TRIPLE STRUCK

Getting enticed by a fun-packed naked streetfighter

- Janak Sorap

First gear slotted, I slipped the clutch till we got rolling. After a quick check of the surroundings, a proper twist of the throttle sent the front wheel skimming endlessly over the tarmac. By the time I shifted to third, the speed limit was left far behind. And before I knew it, it was time to haul on the brakes to bring things back to sanity. Was I scared? Well, enough to leave my limbs trembling. Would I do it again? Absolutely. This is what the Triumph Street Triple has always been about. And the new Street Triple R is a lot more civilised as compared to the earlier 675s that offered nothing but power without any rider aids, too.

While I had gained control of the speed, my fellow road users seemed to adhere to some kind of formation which left no choice but to match my pace till a clear path was found past them. In this mode, in fourth gear, the Street Triple R calmly cruised along at 40-50 kph which is quite surprising for a 765cc middleweight motorcycle. Then again, that’s the thing about streetfighters; they scare the life out of you and then filter through traffic as if nothing happened.