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3 reasons why the new Street Triple RS is the most potent middleweight naked bike

In its 2023 guise, the Striple is sharper, sleeker, and better than ever before.

EJ Punsalang EJ Punsalang on Mar 07, 2023
3 reasons why the new Street Triple RS is the most potent middleweight naked bike

Few naked bikes are as iconic as the Triumph Street Triple. This bike first hit the market way back in 2007, when Triumph decided to strip the fairings off its legendary sportbike, the Daytona 675. Characterized by its sharp styling contrasted drastically by its two round headlights giving it a bug-eye look, the Striple, as it has become fondly called, became an instantly recognizable street bike. 

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2023 Triumph Street Triple

In the years that followed, Triumph tweaked the bike’s design to make it much more modern and in-tune with its performance-focused models. Gone were the dual round headlights in favor of a sleeker, more stylish twin setup. Furthermore, the tank, frame, and tail were modeled much more closely to that of the Daytona. It was in 2017 that Triumph re-engineered the inner workings of the Street Triple, bringing it closer to what it is today. Bestowing it with a powerful 765cc, inline-triple, the engine would later go on to be the sole powerplant of the Moto2 racing class, as it does to the present day. 

Speaking of the present, the 2023 Triumph Street Triple RS has already begun rolling out in the global market. As of this writing, Triumph Philippines has already announced pricing for the RS model at P840,000. Even prior to the current model, the Street Triple RS was already one of the top players in the middleweight naked bike segment. Needless to say, 2023 version brings a slew of upmarket updates to the table, and we certainly think that it could be the very best once it hits the market. 

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It gets top-notch electronics

2023 Triumph Street Triple

Until its present iteration, the Triumph Street Triple RS was equipped with a decent slew of electronics. However, it was pretty much unanimously agreed upon that it wasn’t perfect. This was largely due to the fact that Triumph hadn’t incorporated an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) into the bike’s electronics. Well, for 2023, this has changed, and the Striple now gets IMU powered riding aids. For those unaware, an IMU gives the bike spatial awareness, further enhancing rider aids to adjust depending on what the bike is doing. This device measures the six axes of movement—left and right lean, left and right yaw (sliding), and forward and rearward pitch (wheelie and dive).

Thanks to the new IMU, the Street Triple RS can rival the likes of the Ducati Monster, Yamaha MT-09 SP, and KTM 890 Duke R when it comes to lean-sensitive traction control, ABS, and wheelie control. Now, I’ve yet to get a feel for Triumph’s new IMU, so I’ll be sure to check back as soon as I get to try it out. 

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Moto2-derived technology

2023 Triumph Street Triple

Those of you who are familiar with the Street Triple RS would know that it makes use of an engine that’s been plucked right out of the Moto2 racing series. With this bike, Triumph has essentially created a bike that’s pretty much a racing machine designed for the street. The 2023 model ushers in new technology, such as refined tuning that bumps power up to 128 horsepower. This makes the Street Triple RS the most powerful motorcycle in its displacement class. With these refinements to the engine mated to the bike’s superb electronics, chances are the Street Triple RS will be the sharpest, most performance-oriented naked bike in its class. 

Lightweight chassis

2023 Triumph Street Triple
2023 Triumph Street Triple

Rounding out the performance-oriented trifecta is a slew of premium chassis components that give the Street Triple RS an incredibly lightweight chassis. Tipping the scales at 189 kilograms wet, the Street Triple RS puts much smaller bikes to shame in terms of weight alone. To do this, Triumph spared no expenses in making sure that the Triple was built with lightness in mind. For starters, the entire frame is made of aluminum, and so, too, is the swingarm. 

A pair of Showa Big-Piston Separate-Function forks handle suspension duties upfront, with a full suite of adjustability on offer. Meanwhile, an Ohlins rear shock, also with full adjustability, ensures your ride is dialed in no matter where you ride. Last but not least, Triumph relies on a set of Brembo Stylema monoblock calipers up front, with a single rear disc also by Brembo.

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