The manufacturer describes the new 2022 Triumph Speed Triple RS as “A revolution in performance - the fastest, most torquey and most powerful Speed Triple ever” (this model is presented as a 2022 and 2022 model at the same time).
A strong statement, but the list of changes, updates, improvements and modifications at least confirms the serious intentions behind this statement. It included an updated engine, which became almost 7 kilos lighter and grew to 1160cc, a new lightweight aluminum frame, a new exhaust system, gearbox, easy-squeeze slipper clutch, quickshifter and much, much more. For a model that Triumph says is “built for the road first,” it delivers absolutely stunning performance that's well suited for the track. The manufacturer, of course, is being modest, because Triumph also conducted the test on the track.
What is this “road” road bike like on the track? I put on my gear and go ahead.
Versatility of the 2022 and 2022 Triumph Speed Triple RS
The key to track day success? A well-balanced motorcycle that is easy, fun and not scary to ride, that handles well and allows you to confidently explore the edges of your skills. The stock Speed Triple RS is equipped with high-quality components that allow you to find this very balance in it, customize the motorcycle for yourself and begin to explore your capabilities.
Once in the saddle of the Triumph Speed Triple RS 2021-2022, the first thing I did was adjust the levers. The brake lever has not only an adjustable distance to the grip, but also some modulation of free play. Choose what is closer to you - progressive and smooth brake response or aggressive instant bite and a sharp increase in braking force. The wide handlebars and neutral position of the footpegs are not easily changed, and it took some fiddling to find the optimal riding position for the track. I touched the surface with the footrest a couple of times while leaning deeply, but overall the fit and ergonomics of the Speed Triple are quite suitable for the track. The same goes for the compact chassis, which is more nimble and easier to handle than many 600 and 1000 cc motorcycles that have been ridden on the track.
But the most important tunes for the track are the suspensions, and the 43 Ohlins NIX30 inverted fork and Ohlins TTX36 rear monoshock with remote reservoir are some of the best components available on the market . Both suspensions are equipped with spring preload, rebound and compression adjustments. In the stock setting, the suspensions turned out to be a little soft for the track, which is mainly expressed in sloppy behavior during powerful acceleration when exiting a turn. I tightened both suspensions two clicks in compression and rebound, and this made their work significantly more harmonious and intelligible.
Triumph Speed Triple RS 2022 and 2022 dashboard
Triumph Speed Triple RS Riding Modes
Everything is as it should be: customizable riding modes allow you to literally set the character of the motorcycle to your liking. Of course, I mostly drove in Track mode, but I decided to check everything. Including even Dozhdevoy, in which he drove one lap. After a full-powered Track motorcycle, the Dozhdevoy motorcycle seems dull , but I’m sure that in the rain on slippery asphalt it will be just right.
Driving modes cannot be switched on the fly, and each time you have to stand in the pit lane to do this. After Dozhdevoy, I happily switched to Road and was rewarded with much more power and a perfectly smooth and predictable engine response to gas. But ABS intervenes too often in this mode, so I continued my research.
Sport mode turned out to be more responsive , and ABS intervenes later. But still, the most interesting thing is the Track : in terms of response, it is exactly the same as the Sports, but it has a couple of interesting features that should appeal to track enthusiasts. The two modes differ in the behavior of the optimized tilt ABS and traction control. Actually, in Track ABS goes into “normal” mode (without taking into account the angle of inclination) and works according to a special track algorithm, in which the permissible slip thresholds are raised, and ABS intervention becomes minimally noticeable.
The combination of traction control and wheelie control is impressive: a couple of clumsy attempts to lift the front wheel off the gas resulted in the bike instead of wheelie delivering acceleration so powerful it was simply breathtaking. However, those who like to save a little on the front tires can rest easy: all this is customizable and even completely disabled.
What's new in the 2022 Street Triple RS?
Engine
In the previous model, the first two gears were quite high, and everything would be fine, but on a horseback engine it is inconvenient in the city, although quite good for the track. The 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS retains the top traction, but also improves the mid-range and the lower gear ratios have been changed. Triumph also changed the intake port and exhaust camshaft. Thanks to a number of other modifications, it was possible to reduce rotational inertia by 7 percent, and as a result obtain 9 percent higher thrust at 8,000 rpm. Peak thrust is now achieved at a lower rotation speed of 9350 rpm, compared to the previous 10800 rpm. Peak power, according to Triumph chief engineer Stuart Woods, remains unchanged at 121 hp. at 11,750 rpm, exactly 1000 before the cutoff.
We know that in the Street Triple the developers used valve overlap - this means that at a certain moment both the intake and exhaust valves open at the same time, increasing power, but usually here we are talking about top-end power. Valve overlap has been reduced for the 2022 model. In addition to changes to the engine, the model received a new exhaust to increase power at mid-range speeds and comply with Euro5 econorms. The exhaust has a higher flow rate and features dual catalytic converters, but still produces a great sound that Triumph says is even better.
Triumph Street Triple RS 2020
Quickshifter
Another improvement in the new Street Triple RS 2022 is a two-way quickshifter, which is now included in the stock RS configuration. Woods also announced a number of changes to the transmission to improve quickshifter performance. More precise manufacturing of parts made it possible to do without anti-backlash gears in the transmission, and thereby reduce weight.
Why was a quickshifter added to the base version of the Street Triple RS, and not, for example, an inertia measuring device for inclined ABS and traction control? The fact is that this was done at the request of users. According to Perkins, Street Triple buyers want a quickshifter and are much less interested in tilt ABS. Triump is also interested in keeping the price of the Street Triple within certain limits. Sure, the RS isn't a budget model, and that's evident from the components from the brakes to the suspension to the electronics, but Triumph managed to sell more than 90,000 Street Triples by getting the price right, and an inertia-measuring device would push the price beyond the psychological mark.
