The New Triumph Street Triple RS Has GP Bike Racing Blood

The more hardcore version of Triumph’s Street Triple is better than ever, and it’s all thanks to Moto2 geekery. The Street Triple RS has an updated 765cc triple that’s been liberally fiddled with by Triumph’s MotoGP engine team, and although peak power remains the same at 120bhp, it’s now delivered more effectively.

There’s a nine per cent boost in power in the engine’s mid-range, and the throttle has been made sharper thanks to a drop in rotational inertia. Torque is up in the mid-range too, while the peak figure of 58lb ft is a slight improvement on before.

Changes include a new exhaust cam, plus more precise machining for the crankshaft, clutch and balancer. The noisy finishing touch is a new exhaust silencer, which flows more freely while also decreasing emissions.

The chassis is much the same as the outgoing version, once again featuring Showa upside-down forks and Öhlins STX40 rear shock. But the electronics have been fettled, with improved Road, Rain, Sport, Track settings plus a fully configurable Rider mode.

The TFT infotainment screen now displays newer, nicer graphics, and can be hooked up to your GoPro if you go for the Bluetooth module accessory. Handy if you want to bore mates about your latest track day exploits.

To reflect all the newness underneath, the Street Triple has new LED headlights that are “whiter and brighter,” plus a set of more angular body panels.

The price for this 12,000rpm-capable slice of motorcycling loveliness? It’s £10,300, which - despite all the fresh stuff - is the same as the old one.