Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS 2025 Review

On paper, the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple RS doesn’t quite match its key rivals for pure torque and power, but the British-built super naked is so effortlessly brilliant in the real world, that it’s hard to look past. 

Putting a finger on why is a tougher question. 

Of course, the Speed Triple has a comprehensive electronics package, high-end componentry, and a chassis with kung-fu-like agility. But so do its rivals. 

Perhaps it’s the incredibly sweet triple engine that truly separates the Speed Triple from the rest of the segment. Yes, it’s not quite as powerful as some of its more expensive competition, but there is something magical about the way it spins up and helps you glide up a twisty mountain road. 

Or maybe it’s the superb Ohlins SmartEC3 semi-active suspension – a new feature for 2025 – that comes with a Pandora’s Box full of adjustable parameters. 

All else failing, many people will tell you that the Speed Triple 1200 RS is the best looking of the bunch. Maybe that’s it. 

Regardless of the reasons, the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS has long been one of the best bikes in the business, and it’s even better in 2025. 

I’d say that the Australian media launch in the Victorian High Country was a good opportunity to find out how good the latest Speed Triple 1200 RS is, but the truth is I already knew it. That’s how good it is. 

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS was the 2021 bikesales Bike of the Year winner. Fast forward to 2025, and Triumph has made a few key tweaks to improve it further. 

Those changes include the addition of next-gen Ohlins SmartEC3 semi-active suspension, a new exhaust system to help improve flow, an adjustable steering damper, and a wider handlebar. The bike also now features wheelie control, engine brake control, and slide control, while a new lithium-ion battery and lightweight wheels help keeps weight to just 199kg wet.  

And all of that adds up to a $2500 increase in price over the previous model, leaving the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS with a ride away price tag of $31,490. That’s not bad considering the bike also comes with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tyres and Brembo Stylema brake calipers. 

The key rivals mentioned earlier include the Ducati Streetfighter V4, BMW M 1000 R, KTM 1390 Super Duke R, and MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR.  Of those bikes, the Speed Triple 1200 RS is the cheapest (by quite a lot with regards to Ducati, BMW, and MV).  

You could also throw in the BMW S 1000 R, Aprilia Tuono V4, and Yamaha MT-10 SP. They are all cheaper, but don’t match Triumph on the spec sheet. 

Originally, Triumph offered a standard Speed Triple 1200 alongside the RS, as well as a RR version complete with a bikini fairing. But both of those have been quietly discontinued. Instead, Triumph recently launched a highly-limited Speed Triple 1200 RX with a few premium updates. 

Tackling the banked corners in the High Country gives you a great indication of the precision and agility of this bike. To this scribe’s mind at least, the new Speed Triple handles better than the previous version. Likely this is due to the new suspension set-up, wider handlebar, and adjustable steering damper.

The Ohlins SmartEC3 semi-active suspension is a real game-changer. Using what Ohlins describes as a spool valve design, both the fork and shock are meant to offer “enhanced rider comfort”, “quicker adjustment”, and “increased sensitivity and responsiveness at the low and high ends of the adjustment range”.

Exactly how this is achieved is explained by Ohlins in a fusion of technical and marketing jargon, but the simple message I can give you is that it works. 

The ability to fine-tune very specific settings like brake support, acceleration support, initial acceleration and cruising support gives a world of combinations to help dial in the suspension performance for your own needs. 

On one section, I found the rear was bouncing and squatting too much in corners, so I dialled up rear firmness and cornering support and instantly found more balance and speed. I’m not fully trained in the dark art of suspension, but tinkering with the settings helped, even if it was just placebo. 

Unlike the suspension, the engine is largely unchanged. There are few minor adjustments, as well as a 2.5hp increase, but I’d be lying if I said I noticed any difference. But that’s fine, because as I mentioned off the top, this triple powerplant is a true beauty. It accelerates quickly and, boosted by irresistible character and a decent exhaust note, it’s hard not to grin like a teenager falling in love for the first time. 

Everything about this triple just feels so smooth and that is strengthened by the excellent gearbox and perhaps the best quickshift in the game. 

The Speed Triple is down on horsepower compared to the Streetfighter V4, 1390 Super Duke R, and M 1000 R, but 180hp is more than most people will ever need on the road. 

Elsewhere, the brakes are exceptional, the ride position is comfy but still proactive, and the electronics work flawlessly. I appreciate that Triumph has added wheelie control, engine brake control, and slide control. They are not completely necessary functions, but they do add a little more adrenaline-inducing fun and customisation to the bike. 

Best of all, the Speed Triple still only costs a bit over $31k. The SmartEC3 suspension is usually reserved for high-end performance machines, so big kudos to Triumph for squeezing that technology in while maintaining a relatively low-price tag.  

Picking out flaws on the Speed Triple is like finding daisies on a battlefield. There are not many. Triumph is well respected for its attention to detail and this latest version is no exception. It is considered by Triumph to be its flagship street model, so you can bet they did their research. 

But alas, there are a few little things to point out. 

The first is the tyres. On paper, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 hoops are a good thing. And in dry conditions on smooth roads, they are. But when the rain starts falling or the surface gets a bit questionable, the tyres begin to lose their appeal. 

If you plan to use this bike as an everyday whip, then chucking on a set of more practical tyres is probably recommended. 

Another little peeve of mine is that the bike takes just a little too long to start up. Yes, I’m getting picky now, but when you hit the start button, there is a short, but noticeable delay before the engine turns over and fires into life. I’m told the delay is the bike doing a diagnostics check, but this step takes longer than almost every other model from competing brands. It’s a very minor annoyance, but let’s sort that out please Triumph.

I’m not particularly fond of the “bug-eye” headlight because I don’t like vehicles that look like people or animals or insects, and an extra 20hp would be nice on the track, but I'm clearly splitting hairs now.

Fun, fast, stylish, high-tech, and beautifully refined – there isn’t much that the new Speed Triple does wrong. 

Price is always a factor, of course, but at just over $31k, this gem from Triumph is arguably the best value-for-money option in the segment. 

I can’t tell you to buy this bike, but I’m almost certain you’ll be pleased if you do. 

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, 12-valve, inline 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: 180hp (134.6kW) at 10,750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 128Nm at 8750rpm

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

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Aluminium twin-spar
Front suspension: Öhlins 43mm fully adjustable USD forks, 120mm travel, SmartEC3 OBTi system
Rear suspension: Öhlins monoshock RSU with linkage, 120mm rear wheel travel, SmartEC3 OBTi system
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: 199kg
Seat height: 830mm
Wheelbase: 1445mm
Fuel capacity: 15.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $31,490 ride away
Colours: Jet Black, Granite/Diablo Red, Granite/Triumph Performance Yellow
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres