Triumph Announced As Official Moto2 Engine Supplier For 2019 Onwards

By David Emmett |

As had been trailed since the start of this year, Triumph have finally been announced as the official engine supplier to the Moto2 class from 2019 onwards. The deal with Dorna will see Triumph supply a specially modified version of the 765cc triple which powers their new Street Triple range of production bikes.

The engine has been modified to produce more power and torque, and to be a little narrower. A modified cylinder head and inlet and exhaust ports provide better breathing, titanium valves and stiffer springs allow the engine to rev more freely, and make it more reliable under braking. A higher first gear replaces the normal street ratio, and the use of a race alternator and racing clutch make the covers narrower.

The engine will produce 133hp and 80Nm of torque in the first instance. The objective of engine development has been especially on reliability and durability rather than outright horsepower. As the engine is one element the Moto2 teams cannot touch, they place a very high stock in the fact that they know the engines will finish races without blowing up or breaking down. 

The Moto2 engine has already been tested by Julian Simon at the Motorland Aragon circult last week. It was tested in a special Moto2 chassis built by Triumph, though Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer for Triumph Motorcycles, ruled out an official Moto2 entry by Triumph, saying that it was very much against the spirit of the class. 

Engines will be made available to the Moto2 chassis manufacturers very soon, so they can get on with the work of designing the chassis to be used in 2019. Alex Baumgärtel of Kalex said that he expected work to start later in the year, with the first tests to happen at the end of 2017. 

Triumph's rationale for racing in Moto2 is very much an exercise in branding. The additional exposure which being official Moto2 engine supplier brings is a huge boost to the Triumph brand, bringing exposure in important growing overseas markets. The Triumph branding in Moto2 will feature more prominently than with current supplier Honda, each bike having a sticker on the fairing, and on the shoulder of each rider.

A selection of photos of the Moto2 engine follows, and below that is the official press release announcing the deal.

TRIUMPH ENGINES POWER THE FIM Moto2TM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FROM 2019  

Today, Triumph Motorcycles has been announced as the exclusive engine supplier to the FIM Moto2TM World Championship from the 2019 season onwards.

Triumph has signed a three-year contract with Dorna - the commercial rights holder of MotoGPTM - to supply a dedicated race tuned 765cc Triumph triple engine, based on the powerplant from the all-new 2017 Triumph Street Triple.

The new engine is a significant development of the race-winning Daytona 675R powerplant that has powered supersports wins at the Isle of Man TT, Daytona 200 and British Supersports Championships in 2014 and 2015.

Based on the highest specification 765cc powerplant from the Street Triple RS it has been developed for Moto2TM with the following modifications;

  • Modified cylinder head with revised inlet and exhaust ports for optimised gas flow
  • Titanium valves and stiffer valve springs for increased rpm
  • Low Output race kit alternator for reduced inertia
  • Taller 1st gear ratio
  • Race developed slipper clutch which will be tuneable
  • Specific race ECU; which will be developed with Magneti Marelli
  • Revised engine covers for reduced width
  • Different sump to allow for improved header run

The engine

Based on the new 2017 Street Triple powerplant, the Triumph Moto2TM 765cc triple engine has been developed and tuned for a major step up in power and torque.

In ‘road’ set-up the new 765cc engine delivers the highest ever level of performance for a Street Triple; delivering power of 123PS @ 11,700rpm and 77Nm Torque@10,800rpm.

It has more than 80 new parts compared to the previous generation engine, including an increase to the bore and stroke. All-new engine components include;

  • new crank
  • new pistons
  • new con-rods and balancer shaft
  • Nikasil plated aluminium barrels
  • Revised gearbox

The race specification Triumph 765cc Moto2 engine has been developed further to allow the engine to breathe more freely and rev harder than the production bike; increasing overall performance. Other changes have been made specifically to adapt the engine for race use.

To see a CGI film of the Triumph Moto2 engine click here: https://youtu.be/bDT8y0WEfxo

Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer for Triumph Motorcycles, said; “This is a significant moment for Triumph that brings an exciting new chapter to our 110-year racing history and builds on our celebrated TT and Supersports race winning triple engines.

We look forward to a long and thrilling relationship with Dorna and the Moto2TM teams, riders and fans.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, Chief Executive Officer of Dorna added; “We are very excited to be working with one of the world’s most iconic motorcycle brands. The Triumph triple engines are renowned for their strong, linear power and torque delivery and have achieved many successes on the track making them the ideal choice for the Moto2TM Championship. We are looking forward to the 2019 season and the beginning of a new generation of Moto2TM in partnership with Triumph.”

