Triumph nouvelle 765 Street Triple R 2023 — Specifications

Can one machine become the definitive benchmark, dictating the rules of an entire category? For those who have already twisted the throttle of a Street Triple, the question doesn't even arise. The new 765 R, with its 120 horsepower delivered at 11,500 rpm, only consolidates a legend already well established. But be warned, beneath its compact and aggressive roadster appearance, it plays a more subtle game than it appears. It’s not the RS, and that may well be its greatest asset.

Visually, Triumph has resisted the temptation of a major overhaul. A few cosmetic adjustments, a slightly redesigned nose, a refined fuel tank to better hug the rider, and those famous faceted headlights that continue to fix the road with an almost biological intensity. The handlebars, widened by 12 millimeters, offer a little more leverage, promising even more intuitive steering. The riding position remains engaged but not punishing, with a 826 mm seat that will accommodate a wide variety of body types. One is faced with an object that doesn’t need to shout to assert its character.

Things get serious in the belly of the beast. The 765 cm3 three-cylinder engine has undergone a deep internal overhaul: pistons, connecting rods, camshafts, all to gain two extra horsepower and, above all, inflate its torque to 80.4 Nm from 9,500 rpm. The difference on paper seems modest, but on the asphalt, it translates to a reinforced density in the mid-range. The six-speed gearbox, still accompanied by its standard bi-directional quickshifter, shifts with surgical precision. This engine simply has no dead spots, pulling and breathing with an elasticity that makes the despair of Japanese or Austrian competitors, often more sophisticated but less charismatic.

To contain this ardor, the chassis uses serious but not excessive components. The 41 mm Showa inverted fork and the single shock absorber do a remarkable job on the road, offering an almost perfect comfort-handling compromise. They don’t have the absolute sharpness and infinite adjustability of the RS’s Öhlins, but that’s the price to pay to stay under the €10,300 mark. The same philosophy applies to the Brembo brakes, with four-piston radial calipers biting 310 mm discs. They may lack the ultimate modulation of the higher version, but their power and progressiveness will leave few riders wanting.

The real stumbling block is the dashboard. Triumph has grafted a hybrid TFT / LCD mix that seems straight out of the catalog of entry-level models. At this price, facing competitors who offer full-page screens worthy of a smartphone, it stings a little. It’s all the more frustrating that the onboard electronics are, however, very complete. ABS and traction control, now coupled to an inertial measurement unit, are sensitive to lean angle. Four riding modes, including one customizable, allow you to adapt the engine’s response and the assistance. Everything is there to ride safely and smoothly, but the interface for enjoying it lacks flair.

So, who is this Street Triple R for? It’s the ultimate roadster for the demanding rider who covers more pavement than track. It offers 95% of the sensations of the RS, with a more everyday ergonomics and a much more reasonable price. It confidently knocks on the door of 250 km/h, while remaining playful and maneuverable in the city thanks to its contained weight of 189 kg. It’s a machine that doesn’t teach you how to ride, but reminds you with every acceleration why you love it. The competition can always try to keep up, but the English trio, with its blend of finesse and bite, maintains a lead. The R is not the most extreme, but it is very likely the smartest in the family.