TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 765 RS (2023 - on) Review

Hinckley have used its Moto2 knowhow to sharpen the 2023 Triumph Street Triple 765 RS. The previous model was already one of the finest sports naked motorbikes around and hardly needed to improve, but in the face of ever tougher competition from the likes of Ducati with its Monster SP, the Yamaha MT-09SP and KTM 890 Duke R, they’re desperate to stay ahead of the game.

With a host of engine, chassis, styling and electronics mods (and ‘765’ added to its name), the Street Triple 765 RS is now such an accomplished track weapon it’s feels every inch a full-on race bike with straight bars.

Acceleration and handling are sharper and with such a friendly riding position and power delivery it’s a cinch to ride fast.

Its brakes have a new-found feel and power, too.

It’ll be every bit as fun to ride on the road and when you look at the performance, equipment, tech and build quality you get for the money, it’s stonking value. In fact, it's so good, in 2023 MCN awarded it not one but TWO awards! It scooped both the Bike of the Year award and Best Sports Naked. Praise doesn't come much higher...

Now: Listen to this bike in our Triumph Street Triple RS video review!

A new top shock mount adds 20mm rear ride height, steepens the rake from 23.9 to 23.2 degrees and reduces trail from 100 to 96.9mm. New sprockets shrink the wheelbase from 1405mm to 1399mm.

Tyres are still Pirelli’s sticky Super Corsa SP V3. With its race-proven supersport chassis and friendly power delivery the previous RS models handled sweetly.

Now the RS is even easier to place on track and feels more like a race bike with straight bars than ever, especially with extra damping dialled into the Showa forks and Öhlins shock. It’s so composed it’s a job to even scratch the surface of its abilities.

Although the previous RS had decent stopping power its Brembos lacked feel at the lever.

Its ABS would also intrude too early, which took the shine off track riding. New Brembo Stylema calipers are so strong they’d stop a superbike in its tracks.

Better still, a new ABS modulator and careful set up by Triumph’s test riders have given the brakes the kind of tactile feel you’ll find on a pure race bike.

The trick now is having the strength and bravery to use them to the full. Brakes are linked in all rider modes, except Track where front and rear work independently.

Triumph have supplied Moto2 with breathed-on 765cc three-cylinder motors for the past four seasons and they’ve proved to be bulletproof.

The new RS gets some of the race motor’s good stuff: higher compression pistons, conrods, valves, high lift cams, shallower intake trumpets…the list goes on.

Power is up 7bhp to 128bhp, there’s an extra lb-ft of torque and a new single cat exhaust. The RS was never a slug, but it now accelerates with even more joyful urgency.

It’s easier to keep it on the boil, too, thanks to new gearbox ratios. First is taller and rest shorter. Final drive also goes from 16/46 to 15/48.

Attention to detail and build quality is top draw, although one owner does report an issue with an engine coolant leak.

Our online owners’ reviews for previous Street Triples, including the latest 765cc engine variants are nothing but glowing.

Its price is similar to close rivals like the Yamaha MT-09SP and KTM 890 Duke R, but nearly three grand less than the Ducati Monster SP... we reckon that makes the RS fantastic value.

Still instantly recognisable, the RS has new colour coded radiator cowls, headlight surround and a bellypan as standard. Flatter and (12mm) wider bars make it easier to muscle around, as does its more compact new 15-litre fuel tank. It’s 2.4-litres smaller, which Triumph says brings it into line with its rivals’. They claim 53mpg, giving a theoretical full-to-dry fuel range of 174 miles. We’ve recorded a true 56mpg from the outgoing RS and a 214-mile range.

Build quality is superb with goodies like LED lights and a stitched seat as standard. Cruise control is an option for the Street Triple for the first time.

As before the RS has a 5in colour dash with new (slightly fussy) graphics and plethora of rider aids to make life easier on the road and track. An up/down quickshifter is standard and the traction control is smoother, not that it’s ever easy to activate with the kind of grip and poise the chassis offers.

Wheelie control is linked to the TC, except in Track mode where the electronics let you roam free. There are still five riding modes. Road, Sport, Track and a customisable Rider. All modes have racier throttle maps and in Rain power is cut to 99bhp.