Triumph Street Triple R 2013 — Specifications

We often talk about diet for athletes, but in 2013, it was Triumph that put its Street Triple R on a diet. Losing six kilograms on a machine that already borders on 183 kg when fully fueled isn't a simple facelift; it's surgical weight loss. The 2013 Street Triple R sends a clear message to its Japanese and Austrian rivals: agility is measured to the gram.

The most striking change, and the most controversial, is the abandonment of the two rear exhaust pipes, a visual signature of the previous generation. In its place is a lower, more discreet line. Some will see this as sacrilege, a loss of identity for this quirky roadster. However, this decision is purely tactical. This simple gesture lowers the center of gravity, lightens the rear, and visually frees up the motorcycle. Combined with a redesigned perimeter frame, stiffer and lighter, and a slightly more closed rake, the result is a machine that seems literally sucked into corners. The technical specifications of the Triumph Street Triple R do not do justice to this feeling of absolute liveliness.

At the heart of this newfound lightness beats the famous 675 cm3 triple. 106 horsepower at 11,700 rpm, 68 Nm of torque, figures that haven't changed but didn't need to evolve. This engine remains a benchmark, a masterpiece of character. It's playful at low speeds, howling at high speeds, and delivers elastic propulsion that makes riding intuitive and exhilarating. It's the very soul of the motorcycle, and Triumph was right not to touch it. Faced with a sometimes colder Japanese four-cylinder, the British triple brings raw emotion.

The R version justifies its price, around €8,790 at the time, with equipment resolutely focused on sport. The KYB 41mm inverted fork and rear shock are fully adjustable. The brakes move up a level with four-piston radial Nissin calipers at the front, biting on 310mm discs, all controlled by an ABS that is now deactivatable. For whom? Clearly for the demanding rider who wants a road bike with a track temperament, capable of ultra-fast transitions and powerful braking. It's a precision weapon, much more than a simple style accessory.

Ultimately, this 2013 Triumph Street Triple R has managed to evolve without betraying its roots. By sacrificing part of its iconic look, it has gained in pure efficiency. It remains, in the minds of many, one of the best incarnations of the Street Triple R 675, before the move to 765 cm3. A roadster that first speaks to the rider, that prioritizes feel over appearance, and that confirms that sometimes, to move forward, you have to know how to shed weight. Even if that weight was beautifully chromed.