Cheaper 2020 Triumph Street Triple R gets two-way quickshifter as standard

After predicting its arrival last week, we can now fully reveal the significantly updated 2020 Triumph Street Triple R.

The ‘mid-spec’ version of its hugely-popular 765cc streetfighter is now better-looking, has improved performance and is cheaper, too – by a welcome £400!

Having launched updated versions of the entry-level Street Triple S and top-spec Street Triple RS late last year, a matching new R had long been anticipated.

Like those previous iterations, the new R gets a more distinctive face for 2020, thanks to revised LED headlights, sportier bodywork, a revised stubby silencer complete with Triumph badge plus restyled mirrors, new paint and graphics. Two colours will be available: gloss sapphire black or matt ‘silver ice’ grey, both with the R’s characteristic contrasting red subframe.

Also like the S and RS, the new R is now Euro5 compliant, but cleverly the Hinckley firm have met the tougher emissions and noise regs without any hit to its 116bhp performance.

Triumph say the class-leading triple, by reducing rotational inertia, is now even more responsive, exciting and sounds better, as well. But best of all, surely, is the revelation that the new Street Triple R is actually more affordable than the outgoing version.

The new R-model will go on sale with a price tag of just £8900, down from the old bike’s £9300. And while this has been achieved by cost-cutting measures which sees the old R’s fancy full colour TFT dash replaced by a cheaper, more old-school LCD panel and analogue tacho – a result, Triumph say, of in-depth customer research – the R’s quality performance parts live on.

That means the new machine retains its premium Brembo brakes and fully-adjustable Showa suspension plus also now benefits from Triumph’s ‘Shift-Assist’ two-way quick-shifter/auto-blipper.

An additional, lower seat version, with a 45mm lower saddle, will also be available, as will a 60-item accessory range, now including luggage options. Can’t wait!

Triumph Street Triple R highlights:

• Now Euro5 compliant
• Still 116bhp
• Restyle including new LED lights
• Old-style clocks replace TFT dash
• Two-way quickshifter added
• £400 cheaper than old model

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Updated Triumph Street Triple R icoming: is this the sub-£9k Street Triple?

First published 4 February 2020 by Richard Newland

Triumph have already unveiled new-for-2020 versions of their range-topping Street Triple RS and base S model, but the glaring gap between them is a ‘best-of-both-worlds’ Street Triple R. Now that’s about to change.

MCN has learned the British firm are to unveil an updated version of the class-busting middleweight next week and Triumph are suggesting it will offer buyers extraordinary value for money.

No information is yet available in terms of spec, but the styling changes seen on the S and RS – with sharper bodywork, more aggressive headlamps and more high-end finishes – will inevitably carry-over to the mid-spec R.

The new bike will also be fully Euro5 compliant, although we don’t expect this to have any detrimental effect on performance due to the firm’s constant engine evolution. This has been the case on other Triumph upgrades recently with ‘learnings’ from the Speed Triple R’s engine evolution almost certain to trickle down into the Street R.

We’d also expect a higher level of tech although this will be capped to ensure Triumph can position the R logically between the S and RS.

Although Triumph won’t be drawn on details, they did confirm to MCN they would deliver “incredible new value in the Street line-up, with a new Street Triple R that promises a major update with much more on offer at a new, attractive lower price point.”

While most of what’s insinuated there is no surprise, the comment about pricing is something of a shock. With the previous incarnation costing £9300 in dealers, there’s not much wiggle room downward without breaking the £9k barrier. Would Triumph be bold enough to bring out an updated model at under £9k? We hope so.

The new S retails at £7900, while the RS will hit your wallet to the tune of £10,300. The old R was already a dominant force, so higher spec coupled with lower price could make it the bargain buy of 2020.

The bike, spec and pricing will all be revealed in next week’s MCN.