In 2007, a number of spy photos and speculative design drawings were reported in the motorcycle press,[4]
with one magazine capturing a road test of the completed Street Triple.[5]
Later articles reported on leaked design shots of the new bike.[6]
A report on the showcasing of the finished bike to dealers was published on 6 March 2007, along with a spy video of a test ride.[7]
First generation (2007–2011)
First generation Street Triple
The Triumph Street Triple was launched in 2007, to replace the 600 Speed Four. It shares the design of the modern Triumph naked models, introduced on the Speed Triple in 2005, with high-mount twin mufflers, dual circular headlights with a dashboard unit mounted on the top. The biggest difference with the Street Triple is the conventional swingarm, instead of the single-sided unit on the Speed Triple.
Many parts are shared with the Triumph Daytona 675, mainly visible on the frame and swingarm. The 675cc three cylinder engine, borrowed from the Daytona 675, is re-tuned to make it more street friendly and usable as a daily rider naked, but still powerful in the category with 79 kW (106 bhp) @ 11,750 rpm.
Since the Daytona 675 engine is a triple cylinder, Triumph introduced a new naming instead of adding the displacement to the Speed Triple name, making it a brand new model in Triumph history.
Launched in 2008, the Street Triple R shares the same engine and chassis as the standard model but has fully adjustable suspension both front and rear which is shared with the Daytona. The revised rear suspension results in a slightly higher seat height over the standard model and sharper rake. The front brakes are also shared with the Triumph 675 Daytona, with a fully radial Nissin setup, master cylinder and calipers. It has other minor equipment differences over the standard bike in the way of handlebars, seat, and different colour schemes, which were matte orange and matte grey.[8]
Second generation (2011–2012)
The Street Triple's circular headlights were changed to an angular shape for the 2012 model year, in line with the new identity of modern naked models, changed for the 2011 Speed Triple 1050 model. It was controversial at the time, because the circular headlights has been the identity of the modern naked models since 1997 and was quickly nicknamed the bugeye model from the bug like appearance the lights give the bike. The other changes includes redesigned side casings, brushed aluminum finish around the exhausts, black finish rear sets and revised stickers. The modifications were only cosmetics on both Street Triple and Street Triple R models, no changes were made on the engine, nor on the cycle parts. [9]
Third generation (2013–2017)
2014 Street Triple R with slanted headlights and low-mounted exhaust
In 2013, Triumph remodeled the chassis of the Street Triple. It includes a new frame unit, which is still in aluminum, but with fewer parts and welds. The caster angle is narrower, from 24,3° (on the previous model) to 24,1°. The old tubular sub-frame is changed for a new aluminum cast sub-frame unit. The most distinctive modification is a new exhaust mounted underneath the engine, replacing the underseat exhaust from the previous version, moving the centre of mass forwards and down. Lighter rims are also mounted on the bike. All these modifications make the bike both lighter and more agile; total mass was reduced by 6 kg, which is the lightest generation of Street Triples. The engine remained unchanged while the 1st gear was made considerably taller by taking the gear ratios from the Daytona 675. The 675 Street Triple gains also new suspensions, new brake discs that can be assisted by a multi-mode disengageable ABS, a coded key, more space under the saddle, a dashboard enriched with a fuel gauge, an improved finish, new mirrors and a discreet modification at the base of the tank. [10]
The Street Triple R gains a red sub-frame and the caster angle is narrower from 23,9° (on the previous model) to 23,4°. The R model remains distinctive with 19mm radial master cylinder and radial 4 pistons brake calipers around 310mm discs. The suspensions with a 41mm inverted fork and separate reservoir shock are adjustable for rebound, compression and preload. A disconnectable and configurable is available as an option.
.[11]
In February 2015 Triumph released the Street Triple Rx, based on the R model, with the angular seat unit from the Daytona 675, a quick-shifter and different colours (where the rims are red in any colour scheme).[12]
Fourth generation (2018–)
In January 2017, Triumph announced they would replace the 675 cc Street Triple with a new range of 765 cc (46.7 cu in) Street Triples. The model was released as a 2018 model. Despite having a capacity increase of 90 cc (5.5 cu in), the new models weigh slightly less than the first and second generations of 675 cc bike, and the engine casings are just as compact. This generation comes with three models in the range, the base model S, intermediate R, and the new highest specification named RS. Like previous models, the headlights styling is shared with the 2016 Speed Triple. As well as having different levels of equipment, such as brakes, suspension, and a quick shifter, the three models have different power outputs: 113 hp (84 kW) for the S, 118 hp (88 kW) for the R, and 123 hp (92 kW) for the RS. The fourth model is for the UK's A2 license, a 660 cc (40 cu in) version of the S will also be sold. [13][14] Triumph also debuted the Low Ride Height (LRH) version of the R model which drops the seat height to 780mm. This model reduces the stroke on the front, shortens the rear shock, eliminating rebound adjustment, and lowers the seat profile. All other aspects are identical to the R model.[15]
Mid cycle update (2020)
For 2020, the Street Triple was given a mid cycle update. The more track-oriented RS version was given minor changes to the intake and exhaust with no change in power output, and cosmetic changes to the mirrors and headlight. A 1.8 in (46 mm) lower seat height version, with a different seat and modified suspension, was added.[16][17] The 2020 model was homologated by the FIM for racing in the World Supersport Next Generation class in 2022[18]
2023 update
In 2023, the R and RS versions got an updated more powerful engine of up to 130 horsepower, shorter gearing, higher-spec Brembo Stylema brakes (for the RS) and revised chassis geometry (raising the back reduced the wheelbase, rake and trail, leading to sharper steering).[19] For the first time, IMU-based cornering ABS and traction control were added. The R now comes with a full-TFT instrument cluster (although smaller than the 5-inch version on the RS). Fuel tank capacity was reduced by 2.4 liters to 15 liters. A new limited edition Moto2 version was introduced, with clip-ons instead of handlebars and further track-oriented improvements.[20]
Special models
2011 - Street Triple Ace 675 CR
2014 - Street Triple R Team Empire Special Edition
In 2010, Triumph launched the Tiger 800 and Tiger 800 XC, which use a longer stroke version of the Street Triple engine.[21]
Use in racing
Starting from 2019, the Moto2 class of World Championship racing has been powered by specially tuned Triumph-supplied 765 cc engines based on the Street Triple, replacing the engines that were previously based on the Honda CBR600RR from 2010 to 2018. A three-year contract extension to provide engines for seasons 2022–2024 was obtained in 2021.[22]
^ abHearn, Alex. "1-2-3-4: single, twin, triple or four? Adding up the ultimate 650cc solution; Which middleweight is master? The BMW Xmoto, Kawasaki Versys, Triumph Street Triple and Suzuki GSX650F meet on the street to find out." Motorcyclist Apr. 2008: 76+. General OneFile. Web. 13 Jan. 2015.
