MotoGP World Championship Standings after Round 4, Le Mans

1. Dani Pedrosa     Repsol Honda Team     83     
2. Marc Marquez     Repsol Honda Team     77
3. Jorge Lorenzo     Factory Yamaha Racing     66
4. Cal Crutchlow     Monster Yamaha Tech 3     55
5. Valentino Rossi     Factory Yamaha Racing     47
6. Andrea Dovizioso     Ducati Team     39
7. Alvaro Bautista     Go&Fun Honda Gresini     38 
8. Nicky Hayden     Ducati Team     35
9. Aleix Espargaro     Power Electronics Aspar     20
10. Andrea Iannone     Energy T.I. Pramac Racing     18
11. Stefan Bradl     LCR Honda     17
12. Bradley Smith     Monster Yamaha Tech 3     17
13. Michele Pirro      Ducati Test Team     13
14. Ben Spies     Ignite Pramac Racing     9
15. Hector Barbera     Avintia Blusens     7
16. Randy De Puniet     Power Electronics Aspar     6
17. Danilo Petrucci      Came IodaRacing      4
18. Michael Laverty      Paul Bird Motorsport    3
19. Yonny Hernandez     Paul Bird Motorsport     3
20. Karel Abraham      Cardion AB Motoracing            1
21. Colin Edwards      NGM Mobile Forward Racing      1
22. Hiroshi Aoyama     Avintia Blusens     1

DANI Pedrosa today (19 May) took his second win in succession in typically difficult wet conditions at Le Mans for the French round of the MotoGP World Championship. He crossed the line with a comfortable lead of almost five seconds from Britain’s Cal Crutchlow, who put in his best ever MotoGP performance despite carrying a fractured tibia from a nasty accident in qualifying.

It was Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso who appeared to have the early pace, leading off the line at the only circuit where Ducati has had consistent success in recent years. For much of the race he would swap positions with Pedrosa for the lead, but ultimately as the track dried the Italian could do nothing to hold off the ever-improving Crutchlow, and hard charging 20 year-old Spanish wonder-boy Marc Marquez.

It looked to be a harsh return to reality for Marquez after a fairy tale opening to his maiden MotoGP campaign. The Honda rider slipped down the order in the opening laps and really struggled to find grip and speed in the wet conditions. As the track dried, however, he found his rhythm, and was by far the fastest man on-track in the last few laps, closing down first Hayden – who also had a strong ride on the factory Ducati, and then finally Dovizioso who put in a great performance but once again couldn’t maintain podium-winning pace for a full race distance.

It was a day to forget for the Factory Yamaha team, as reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo faded dramatically after briefly running in second position, ultimately crossing the line in seventh, while Valentino Rossi crashed out of fourth place on lap 17, but re-joined to pick up just four championship points in 12th.

If Crutchlow’s superb second place wasn’t enough for British fans – Scott Redding also took his best ever result in Moto2 today, winning his first race in the class as all of his main championship rivals crashed out. He now leads the Moto2 standings by 24 points.

MotoGP race results from Le Mans, France

1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 49m 17.707s 
2. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) +4.863

3. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) +6.949
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (GP13) +10.087
5. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Team (GP13) +18.471
6. Alvaro Bautista ESP Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RC213V) +23.561
7. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) +27.961
8. Michele Pirro ITA Energy T.I. Pramac Racing (GP13) +40.775
9. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) +41.407
10. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) +1:00.995
11. Andrea Iannone ITA Energy T.I. Pramac Racing (GP13) +1:05.110
12. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) +1:16.368
13. Aleix Espargaro ESP Power Electronics Aspar (ART CRT) +1:24.200
14. Danilo Petrucci ITA Came IodaRacing Project (Suter-BMW CRT) +1:25.726
15. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (ART CRT) +1:32.111
16. Colin Edwards USA NGM Forward Racing (FTR-Kawasaki CRT) +1:40.602
17. Michael Laverty GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART CRT) +1 Lap 
18. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki CRT) +1 Lap 
19. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki CRT) +1 Lap 

DNF:
Yonny Hernandez COL Paul Bird Motorsport (ART CRT) +8 Laps
Randy De Puniet FRA Power Electronics Aspar (ART CRT) +13 Laps
Lukas Pesek CZE Came IodaRacing Project (Suter-BMW CRT) +13 Laps
Claudio Corti ITA NGM Forward Racing (FTR-Kawasaki CRT) +21 Laps
Bryan Staring AUS Go&Fun Honda Gresini (FTR-Honda CRT) +27 Laps

AN 800cc version of MV Agusta's F3 675 will be on sale early 2014.

