Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS (2025 - ) review

Little change to the already winning looks is no bad thing, but there are bigger changes within. Certainly the Speed Triple’s twin headlights and single-sided swing arm make it one of the most distinctive super nakeds and it’s earned its reputation by effectively launching the class in 1994, setting the template in 1997 and becoming the benchmark of its type en route to shifting over 110,000 bikes in its 30 years-plus on sale. Launched in 2021, this latest version upped its sporting credentials to compete with the likes of Aprilia’s Tuono, KTM’s Super Duke, BMW’s S 1000 R and Ducati’s Streetfighter V4 with a new engine rising from 1,050cc to 1,200cc, power jumping from 150 horsepower to 183 horsepower, more aggressive riding position and an part-faired RR café racer version. Those extremes were criticised by some, the RR’s been dropped and this new version has broader performance, active ride that’s both sportier and more real-world comfortable, uprated tech and further refined styling like a new seat hump. The signatures remain, and this is undoubtedly the most sophisticated and classy Speed Triple so far, though you do pay a slight premium for it.

The ‘Speedie’ has always been the definitive super naked, but this version adds refinements. With the old 1200 criticised for being slightly too extreme, this new version is slightly more relaxed with bars 10mm wider and 7mm higher. The result is natural and effective – just sporty enough to be a hoot on track, but also all-day comfortable on the road without straining wrists too much. Sure, 80mph+ has you blasted by the wind, but this is a super naked, so what do you expect? Besides, as before, a wind-cheating flyscreen is available as an optional extra. Otherwise, the 1200 is as substantial and roomy as a full-size super naked should be and feels more mature and grown-up than the 765 Street Triple. 199kg with 90 per cent fuel is slightly more than the old bike, anything saved on lighter wheels and other measures offset against the gain from the steering damper and suspension control systems though, overall, it remains lighter than many.

Stands to reason super nakeds like the Speed Triple are never going to be as versatile and practical as more multi-purpose machines such as sports-tourers like the Yamaha Tracer or ‘adventure sports’ such as the BMW’s S 1000 XR. But Triumph has also been keen to make its latest version the best super naked on the road, and meaning it’s more practical than most rivals. Despite the lack of fairing, day-long comfort is decent, there’s cruise control and options for heated grips, flyscreen and more. The bar-end mirrors are OK, its steering lock sufficient and it’s great around town. Unless you do masses of motorway miles or have a regular pillion you’ll have few complaints.

A new exhaust and internal engine changes to the crank and balancer shafts hits Euro5+ and boosts peak power from 180 to 183 horsepower while, even more impressively, peak torque not only raised but also shifted down the rev range. That takes Triumph’s triple to within spitting distance of the four-cylinder super nakeds of BMW and Ducati while retaining the low-end flexibility and addictive three-cylinder character that makes it stand out. Especially on the road. Fuelling and throttle response are immaculate, off-the-throttle drive is seamlessly available from as little as 3,000rpm before charging to over 10,000rpm. The quickshifter/blipper adds to that gloss, and the electronic rider aid options are more immense than ever, with five standard rider modes, new Front Wheel Lift Control, new Braking Slide Assist and Engine Braking Control plus all the usual traction control and custom settings you’d expect of a premium performance machine. Braking is little changed, but then there wasn’t much wrong with it in the first place. The twin Brembo Stylema radial calipers and radial master cylinder remain premium and powerful.

While the new Speed Triple’s performance is enhanced and broadened, its ride and sophistication are revolutionised. The new Öhlins Smart EC3 suspension links semi-active NIX 30 EC forks and TTX 36 EC shock to an electronic control unit, the hardware also seen on the likes of the Honda Fireblade and Ducati’s Panigale and Streetfighter but the tuning specific to the Speed Triple following direct collaboration between Triumph and the Swedish suspension specialists. The result is immensely sophisticated and would take pages to explain but the basics are three suspension presets – Comfort, Normal and Dynamic – which can then be customised through a range of seven different parameters such as Front/Rear Firmness, Acceleration Support, Cruising Support and adjustable to rider weight. In short it just works, with a plush, comfortable ride when cruising and suitably taut control for the track or other more dynamic situations. Just be prepared to spend a lot of time fiddling with it to get it to where you want it!

At the end of the day, the new Speed Triple RS is a powerful, sophisticated and premium machine with a suitably burly starting price and an appetite for tyres, chains, brake pads and fuel plus (likely) chunky insurance costs. That said, although it’s more expensive than the outgoing model Triumph is at pains to emphasise the relative value compared with rivals even if the days of the ‘cheap’ Speed Triple are over and there are no plans for a more basic R version as before.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the new Speed Triple 1200 RS has an updated engine, is Triumph’s most powerful triple so far and debuts an all-new, ultra-sophisticated suspension system so we’ll have to see how dependable it proves. That said, the core engine has been around since 2021, Triumph has a long, record with performance triples, it’s not as highly-strung as some rivals and the Öhlins suspension hardware has also been around for a while. With all that in mind, we don’t expect perfection, but nor do we have any significant reliability concerns.

This is more routine. The new Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS comes with the usual industry-standard two years unlimited mileage warranty covering all parts and labour. Its service schedule is fairly typical for current Triumphs, too, with maintenance checks due annually or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Naked bikes used to basic but not anymore. The Speed Triple 1200 RS not only sees Triumph’s debut with Öhlins Smart EC3 semi-active suspension, it’s also slathered with the latest electronics, has five riding modes, a configurable 5.0-inch TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity plus the very best in cycle parts, like those Brembo Stylema brakes. And, if all that isn’t enough, there’s cruise control, while heated grips and, for the first time, an Akrapovič can are available as extra cost accessories.

If you want a ‘super naked’ that can cut it on track AND make a practical, affordable road bike the new Speedie is pretty much a no-brainer, especially when you factor in that distinctive Triumph triple character and the model’s long heritage. It’s just a shame we’ve lost the option of a more affordable R version.