rapidly bleaching like the Great Barrier Reef , where am I to go ? Well , I have found myself looking at the current model Triumph Speed and Street Triple RS models . Now , there are a couple of bikes with exquisite lines , beautiful headlight styling and clear design direction . However , while talking to a few mates , it was mentioned to me that the Street Triple RS is a better bike . I couldn ’ t really understand why . Surely the bigger 1160cc engine of the Speed Triple would make a better ride ? The only way to work out what they were talking about was to go ride the two bikes back-to-back . So , I headed down to TSS Motorcycles , my local Triumph dealer , to find out .
STREET TRIPLE RS First up was the 2023 Street Triple RS . Powered by a liquid-cooled , 765cc transverse triple putting out 120hp and 80Nm torque . Showa 41mm USD front forks and an Ohlins STX40 rear shock do suspension duties , while the brakes are twin 310mm discs with Brembo Stylema four-piston , monobloc radial calipers up front and a 220mm disc with Brembo single piston caliper at the back . With a seat height of 826mm , it is a bit higher than I expected , but it ’ s a rather comfortable perch and feels pretty narrow when standing over . The 15l fuel tank fits nicely between the knees and it feels light and nimble , which stands to reason as the Street is only 188kg . So , that ’ s one bike down , one to go .
SPEED TRIPLE RS Next up was my opportunity to ride the 2023 Triumph Speed Triple RS . With a liquid-cooled transverse 1160cc three-cylinder engine , putting out 180hp and 125Nm of torque . At the front is an Ohlins 43mm USD fork , and an Ohlins TTX36 shock in the rear . Front braking is taken care of by twin 320mm floating discs with Brembo Style monobloc radial calipers , and a single 220mm disc with Brembo twinpiston caliper . Seat height is slightly taller than the Street triple at 830mm . Interestingly , the Speed has the same 15.5l fuel tank , but , thanks to the larger engine , weighs 198kg
AND THE DIFFERENCES ...? I am thankful for the opportunity to get to ride these two bikes back-to-back . I think this is really the only way to clearly see the differences . I now get why I was told the Street Triple is the better bike . It ’ s better around town and on the motorway , both areas where I will ride most . It accelerates smoothly and has more than enough power to have fun . The Speed Triple , obviously , has more power , but it
102 KIWI RIDER