MV have stated that the project is well under way, with development models undergoing final testing.

The inline-three cylinder engine for the new model already exists in the Brutale and Rivale and it's thought the new 800cc F3 will use the same chassis as the current F3, keeping development time for this new model to a minimum.

The 140bhp superbike will be aimed squarely at Ducati's 848 and Suzuki's GSX-R750. Although by the time it's launched, Ducati may have already replaced the 848 with a new Panigale-style middleweight sportsbike.

The new F3 800 is expected to use the firm's MVICS electronics package and also come with ride-by-wire, ABS and power modes.

The firm's F3 675 costs £9,999, so expect don't expect much change from £11,000.

Never as pretty as an RC30 but still a stunning piece of kit. It's Friday and that's my excuse for posting a few pictures of this beefy classic.

If you want more, click here to read our feature: Bike Icon: Yamaha FZR750R OW-01.

Street Triple launched in 2007, with detuned (107 bhp) Daytona 675 engine and handsome, minimal bodywork a la Speed Triple

Street Triple R released in 2008. With uprated brakes and adjustable suspension, it was essentially a naked Daytona. Cool matt paint too

Second-generation Street Triple, 2012, has new-shape headlights first seen on 2011 bike. Exhaust moves from underseat to side-slung. Power now at 105 bhp. ABS available

Second-gen Street Triple R, 2013: as before, better suspension and brakes over the standard bike. ABS available

Click to see how Visordown owners rate the Street Triple/R's engine, handling, brakes, comfort and build quality

Many Striples return 40 mpg, but economy ranges from 33 to 50+. Click to enlarge.

AFTER a crescendo of excited rumours and a frenzy of design mockups and spy shots, the Street Triple was launched in late 2007. Marrying a version of the 675cc engine from the Daytona with the looks of the Speed Triple, the Street Triple was a smaller, lighter, nimbler – dare we say it, more real-world – version of the iconic hooligan streetfighter. The icing on the cake was launch pricing of just £5,349.

The formula proved an instant winner: there was an initial waiting list stretching months. The Street Triple kept up the performance and has been Triumph’s best-selling model for the past five years, and the manufacturer has shipped over 50,000 units globally.

The standard Street Triple made 107 bhp, good for 140 mph, and 51 lb-ft of torque – over four-fifths of the latter available as low as 3,500 rpm. With plenty of oomph across the rev range and a perfectly balanced chassis and 167 kg weight making it eager and flickable, it was billed as one of the best bikes of the year.

An R version was launched in 2008, featuring fully adjustable suspension and uprated brakes – what was lacking in the standard version vis-à-vis the Daytona - and a slightly different riding position thanks to Magura bars, besides cool matt paint schemes. 

The new-look 'insect eye' headlights of the 2011 Speed Triple were also taken up by the 2011 Street Triple, and despite a universal 'urrggh!' from the public, found its way on the second-generation Street Triple the following year, as well as the subsequent R version.

Lighter, smoother and more refined, if less in-your-face than the originals, the second-generation Streets remain the benchmark for midweight nakeds that get your juices splashing about. 

Visordown owner survey

Seventy-two owners filled in our survey; we thank them for their input. Collectively they’ve travelled over half a million miles on their Street Triples, and we’ve distilled their reported experiences to bring you the vital information on this popular Triumph.

A significant proportion of owners, 41.4%, have the 2012 model, with the 2010 model being the next most quoted (14.3%). The R version is more popular than the standard, with 60% of owners opting for it. 

The majority (63.4%) of our sample bought their Street Triples brand new, and a further 10% bought bikes with less than 1,000 miles on the clock. But they’ve been racking up the miles rapidly, with more than 30% of the bikes now sporting between 10,000 and 30,000 miles on their odos; one respondent can’t seem to get off his/her bike, having racked up over 50K miles.

Tyres

Street Triples roll off the assembly lines wearing Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsas, which are retained on 42% of respondents’ bikes, along with the odd Strada or Supercorsa. The most common aftermarket tyres fitted are Michelin (Pilot Road 2/3, Pilot Power, Power Pure), Dunlop (Roadsmart, Sportsmart, Qualifier/II) and Bridgestone (Battlax, S20).

