First look: Triumph Street Triple 765

Still retaining the Street Triple name, the bike will come in S, R and RS trim. In the United States, pricing starts at $9,900 for the S model, so basically we're getting a replacement for a popular model that is more powerful, adds more features and, according to Triumph, actually weighs a few pounds less, without taking a huge jump in price.

If you want to see the entire presentation earlier today in London, including video of World Superbike legend Carl Fogarty riding the new bike, here's the video. Or, skip on to the details.

Each version of the new Street Triple is built around the 765 cc triple, but in a different state of tune. Here's the breakdown:

Triumph Street Triple S

The S produces a peak 111 horsepower at 11,250 rpm, according to Triumph. It has a 41 mm Showa separate-function inverted fork in front and Showa shock adjustable for preload only at the rear. Like the other models, Triumph claims a dry weight of 366 pounds (and I suspect that's very dry, indeed). You get ABS, ride-by-wire throttle, traction control and Rain and Road riding modes on all three models, but unlike the other two, the S lacks the TFT panel and makes do with an LCD screen for displaying information like the current Street Triple.

Triumph Street Triple R

Stepping up to the R gets you 116 horsepower at 12,000 rpm, upgraded and fully adjustable Showa suspension front and rear, a slip-and-assist clutch and the ability to turn off ABS. The R also adds more rider modes that are programmable. Different color treatments, seat stitching and the full-color TFT panel are obvious signs to show the world you stepped up to the next level, while convenience features include self-canceling turn signals.

Triumph Street Triple RS

The RS is the track-ready Street Triple, and not just because it puts out the most horsepower, with 121 at 11,700 rpm. It also comes with a quickshifter, lap timer, an additional riding mode for the track and a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock.

Ever since Triumph deviated from the traditional round chromed headlights on the Speed Triple and Street Triple, the front of the Street Triple has been its most divisive styling element. I doubt the new redesign will put those differences to rest. The three new versions come with a flyscreen with an integrated air intake and slightly reshaped headlights. To me, they sort of make the bike look like it's wearing goggles.

But make up your own mind about looks. With added power and torque and the same light weight and responsive handling that has already made the Street Triple a beloved line, there's no reason not to expect these Street Triples will be great fun. Even more, I'm looking forward to other models Triumph is likely to unveil with this powerplant. We've seen the rumors. Why not a Street Triple RT with a proper half fairing and saddlebags? With a smooth but charismatic triple, light weight and a comfortable sport-touring riding position, that sounds to me like a bike that could inspire the sort of cult devotion the Honda VFR series used to have before it bloated up with too much weight and unneeded complexity.

There are two other related pieces of Triumph news this week. Several reports in Europe say that beginning in the 2019 season Triumph will supply the 765 cc triples as the spec engine for the Moto2 series, replacing the Honda CBR600RR engine that has been used in that series since it began. Earlier today, Triumph announced that it achieved record sales in North America in 2016, with more than 13,000 units sold.

Clearly, Triumph has a lot riding on this model and the new 765 cc engine. I hope to be riding on one myself some day not too distant.