Triumph improves on perfection with Moto2 technology

When Triumph stripped back its race-winning Daytona 675 in 2007 to create the first Street Triple, it didn't feel like a big deal. The Hinckley factory certainly hadn't reinvented the wheel. But, in creating a naked, relatively comfortable middleweight sportsbike, Triumph struck a chord with riders looking for an alternative to all-out race replicas

- Adam 'Chad' Child 

Triumph Street Triple 765, 

The 2020 765 R and RS variants are perhaps two of the most capable road bikes on the market (with the RS in particular no slouch on the track either) and now, for 2023, there are three more refreshed and rethought Street Triples to choose from.

I say three, but there are only two because the limited run of Moto2 765 Editions has already sold out, which leaves us with the entry-level Street Triple R and the higher-spec Street Triple RS.

Both the R and RS have a revised chassis and more power as well as updated electronics and styling, while pricing remains competitive. We flew to Spain to test the RS on the demanding Jerez Moto GP racetrack followed by a day on the road jumping between the RS and the R.

Improved handling

Triumph hasn't taken a revolutionary step with the chassis - the frame and swingarm are the same as the 2022 bike - but it has made significant set up changes, meaning the steering geometry is more aggressive than on the 2020 model.

Triumph has lifted the rear end of the sporty RS by 20mm, which gives a steeper 23.2° head angle (it was 23.9°), while trail is reduced from100mm to 96.9mm and the wheelbase is reduced from 1405mm to 1399mm.

The more road-biased R version is more casual, with the wheelbase shortened from 1405mm to 1402mm, while rake goes out from 23.5° to 23.7° and trail reduced from 98.3mm to 97.8mm. A far more relaxed stance.

Suspension and final set up are not the same between the two models. The RS maintains fully adjustable Showa 41mm BPFs up front and an Öhlins STX40 shock at the rear, while the R has fully adjustable 41mm USD Showa forks and a Showa unit on the rear.