Triumph Street Triple R bookings open at select dealerships

• Select dealers are accepting bookings for the new Triumph Street Triple R

• Street Triple R will replace the Street Triple S as the base model for India

• Expected to be priced around Rs 9.5 lakh (ex-showroom)

Back in April, we brought you the news that Triumph had plans to bring in one more bike from the Street Triple family, a model that India has never had before – the Street Triple R. The bike is now expected to launch sometime this month and we’ve just found out that select dealers have opened bookings for the same.

For years, the Street Triple R used to be the range-topping version, but with the introduction of the new 765cc engine in 2016, Triumph bought in the even higher-spec RS model. From 2017 onwards, Triumph sold the Street Triple 765 RS and the base S variant in India, but the R wasn't available. A big change in the model line-up overseas changes the bikes that are sold in India.

For 2020, the Street Triple S comes with a 660cc engine that is compliant with Europe’s A2 learner license regulations. The R model has been updated to Euro 5, but it also loses a couple of features like the TFT dashboard, which has helped Triumph price it lower than the model it replaces. Nevertheless, it still gets features like an up-down quickshifter, fully adjustable suspension from Showa, Brembo M4.32 brake calipers up front and Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres.

The 2020 Triumph Street Triple R has a whole lot more kit than the rather bare-bones Street Triple that it replaces in India. However, the top-spec RS differentiates itself with even better suspension, brakes and tyres, as well as two more riding modes and some styling differences.

The dealers we spoke with indicated that the new Street Triple R will cost slightly more than the old Street Triple S which was priced at Rs 9.2 lakh. We expect it to be around the Rs 9.5 lakh mark, or maybe even lower. For reference, the range-topping Street Triple RS is priced at Rs 11.13 lakh, but it is about to receive a price hike later this month.

When it launches, the 2020 Triumph Street Triple R will rival the newly launched BMW F 900 R, as well as the soon-to-be-launched BS6 KTM 790 Duke. At some point, Ducati will launch a BS6-compliant Monster 821, which will also be a direct rival. The BS4 790 Duke retailed for Rs 8.63 lakh (ex-showroom), but we have learned that the BS6 model is due for a small price increase.