The MotoGP paddock will soon ring with the whistling tune of three-cylinder engines, as Triumph has announced it will take over from Honda as the sole supplier of Moto2 spec engines from 2019.
It's a step up in capacity for the Moto2 class, which until now has used a modified CBR600RR engine. The new engine will be based on the 765cc motor from Triumph's 2017 Street Triple, which will make race teams happy, as it's much narrower than Honda's 600cc 4-cylinder.
Modifications to the donk will include revised inlet and exhaust ports for optimized gas flow, titanium valves and stiffer valve springs to lift the rev limit, a lower output race kit alternator, a taller first gear, a tuneable slipper clutch, a Magneti Marelli race ECU, narrower engine covers and a slightly modified sump for improved header routing.
Final power figures haven't been announced, but current Moto2 bikes make upwards of 140 horses, and Spirit Motorcycles is making more than 180 out of a stroked-out Triumph 675 for its ludicrous GP Sport R.
It's an interesting choice – the Street Triple isn't even a sportsbike, it's a naked roadster developed for real-world torque not crazy racetrack horsepower. That will all change, with ExternPro preparing to work the engine over for Moto2 use.
Initial feedback from test rider Julian Simon is good: "The engine feels strong and in particular the mid-range is very impressive," Simon said after testing the new engine at Aragon. "The feel between the throttle and the rear wheel is very direct and controllable. The general feeling is very good and the engine already shows great potential."
Check out a video animation below.
Source: Triumph
