2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Review

The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is a work of art. Am I exaggerating? Maybe, but it’s also not that far from the truth. When you think of motorcycling, you think of speed, style and precision, and the new Speed Triple RS ticks all of those boxes. It might just be the quintessential motorcycle.

Okay, okay, so adventure bikes are more functional, café racers are more romantic, and most sportsbikes are better on a track, but streetfighter-style (or naked) machines are motorcycles in their rawest form. It's an engine, a frame, a set of 'bars and a set of wheels. And the 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS is a near-perfect example.

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If you’ve been following along, you might know that the original Triumph Speed Triple was introduced back in 1994. Yep, nearly 27 years ago. It was one of the first motorcycles to adopt the streetfighter look – a style that basically stripped sportsbike bodywork down to the bare minimum.

The original model was powered by an 885cc inline three-cylinder engine, with the bike receiving incremental updates (some big, some small) over the next two decades. The last major update came in 2016 with numerous changes to the engine, plus the addition of a ride-by-wire throttle and switchable ABS.

But the 2021 version arguably offers the biggest changes yet, and takes the iconic Speed Triple name right to the top echelon of naked and streetfighter machines.

So what’s new? Well, for starters, the Speed Triple 1200 RS gets a higher-capacity 1160cc triple-cylinder engine that apparently breathes more freely and revs higher. It punches out 177hp (132.4kW) at 10,750rpm and 125Nm at 9000rpm. Those figures represent significant leaps of 29hp and 8Nm over the previous model.

The new Speed Triple 1200 RS is also apparently 10kg lighter than its predecessor with an impressive 198kg wet weight courtesy of a new mass-centralised chassis. Triumph has also added high-spec performance-tuned Ohlins suspension, Metzeler Racetec RR tyres, and Brembo Stylema brakes, as well as a new optimised clutch and gearbox.

By the end of this review, you’ll realise I am a big fan of this bike, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Triumph has also made a few styling changes, but I’m not completely sold on the look of the new machine.

Granted, style is subjective, and the Speed Trip does look better in the flesh compared to photos, but it still isn’t necessarily my cup of tea. For starters, that bug-eye headlight, while iconic, kind of freaks me out a little, and for me this paint scheme is on the bland side.

The Speed Triple 1200 RS sure does look menacing though; it features the muscular and rebellious stance for which streetfighters are renowned, while perhaps giving off some Frankenstein vibes. I’m also a little disappointed that there wasn’t more effort with branding – the Triumph and Speed Triple logos are just stickers, as opposed to badges or elements of the paint finish. Am I being picky? Probably.

But aesthetic complaints aside, the new Speed Triple 1200 RS is a brilliant machine loaded with a wide array of modern tech features. It starts with the new 5-inch TFT screen, with its totally new interface which is intuitive and easy on the eye.

Throw in five ride modes (including a track mode), an up-and-down quickshifter, full LED lighting, keyless ignition, cruise control, and the My Triumph Connectivity system fitted as standard, and its the full package. Of course, as expected, there is also customisable cornering ABS and traction control settings, as well as wheelie control.

The Speed Triple 1200 RS’s starting price tag of $27,900 ride away goes some way to explaining the high level of equipment, but it’s important to note that its key competitors are similarly priced. The KTM 1290 Super Duke R ($28,395 ride away), the Ducati Streetfighter V4 ($29,500 ride away), and the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (about $28,000 ride away) are all within the ball park of the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS.

Of course, the spec sheet tells one story, but the on-road experience tells an even better one. We gave the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R our Bike of the Year honours, but I honestly believe this new Speed Triple 1200 RS gives it a run for its money in terms of pure emotion and excitement.

From the first blip of the throttle, it’s clear the Speed Triple 1200 RS is something special. It gives you the best of both worlds – snappy yet smooth, aggressive yet composed. It accelerates quickly through to a strong mid-range, and will keep on pulling strong right through to the redline. The increase in power and torque is very noticeable, and this engine feels extremely sharp and refined.

Acceleration on the Speed Triple 1200 RS can be a little mind-melting at times, but the bike is by no means hard to master. It is very rideable, and apart from perhaps being a little too eager at slow speeds, it is a very smooth customer. Adding to that smoothness is the impeccable gearbox and quickshifter.

