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 P88 switched to the track, you get lots of feel and feedback at high lean angles to know exactly where you are and what the chassis is doing. The quality suspension, combined with the Pirellis, give the Street Triple excellent mechanical grip and make for a bike that's plain easy to ride, be it negotiating city traffic or jetting out of "Rossi's Corner" onto Catalunya's front straight. Another great aspect of the RS is something that is becom- ing more important to me as bikes become more electroni- cally controlled, and that's the dash. Most bikes these days come with either traction control, ABS, variable rider modes, or whatever else, but it's amazing how confusing some dashes are to use while some manufactur- ers get it spot on. The RS's 5-inch TFT display dash is firmly in the latter, and al- lows you to change pretty much every aspect of the Triumph's electronic aids quickly and easily via the four-way joy-stick on the left switchblock. You can even change the angle of the dash via the little silver lever on the bot- tom left of the screen. The base model Street Triple S gets three different themes you can chose from, but the R and the RS get an extra three, allowing you to configure the revs, speed, modes and other assorted information how you like. All the dashes (on the S through to the RS) get an Auto setting that uses an ambient light sensor and changes the background from black to white depending on the available light, or you can set it to what you want and it won't change. Triumph has developed a range of over 60 accessory parts in its aftermarket cata- log for the Street Triple range, so you'll be able to customize your Triple to your tastes easily. We had our bike fitted with the heated grip option—a welcome addition on the freezing cold Spanish morning we set off in! The Street Triple RS is priced pretty steeply at $12,500 MSRP, a fair bit more than something like the comparable Yamaha FZ-09 at $8999 (and not far off that company's FZ-10 at $12,999), but you are getting a seriously quality product in terms of running specification with your purchase. Besides, if that's too much for you, you can get a lower spec S model at $9900 or the R at $11,200 (which also comes in a low suspension and seat height model). However, despite the price, I must say this bike is seriously good fun. In terms of the ride experience, Triumph has hit this one out of the park. The combi- nation of engine, chassis, sus- pension, brakes, ergonomics, electronics and quality finish is superb on the Street Triple RS. Like I said earlier, there's very, very little I don't like about this bike. CN 2017 TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS (MSRP: $12,500) ENGINE: .........Liquid cooled, 4 -stroke, 12 -valve, DOHC in line 3-cylinder DISPLACEMENT: .......................................... 765cc BORE X STROKE: .............................78 x 53.4mm HORSEPOWER: 121 hp @ 11,750 rpm (claimed) TORQUE: .....56.8 lb-ft @ 10,800 rpm (claimed) COMPRESSION RATIO: ...............................12.65:1 FUEL SYSTEM: ...................Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI, electronic throttle control, 5 throttle modes. EXHAUST: ............................................................ 3-1 TRANSMISSION: .......................6-speed gearbox; quickshifter-equipped. CHASSIS: ......Aluminum beam twin-spar frame FRONT SUSPENSION: .................................Showa 41mm USD big-piston forks (BPF), adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and preload; 4.5 in. front wheel travel REAR SUSPENSION: ......................Ohlins STX40 piggyback reservoir monoshock, adjustable spring preload (lock-rings), compression damping and rebound damping; 5.2 in. rear wheel travel. FRONT BRAKE: ..................Twin 310mm floating discs, Brembo M50 4-piston radial monobloc calipers REAR BRAKE: ............ Single 220mm fixed disc, Brembo single-piston sliding caliper FRONT TIRE: .............120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP REAR TIRE: ................180/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP RAKE: .............................................................. 23.9° TRAIL: ............................................................3.9 in. WHEELBASE: ...............................................55.5 in. OVERALL LENGTH: ..................................... 81.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT: .............................................32.5 in. FUEL CAPACITY: .........................................4.6 gal. WEIGHT: ......................... 3.9 in. (dry, measured). COLOR:........... Matte Ice Silver, Phantom Black S P E C I F I C A T I O N S