After the announcement of the updated Triumph Street Triple RS late last year, we knew it was only a matter of time before the real hero of the Street Triple lineup – the R – got a refresh too.
Just announced for 2020, the updated Street Triple R sees the inclusion of an up/down quickshifter as standard as well as a more responsive 765cc triple-cylinder engine and much more.
Included in the 2020 update is an aggressive new attitude and refreshed styling inspired by the top specification RS model, meaning the new Street Triple R features all-new bodywork for this year including fly screen, air intake, side panels and rear unit. Compared to last year's model, these are more angular and sporty, giving the bike cleaner, more contemporary lines, and a distinctive new look.
The fly screen and air intake are now much more pronounced, echoing the shape of the new twin LED headlights, which have a striking new style with prominent position lights, giving a much more distinctive front end and increased visibility.
Also new is a compact new silencer (remember the Street Triple has an underslung exhaust rather than the twin under-seat cans of the larger Speed Triples) and new shape mirrors with increased adjustability which have also been restyled to enhance the aggressive new look of the Street Triple R.
There are also two new paint and graphics schemes available in the form of Sapphire Black or Matt Silver Ice. Both schemes feature Diablo Red and Aluminium Silver decals, hand-painted red wheel pinstripes and that signature Street Triple R red rear sub-frame.
Updated for Euro 5 compliance, the Street Triple R’s 765cc engine retains its world-renowned class-defining performance and now becomes even more responsive, delivered by a 7% reduction in rotational inertia. This brings exceptional low down and mid-range usable torque for a completely addictive ride. The Street Triple R also delivers incredible peak power of 116hp at 12,000rpm, and exhilarating peak torque of 77Nm at 9,400rpm.
Refinements to the airbox and exhaust system for this new generation, meeting Euro 5 regulations, deliver a crisper, purer sound, with an even more distinctive tone. This incredible deep, rich Triumph triple roar now has a smoother balance between intake and silencer sound.
Just like the top-spec RS model, the Street Triple R has 6-speed gearbox with short first and second gear ratios, delivering exceptional acceleration performance and slick gear changes. It also features a slip and assist clutch, meaning no rear wheel lockups on hard downshifting and a lighter touch at the lever.
Braking comes in the form of high specification Brembo M4.32 four-piston radial monobloc front calipers, with an optimised brake pad compound for improved bike and feel. On the rear, the Street Triple R features a Brembo single piston sliding caliper.
The suspension is also high specification with Showa 41mm upside down separate function big piston forks and a Showa piggyback reservoir monoshock RSU. Both are fully adjustable for preload, compression damping and rebound damping.
Tyres from the factory are Pirelli’s road-focused all-weather Diablo Rosso III, which deliver long-lasting consistent performance over time. Their profile and structure give the new Street Triple R a sportier feel, with exceptional grip and stability in corners.
And for maximum high-speed stability, the gullwing rear swingarm delivers torsional stiffness and lateral flexibility, with an optimised pivot position providing natural resistance to compressing the RSU under hard acceleration. Triumph says this enables tight corner exits and precise chassis behaviour.
In terms of technology, the Street Triple R now has the Triumph Shift Assist up and down quickshifter fitted as standard, reflecting customer feedback, and adding genuine road and track capability. The Triumph Shift Assist enables smooth, comfortable and quick gear changes without the use of the clutch, whilst maintaining the accelerator position.
There are also three riding modes for maximum control in all conditions – Road, Rain and Sport. These adjust throttle response and traction control settings and are easily selectable while riding via the Street Triple R’s LCD instruments. Rain mode restricts peak power to 100PS for better feel and a smoother ride.
Completing the technical specification, the Street Triple R features ride-by-wire, ABS and traction control with multiple rider modes as standard.
At the time of writing, Triumph Motorcycles New Zealand is yet to announce pricing for New Zealand and expected arrival of the first shipment. We'll be sure to update you as soon as the info becomes available.
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