After Triumph posted record profits in 2011, the company's outlook has improved dramatically compared to just a handful of years ago. But the British bike maker is not taking its new found success lightly, with plan to aggressively protect its market share with new models.
As MV Agusta eyes off the 675cc three-cylinder sports and naked bike markets with the F3 675 and Brutale 675, Triumph is working on the next evolution of its popular 675cc naked bike.
The 2013 Triumph Street Triple has been spotted undergoing testing in Spain recently and the spy photos show off plenty of new details, including lots of new metal and plastic work.
The tank is all-new, and the seat section appears to be updated as well, which would suggest a new rear subframe has been crafted. New rearsets are in there too.
The underseat exhausts have been ditched, replaced by a single low slung unit that exits underneath the swingarm. It's hard to see from the angle shown in the photo but sources say it similar to some Buell exhausts.
An all-new swingarm gives the rear end a sleek new look and together with changes to the frame has the potential to sharpen up the bikes handling.
Up front new mirrors and slightly more angular twin headlights deliver a touch more menace to the bike. New plastic covers flank the radiator and the overall effect works well; it's a simpler, tidier design that should be able to compete against its upcoming Italian rival from MV Agusta.
It's not yet know whether Triumph will tweak the inline three-cylinder engine for more power, but the change of exhaust system from twin to single can might make it easier to liberate more herbs from the torquey engine.