Herve Poncharal, President of IRTA, stated; “Moto2™ is a key category in feeding talent into MotoGP™. We’re seeing a lot of top riders in MotoGP all come through the intermediate category. The arrival of Triumph as the sole engine supplier and with new ECU’s in the intermediate class, marks a new era that is sure to prove another incredible step in its evolution, making it remain the ultimate category on the way to MotoGP.

Trevor Morris, Technical Director from ExternPro, who will be responsible for the final preparation of the engines for the race series, commented; “It is incredibly exciting to be working in conjunction with the iconic Triumph motorcycle company in supplying engines for the Moto 2TM world championship. I have been a fan of the triple engine for a long time, its unique characteristics and performance will ensure and enhance the future success of the championship.”

Julian Simon, 2009 125cc World Champion and Moto2 runner-up and experienced Moto2TM test rider, who has been involved with the engine development testing at Aragon, said “The engine feels strong and In particular the mid-range is very impressive. 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.”

Moto2
Mugello, Italy
Triumph
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Comments

It's been reported multiple times. The race teams want the single engine concept to remain the same. It keeps costs way down. Cheaper at the moment to run moto 2 than moto3. Doesn't matter what anyone else says....this rule won't be changing, especially since it's a support class not the main show.

 

 

Although many of us knew of Triumph's likely selection as engine supplier, I and many bevlieved the engne would be a 675 displacement. The 765 likely will make for even more exciting racing in Moto2.

 A great win for Brisith engineering and for Triumph as a brand.   Can't wait for 30+ triples screaming from the start line in 2019. It sure doesn't hurt that the engine looks gorgeous. Much success to Triumph in Moto 2 and throughout the world with their outstanding road bikes. A powerful reliable  engine makes it so much easier to look at riders' talents.  It will be ineresting to see how close to the GP bikes Moto2 will be with the larger engine.  

Enjoyed your Brexit questilon at the press conference. As usual, thanks for your outsanding reporting!  Ciao!

The up side of the Triumph trple are twofold. Firstly, its a break from Honda transverse 4 hedgemony and secondly I'm delighted that the capacity is 765cc rather than 675cc. This capacity and layout lends itself to a big flat torque area that should enable the rider to exploit his skillset rather than focus on pinpoint shifts required with the 600cc 4. What is disappointing is that the mill punches out a paltry 130bhp max. Given that the next step to MGP is around double that (260bhp) for a paltry extra cylinder and 225cc,one wonders what the point is. 800cc bikes were pushing around 200bhp + years ago. Nikasil liners are nothing new. My old 500 Ducati Pantah has run the same liner since 1979. My 17 year old 748R pushes out 108bhp at a moderate 10000rpm abouts. I understand this all goes about cost saving and reliability pertaining to the intermediate class,argued as the stepping stone to MGP. in my eyes it will remain the 'lunchbreak' class on any race day, not even comparable to Superstock in SBK as a direct result of a lack of diversity. This intermediate class needs to be what 350cc 2 stroke class was to 500cc 2 stroke donkey's years back. Twin cylinder, free for all, spec ECU. i always touted 81mm bore 500cc twins which could probably deliver the same 130bhp(unreliably granted). However, as the goalpost has been shifted to nigh on 800cc, a twin of similar capacity will certainly and reliably punch out the same torque and 160bhp. This would provide a way better platform as a stepping stone from M3 to MGP along with the massive spectacle of 8 manufacturer's competing. Anyway, it is cast in stone for now and is a step up from the 'howl', if only to be replaced by the intermediate' howl/drone' of the class. I do respect the guys who have to come through this class to premier class as it is probably the toughest to make a name for yourself in.

 

The idea, apparently, is to give access to acceleration regardless of how many revs you're turning. An oversimplification, but you get the idea. Instead of having to keep it "on the pipe," just twisting the throttle becomes a reasonable alternative.

So, horsepower, although the number for which most yearn, becomes less important than torque. I'm assuming the torque figures will be pleasing.

Given that the QP differential is roughly 5 seconds per lap between Moto2 and MGP at Mugello today, a hyperspeed circuit and my favourite, I think the Triumph engined bikes will close the class differntial by 2 to 3 seconds at this same circuit in its inauguration year 5 races in. The proviso is the black magic Tire development. If Dunlop steal a march on Michelin, wait for the howls of horror emanating from the MGP paddock. Perfectly feasable. Top Moto2 does a 1.48 race simulation. Top MGP does a 1.47 race simulation. The top class would certainly feel emasculated by one ball at least, hence my desire to see the intermediate class run along the same lines as Moto3.

Great!
In keeping with what was done w the CBR600RR engine this is a moderate state of tune. Triples are fantastic in the manner they put the power down. And narrow - the new bikes will be a handling step forward. My 675r handles more like a 250GP bike than a 250GP bike. I sometimes yearn for it to be an 800cc and Supersport tuning, but have never had a bike so close to ending my yearning for something more.

This will be very well received