Triumph last week invited 5 journalists to test the prototype of the Moto2 engine which will equip all motorcycles in this intermediate Grand Prix category from 2019.
“For this motorcycle, we have no spare parts”… The tone is set: we test, but we don’t break it!
The bike itself was the same as the one seen at the EICMA show in Milan, that is to say a Street Triple RS courseified with K-Tech suspensions, OZ forged wheels, Slick Dunlop Moto2 tires, a GPR steering damper and ABS removed…
The interest therefore came from the engine controlled in Ride-by-Wire which has been very significantly modified compared to the base of the series 765 cc three-cylinder.
Cylinder head ducts have been modified to CNC, camshafts, titanium valves and valve springs changed, just like the Arrow exhaust, while the airbox remains standard.
Also with a smaller alternator, the propeller has thus gained 12 horsepower compared to the 123 of the road model, and, with 135 horses, so it totals around 15 more than the current Honda Moto2 engine.
In view of its increase in speed, the inertia of its mobile equipment also seems very low...
It is equipped with a FCC limited slip clutch and a electronic Magneti Marelli which, for the moment, does not include Traction Control.
At the moment the racing engine is 4,4 kilograms lighter than the standard one.
The side casings have been reduced, the water radiator has had its capacity increased and the gearbox has a longer first gear, the other gears remaining as standard.
After the tests which were carried out in three sessions of four laps with good weather conditions, it appears from the comments that the main characteristic of this engine is flexibility, even with the first extension.
Picking up very well from low revs, which will be useful during hairpins in first gear, the three-cylinder begins to push hard and in a linear manner from 6000 rpm, and really explodes from 10 rpm until its maximum speed of 500 rpm (14 in the race).
The testers also noted an engine brake set very “strong” causing the rear wheel to shift. They also praised the chassis and its very dry suspensions transmitting the slightest gravel onto the track.
In the end, and according to the words of these test drivers who are not Grand Prix drivers, this development prototype already seems very successful even if, according to Steward Wood, Triumph project manager, it remains lots of work to do on the electronics Magneti Marelli which, ultimately, should offer Traction Control, Anti-Wheeling and electronic engine braking.
For the noise, it's here !