Fuel economy

Striples seem to return about 40 mpg, give or take a bit varying on owners’ enthusiasm with the throttle. 26% of surveyed machines returned that precise figure, while about 11% of respondents each got 37, 42 and 45 mpg from their bikes. About 4% somehow get more than 50 mpg. The adjacent graph shows the miles per gallon breakdowns according to our owners.

Fit and finish

Triumphs are generally well-built and the Speed Triple is no exception; an impressive 97% of respondents said that they were happy with its fit and finish – the only significant complaint was about the R’s matt paintwork, with an owner saying it chipped, scratched and stained too easily. That's not to say the Street Triple is a perfect motorcycle; you can read about its issues on the next page of this guide.

Read about the bike's problems, improvements and accessories, servicing, used prices and owner opinions on page 2/2 of the Triumph Street Triple buyers guide. 

Cosmetic mods are de rigueur on the Speed Triple

Electrical glitches seem to be the Striple's bugbear. Click to enlarge image

Don't leave home without a fly screen... The most popular accessories. Click to enlarge image.

How to check the underside of the bike

Problems

Over two-thirds (68%) of respondents had experienced no problems at all. But the Striple does have its issues, with electrical problems account for two-thirds of owner complaints. Indeed, Triumph recalled bikes in April 2011 to replace the troublesome rectifier regulator, which some respondents noted, also mentioning dead batteries, wiring issues, and alternator failures. 

Some respondents are dissatisfied with the bike's rear suspension and rear brake, while owners have also experienced coolant leaks; stuttering and incorrect exhaust mapping; replacements of the cam-chain tensioner, wheel bearings and crank position sensor, and a broken shifter shaft. 

You can see a breakdown of problems by type, by clicking the chart on the right.

Improvements and accessories

The leading items on owners’ wishlists are a better seat (14.2%) and improved suspension (10.1%), followed by a fuel gauge, a smaller turning radius, more underseat storage, and better mirrors. Some nostalgics pined for the old logo and headlights; some wanted options or aftermarket goodies as standard (ABS, bellypan, alarm, etc). Wishes were also expressed for better fuel economy, more leg room, revised gearing and better fuelling, stronger rear brakes, adjustable rear sets and an oil sight glass. 

Owners just love accessorising their Speed Triples. Nearly 4 in 5 bikes (78.7%) are fitted with flyscreens, while rear huggers (55.7%), bellypans (54.1%), exhausts (41%) and tail tidies (27.9%) are also popular. Crash bungs seem to be a must-do, and aftermarket levers, aftermarket seats and cowls, and bar-end mirrors also appear on numerous bikes.

Service intervals and costs

Minor services are due at 6,000 miles, then 18,000 miles, and so on, and cost in the region of £150-£200. Major services are at 12,000 miles, then 24,000 miles, and so on, and will set you back anywhere between £300 and a rather steep sounding £600. 

Prices

Triumph wants £6,999 for a new Street Triple and £7,650 for the R, with ABS a £350 option on both. There are discounts to be had on the base models (standard non-ABS bikes), don’t hesitate to negotiate with your dealer.

Striples hold their value well. Glass’s Guide Retail prices start at four grand for a 57-plate Street Triple with 12,000 miles, rising by £100 for every six months newer the bike is, or £125 from the 59 plate. A 12-plater currently retails for about £5,500. The R, meanwhile, starts at around £4,800 for a 58-plate with 10,000 miles, and a 12-plate is in the region of £6,200.

Browsing the major classifieds, we found plenty of bikes for sale, more than 180, with 90 per cent of these being trade ads. The cheapest clean bikes were an 08-reg private bike with only 4,000 miles (!) and a fair few accessories going for £3,995, and a 58-reg trade bike with less than 20,000 miles listed at £4,100. 

Useful links

Read our reviews of the 2007 and 2013 Triumph Street Triple/R.

See how Visordown readers rate the Street Triple / R, or add your own reviews.

Looking for a different bike? We have nearly 50 more motorcycle buyer guides!

Hat-tip to all the Visordown readers, as well as the enthusiastic folks over at the Triumph Rat forum, who responded to our Street Triple owner survey.