Triumph Motorcycles is one of the founding pillars of British motorcycling. Established in 1889, they started with manufacturing bicycles. By 1898 they decided to foray into building motorcycles and came up with their first-ever motorcycle, at their bicycle unit in Coventry in 1902.
They manufacture motorcycles of just about every genre, which include bobbers, roadsters, classics, naked streetfighters, fully fared racing sport motorcycles, massive cruisers and adventure tourers.
The company also markets its range of apparel for motorcycle enthusiasts, inspired by their association with legendary celebrities like Bob Dylan, James Dean, Elvis Presley and Steve McQueen.
Inspired from Triumph’s iconic Moto2 engine comes the 2020 version of their naked streetfighter – the all too popular Street Triple RS, with better torque, refined rideability and more pull under the tooshie. All of these and much more of the good stuff – like with every upgrade – make it a fearsome middleweight player in the 2020 performance motorcycle bazaar.
Design & Styling
Styling cues have minor tweaks including a more dynamic bodywork as compared to the previous version, with sharper lines and surface changes on the belly pan, side panels, fuel tank and the seat cowl. New shades of paint on the body and frame, fresh graphics, a newly styled windscreen and an exhaust with a beautiful form for its function make sure that its distinguishable from all previous variants while keeping its DNA intact. The end canister has been redesigned and synchronised with the new air intake for better acceleration and exhaust note. The new twin bug-eye headlights come with distinctly styled and aggressive-looking LED daytime running lights, and the tail section is angled a little higher than the previous model to provide for slightly better leg space for the pillion
Power & Transmission
The in-line three-cylinder, 765cc internal combustion motor gets a level-up in mid-range power, giving it a boost of nine per cent. Peak power remains unchanged, however, at 121 bhp and 11750 revolutions to the minute and the torque stretches out to 79 Nm at 9350 revolutions per minute. The more flexible mid-range promises a much better, more enhanced riding experience on the track and off it, with the throttle response being better than ever and “retuned” cam timing for the new exhaust.
Gears have also been revisited with the backlash being eradicated and the 1st and 2nd gear ratios being shortened to provide for a faster rate of acceleration and a quicker sprint to the wide mid-range. It also gets a reprogrammed electronic suite with GoPro compatibility, a detailed and upgraded navigation system and enhanced riding modes that have been revised to be switched while in motion. They play and optimise settings of the throttle response, ABS and traction control. The full-colour TFT screen also features a new graphic theme and comes with the ‘My Triumph’ connectivity.
Safety & Stability
The front suspension assembly in the 2020 Street Triple RS comes courtesy of Showa in the form of twin Upside down forks with big bigger pistons, 41mm diameter and better damping, providing for a smoother terrain transition and improved control at the handlebars on uneven terrain and quick manoeuvring. Rear damping is governed by a fully adjustable Ohlins STX40 with a fluid reservoir.
Quick shifting is key to uninterrupted and seamless power transmission, and the up and down Qs provides for just the thing.
Brakes come courtesy of Brembo as is with most Triumph motorcycles, with a four-piston radial monobloc front set of callipers called the M50, and a single-piston rear – small but with an aggressive bite.
Reviewers and enthusiasts all wait in excited anticipation to get their hands on the new Street Triple and experience the upgrades and novelties that the ride worthy streetfighter promises to bring.
The motorcycle will come in two optional colour schemes – Matte jet black with aluminium silver finish and yellow decals, and Silver ice with diablo read and aluminium silver decals.
Pricing
Triumph bikes are also known to be pricey because of being imported as completely built-up (CBU) units which begin at a quote of 7.45 lakh for their entry-level Street twin and goes up to Rs. 22 lakhs for the Rocket III roadster. They have over fourteen motorcycle models on sale in our country – The Tiger 800 for Rs. 12 lakh, Street triple for Rs. 9 lakh, Speed twin for Rs. 9-10 lakhs, Speed triple for Rs. 11-12 lakhs, Street scrambler for Rs. 8 lakhs, the Bonneville T120 for Rs. 10.6 lakhs, the Bonneville bobber for Rs. 9 lakhs and the Thunderbird cruiser motorcycle for rupees fourteen lakhs.
The company is yet to announce the pricing of the 2020 Street Triple RS, with its launch scheduled around February next year. Still, those looking to buy the current variant can reap discounts and offers worth over a lakh rupees during these festive months.
