Static Photos By Brad Puetz
Action Photos By Temo Garcia

Ok first I should probably admit something. When Kenn Stamp (the big mucky-muck editor) shot me an e-mail asking if I was ready to do a two week bike test I wasn't sure what to expect. I mean I have tested everything from 3-wheeled scooters to 180 HP cruisers. Even Kenn's claims of exaggerated jealousy for the motorcycle I was about to get my hands on had no affect on me; I mean Kenn would get excited to ride a 2 wheeled motorized shopping cart! Well who wouldn’t? - Ed

The truth is that even when word came out that I would be riding the Triumph Street Triple R I was still a little unsure what to expect. I had spent some time on the Triumph Daytona 675 on the racetrack but that was a few years back and my feelings were mixed on that steed. The Daytona 675 had a motor with nearly perfect qualities but the suspension definitely left something to be desired. Since much of the Street Triple R was lifted straight from the Daytona 675 I was expecting to see some similarities between the two.

The Triumph Street Triple R sports some attitude with its blazing orange paint, Italian racing exhaust and engine exposed for all to see. It's a looker no doubt and received some admiring glances, but looks alone will not have people turning their heads as you roll down the boulevard. The Arrow exhaust coupled with the Triumph's triple cylinder motor has the Street Triple R sounding like an absolute thoroughbred racing machine. Crank up the revs past 6,000 RPM and the Triumph emits a sound that I can only compare to Italian exotics such as Ferrari. It seems a little odd

“This thing sounds like a Ferrari!”

to be comparing a bike to an exotic car, but the motor sounds like no other I have ridden before and the instant I cracked open the throttle, the only thing that came to my mind is “this thing sounds like a Ferrari!” Of course the trade-off to this vociferous motor is that at cruising speeds the Arrow exhaust is quite loud for a street bike. If you are not one to wear ear plugs while commuting, this bike, fitted with this exhaust, might have you changing your mind.

A sweet sounding motorcycle is all well and good, but the beauty of the Triumph is that the noise you are hearing is actually transferring into some seriously fun power at the rear wheel.

All this joy and happiness is courtesy of a 675cc Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder producing a claimed 108 horsepower and 51 ft-lb. of torque. The torque curve on the Triumph is truly a thing of beauty and the Street Triple R can be launched as docile or as aggressive as your right wrist commands. The Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection performed flawlessly and throttle response was excellent, adding to the complete package of the Triumph's power plant.

Triumph knocked it out of the park when they created this motor; it is exactly what an urban street fighter should be.  Extreme torque down low and the power is 100% useable on the street. I felt like I was riding a 450 dirt bike around town, coming out of slow corners, giving the bike a quick blip of the throttle and floating the front wheel in the air. Having ridden motorcycles for more than 25 years you would think a small thing like dancing the front end around wouldn't be such a big deal anymore but the Triumph Street Triple R does it in such a distinct manner and with such a beautiful pitch that even the most jaded motorcyclist is sure to have an absolute riot. The boring morning commute all of a sudden has a completely different flavor and every stop light is now just one more opportunity to thrust away while tapping into the seamless power delivery while soaking in the sweet melody.