If you’re a well-versed motorcyclist with plenty of motorcycles under your belt, you’ll know just how much weight matters. This not only decides how well/badly the machine handles, but also how much stress the components of your bike are under. Just imagine trying to stop a 500-pound cruiser with a single disc brake versus stopping a 400-pound naked bike with the same setup. Lucky for us, motorcycle makers have always realized that.
That, along with an extra emphasis on performance nowadays, has birthed some brilliant motorcycles that balance lightweight handling with big-bike performance. We’ve set a few pre-requisites, though, such as a minimum of 120 horsepower, a maximum of 420 pounds (wet weight), and an MSRP under $15,000. The latter is primarily to ensure the bikes we talk about are all attainable for the masses. Without further ado, here’s our pick.
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The Triumph Street Triple RS Nails The Balance Between Lightweight Handling And Big-Bike Performance
Considering our prerequisites, the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS is the most accurate pick here. It hits the nail on the head in all parameters, and I can personally vouch for its insanely lightweight handling (having owned it for over two years). As for performance, the latest model has close to 130 horsepower, while the curb weight lies at 414 pounds. The power is spread well in the rev range, along with some extra kick at the top.
Speaking of which, the mill revs to almost 13,000 RPM—not too far from your favorite screamer superbikes. All this comes at an MSRP of $13,845. Although already attainable, you can also find MY25 examples in stock with dealers. These should save you almost $1,000, while you’ll still get exactly the same package as the 2026 bike (barring colors).
What else comes close to nailing this balance, you ask? Well, the KTM 990 Duke R sits in a close second. It promises 128 horsepower from its 947cc engine, while weighing 418 pounds fully fueled. All this comes for an MSRP of $13,399. However, we didn’t pick this because of its engine character. Unlike the screaming triple, the 990 has a large-capacity parallel-twin layout. It will neither sound like a big bike nor feel like it when you give it the beans.
Other than these, we had shortlisted a few other bikes like the Ducati Streetfighter V2, Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory, and Yamaha MT-09. But all of these missed the mark in one parameter or the other. The Streetfighter costs close to $16,000, the Tuono makes just 105 horsepower, and the MT-09 weighs close to 430 pounds (wet). In case you think we missed something, feel free to comment down below, and we’ll happily discuss.
The Street Triple RS Features A Punchy Triple-Cylinder Engine
Triumph is the flagbearer in triple-cylinder engines, and that’s been the case for a long time. In its current avatar, its middleweight triple-cylinder engine displaces 765 cubic centimeters while firing up at a 13.25:1 compression ratio. That, along with a freer-flowing exhaust and new gearing, helps the RS produce 128 horsepower and 59 pound-feet. The former kicks in at 11,500 RPM, while the latter peaks at 9,500 RPM.
You Can See Speeds Of Over 140 Miles Per Hour On The Street Triple RS
When you ride sanely, the mill will happily let you eke out around 50 miles per gallon. But when you’re in the mood, those figures can also take you to an impressive top speed of around 142 miles per hour. Oh, and just so you know, this isn’t the engine’s top speed limit. Triumph has geared the six-speed transmission to limit the maximum speed around this mark. So if you tune things and unlock more revs, there’s more fun to be had.
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There’s No Shortage Of Premium Components On The Street Triple RS
The Street Triple 765 RS is one of the most premium middleweight naked bikes you can buy today. That is primarily down to the high-end equipment on offer. We start with an aluminum perimeter chassis, paired with an aluminum subframe and swingarm. This is then topped with Showa big piston forks and an Ohlins STX40 monoshock. Both ends offer preload, rebound, and compression adjustment.
Brembo Brakes And Pirelli Tires Round Things Off
Topping things off are Brembo brakes. The front end has monobloc Stylema calipers (yes, the same ones found on the Suzuki Hayabusa and Honda CBR1000RR-R), while the rear has a single-piston unit. These mount on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, shod with Pirelli Supercorsa SP V3 tires. All this while, the 765 RS remains accessible for the masses with a seat height of 32.9 inches and a compact wheelbase of 55.08 inches.
Key Dimensions
- Wheelbase: 55.08 inches
- Seat height: 32.9 inches
- Rake: 23.2 degrees
- Weight: 414 pounds
- Tank capacity: 3.96 gallons
An Army Of Electronic Rider Aids Keep You Safe Aboard The Street Triple RS
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The most powerful motorcycle here is a Japanese streetfighter packing 123 horsepower.
Last but not least, the Street Triple RS also has a likable set of features. Yes, the package isn’t as in-depth as the Yamaha MT-09 SP or the MV Agusta Brutale Serie Oro, but you get all the necessary bits, plus some extras. The standard bits include:
- Ride modes (Road, Rain, Sport, Track, and Rider-configurable)
- Traction control
- Wheelie control
- Cornering ABS
- Two-way quickshifter
- 5-inch TFT with display modes
- USB port
- All-LED lights
- Optional Bluetooth connectivity