Five Things You Need To Know About The 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

Bulked up and badder than ever

It was only a matter of time before Triumph’s involvement as the engine provider for Moto2 started trickling down to its production models (the Limited Edition Triumph Daytona 765 aside), and for the 2020 model year that association takes the form of the Triumph Street Triple RS. The top tier of the Street Triple family, the RS version benefits from a host of upgrades and updates to make it even more lust-worthy for those in the middleweight streetfighter market. MO’s boss-man, Evans Brasfield, is at the press launch for the Street Triple RS and will return with a full ride report soon, but in the meantime, let these five nuggets hold you over until then.

Moto2-Derived 765cc Triple

First and foremost on the list of Street Triple upgrades has to be to the 765cc Triple. The Moto2 program has injected some life into the Triple, giving it more grunt – to the tune of 58 lb-ft of torque, with a (claimed) 9% increase in mid-range power thanks to a new exhaust camshaft profile. Peak horsepower tops out north of 121 horses at 11,750 rpm. The internals are lightened also, making for a more responsive throttle. A new, freer-flowing exhaust delivers a more distinctive sound, and the whole thing now meets strict Euro5 regulations. An impressive feat.

New Styling

Updating the looks while keeping it distinctly a Street Triple RS is no easy task, but Triumph has made the face more angular via new LED headlights with sharper angles than before. The LEDs help the beam shine brighter and whiter than before. In addition to the headlights, much of the bodywork is new as well, continuing the sharper, angular theme. The new fly screen and air intake are now more pronounced, echoing the shape of the new DRL (Daytime Running Lights), plus the side panels, rear unit, seat cowl, and belly pan are all new and distinctly different.

The silencer has also been restyled for the 2020 model, to be more sporty and compact, with a beautiful carbon fiber endcap with Triumph branding. Plus, there’s enhanced detailing across the whole motorcycle, with new mirrors, a new branded handlebar clamp, blacked-out control plates, rear footrest hangers, and satin metal heel guards and silencer finish. Being the top of the range, the Street Triple RS has the highest level of finish of all the Street Triples.

All Kinds Of Tech

In today’s motorcycling, if you don’t have tech, then you have ‘nuthin. Luckily, the RS is going future-forward. According to Triumph, the TFT system now has enhanced functionality with the MyTriumph connectivity system software installed and enabled, ready to be used with the accessory-fit Bluetooth module. This enables GoPro interaction, turn-by-turn navigation and phone and music operation via the ergonomically optimized switch cubes, and displayed on the TFT screen. It also features new style 2nd generation graphic schemes, in four different styles, and four different colors. The TFT screen angle can be adjusted for optimum visibility to suit rider height. Of course, all of the electronic safety features seen before – ride-by-wire, adjustable ABS and switchable traction control – are back again on the new model.

England via Italy, Sweden, and Japan

Triumph may be a British icon, but the Street Triple RS features components from all over the world. From Italy, we have the excellent Brembo M50 brake calipers clamping on 310mm discs, as well as the Supercorsa SP tires from Pirelli. Sweden and Japan are both in this mix in a very unique way, as Öhlins provides the shock, a fully adjustable Öhlins STX40, while Showa’s 41mm Big Piston Fork handles bump absorption up front.

The Little Details

Being as it’s influenced by its big brother, the Speed Triple, the Street Triple RS now comes with a new Titanium Silver mainframe, matching the finish used on the elder statesman. But the RS does distinguish itself in other ways like the scrolling LED indicators (which, sadly, won’t be coming to the US) and the aforementioned Bluetooth connectivity that allows the rider to, among other things, control their GoPro. It’s mentioned here again because that’s a pretty cool feature.

For even more contemporary style, the new Street Triple RS is available in two different color schemes: Matt Jet Black with Aluminium Silver and Yellow decals or Silver Ice with Diablo Red and Aluminium Silver decals. Both paint scheme options include hand-painted Diablo Red wheel pinstripes and an Aluminium Silver rear sub-frame.

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

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  • Mark Vizcarra Mark Vizcarra on Oct 09, 2019

    BNH

    Bold New Headlights

  • Barrylindon Barrylindon on Oct 09, 2019

    This is probably the first street triple headlights I like.

    I think for the street you don't need anything faster than this.

    compared to the KTM 790 it's expensive without all the electronics the KTM have.

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