Triumph Street Triple RS 2020 — Specifications

Can a motorcycle be both a precision tool and a statement of character? Asking the question already brings to mind the Triumph Street Triple RS. This English triple-growl machine has never really sought to be sensible, and the 2020 version, far from resting on its laurels, sharpens its claws in an already fierce segment. Faced with a KTM 890 Duke R that runs on aggression, the Triumph responds with a more refined blend of madness and finesse. Its secret? A heart that beats at 765 cm³, inherited from the Moto2 universe, and a philosophy that places the pleasure of riding above all else.

Under the 17.4-liter fuel tank, the three-cylinder engine has undergone subtle but effective revisions to meet Euro5 standards. The magic number remains displayed at 123 horsepower at 11,750 rpm, but it is in the mid-range that the progress is felt, with torque boosted to 79 Nm and a fuller response. They reworked the camshafts, intake, and balancing, for an engine that has lost none of its soul, only gained maturity. The six-speed gearbox, with its shortened first two gears and bidirectional quickshifter, transforms each acceleration into a succession of backslaps. At 166 kg dry weight, it gives a lesson to many competitors on the power-to-weight ratio.

But a sportbike lives not only on its engine. The chassis, a classic derived from the Daytona, finds its perfect companion here. The Showa 41 mm fork and the Öhlins STX40 shock absorber, both fully adjustable, offer a dialogue of rare clarity with the asphalt. The Brembo M50 brakes, with their radial 4-piston calipers and 310 mm discs, inspire absolute confidence, from the turn-in to the lock-up point. Mounted on Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires, this 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS just wants to carve its path, whether on a winding road or on the track.

Electronics, often cold, become accomplices here. The five riding modes, including one dedicated to the circuit, intelligently control the throttle opening, traction control, and ABS, both of which can be disabled. The TFT dashboard, tilting and customizable, can even manage your smartphone as an option. A detail that is important: the turn signals are self-canceling. It’s the kind of attention that proves the engineer also spent time on the saddle, now raised to 825 mm for increased comfort.

So, who is this character beast for? For the Sunday track rider looking for a more lively machine than a hypersportive, for the demanding road rider who wants nervousness without compromise, or even for the enthusiast looking for a used Triumph Street Triple RS with a solid technical pedigree. Its price, around €11,900 at the time, placed it in direct competition with the KTM 890 Duke R. The choice often boils down to a question of temperament: the Austrian is an impulsive brute, the English is a precision weapon with a vicious growl. The Triumph Street Triple RS does not seek to be the most powerful, it aspires to be the most playful, the most communicative. And in that area, it remains an absolute reference.