You must be aware of the fact that for the 2019 Moto2 season, Triumph will be providing engines for all the race bikes. This isn’t the latest news and information regarding the same was released months ago. But what remained unclear was the fact that how much power does the new engine has. Well, Triumph has officially announced the answer to that question.
At a press conference in Valencia, alongside Externpro, Magneti Marelli and Dorna, Triumph announced that its Moto2 race engines will make more than 138bhp of max power, which, by the way, is more than what Honda engines produced (130bhp). The 765cc inline 3-cylinder engine is based on the Triumph Street Triple RS production engine, which itself is originally derived from the engine of the Daytona 675.
Stuart Wood, Chief Engineer, Triumph Motorcycles, said, “Triumph has been extremely warmly welcomed by Dorna, its partners and the Press. It really feels like people share our excitement in Triumph’s entry into factory supported, top-flight motorcycle racing. We are confident that our engine development programme has been extremely comprehensive and that the increased power, wide spread of torque and amazing triple sound will bring exciting racing in 2019.”
Triumph Moto2 engine testing
Even before the 2018 Moto2 season started, Triumph was already testing its engine for the motorsport. Triumph says that it has completed a multiple phase testing programme focussed on maximising performance, durability and drivability. There has been an extensive two-year engine development program of factory-based, dynamometer and multiple track locations for testing. More than 2,500 “race pace” laps have been completed at a range of European circuits.
Triumph Moto2 engine modifications
Since the Moto2 engine is based on the Triumph Street Triple RS production engine, it, obviously, couldn’t be used as a straight fit for the Moto2 race bikes. A number of intelligent modifications needed to be done to make this engine capable enough to withstand the sheer beating of a Moto2 race.
To accomplish this, Triumph has used modified cylinder head with revised inlet and exhaust ports for optimised gas flow, a higher compression ratio and titanium valves with stiffer valve springs. There is also a revised cam timing providing increased rpm. We also see high flow fuel injectors, as well as low inertia race kit alternator. The first and second gear ratios have been revised, and a Magneti Marelli ECU has been used. The adjustable slipper clutch is race-developed. Triumph has also supported extensive ECU development testing with Magneti Marelli, supplying the base data and provision of engines, a full test mule and Triumph technical support team. Additionally, ECU development input has also been provided to the chassis manufacturers.
