in total, but above all it takes a clear step forward in a fundamental characteristic for riding a motorbike: the centralization of the masses. It helps with this too the low exhaust, now smaller in size and which, alone, you lose weight by as much as 3,6 kg. The weight distribution between the front and rear axle also changes, from 49%-51% to 52-48, with the front taking advantage of it and with driveability at the top in its category. The frame is still a double aluminum beam, but is now made up of 8 pieces and no longer 11. The swingarm has been redesigned and weighs 0,6 kg less, but with greater rigidity. In the R version we find different suspensions and brakes compared to the basic version. Fork, with 41mm upside down rods, and rear mono are still Kayaba but become fully adjustable and vary, the travel data increases, therefore offering a sportier connotation and the possibility of configuring the suspensions to your liking. The improvements regarding thefront braking system, with pump and radial calipers with 4 instead of 2 pistons. The discs, as for the basic version, are 310mm. The result is very powerful brakes, one finger on the lever is enough to end up painfully against the tank, if you are not prepared in time, by insisting it is easy to end up with the rear wheel off the ground. All with a modularity that allows you to manage braking easily and safely. ABS is optional, at a price of 400 euros, but you won't miss it, at least when driving in the dry. However, it will be a great help in wet conditions and in conditions of low grip, especially for less experienced riders, given the power of the braking system that the Street Triple makes available. Compared to the previous version, the steering angle improves by around 10%, a nice advantage for those who also use it in city traffic, but don't be under any illusions, we're sticking to sports bike values. Always with a view to ease of use, we appreciate the saddle and the possibility of having it in a gel version, which is even more comfortable. Obviously it has not become an ideal motorcycle for long journeys, especially for the passenger who is in a rather high and not very comfortable position. On mixed, medium and fast terrain, the Street Triple is at its best. It drives like a toy, making it do what you want with minimal effort and with always precise responses. What amazes is that it is really easy to ride, to the point that I can also recommend it as a first bike, suitable for learning, as long as you don't overdo it with gas, given the power available. The height from the ground makes it an excellent choice even for users of smaller stature.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

Low consumption and high but justified price

The price difference compared to the Street Triple R is 1.000 euros, for a total list price of around 9.200 euros. An important figure but with contents that live up to expectations. The consumption data is excellent, if used carefully and without exaggeration, 20 per liter are well within reach.

PROS AND CONS

We like it:
A real motorbike, capable of having fun and easy to ride, also suitable for a novice

We do not like it:
To have fun you need to rev the three-cylinder very high

Triumph Street Triple R: the Motorionline Report Card

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