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/798489
2017 TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS FIRST TEST P86 motor takes on a can of Red Bull and peps up substantially, thrust- ing you into the top-end accom- panied by a soundtrack that's hands down one of the best in motorcycling. Speaking of, the noise is a combination of chunky induction that sounds like it could suck in small children and an exhaust that's refined and not as loud as you might expect. It sounds just plain great, and we'll leave it at that. The gearbox is smooth, and together with the RS's factory- fitted quickshifter, it means up- shifts are dealt with quickly—al- though the shifter can be a little abrupt under light acceleration/ low rpm in the first two gears. The quickshifter doesn't work on downshifts, so it's down to the cable-actuated slip and assist clutch, a unit that works beauti- fully, especially on the racetrack. And the racetrack is really where you're going to explore the limits of the traction control system that's been entirely de- signed in house at Triumph. This is a streetbike that's unlikely to be raced, but that doesn't mean the TC settings don't let you have fun on the track. Across three sessions I ran with TC on Track mode, and finally ran with it and ABS switched off. It's an excellent system, very unobtru- sive when it cuts in, allowing you to maximize drive off the turns to get the full effect of the engine. With the settings set to "off" for the last session, it highlighted two things: the first being how smooth and controllable the engine is when unshackled by the admittedly great TC system; the second just how much grip you get with Supercorsa SP rub- ber when mated to only 120-odd horsepower. Remember, these tires come as standard fitment on something like a 190 horsepower Panigale, so a Street Triple RS, for all its lovely three-cylinder torque, isn't going to stress the Italian rubber too much. The suspension itself is class. The fully adjustable Ohlins STX40 shock combines beauti- fully with the equally adjustable Showa Big Piston fork to give a ride that, in standard settings on the road, is plush at speed but with plenty of controllability and poise under braking using those excellent M50 stoppers and 310mm discs. And when (Left) Hear me roar! The new, svelte exhaust system gives the triple a glorious, raspy engine note. (Right) Brembo M50 stoppers are more than you need for a bike like the Street Triple RS. Still, it's nice they're there! (Right) Crappy morning weather highlighted just how smooth the new engine is as well as the electronics.