Introduced for the 2009 model year, this middleweight naked roadster marked the brand’s first use of the “R” suffix on the platform. It evolved from the earlier standard version of the same family, but added higher-spec braking and suspension to create a sharper, more focused road bike aimed at riders who wanted a livelier chassis without moving all the way to a full supersport machine. That positioning helped define the bike’s identity: compact, agile, and performance-oriented, yet still usable on the street.
Over time, the model remained part of the company’s roadster lineup as the family evolved through several major updates. The overall concept stayed consistent, but the motorcycle moved with the platform from the earlier 675 cc era into the later 765 cc generation, reflecting Triumph’s broader development of its three-cylinder middleweight range. Within that family, the R version has generally sat between the entry-level variant and the more aggressive top-spec version, serving as the balanced enthusiast choice.
The model continues to appear in Triumph’s current lineup, so there is no confirmed end year for this nameplate. Its long-running appeal comes from blending everyday street usability with the character and handling precision that made the original platform such an important motorcycle in Triumph’s modern history.