Triumph Street Triple R 2026 — Specifications

Triumph has a real gem in its lineup: the Street Triple. The quintessential mid-size roadster. Like BMW with its GS, competitors strive to do better, but to no avail; the English bike is at the top of its game. Untouchable in its RS version, the 765 Street Triple also comes in R – more accessible with a significant price difference and a few sacrifices in equipment. Is it any worse for it? Not necessarily! Let's examine its arguments, and the smackdowns it can also deliver to its rivals.

A walkaround. One never tires of seeing or discovering a Street Triple. With its compact dimensions, this snarling face, its apparent nervousness, its impeccable finish, and its arthropod-like eyes, it is as captivating as it is intimidating. Triumph has only made very few changes to its lines, preserving its identity and adding just a touch of cosmetic flair. A little shaving of the fairing, radiator cowls that continue along the fuel tank, a longer exhaust, raised mirrors, and a slightly adjusted riding position – the handlebar is 12 mm wider to increase leverage while the rider can better grip the machine with a slimmer fuel tank. This is what differentiates this new generation of 765 Street Triple.

It’s more eloquent in the engine. For years, it has garnered universal acclaim. However, there’s no question of resting on its laurels; especially when touting its commitment to Moto2. The engine specialists let their hands roam inside to change the pistons, connecting rods, and piston pins, increase the compression ratio, revise the combustion chambers, replace the valves and camshafts, and produce 120 horsepower at 11,500 rpm; instead of 118 hp on the previous Strittriple’, obtained at 12,000 rpm.

Two hundred horsepower isn’t a huge number… That’s not the important thing. What matters for this three-cylinder engine is to strengthen it in the mid-range. Torque has also made progress, with 8.2 kg-m (+0.3 kg-m). And with a gearbox with closer ratios, acceleration and corner exits are set to be even more lively. The quickshifter, standard equipment, will also help increase the dose of sport between each turn and each gear.

No changes on the chassis to channel all of this. It’s already doing a very good job, with its perimeter aluminum frame and Showa suspension. However, we can’t expect them to match the sharpness and efficiency of the RS components. This is partly where the price difference lies. With more qualitative components, the other Street Triple will be faster and move less… during highly engaged riding phases. The same goes for braking: the Brembo hardware on its more excited sister will provide more feel and responsiveness. But the R’s M4.32 calipers won’t have to blush; they already brake strongly and well.

You’ll have understood, the R is an excellent roadster for road use when the RS pushes for efficiency for experienced riders, with a track-like approach. Each has its own playing field, and no criticism can be made of that. What we like less is the instrumentation. The 765 Street Triple R deserves better than the 660 Tiger’s meter. The approach is certainly original with this mini-screen-TFT / LCD window mix – but frankly, what stinginess. Both compared to the competition and for the overall level of the Street-R.

Especially since this machine is well-equipped with electronic aids. With the arrival of an inertial sensor, ABS becomes sensitive to lean angle, as does traction control. The latter is adjustable in 4 levels, and can be disconnected for the more daring. The quickshifter is still there, standard equipment. The riding modes, updated for the new engine power, are now four, one more than before. Each has its own tempo, from "Sport" to "Rain" via "Road", and the newcomer is none other than the "Rider" – which the 2017 / 2019 Street models already possessed but which the 2020 / 2022 had “eclipsed.” This mode allows you to configure the throttle response and the level of Traction Control.

The Street Triples are ready to chat with the Smartphone. Ready but not offered; the Bluetooth module is an option. Almost a good thing, as we don’t need to know how many 65 WhatsApp messages are waiting while the bike draws its tight trajectories. A perfect exercise for it, as it has all the assets to remain the best in its category. Its main threat is the RS. Indeed, Triumph roadsters are a nightmare for the competition.

M.B. - Photos constructeur