A
s a Triumph aficionado since way back I am
nailing my colours to the mast. In my thirties
I owned a triumph TR4A IRS convertible in
navy, with a tiny Union Jack on both doors.
There’s something of the UK heritage – royals,
pork pies, ‘weed, whites and wine’, and leggy
supermodels, that appeals to my ancient
sensibilities. Some may consider my taste
near Jurassic, so be it. I don’t care.
I own a Thruxton R, love the style of Bonnies,
and lusted after the Bobber... but the damned
2020 Triumph 765 Street Triple RS was about to
rain on my long British summer of twin worship.
First impressions of the 2020 Street Triple RS?
It looks small, like one of those orient
manufacturer’s attempts to make a 250 look like
the rider has big-boy/girl pants on. But actually,
what the 765 is – is miraculous. Looking at every
side and angle the design work and aesthetics
are complemented by exceptional technology.
The top of the line RS is very stylish indeed. Some
of the refinements are barely noticeable but it’s
in the details that this new iteration of Triumph’s
naked street fighter excels.
WEIGHT LOSS
Firstly, the engine has shed a little weight,
gained better breathing flow, it has increased
torque by 9%, to 79Nm, which does make itself
known in the midrange, with bullet-like linear
projection on the road.
Inside the new 765 they have tightened things
up, and delivered a fiery workhorse that revs
quicker, faster – and although it is not the
KIWI RIDER 49