Triumph Tests Moto2 Engine With Daytona-Based Prototype
Triumph has released an update on the development of its Moto2 engine, showing for the first time a prototype undergoing tests at the Ciudad del Motor de Aragon circuit. Triumph is set to replace Honda as the sole engine supplier for the Moto2 World Championship in 2019, using a motor based on the 765cc Inline-Three powering the Street Triple RS.
Triumph to Supply Moto2 Engines
For this test, the engine is mounted to a race chassis based on the current Daytona 675. Former 125cc World Champion and Moto2 runner-up Julian Simon took the prototype out on a shake down test to produce data on the engine’s performance and durability under racing conditions.
Based on the Speed Triple RS’ 765cc engine, the Moto2-spec powerplant includes a number of modifications including a revised cylinder head, titanium valves and stiffer valve springs. Triumph also added a tuneable slipper clutch and added a taller first gear. Moto2 bikes will also be managed by a spec ECU by Magneti Magelli. In its production form, Triumph claims the engine offers 121 hp at 11,700 rpm and 57 lb.-ft. at 10,800 rpm. The race engine will be higher revving and should see a significant bump in power and torque.
According to Triumph, development is proceeding ahead of expectations with Simon able to produce consistent and competitive lap times. Triumph says it is on schedule to deliver the first batch of Moto2 race engines by June 2018.
“At this stage of the development program we are in a good place. We are very pleased with the pace that Julian is showing with the latest engine and his feedback has been very positive,” says Steve Sargent, Triumph’s chief product officer. “We have confidence that we will deliver an engine that the teams will enjoy racing with and a spectacle and sound that will excite the fans.”
Simon has been playing a key role in developing the engine and he says the engine has improved since he last tested it.
“I am really happy to be here in Aragón testing the development of the 2019 Moto2 engines with Triumph,” says Simon. “I can see there has been a big improvement with the latest engine, giving a great feeling. There’s a lot of power and the gearing is fantastic, and for the sound, this is also fantastic. To me, it’s fun.”
Of course, this does raise the question of if (when?) we’ll see a new Daytona 765 enter production. Unfortunately, this prototype offers little clues about a potential new model; there’s far too much of the existing Daytona 675 in the test prototype, and we’d have to expect a new model would look a little more different from is predecessor.
Then again, the video does end with a tease about there being “even more to come in 2018…”
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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I'm glad the new motor is shaping up well in performance, but Triumph will need to ensure it has the rock-solid reliability of those Honda 600's too.
As for a new Daytona with that engine, well, it won't be able to race in any current class, so sales will be based on capability as a street bike primarily, and given that why would Triumph go with the Daytona's race-rep design? I think that territory is already covered by the Street Triple line.
I really like the sound. But I'm disappointed that there was not footage of Simon doing laps. He used to be a real mad man. Like to get sideways. Oh well, seems like Triumph is making good progress.