British brand Triumph Motorcycles is looking to woo new riders onto its bikes in 2020 with a new, A2 compliant, version of it’s popular Street Triple – which comes in at less than £8000.
Triumph revealed its new, Euro5 compliant, Street Triple in 2019 with the £10,300 RS – but the S uses a smaller capacity (660cc versus 765cc) three cylinder engine to make it open to A2 licence holders as young as 19-years-old – although Triumph dealers can derestrict the new model and more than double power from 47bhp to 95bhp for full A licence holders.
At first glance, the S looks a dead ringer for the RS model, but behind the styling the spec can’t quite match the bigger engined bike. The 41mm upside down Showa forks lack the adjustability of those on the RS, while the rear shock is adjustable only for preload. It’s a more basic package than the Street Triple RS, but still at a high level for a bike costing £7900. Tyres are Pirelli’s very good Diablo Rosso III hoops, which are known for their good all-round performance, and front brakes are simple sliding caliper types.
Electronics too are simplified but still at a level higher than would be expected from an entry level model, with road and rain modes – which adjust the levels of traction control and throttle response.
Over 60 Triumph accessories are being made available to spec the Street Triple S up, with modifications including LED indicators, belly pan, fly screen visor, soft luggage, quickshifter and an Arrow slip-on silencer.
The 660cc format has been used before for Triumph’s European A2 Street Triple, and the Australian equivalent, and is known for its good low down power characteristics. One colour is available at launch, with the ‘Crystal’ white bodywork set off with red and black decals.
The new Triumph Street Triple S is an interesting addition to the A2 licence class. At £7900, it’s a good bit more expensive than established A2 bikes like the Honda CB500F and Kawasaki Z400, but with the possibility to be derestricted after two years of riding on an A2 licence, it offers an attractive proposition for riders looking for an entry level machine that can grow as they gain riding experience.
SPECIFICATIONS
| NEW STREET TRIPLE S (A2) | |
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line three-cylinder |
| Capacity | 660cc |
| Bore Stroke | 76.0 x 48.5 mm |
| Compression | 12.1:1 |
| Max Power | 35kW (47.6PS) @ 9,000rpm
70kW (95.2 PS) @ 11,250rpm derestricted |
| Max Torque | 60Nm @ 5,250rpm
66Nm @ 9,250rpm derestricted |
| System | Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI. Electronic throttle control |
| Exhaust | Stainless steel three-into-one exhaust system low single sided stainless steel silencer |
| Final Drive | X ring chain |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Frame | Front – Aluminium beam twin spar Rear – Two piece high pressure die cast |
| Swingarm | Twin-sided, cast aluminium alloy |
| Front Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy Five-spoke 17 x 3.5 in |
| Rear Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy Five-spoke 17 x 5.5 in |
| Front Tyre | Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear Tyre | Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
180/55 ZR17 |
| Front Suspension | Showa 41mm upside down forks |
| Rear Suspension | Showa piggyback reservoir monoshock, adjustable preload |
| Front Brake | Twin 310mm floating discs, Nissin two-piston sliding calipers, switchable ABS |
| Rear Brake | Single 220mm disc, Brembo single piston caliper, switchable ABS |
| Width Handlebars | 765mm |
| Height Without Mirrors | 1060mm |
| Seat Height | 810mm |
| Wheelbase | 1410mm |
| Rake | 24.3° |
| Trail | 103.4mm |
| Dry Weight | 168Kg |
| Tank Capacity | 17.4 litres |
| Fuel Consumption ** | 5.1l/100km |
| CO2 Emissions ** | 119g/km |
