Review: Triumph Street Triple RS After Six Months

I bought the Street Triple RS to replace a litre bike I rode at a third of its ability. Six months and ten thousand miles later I have not once missed the extra power, and I have had more fun than in the three years before it.

Engine

The 765 triple is the whole argument. It pulls cleanly from 3,000 rpm, hits a second wind at eight and keeps going to the limiter without ever feeling frantic. The quickshifter is one of the best on any production bike. Fuelling is spotless in every mode, which is not something I could say about the bike it replaced.

Chassis

Ohlins rear, Showa big piston forks up front, and a frame that does what you ask before you finish asking. It is stable enough for the motorway and light enough that a tight back road feels like a playground. The Brembo Stylema brakes are overkill for the road, which is exactly what you want.

Living with it

Real world fuel economy sits around 48 mpg. The seat is firm but fine for 200 mile days. Mirrors show your elbows. The dash is sharp and the switchgear is the best Triumph has made. Service intervals are 10,000 miles, and the first one cost less than a set of tires.

What I would change

Heated grips should be standard at this price. The stock tires were gone in 4,000 miles. Wind protection is nonexistent, but you knew that when you bought a naked.

Verdict

If you are shopping middleweight nakeds and you have not ridden one, ride one. Nothing else in the class has an engine with this much character, and nothing else feels this finished.

#review #triumph #streettriple #naked