When we think of a good mid-sized naked sportbike, we have to immediately think of this Triumph Street Triple R, but the most curious thing is that this is not even the most sporty and radical Street in the current lineup! A model famous for using the engine that powers the Moto2 machines in the Speed World Championship, but this bike is much more than that.
Over the years, in this profession, we attend some events that we like to remember later. In this case, having the Street Triple R with us, we remember the international presentation of the first generation of the Street, held by Lake Garda in Italy in July 2007. At the time, it proved to be a very agile and fun proposal, with some DNA from the Speed Triple while also borrowing solutions – especially mechanical ones – from the sporty Daytona 675, which had been launched quite successfully a year earlier.
Since then, the Street has been making its natural progression, never being a sales champion (speaking in general terms, as it always depends a lot on the specific country), but always evolving in its various generations, while also introducing some more sporty versions and others simpler, for all tastes and budgets. And always with a three-cylinder engine!
The first was then launched in 2007, a major evolution replacing the outdated 4-cylinder Speed Four. Small changes emerged in late 2011, when the traditional headlights no longer had a round shape, but significant alterations were made in the third generation of 2013. The fourth generation appeared in 2018, already with a displacement of 765 cc, in 2020 small touches emerged and for 2023 the R and RS versions were improved. The RS always with a focus more geared towards the track, while the R remains as the base version of a beautiful sporty naked road bike.
WELL EQUIPPED
Even if there wasn’t an RS version, the bike in this test would already be in an excellent position – theoretically and practically – as an analysis of a modern sporty naked bike. We’re talking about a bike equipped with a 765 cc three-cylinder engine (the one that powers the Moto2 World Championship bikes, with slight differences), and in this R model it delivers 120 hp at 11,500 rpm. And we say in this R model because in the more “racing” RS the engine is more “squeezed” and delivers an additional 10 hp of power, although the torque value is exactly the same, 80 Nm at 9,500 rpm.
Along with the latest engine updates on this R model, the exhaust system has also been improved, always aiming to maintain the typical and exciting sound of the three-cylinder engine. This model is also very well-equipped in terms of chassis, with a double aluminum beam frame and Brembo M4.32 monobloc radial-mounted calipers at the front, with curve-optimized ABS supported by an IMU with specific parameters integrated into each of the riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport, and Rider), for more effective braking at any lean angle. There is also a switchable traction control, with four autonomous levels and the “anti-wheelie” function.Ergonomics have also been improved in this generation, with a wider handlebar by 12 mm, and returning to the chassis, the front end is composed of a 41 mm Showa Big Piston inverted fork, with independent damping functions, while at the back we find a rear shock absorber from the same brand with separate hydraulic, with both elements fully adjustable. Also noteworthy is the “banana” shape of the swingarm, which aims to offer maximum agility with stability at high speeds. Externally, we must mention the full LED headlights, with a super aggressive design that maintains the brand’s DNA, while the tank has lost capacity and can now hold 15 liters of gasoline. Other improved details, such as the small headlight fairing, radiator protections, and rear structure make this one of the most elegant and sporty Streets ever. In this R model, the instrumentation is a very simple and easy-to-read TFT, with driving modes easily selected through the controls near the left handle. The features of this model are complemented by a bidirectional quickshifter, slipper clutch, and Continental ContiRoad tires. It is also worth mentioning that the seat is positioned at 826 mm from the ground (with a lower option available among the various optional extras), and that the weight of the whole assembly, with a full tank, is only 189 kg! A Street Triple R that has maintenance intervals of 10,000 km or 1 month.
