2013 Triumph Street Triple spotted!

This exclusive shot is one of the best yet of Triumph’s 2013 Street Triple. Spotted in Spain, where Triumph has a testing base, the 2013 machine is a significant evolution of the existing Street Triple.

The new bike retains key structural and mechanical elements of the current model but wraps them in a new look and has several new components aimed at meeting the challenge from fresh competitor’s such as MV Agusta’s Brutale 675.

The recent change from Triumph’s traditional round headlights to the slanted units on the current Street Triple wasn’t greeted with enthusiasm from all quarters, but now it seems those lights were simply a precursor to an all-new look. Where they look like rather uncomfortable additions to the current Street Triple, the new machine’s more angular styling matches their design and gives a more balanced overall appearance.

Every panel is new, including the fuel tank. The seat, in particular, has changed – looking far lighter thanks to the loss of the old high-level exhausts in favour of a single, low-mounted pipe. On this prototype, the optional-extra Arrow race can is fitted, but both it and the stock exhaust are expected to share a similar appearance.

An interesting feature is the black section of bodywork that wraps around the end can, almost entirely hiding the exhaust exit. This is believed to be made from a high-temperature plastic, and is a styling element never seen on a bike before.

View more exclusive spy shots of the 2013 Triumph Street Triple and read about all of the changes in this week’s issue of MCN (7 December), on sale now.

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