The Street Triple 765 RS, launched at Rs 10.55 lakh (ex-showroom, India), is the highest-spec version in the Street Triple family and it sits above the Street Triple 765 S in terms of power and the quality of the cycle parts on offer. For Rs 1.84 lakh over the standard Street Triple S, the RS offers a number of high-performance upgrades.
For starters, the 765cc, inline, three-cylinder engine makes more power and torque than the standard bike. Power rises by 10hp to a total of 123hp and torque has increased by 4Nm to 77Nm. Both arrive at a slightly higher rpm, resulting in a harder-hitting top-end that will work well with its race track focus.
The second big upgrade comes to the suspension, which gets fully-adjustable Showa Big Piston forks up front and an Ohlins STX40 monoshock for the rear. Further, the front brakes now use Brembo’s fabulous M50 monoblock brake system while Pirelli’s super sticky, track-focused Supercorsa tyres ship as standard. All these features are usually seen in high-spec, litre-class sports bikes and are a segment first. At 166kg dry, it is already the lightest bike in its segment by a fair margin.
The electronics see a boost too. The RS uses a lovely, high resolution colour screen that is a big step-up from the simple analogue-digital combination meter on the S. The RS also introduces three additional riding modes, taking the total to five. Finally, there’s a quick shifter that works on upshifts.
Visual updates come in the form a body coloured rear seat cowl and two unique colours - Matt Silver Ice or Phantom Black metallic. The RS will retail out of all 14 of Triumph’s existing dealerships, a number the brand plans to increase to 17 this quarter with the opening of new outlets in Goa, Mangalore and Gurgaon.
When you consider all the additional equipment on offer, Triumph has done a great job with the pricing, keeping it below Rs 2 lakh. For the rider who wants a street bike that can also be an effective weapon on the track, the Street Triple RS looks like an excellent option. When we rode the RS in Spain earlier this year, it wowed us with its performance on the track but it did seem a bit firm on the road, so we’re eager to see what it feels like here at home.
Buyers seem to agree with the value of the RS and Triumph has announced that the first lot of bikes (the company won’t clarify how many that is) is already pre-sold and bookings have been accounted for till February 2018.
Also read: Triumph Street Triple review, test ride