The 2020 Triumph Street Triple S Makes Less Power Than Before

A top-down approach seems the way to go for Triumph and its Street Triple series. The brand started off with the RS, the pick of the litter, and has now moved down the ladder to update the Street Triple S. For 2020, the naked streetfighter features a couple of cosmetic and mechanical changes.

The biggest change in the Street Triple S would be the adoption of a smaller 660cc inline-triple motor, which complies with the European A2 licence. In its restricted state, the bike’s performance is capped to 47.6PS at 9000rpm and 60Nm at 5250rpm. That said, one could de-restrict the motor from any official Triumph dealer to extract its full capabilities -- that's 95.2PS at 11,250rpm and 66Nm at 9250rpm.

Granted, the bike now complies with Euro5/BS6 emission norms, but it loses out on performance. For instance, the current BS4 model sold in India makes 113PS at 11,250rpm and 73Nm at 10,421rpm, mated to a 6-speed transmission. While the bike’s performance doesn’t match up to the top-spec current S variant, it does get a reworked exhaust just like the new-gen ‘RS’ which offers a deeper exhaust note. 

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The bike gets two riding modes: Road and Rain, along with adjustable throttle response and traction control settings, which can be tinkered with via the LCD display. On the styling front, the S variant embodies the spirit of the manic RS. In essence, it features the same distinctive twin LED headlights with position lights, angular bodywork, a new fly screen, air intake, side panels and rear unit. It even gets restyled mirrors with increased adjustability and a new paint scheme.

Its mechanicals though remains pretty much unchanged. Essentially, the 2020 Street Triple S comes equipped with a 41mm USD and an adjustable preload monoshock with a piggyback reservoir, both from Showa. Anchoring the bike are twin 310mm disc clamped by sliding calipers from Nissin and a single-pot caliper from Brembo mated to a single disc at the rear. Interestingly, the 17-inch wheels on the 2020 model come wrapped in stickier Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres compared to the current BS4 model, which rides on Pirelli Diablo Rosso II. Weirdly enough, the 2020 Street Triple S is 2kg heavier than the current-gen model despite packing a smaller engine.

Triumph loves giving its customers the option to personalise their bikes, and the 2020 Street Triple S isn’t any different. There are over 60 genuine accessories to choose from for added performance, protection, comfort and style. This includes new scrolling LED indicators, machined mirrors and reservoirs, colour coordinated belly pan and seat cowl, plus new flyscreen visor and a Triumph bi-directional quick-shifter. If that's not enough, customers could also slap on an Arrow slip-on silencer, tail tidy, internally wired heated grips, and paddock stand bobbins.

But what do all these changes mean for you? To put it simply, you as a customer will receive an updated bike that puts out lower tailpipe emissions. It’s also friendlier than before, which should make transitioning from smaller motorcycles easier. Furthermore, its smaller motor could also bring down the price of the bike by a substantial margin, facilitating enthusiasts to hop onto the Triumph bandwagon. Unfortunately, the 2020 Street Triple S is unlikely to make it to India. So we'd just have to make do with the current BS4 model, which retails at Rs 9,19,500 (ex-showroom).