2022 Triumph Street Triple RS India Review, Specs, Price
The 2022 Triumph Street Triple RS is low on emissions, gets a bit more grunt and a mind-blowing price tag, but is still a no-compromise middleweight streetfighter you should go for.
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photographer: Sanjay Raikar
It’s been five years, but I still vividly remember shooting the new Street Triple RS at the Catalunya MotoGP track during the new model’s official media tour. What started as a skeptical ride of a fairingless motorcycle on a race track quickly became one of my fondest cycling memories. Fast forward to 2022 and here I am driving one on our roads, giving me a whole new perspective of the RS.
Since Triumph introduced the new generation, the naked middleweight has become an instant hit, making it a segment leader and a best-selling British marque. Overall, there are three variants to choose from, but our market gets the mid-range ‘R’ trim and the high-end ‘RS’ we have here.
If you like middleweight street fighters but don’t like to compromise, buying the “RS” is a no-brainer. This is the most powerful and desirable Street Triple on the market and Triumph’s Moto2 engine team have ensured that the 765cc straight triple is made to BS6 standard. Now two catalytic converters are required in the exhaust system to further limit emissions. So you can continue to enjoy the much-loved sporty but maneuverable Triple character, but without the guilt.
Triumph Street Triple RS: Design
It is an updated bike, so there are no major changes in terms of design or engine power. But you’ll notice the sharper twin headlights and signature daytime running lights that give the bike its distinct identity. Without looking twice, you’ll know it’s a Street Triple. There are a few other notable changes such as a more pronounced air intake just above the headlights and, like the face, the body also looks more chiseled now – straight from a mosquito net, a reworked side panel, rear section and belly. Even the aluminum frame is finished in Titanium Silver on our Matt Jet Black test bike, though the Silver Ice shade gets a fancier red treatment. You also get new graphics on the TFT with color choices, Bluetooth connectivity and GoPro controls. A new carbon fiber tip on the exhaust completes the visual changes to the BS6 bike.
Triumph Street Triple RS: Engine
Fortunately, as before, on the RS, the 765cc Triple continues to produce an impressive 123bhp, five bhp more than the standard R, making this version an absolute pleasure to drive. Engineers took this opportunity to tweak the engine to deliver a stronger mid-range, making the bike even better for everyday use. Torque has increased by two Nm to 79 Nm, which also peaks sooner than the old bike. Triumph says they have also made the crank, clutch and balancer shafts lighter, which has reduced rotational inertia by around 7%. These changes made the throttle response even more rewarding throughout the rev range now. As we rode around town, the extra grunt and torque became very evident, making the Street Triple RS much friendlier. In addition, you have the option to cycle through the driving modes according to the traffic situation. If you think Road mode is aggressive on congested roads, switching to Rain will make things smoother and less intimidating.
Triumph Street Triple RS: performance
As we pulled away from town and into the twisty hill roads, I could comfortably run around the corners without having to downshift, because there’s always plenty of power under your control. Empty stretches of road and Sport mode are a perfect combination to lift your spirits, as the roar of the three-cylinder echoes through the valley. Motorcycling is truly therapy and bikes like the Street Triple a well-recommended therapist. The sleek six-speed gearbox continues to power the rear wheel, but now features a quick-shifter, so you can up or down a gear without worrying about engaging the gear. ‘clutch. And even when you need to use the clutch, the assist system makes it easy to use. The experience is absolutely effortless.
Triumph Street Triple RS: ride and handling
Speaking of premium parts, the Street Triple RS features premium brakes and suspension that do full justice to the bike’s well-balanced chassis. Up front there’s the reliable, fully adjustable 41mm Showa fork, while at the rear the Öhlins STX40 monoshock provides damping. The bike feels nice, firm and incredibly precise when you throw it through fast corners and the meatier mid-range makes riding through a series of corners extremely rewarding. The incredible grip of the Pirelli tires encourages you to lean more. On long rides on our roads this setup tended to be a bit stiff and whoever thought the saddle would need a little more cushioning. A small compromise for a formidable maneuverability.
Triumph Street Triple RS: braking performance
The braking department is no less impressive either, with twin Brembo M50 monoblock calipers as well as Brembo MCS 19.21 radial master cylinder. The brake lever is also adjustable for reach and bite ratio and a single tap is all you need to lose speed. Strong braking prowess lets you apply the brake just a little later as you approach a corner and effortlessly swing the RS from corner to corner. And that’s when you’ll be congratulating yourself for gassing up and buying the premium RS over the standard R while passing your riding buddies without breaking a sweat.
Triumph Street Triple RS: Price
This brings us to the elephant in the room. The staggering price of Rs 11.35 lakh (ex-showroom) of the Street Triple RS, which is around Rs 2.5 lakh more expensive than the ‘R’. Yes, it’s a lot of money, but you can’t deny that the RS is a lot of motorcycling. To be honest, the standard Street Triple is all you need in town and on weekends, but if exclusivity and the finer things in life are your poison, then go ahead and sign that check.
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