2013 Triumph Street Triple R
If you are looking for a bike who’s sole intent is to bring out your inner hooliganism and be exciting in nearly every situation, the newly redesigned Street Triple for 2013 is worth a second look.
Initial Impressions:
Up close, the updated styling blends the previous unmistakable cues of the Street Triple into an updated package that is worthy of the name. Probably the biggest noticeable difference in styling is the low slung exhaust, a new design feature that has not been incorporated before into this model. The intent of GP style exhaust is to lower the center of gravity and allow for even more extreme flickability. The clutch and steering offer a light feeling and like generations past, the clear open view over the twin headlamps provide the same reminiscence of Street Triple tradition.
Performance:
It was immediately apparent that Triumph had done their homework in the fueling department because when I was navigating out of a busy parking lot, I had no problems controlling the bike at slow speeds while applying small throttle inputs. When it comes to power, the proven design of the inline three has never shown so brightly before. Even from low rpm’s, the linear torque curve was apparent and in the low end, predictable power was everywhere. Once in the mid range, the ferocious intake roar combined with the explosive performance is like none other and matches the bike’s character perfectly. You simply cannot get enough of what a gem this engine truly is. I did not encounter any false neutrals and going through each cog provided a positive engagement. The powerful twin caliper Nissin front brakes allow for one or two finger stoppies, yet, offer a smooth transition at the very beginning stage of engagement.
Handling:
Often times, manufactures will get so caught up about the intended purpose or the particular design of a bike that sometimes other aspects will be forgotten. This is not so with 2013 Street Triple. What I noticed and enjoyed the most about the redesign was how well engineered everything felt, there was really not one aspect of the bike that felt to me as though it was lacking. Carving twisties is where the Street Triple really feels most at home but still handles highway blasts at ease albeit the lack of wind protection. One of the other key new features is the increased rake of the steering. This allows for mentally fast turn turn-in and side-to-side transitions. Even over rough surfaces, the bike still remains stable and confident. When laid over, there was a lot of stability with no surprises which always left me with a confident feeling. There was plenty of feedback and the settings seemed to adapt well to most situations. Like previous generations past, the bike provides a very compact feeling under the rider which is one of the unique experiences while aboard a Street. Under hard acceleration the front remained stable and compliant without a notion of getting twitchy.
How Does The Street Triple Make One Feel?:
As soon as you swing your leg over, you may as well hand off your license to the local authorities. It doesn’t matter if it’s Aunt Marie or Tom Cruise, the Street Triple will turn any unsuspecting victim into a hooligan and make you want to do things you never thought before. This is what the Street Triple is all about. Unlike many motorcycles that need to be in a designated environment to really shine for their intended use (ie; sport bikes = race tracks), the Street Triple can be enjoyed in all situations. Whether you’re tooling around town, on the track or carving up your favorite twisties, the Street simply provides the same exciting experience no matter the situation. This is because of its comfortable upright riding position, responsive engine that has character at all rpm’s, compact feeling, light weight and powerful brakes. If you’re looking for one of the most exhilarating experiences that a motorcycle can offer on the street without breaking the bank, look no further.
Likes:
- Meaty powerband & linear torque curve
- Important styling cues of generations past incorporated
- Well engineered all around
Dislikes:
- Some vibes felt through the bar
- Tickets?
