2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
More power, less weight, slicker chassis and added tech for British super-naked triple
Last year marked 30 years since Triumph released the first Speed Triple – a three-cylinder sporty roadster, available as a 750 or 900, which shared many parts with the modular range which the firm used for its modern relaunch in 1991.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
When the Speed Triple first appeared in 1994, it was up against some fairly anodyne machinery, like the Honda CB750, Kawasaki’s Zephyr 750 and 1100 or Suzuki’s GSX1100. Although to be fair, it wasn’t really taking on any of those bikes directly: it was actually one of the first bikes in a new class, the factory streetfighter, or super-naked as it would become known.
That class grew out of sportsbike owners repairing crashed bikes, but without replacing the costly bodywork panels to save money, making sporty, high-powered machines without fairings.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
Over the following few years, bikes like the Yamaha XJR1200, Kawasaki ZRX1100, Ducati Monster and Suzuki Bandit 1200 would all come out of the woodwork, aiming at the same target audience: riders who didn’t want a fully-faired rocket-ship sportsbike, but still fancied a bit of spark about their bike’s performance.
The XJR and ZRX were arguably more like retro muscle bikes, but the Monster range and the Bandit 1200 were strong competition for the Speed Triple.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
The Triple was an instant hit for Hinckley though, and soon became one of its signature models. The indifferent 750 was dropped, and when Triumph launched its in-house superbike, the T595 Daytona, the Speed Triple hitched a ride on its coattails, getting a similar aluminium frame, high-tech fuel injected engine, and single-sided rear swingarm, as well as the bug-eyed dual headlights that would become its trademark design cue.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
Now, the big Daytona superbike is a distant memory, and plastic-clad sportsbikes are a declining force in the UK market. But the super naked class pioneered by the Speed Triple has never been stronger, with outlandish 210bhp offerings like the Ducati Streetfighter V4, BMW’s M1000R and the KTM Super Duke 1390 fighting for top spot.
And now Triumph’s given its prize fighter a new update for 2025, in a bid to keep it in the running.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
It’s a case of evolution rather than revolution for the Triple though: a quick glance shows that the design is sticking to the current formula: dual pentagonal headlamps, aluminium tube twin-spar frame, the single-sided rear swingarm, and a hunched-forward stance.
Behind the style, is a moderately-comprehensive update: the 1,160cc three-cylinder 12-valve DOHC engine is more powerful than ever, putting out a heady 180.5bhp at 10,750rpm. That’s a fair chunk down on the ultra-nakeds from BMW and Ducati, but of course the triple motor has a torquier delivery that will feel just as strong on the road in most circumstances.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
The bigger capacity will also help here (although remember the Ducati V4 engine is also an 1100). The peak power is up a couple of ponies on last year, thanks to a new exhaust design and revised crankshaft design – which also claims to reduce vibration and improve power delivery.
On the chassis front, there’s the latest version of the Öhlins semi-active suspension front and rear. The firm’s Smart EC3.0 setup uses its so-called ‘Objective Based Tuning Interface’ (OBTi), which claims to let riders easily adjust the suspension’s dynamic damping characteristics in different riding scenarios.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
The seven parameters that can be independently tweaked are Front Firmness, Rear Firmness, Braking Support, Acceleration Support, Initial Acceleration Support, Cornering Support and Cruising Support.
There’s also a new steering damper fitment. Add in Brembo Stylema brake calipers with a Brembo MCS master cylinder, dual 320mm front discs, plus new lighter cast aluminium wheels wearing Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 rubber, and you have a pretty sharp set of running gear.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
The other big update is the IMU-assisted rider aids package, with a new wheelie control function that’s four-way adjustable heading the list. Engine braking is customisable, as is the track-only Brake Slide Assist, which optimises the ABS calibration for the circuit by allowing more front wheel slip and more rear wheel lift.
This maximises performance on track while minimising the system’s intrusiveness levels, all while providing a safety net in case of unexpected conditions. You also get five separate riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport, Track, Rider), Optimised Cornering ABS and switchable Optimised Cornering Traction Control, with the Triumph Shift Assist up/down quickshifter fitted as standard.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
It’s all controlled via a 5″ TFT dashboard/interface and intuitive 5-way joystick and backlit switches. The standard-fit My Triumph Connectivity System enables turn-by-turn navigation, as well as Bluetooth phone link and music control.
On longer trips, there’s a simple cruise control setup, and a new Emergency Deceleration Warning feature activates a high-frequency flash of the brake light to alert other road users in case of hard braking and rapid deceleration. Finally, there’s a new keyless ignition, which operates the ignition, steering lock and fuel filler cap.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
The new 2025 Speed Triple starts at £17,495 OTR, in three colours options: Jet Black, Granite and Diablo Red or Granite and Performance Yellow, all with striking new graphics. Bikes will be arriving in dealerships from April 2025: more info at www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk
SPECIFICATION – 2025 TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1200 RS
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Type
l/c, 12v DOHC inline-triple
Capacity
1,160 cc
Bore
90mm
Stroke
60.8mm
Compression ratio
13.2:1
Maximum power
180.5bhp (134.6kW)@10,750rpm
Maximum torque
128Nm@8,750rpm
Fuel system
Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with electronic throttle control
Exhaust
Stainless steel 3-into-1 header system with underslung primary silencer and side mounted secondary silencer
Final drive
X-ring chain
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate, slip & assist
Gearbox
6 speed
CHASSIS
Frame
Aluminium twin spar frame, bolt-on aluminium rear subframe
Swingarm
Aluminium, single-sided
Front wheel
Cast aluminium, 17 x 3.50 in
Rear wheel
Cast aluminium, 17 x 6.00 in
Front tyre
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 – 120/70ZR17 58W
Rear tyre
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 – 190/55ZR17 75W
Front suspension
Öhlins 43mm fully adjustable USD forks, 120mm travel, SmartEC3 OBTi system electronic compression / rebound damping
Rear suspension
Öhlins monoshock RSU with linkage, 120mm rear wheel travel, SmartEC3 OBTi system electronic compression / rebound damping
Front brakes
Twin 320mm floating discs. Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers, OC-ABS, Brembo MCS radial master cylinder.
Rear brakes
Single 220mm disc. Brembo twin piston caliper, OC-ABS.
Instruments
Full-colour 5″ TFT instruments
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Length
2090 mm
Width (at handlebars)
810 mm
Height
1085 mm
Seat height
830 mm
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Rake
23.9 °
Trail
104.7 mm
Wet weight
199kg
Fuel Tank Capacity
15.5 litres
