Triumph Street Triple R 2019 — Specifications

Can a motorcycle be both a Swiss Army knife for the road and a scalpel for curves? That's the question posed by the Triumph Street Triple R, this mischievous English bike that has, over the years, carved a swathe through the entire Japanese competition. With its well-established lineage, from the legendary Triumph Street Triple R 675 to more recent versions, it has built a reputation for a unique character. The 2019 version we have under scrutiny, often mistaken for the 2020 or even the 2022 model given its timeless design, represents a fascinating point of balance within the range. At €10,500, it positions itself as a serious alternative to the Yamaha MT-09 and other Honda CB750 Hornets, with a significant argument in its favor: its legendary triple.

Beneath the 17.4-liter tank beats the heart of the beast, a 765 cm3 three-cylinder engine that sings like no other. With 118 horsepower at 12,000 rpm and 77 Nm of torque, the figures on the technical specification sheet of this Triumph Street Triple R 765 speak for themselves. But they don't tell the whole story. They don't recount this diabolical suppleness at low revs, inherited from the 675, nor this contained rage that explodes after 8000 rpm. The six-speed gearbox is precise, the slipper clutch facilitates powerful downshifts, and the consumption, around 4.7 L/100 km, is almost indecent for such liveliness. It's an engine that educates its rider, offering docility in the city and guaranteed thrills as soon as the road twists.

The chassis, for its part, is a lesson in efficiency. The aluminum frame and redesigned swingarm form a unit of optimal rigidity, for a dry weight contained to 166 kg. The 41mm Showa SFF inverted fork and the rear shock absorber of the same make, both adjustable, offer a perfect road compromise. They absorb bumps without softness, while maintaining surgical precision in curves. The braking system, with its Brembo M4.32 monobloc calipers at the front, offers power and progressivity that inspire absolute confidence. ABS is, of course, switchable for purists. Combined with standard-size tires, these elements make this Street Triple R a motorcycle of breathtaking agility, capable of changing direction with a simple thought.

The electronics are not to be outdone, with its 5-inch color TFT dashboard, clear and customizable. The riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport and Customizable) significantly alter the throttle response and the intervention threshold of the traction control. It's sophisticated enough to be useful without ever becoming intrusive. The riding position, with a 825 mm seat height, is typical of naked bikes: upright and comfortable for everyday use, but sufficiently committed to disappear during a sporty ride. This is where the art of this 2019 Triumph Street Triple R lies: it doesn't specialize its rider. It is just as comfortable in traffic jams as on a mountain road, making it the audience of choice for a demanding beginner or a sporty touring rider.

So, is the Street Triple R the queen of roadsters? It certainly has the ambition and most of the arguments. Faced with a more raw and less refined MT-09, it plays the card of mechanical sophistication and versatility. Its flaw? Perhaps a certain perfection that, over time, could lack pure madness for track fanatics, who will turn to the RS. But for those seeking the very essence of the modern roadster, an engine capable of doing everything with undeniable British flair, this test of the Triumph Street Triple R leaves no room for doubt. It's a machine that doesn't just transport you; it straight-up gives you a license to pleasure with every acceleration.