THE BEST Engine performance, chassis behavior, driving pleasure
TO IMPROVE Some vibrations, quickshifter operation (in this unit)
SENSATIONS
Despite the aforementioned Street Triple presentation where we were in 2007, personally I only had a Triumph as my own motorcycle very recently, a Trident of which I am a happy owner and with which I was able to make some comparisons with this Street R. After all, the two are entry-level roadster motorcycles, separated by just over 2,000 euros. However, there are more differences than similarities between the two models. This is because the Trident was designed more to be the first “big” motorcycle for many, quite simple in various aspects. At the controls of the Street R, on the other hand, we always feel like we are at the controls of a small “beast”. The riding position is somewhat forward, without being uncomfortable, the seat is high, and the engine is always strong at all revs, with a great stretching capacity. It even reminds us of the Speed Triple from a few generations ago, only now through a more modern engine, with fewer internal frictions and that loves to rev while we use the tasty quickshifter to shift gears, both up and down. Normally its operation is exemplary, but unfortunately, in the unit we tested, it had some faults and we had to use the clutch again until the electronics started cooperating again. A certainly isolated problem that has probably already been resolved in this unit. As for the rest, and except for slight vibrations felt in the handlebars, footrests, and affecting the visibility of the rearview mirrors at certain revs, this is indeed an effective and very fun motorcycle!A motorcycle that can be used very simply in everyday life, as a simple means of transportation (although it is impossible not to have fun whenever we ride it), but that is always a passion toy when we really feel like riding a motorcycle!
ALWAYS THE ENGINE
And it is when we really feel like riding a motorcycle that the delicious engine stands out the most, for its vigor at all speeds, the sensations it transmits, and the sound. And in terms of riding modes, there are no major doubts, with Sport being the best (as long as conditions are “normal”, dry), as the other modes slightly delay throttle response, although we can always customize the mode in question. In terms of traction control, the Sport mode also leaves everything quite “free”, so on a more polished asphalt, when in doubt, opt for safety. The suspensions are on the firm side but very effective and read the road very well, so we didn’t need to adjust any of their settings. Eventually, at high speeds or on a track day, we may need to make slight adjustments. Also, positive note for the braking, powerful and progressive, with a good feel on the lever, while the Continental Contiroad tires seem too road-oriented for the model in question… but in practice they worked well, with no additional criticisms to add.
The instrumentation is relatively simple but effective and during the time we rode with the Street, we obtained an average consumption of 5.3 l/100 km, but it is known that in a bike like this the consumption can vary greatly, up or down! Taking a brief look, it is a motorcycle with aggressive lines (but tasteful), easy to drive and very fun. We can cruise at 70 km/h in 6th gear, knowing that we have the engine for a quick response without having to downshift, but the most fun is to make the three-cylinder engine rev up and down frequently! And without having ridden a Street Triple RS this time, we can bet that for a traditional road use, this R version is more than enough in terms of engine, suspension, and brakes. In fact, if your ambition is only road riding and you will never take your Street to a track, then what you gain in comfort (and in the purchase price), we can even say that you will be better served with this R than with the RS. But we will talk about that more sporty version in the next one. TRIUMPH Street Triple R MOTOR inline three-cylinder, liquid cooling, 12 valves DISPLACEMENT 765 cc POWER 88.3 Kw (120 hp) @11,500 rpm TORQUE 80 Nm @9,500 rpm TRANSMISSION 6 speedsQUADRO dupla trave em alumínio
DEPÓSITO 15 litros
SUSPENSÃO DIANTEIRA forquilha telescópica invertida Showa de 41 mm totalmente ajustável, curso de 115 mm
SUSPENSÃO TRASEIRA monoamortecedor Showa totalmente ajustável, curso de 133,5 mm
TRAVÃO DIANTEIRO 2 discos de 310 mm, pinças radiais Brembo monobloco de 4 êmbolos
TRAVÃO TRASEIRO disco de 220 mm, pinça Brembo de 1 êmbolo
PNEU DIANTEIRO 120/70 ZR17
PNEU TRASEIRO 180/55 ZR17
DISTÂNCIA ENTRE EIXOS 1.402 mm
ALTURA DO ASSENTO 826 mm
PESO 189 kg
P.V.P. (desde) 10.645 €
