Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1028780
TRIUMPH MOTO2 PROTOT YPE FIRST TEST P92 765 has a well-rounded power delivery with a fatter hit of mid- range torque compared to a comparable four, and its trump card versus the Honda 600 it replaces will be its accel- eration out of turns, aided by that addictive rush of grunt—it feels smooth and refined in its engine response, especially in terms of pickup from a closed throttle. The Triumph is basi- cally the best of both worlds. It pulls like a twin from low down, but revs like a four up high. However, you must force your- self to use a gear higher than often seems appropriate in lots of turns, which allowed me to hold second gear all through the Stowe circuit's final com- plex of tight turns, working on and off the throttle. Riding this work-in-progress prototype felt good—but the nature of the track Triumph had chosen for this brief test meant this was all about demonstrat- ing the mechanical attributes of their tuned-up 765RS engine, rather than exploiting the han- dling—and the absence of the Marelli ECU made this a snap- shot of a certain stage in the development of that motor. I can't wait to ride one of the Triumph-engined Moto2 racers further down the R&D line, fitted with the full Marelli race ECU, to get a better picture of how good the complete package will be, but this taster test proved very en- ticing. Oh, and please, Triumph— build that Daytona 765! CN TRIUMPH MOTO2 PROTOTYPE ENGINE: .................... Water-cooled DOHC 12-valve transverse in-line 3-cylinder 4-stroke with offset chain camshaft drive and 120-degree crankshaft BORE AND STROKE: .......... 78 x 53.4mm CAPACITY: ....................................... 765cc MAX POWER: ......Over 135 bhp at 14,000 rpm (at gearbox) MAX TORQUE: ..... 59 lb-ft at 13,500 rpm (at gearbox) COMPRESSION RATIO: ....................... 14:1 ENGINE MANAGEMENT (AS TESTED): ..... Multipoint sequential Keihin electronic fuel injection with 3 x 44mm throttle bodies, RBW digital throttle, and single injector per cylinder (Magneti Marelli ECU for racing) GEARBOX: ...... 6-speed with quickshifter CLUTCH: .Multiplate oil-bath slipper clutch CHASSIS: ....... Gravity-diecast aluminum twin-spar frame FRONT SUSPENSION: ........................ 43mm K-Tech inverted telescopic forks with fully adjustable pressurized gas cartridge internals REAR SUSPENSION: ........... Gravity-diecast aluminum swingarm with fully adjustable K-Tech shock and progressive rate link FRONT BRAKES: Front: Dual 310mm steel discs with 4-piston Nissin radial calipers REAR BRAKES: .....Single 220mm steel disc with 1-piston Nissin caliper RAKE: ................................................ 23.5° TRAIL: ............................................ 3.41 in. WHEELBASE: ................................. 55.1 in. WEIGHT: ... 341 lbs. with oil and water, no fuel WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION: ...51/49 percent static FRONT TIRE AND WHEEL: 120/70-17 Dunlop Moto2. 3.50 in OZ forged aluminum wheel REAR TIRE AND WHEEL: 195/75-17 Dunlop Moto2. 5.50 in. OZ forged aluminum wheel S P E C I F I C A T I O N S More K-Tech goodness with their specially developed shock.