Triumph Street Triple - Ride Review

Have a look at the 2014 Triumph Street Triple Video HERE
Check out the RPM meter in action HERE

It had been a while since we worked with this particular manufacturer and we were only getting more greedy and hungrier solely because they happen to make some of the best, fastest and big classics, naked's, sports and adventurous motorcycles from within the UK. Yes, they are Triumph. Over the past few months we have covered several Triumph launches and every time we got close to acquiring one of their products for review a larger publication would beat us to the race!

Follow our first review of the Triumph Thruxton HERE.

It was almost 5pm and I was explicitly told to be at the meeting point by 6pm or else we would have to wait another week. If you live in Gurgaon, then you’re probably familiar with the post 5pm traffic snarls. They are a nightmare to navigate through especially in a car. What I was more concerned about was the fact that I had ride back in the same traffic wondering if Triumph had its heating sorted. More on this later.

For now, I had every finger crossed hoping that I do not miss this opportunity to review one of their bikes with that signature Tri-umph (a 3 cylinder with umphf!) sound; a naked called ‘The Street Triple’.

The very first body part to catch my eyes were its eyes, those oddly shaped bug styled headlamps that takes a while getting used to. But one things for sure, you will not get bored looking at this piece of art everyday if it were to stand in your garage. Triumph has put in alot of thought behind designing this product which incidentally is the highest selling from their entire portfolio and I am not referring to just India where folks seem to have more money than ahem as a result of which everything must look big and sound loud to make a statement, but globally the Street Triple is a world class motorcycle.

A powerful and agile Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder 675cc powerhouse pelting out ~79 PS of power @11000 rpm and ~57Nm of torque @8375 rpm. Yes, India did not get the European version but nothing a simple fuel map can’t change.

Made it to the rendezvous point on time, completed the necessary paperwork and started the bike for the 1^st time. You’re greeted with the distinct sound from the 3 cylinder.

Pull the clutch in and shift it into gear which at first felt a wee bit klunky but later on realised that this was a near new bike with hardly any miles on the clock. A few KMs down the road and I was moving through the gears quite easily. What I was immediately impressed with was the amount of low end torque the bike produced.

Have a look at the 2014 Triumph Street Triple Video HERE

The console came well constructed and provides you with ample information in an LCD multi-functional instrument pack with a digital speedometer, fuel gauge, trip computer, analogue tachometer, lap timer, gear position indicator, programmable gear change lights, clock, tire-pressure monitoring system ready and switchable ABS.

Fit and finish of the motorcycle is extremely good and nothing seems tacky.

Apart from the engine kill switch on the right, you get the dipper or pass switch, horn and indicators on the left. The indicators however are not self cancelling.

Both clutch and brake levers are adjustable and offer adequate reach and support.

Front brakes offer plenty of bite via a pair of Nissin brakes gripping a 310mm discs, while the rear offer reasonable stopping power via a Brembo calliper and 220mm disc with switchable ABS is an option.

Front Suspension is set up on Kayaba 41mm upside down forks with 110mm travel that eat up all the road bumps and are perfect for in city rides while the rear suspension is set up on a Kayaba monoshock with 124.5mm rear wheel travel with spring preload adjustability.

The Diablo Rosso Corsa Front Tyres at 120/70 ZR 17 and Rear at 180/55 ZR 17 treads come as stock and offer plenty of grip and would be blessing if you intended to take the bike to the track.

The new exhaust updated from a few years back is tucked beneath the engine cleaning up the tail end. This in effect also lowers the center of gravity for better handling.

Riding with a pillion is comfortable as I (94kgs) was able to ride for ~60KMs with my pillion weighing ~90kgs and encountered no interference with the handling. This says a lot for a motorcycle whose wet weight is 188 Kgs. I would imagine long distance travelling with a pillion could get tiring but could also play to your benefit depending on the company your taking.

The Street Triple features under seat storage capable of holding important documents, a basic toolkit and then some more. The battery is conveniently placed should it need replacement or charging which is a pain on some of the other machines we have ridden.

The handlebars are wide and comfortable and offer adequate grip and support. They provide the confidence to flick the Street Triple through traffic.

Overall, the Street Triple truly is the spirit of Triumph. It’s agile, manoeuvrable, torque filled and is excellent for both in city rides and track days. Its 675cc three-cylinder engine will provide you with all the power you need to have fun through the gears coupled with excellent handling. The Street Triple is available in three colours; Diablo Red, Cyrstal White and Phantom Black, comes with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty alongside a 12 month unlimited mileage warranty on replacement parts, carries a 10000 KM service intervals all this at a cost of ₹ 7,91,080.00 Ex Showroom Delhi, a good price point if your moving onto your first super sports/ streetfighter category.

Triumph is the only manufacture that provides you with an opportunity to buy a bike for all types of riding and the Street Triple is a great example. So if you’re looking out for a motorcycle for your weekend gateway, a daily commute or fun at the track, a Street Triple will fulfil all those needs.

My take - go test ride one, you wont be dissapointed.