Design
In addition to the technical changes, the new RS has been subjected to a number of design tweaks, small but effective.
The original Street Triple had round headlights with chrome housings. This decision was inspired by the canons of the “street fighter” class. A street bike was made like this: a beat-up sportbike was taken, cleaned of any remaining plastic, equipped with handlebars instead of clip-ons and some simpler headlights, and the result was a comfortable motorcycle with an upright seating position, urban ergonomics and not weak characteristics of a sportbike. Triumph simply took it and made a similar production motorcycle, eliminating the need for buyers to pound sportbikes and look for spare parts.
However, over time Triumph ditched the round chrome headlights and some people didn't like it. The company has tinkered with the headlights a little more, and visual changes for the 2022 model are primarily visible at the front—new, more prominent daytime running lights sit on top of the LED headlights. Another interesting change is best seen from the side: the new headlights began to protrude somewhat less from the plastic, and thus a more laconic silhouette of the front end was achieved. Will this help win over the chrome classic headlight crowd? Probably no. But let's hope the grumblers have less reason to grumble.
But enough about the headlights. Let's take a look at the Triumph Street Triple RS 2020 from the other side: aerodynamic through air ducts appeared on the tail section, which have recently come into use on powerful motorcycles such as the Ducati Panigale V4 and Yamaha YZF-R6. Also from the aerodynamic body kit, the RS has a plow at the bottom and a hump on the tail, which can be replaced with a passenger seat if necessary. Also noticeable throughout the bike are changes in the design and finishing of small parts, such as the branded handlebar spacer, heel guards, new shape of the handlebar end mirrors and carbon muffler trim.
The instrument panel in the form of an LCD screen received an optional Bluetooth module, which allows you to connect a phone or GoPro camera to the motorcycle and control it from the dashboard. And with the MyTriumph app, navigation assistance is also available: select your route in the app, and the instrument screen will indicate turning directions using special icons.
The 2022 Street Triple RS will be available in two color options: Silver Ice with red accents, and Matt Jet Black with yellow accents.
Engine Speed Triple RS 2021-2022
There's a lot to be said about the character of Triumph's threes, and this mighty 1160cc engine is no exception. With 180 horsepower and 125 Nm of thrust, the Speed Triple RS is capable of satisfying the needs of even the most power-hungry rider. The light-squeeze slipper clutch and quickshifter further increase the engine's capabilities: gear shifts are extremely smooth, even when intensively shifting several gears in a row. Like most liter bikes, the Street Triple's gears are on the high side, and on a track with short straights it will most often be in second or third. Fortunately, the Speed Triple's torque curve is wide enough that it can pick up quite well even from relatively low revs.
Motor Triumph Speed Triple RS 2022 and 2022
Triumph talks quite a lot and loudly about the new exhaust system. Thus, about the Speed Triple RS it was said that “this Speed Triple sounds the best ever produced, with a guttural growl of the intake and a distinctive triple howl of the exhaust.” I’m not an audiophile, and I don’t really understand their terms, and as for me, the sound of the RS exhaust cannot be called a “howl,” even though it sounds good. I think a tuned muffler should change that, but with the stock one it sounds literally a couple of notches louder than the “delicate” mark.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
ENGINE TYPE 3-cylinder in-line liquid cooled, 12 valves, DOHC
ENGINE CAPACITY 1160 cm3
CYLINDER DIAMETER 90 mm
STROKE 60.8 mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 13.2:1
POWER 180 hp (132.4 kW) at 10,750 rpm
TORQUE 125 Nm at 9000 rpm
INJECTION SYSTEM Multipoint electronic injection with electronic throttle control
EXHAUST SYSTEM Stainless steel, type 3 in 1
WHEEL DRIVE X-ring chain
CLUTCH Multi-disc in oil bath
GEARBOX 6-speed
Why Triumph Speed Triple RS is called urban
In 1994, a new company revived the legendary Triumph name, and the Speed Triple was one of their first models. More than 100,000 of them were sold, and it was largely thanks to this model that the streetfighter/hypernaked/sports road category was formed and settled down, and the new Triumph gained character, fame and reputation. In subsequent years, it was eclipsed by newer models, in particular the Street Triple, which became more cubical and generally interesting, and the once legendary Speed Triple practically disappeared into history. Meanwhile, competitors were making 200-horsepower hypernaked bikes like the Kawasaki H2, Ducati Streetfighter V4, and many others were approaching this figure. In 2022 and 2022, the Speed Triple RS aims to restore honor and respect to the legendary name and take a new position in the market. Actually, that’s why the more basic versions were removed from the line and only RS was left with all the technologies and top-end components.
It's not entirely clear why Triumph calls the Triumph Speed Triple RS a "city bike first and foremost" - and then tests it on a track. With fully adjustable suspension, a very tractable engine and even adjustable control arms, the Speed Triple is a truly capable road performer, but can it really deliver on the road? We'll see.
Triumph Speed Triple RS 2022 and 2022
In the meantime, I know for sure that the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS 2021-2022 is an excellent track motorcycle, equipped with top-end components, riding modes for all conditions, and an engine that can outperform almost any in-line four. So for those guys who come to the track under their own power, the Speed Triple is an excellent option, the capabilities of which will not be so easy to exhaust, and at the same time comfortable in normal city use.