The gear lever action has been perfected in a way that it requires only a small touch to shift up or down, whilst avoiding any unwarranted sensitivity at the same time. Shifting through the gears was an odd joy of riding this motorcycle. It is simply smooth as butter. The only issue is that neutral can be hard to find at first, but you quickly learn to find the sweet spot.

And just in case you’re wondering, the new Speed Triple 1200 RS sounds fantastic too. It offers up a punchy growl when you grab the throttle, and it only gets better as you move through the gears and the rev range. It is a soundtrack worthy of an Academy Award (or at least a nomination!).

A great engine needs a great chassis, and the Speed Triple 1200 RS gets another point in that department. It feels lightweight and agile, yet very stable at high speed. It weighs in at just 198kg, but it feels very solid and stable on the road, despite its excellent manoeuvrability.

Coupled with the Ohlins suspension, the Speed Triple 1200 RS is like a surgeon’s scalpel. It cuts its way through corners with precision, and holds its line right through. But changing direction also poses no issue, because the bike tips in and out with ease.

Despite the precision and high-performance nature of the suspension, the stock settings on the Ohlins package can trip up the machine a little. Both the fork and shock are incredibly stiff (especially the fork), and this can be an issue on typically average Australian roads.

I sometimes found myself flowing through winding country roads only to be shocked back into reality by even the mellowest pothole. At times, it just results in a slight jarring effect through your wrists and neck, but other times it can potentially throw you from your course.

Now, on smooth roads or on a track, this suspension setup would be absolutely spot on. But on bumpy Aussie roads, you’ll want to make full use of the suspension’s adjustability.

That point aside, there is very little to complain about with the new Speed Triple 1200 RS. The ride modes are helpful, the ABS and traction control quietly go about their business, and the brakes get a tick of approval.

The spacious ride position is comfortable too. It offers the ability to get over the tank and attack corners like you’re on a sportsbike, but it is no hassle to sit up and enjoy the scenery either. The seat is comfortable, and the relatively low seat height will satisfy most. The cover over the pillion seat can be removed with tools, but this is a bike that is better experienced alone.

It goes without saying, but the Speed Triple 1200 RS is not a long-distance hauler. Sure, it has cruise control and comfortable ergonomics, but with no wind protection, you’ll find it a little bit of a chore on long highway stretches.

Triumph also claims 5.6L/100km from the 15L fuel tank which, from our brief lockdown ride, is probably not far off the mark. That would probably result in a decent mileage for a bike like this, but either way, you’ll be looking for the nearest rest stop after a 200-250km stint – if not to fuel up, then at least to take a break from the wind's blast.

But if you’re buying a Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS for anything other than a thrilling and pure motorcycling experience, then you're probably looking in the wrong place.

As we said earlier, there are other machines that offer more versatility and practicality, but the Speed Triple 1200 RS is about using a motorcycle for its true original purpose – going fast and having fun.

This iconic name may be nearly three decades old, but with this latest update, it is still as exciting and satisfying as ever. In fact, it's now better than ever. Triumph has smashed this one out of the park; the new Speed Triple 1200 RS is exactly as a motorcycle should be.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, 12-valve, in-line three-cylinder
Capacity: 1160cc
Bore x stroke: 90mm x 60.8mm
Compression ratio: 13.2:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 177.5hp (132.4kW) at 10,750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 125Nm at 9000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: X-ring chain
Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Aluminium twin-spar
Front suspension: 43mm Öhlins NIX30 upside-down forks, fully adjustable
Rear suspension: Öhlins TTX36 twin-tube monoshock, fully adjustable
Front brakes: Twin 320mm discs with Brembo Styleme monobloc calipers, OC-ABS
Rear brake: 220mm disc, with Brembo twin-piston caliper, OC-ABS
Tyres: Metzeler Racetec RR K3; front 120/70 ZR17, rear 190/55 ZR17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 23.9 degrees
Trail: 104.7mm
Claimed dry weight: 198kg
Seat height: 830mm
Wheelbase: 1445mm
Fuel capacity: 15.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $27,900 ride away
Colours: Sapphire Black or Matte Silver Ice (as tested)
Bike supplied by: Triumph Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres