RE: PH2 Ridden: 2013 Triumph Street Triple
Friday 11th January 2013
I remember the first time I rode the Street Triple, although not exactly where. It was late 2007 in, I think, the south of France. A group of journalists were led in what can only be described as a dangerous riding contest by Triumph's official stunt rider Kevin Carmichael. The ride though tight and twisty French back roads was absolutely insane and the flat out dash was only punctuated by the wheelie contest that followed every time we were forced to drop into first gear. It was absolutely brilliant fun and at the time I remember writing I couldn't think of a current bike that I would rather own. Triumph's new middleweight was cheap and had a great engine and chassis, but more importantly it had the X factor, that special something that made you instantly fall in love with it. I ran a Street Triple for the whole of 2008 and if I'm honest I still miss that bike, if I saw one for a decent price tomorrow I'd snap it up. And it seems I'm not alone, Triumph has sold over 50,000 Street Triples since it was launched, making it the firm's best selling model of recent times. Now, five years after it first charmed me, I'm about to ride the new Street Triple - I really hope Triumph hasn't buggered it up...
Low-slung exhaust among changesWhat's changed?
At first glance the new Street Triple looks like a mere update or tweak but the reality is very different. There are very few components shared between the old and new Street Triple and the 2013 bike is basically a ground-up redesign. The chassis, subframe, wheels, bars, clocks, plastics and exhaust are all new and while the engine is essentially unaltered, it does gain revised ECU settings, tweaked fuel injection bodies and a taller first gear. Triumph, in typical Triumph fashion, has looked at customer feedback and responded. The new exhaust is low slung as so many owners fitted the 'low-boy' Arrow aftermarket system, the steering lock is increased as before it was a little pathetic and the fuel economy is boosted.
Lighter and more nimble as a resultGiving it a handful of gas the new Street Triple seems as happy to play the fool as the old bike. While the changes to the motor seem to have taken a slight raw edge off the engine's character, it still manages to deliver all the fun and performance of the old bike, just in a slightly more restrained fashion. It's no bad thing, just different, and the new handling prowess easily makes up for this calmer throttle response.
Original was good, new one is even betterGis a go!
The old Street Triple was, and still is for that matter, a brilliant bike. As well as being reassuring and easy-going for a new or less experienced rider, the Triumph is so versatile that the more experienced can take it on track and go bonkers thanks to its Daytona derived chassis. The new Street Triple is all this and even more. Triumph has retained the relaxed attitude of the old bike and injected a new dose of handling that doesn't detract from its user-friendliness. If someone said they were thinking of buying a Street Triple I would have no hesitation in encouraging them to do so, as long as they lent me the keys for a few hours ... ok, days ... alright, weeks...
PH2 Ridden: 2013 Triumph Street Triple
It wasn't broken, but Triumph fixed it anyway...
Low-slung exhaust among changes
At first glance the new Street Triple looks like a mere update or tweak but the reality is very different. There are very few components shared between the old and new Street Triple and the 2013 bike is basically a ground-up redesign. The chassis, subframe, wheels, bars, clocks, plastics and exhaust are all new and while the engine is essentially unaltered, it does gain revised ECU settings, tweaked fuel injection bodies and a taller first gear. Triumph, in typical Triumph fashion, has looked at customer feedback and responded. The new exhaust is low slung as so many owners fitted the 'low-boy' Arrow aftermarket system, the steering lock is increased as before it was a little pathetic and the fuel economy is boosted.
Works like a charm
The old Street Triple walks the very fine line between sporty and usable extremely well and you might worry that in making the model sportier for 2013 Triumph may have crossed over this line. It hasn't. At slow speed the 2013 Street Triple feels very similar to the old model and retains all the old bike's pleasant touches. The riding position is comfortable, the bars nice and wide and bike feel light and controllable. The only real irritation is the mirrors, which are really crap unless you want to look at your elbows. Bring back the old round ones - they may look dated but at least they fulfill their purpose in life.
Lighter and more nimble as a result
Better in the bends
Having trimmed 1.4kg from the Street Triple's chassis as well as 0.5kg from the wheels and 3.6kg from the exhaust, it comes as no surprise that the 2013 bike is far sprightlier to turn than the old model. By moving the exhaust from under the seat to a low-slung style, Triumph has altered the bike's weight distribution and improved the Street Triple's already excellent handling. While still retaining that balanced and reassuring feeling of the old model, the new bike is quicker to respond and also less bouncy thanks to slightly firmer suspension settings. Like the old bike you can go crackers if you wish but, unlike bikes like the MVBrutale 800, this isn't a requirement. The Triumph is as happy bimbling around as it is going flat out.
Original was good, new one is even better
The old Street Triple was, and still is for that matter, a brilliant bike. As well as being reassuring and easy-going for a new or less experienced rider, the Triumph is so versatile that the more experienced can take it on track and go bonkers thanks to its Daytona derived chassis. The new Street Triple is all this and even more. Triumph has retained the relaxed attitude of the old bike and injected a new dose of handling that doesn't detract from its user-friendliness. If someone said they were thinking of buying a Street Triple I would have no hesitation in encouraging them to do so, as long as they lent me the keys for a few hours ... ok, days ... alright, weeks...
TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE
Engine: 675cc, 3-cyl
Power: 105hp@11,850rpm
Torque: 50ft lb@9,750rpm
Top speed: 140mph (est)
Weight: 182kg (wet)
MPG: 40(est)
Price: £6,999 (+£350 ABS)
Colours: Black, white, blue
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Discussion
First! (Sorry! 
)
The last STR was one of the most enjoyable bikes I've ever ridden. No idea how they made it feel like a bicycle but they did. About as easy to wheelie too and im crap at them. Looks like this one will be no different
Now Triumph just needs to release a 1000cc Daytona and they're sorted.
)The last STR was one of the most enjoyable bikes I've ever ridden. No idea how they made it feel like a bicycle but they did. About as easy to wheelie too and im crap at them. Looks like this one will be no different
Now Triumph just needs to release a 1000cc Daytona and they're sorted.
moanthebairns said:
headlights are bogging, it looks like a praying mantis.
the exhaust is also minging. not as nice as the last one.
think that would kinda defeat the purpose of buying one tho. might aswell just get something better looking...
that being said, eye of the beholder and all that!
Edited by peteO on Friday 11th January 12:31
dapearson said:
peteO said:
i just cant take em seriously with that front light... looks like my (2005 c1h) ninja with the headlight fairing off!
Yep.I don't get it either.
Personally if i had a naked bike it would be something retro like a ZRX1200R or GSX1400
PILCH 23 said:
Sivraj said:
I'm afraid I'd save my pennies for the Speed Triple (In Black)!!!!
Ride them back to back and you'd be unlikely to still want the Speed Triple. It feels too heavy and does rev like the Street Triple. I always wanted a Speed Triple until I spent time on both.TimmyWimmyWoo said:
PILCH 23 said:
Sivraj said:
I'm afraid I'd save my pennies for the Speed Triple (In Black)!!!!
Ride them back to back and you'd be unlikely to still want the Speed Triple. It feels too heavy and does rev like the Street Triple. I always wanted a Speed Triple until I spent time on both.I like the design but I reckon the Street offers 95% of what I'd want from a naked. The next 5% need to filled with madness and the Speed just doesn't supply it like,say, a Superduke would.
All said in my opinion as I'm sure the sales figures would prove me wrong, but to me it's lacking that slight psychopathic edge a big naked should provide.
J B L said:
In my eyes, the main issue of the Speed is not to be bonkers enough versus the competition such as Ducati Streetfighter, Aprilia Tuono V4 and the MV Brutale.
I like the design but I reckon the Street offers 95% of what I'd want from a naked. The next 5% need to filled with madness and the Speed just doesn't supply it like,say, a Superduke would.
All said in my opinion as I'm sure the sales figures would prove me wrong, but to me it's lacking that slight psychopathic edge a big naked should provide.
It's a bit less calmer, but it brings the front up a lot easier on the throttle than the Street does, I found. Not that I did many deliberate wheelies! I preferred the Speed because it was just bigger and heavier, it soaked up bumps a lot better and was less skittish than the Street. My experience is with the basic Street, not the R. I had the Street as a first bike and loved it though, and have since made sure two other friends bought them I like the design but I reckon the Street offers 95% of what I'd want from a naked. The next 5% need to filled with madness and the Speed just doesn't supply it like,say, a Superduke would.
All said in my opinion as I'm sure the sales figures would prove me wrong, but to me it's lacking that slight psychopathic edge a big naked should provide.
That's ^ the thing about having that bit heavier bike. They are that bit more stable, cope better with poor surfaces & generally less flighty or indeed manic. I find that the ST1050 copes really well with uneven surfaces & never gets out of shape, but then maybe I don't cane it properly? Either way I'd still fancy a Speed or Street Triple.
It wouldn't surprise me if Triumph are actually working on a replacement for the 1050 engine (which has been said to have been around a while & rather out-dated design. Who knows-maybe there is a 1 Litre 3 cyl superbike bursting to come out? Especially as they are still ATM running both the ST1050 & Sprint GT alongside each other. One must go.
It wouldn't surprise me if Triumph are actually working on a replacement for the 1050 engine (which has been said to have been around a while & rather out-dated design. Who knows-maybe there is a 1 Litre 3 cyl superbike bursting to come out? Especially as they are still ATM running both the ST1050 & Sprint GT alongside each other. One must go.
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