Triumph Street Triple 765 R for Newbies Is a Two-Wheeled Delight

Applicable in a number of the world's countries, specifically in the UK and elsewhere on the European continent, an A2 license can be obtained by people aged 19 and above and allows them to mount a motorcycle or scooter with power outputs of up to 47 horsepower. Training, if you will, for the real deal.

Knowing this, many motorcycle makers offer detuned versions of their most high-profile bikes, targeted directly at A2 license holders. Triumph is one of them, with the British company selling both purpose-built rides for this segment, but also conversion kits that allow a number of bikes to be adapted to the requirements.

The motorcycles that are compatible as standard with A2 are the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, while the conversion kits are specified for no less than eight bikes, including the Daytona 660, Tiger Sport 660, and Bonneville T100.

The kits generally comprise an accelerator position sensor twist grip and an engine tune meant to limit the engine's power. Once a full license is gained, the kits can be removed, restoring the ride's full capabilities.

The newest bike to be offered both as standard and as an A2 version is the Street Triple 765 R, announced this week by Triumph.

The Street Triple range, which comprises at the time of writing three models for the American market, plays the game in the naked segment, offering streetfighter thrills inspired by Moto2 riding. The most recent generation of the family was introduced last year.

In the new 765 R configuration, the bike holds in its aluminum beam twin spar frame a liquid-cooled, three-cylinder 765cc engine. For the version that was introduced this week, the bike comes with a revised powerplant that in normal configuration, meaning without the restrictor kit, develops 94 horsepower.

The changes made to the bike targeted not only performance, but also handling, road stance, and looks.

The Triumph is propped on Showa 41mm upside-down forks at the front, and a piggyback reservoir monoshock at the rear made by the same company. The movement of the wheel at the back is also aided by a gullwing swingarm.

The wheels on the ride, five-spoke cast aluminum pieces sized at 17 inches, are shod in Continental ContiRoad tires, and they feature Brembo braking hardware.

There are many rider assistance systems included in the package, which is a welcomed development considering the ride, even in its normal configuration, is meant for newbies. Things like front-wheel lift control, cornering ABS, and slip and assist clutch are offered as standard.

The Street Triple 765 R also comes with an up-and-down quick-shifter. Its use allows riders to upshift without closing the throttle and downshift without using the clutch or blipping the throttle.

The bike's hardware can be set to run in one of four riding modes, tailored to various road conditions and riding styles: Road, Rain, Sport, and rider-configurable. The settings can be changed using the multi-functional instrument display and the TFT screen the bike is equipped with.

The improved Triumph Street Triple 765 R was at the receiving end of some visual nips and tucks as well. The first thing one notices is the 15-liter (four-gallon) fuel tank, with its integrated side panels.

The radiator cowls are now sharper, and the headlight finisher is where the air intake has been located. The rear end, on the other hand, comes with an upswept design, and that gives the bike a nose-down appearance that is quite aggressive.

Finally, Triumph offers an accessory low seat that brings the height of the saddle down by 28 mm to 798 mm.

The revised naked bike will be available at European dealers starting in September. Two color schemes will be on the table, namely Matt Baja Orange (orange tank cover, headlight finisher, side panels, black front mudguard and radiator side panel) and Pure White (orange accents on the fuel tank and bodywork, white front mudguard and headlight finisher, gray radiator side panel).

The Triumph Street Triple 765 R will be selling on the UK market for prices that start at £10,095. Those who need the restrictor kit, so that they can reduce the engine's power to comply with A2 requirements, will have to pitch in an additional £152 for it.

As said, on the U.S. market the Street Triple is offered in only three versions, namely the 765 R, 765 RS, and 765 Moto2 Edition. The entry-level R retails from $10,595, but the Moto2 variant adds some 50 percent on top of that, going from $15,395. In the U.S., the power rating for the R stands at 118 horsepower.