2017 Triumph Street Triple first ride incoming!

We’ll be riding the new 765cc Street Triple at its world launch on Monday on the road and at the magnificent Catalunya MotoGP circuit.

It’s hard to believe the out-going 675cc Street Triple is a decade old already, but in that time the rasping, giant-killing naked has been a consistent class leader and a popular choice for all types of riders. Over 50,000 have been sold worldwide. Whether you’ve just passed your test or come from years spending time on a sportsbike the Triumph never fails to impress.

Few motorcycles offer such an enviable blend of easy performance, handling, comfort and practicality. And of course the cherry on top is the angry, wasp-like racket from that three-cylinder motor when you give it the berries.

With the arrival of Euro 4 Triumph have increased the bore and stroke to stay ahead of the game and the new 765cc Street Triple is the result. And before you ask, the rearranging of those numbers is pure coincidence, according to Triumph.

It’s new capacity moves it up a category, so the new Triumph will now go head to head with the new Yamaha MT-09, Kawasaki Z900 and Suzuki GSX-S750.

For the first time the Street Triple will be available in three main versions with varying levels of spec and power outputs: the entry-level S, mid-spec R and an all-singing RS. There will also be a low seat height R and an A2 licence-compliant S variant with a 660cc three-cylinder motor.

All Street Triple models will have ride-by-wire, ABS, a new swingarm, higher spec suspension, brakes and tyres, a revised swingam pivot, traction control, riding modes, new headlights and bodywork. Triumph have saved 1.5kg, too, despite its Euro 4 sound-deadening.

That’s just the S model. The R version gets a slip and assist clutch, a 5” colour TFT display, new switichgear with a five way joystick.

At the top of the Street Triple tree the RS comes with a quickshifter, lap timer, Brembo M50 calipers, a Brembo master cylinder, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP rubber,

As well as the capacity increase the new 765cc motor features 80 new parts and for the RS version, power is up 16% to 121bhp@11,700rpm. The S has 111bhp@11,250rpm and the R makes 116bhp@12,000rpm.

Triumph have only released a price for the S model so far (£8000). We’ll have to wait for the launch to find out how much extra the other variants will be.

See the 765 Street Triple in the flesh at its official UK launch at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show on Feb 17-19. Tickets are just £17 in advance and kids under 15 go free!

Street Triple rivals

Kawasaki Z900 £8249. 123bhp. 210kg.

 

Replacing the Z800, the new Z900 is powered by a new 948cc inline-four cylinder engine based on the Z1000 motor, featuring a slip and assist clutch. Weight is down to 210kg, thanks to a new lightweight steel trellis frame and seat height is reduced to 794mm.

Suzuki GSX-S750 £7599. 113bhp. 213kg

 

Based on the old GSR750, Suzuki’s new naked middleweight still uses a retuned version of the 2005 GSX-R750 motor, but it’s been tweaked for 2017 to follow Euro 4 regs and produces an extra 8bhp. It also has traction control and riding modes.

Yamaha MT-09 £7799. 113bhp. 193kg

There’s no denying the MT-09’s 847cc inline three-cylinder engine has always been a gem – right up there with the old Street Triple’s with even more grunt, but the fuelling and suspension never matched up. For 2017 the Yamaha has a tweaked ECU, forks, shock and MT-10-aping looks.

 

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