Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS: bikesales Bike of the Year 2021 finalist

Why is the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS a bikesales BOTY finalist?

It’s impossible, insulting even, to discuss the performance naked-bike segment without revering the Triumph Speed Triple. First bursting on the scene in 1998, a snarling ball of sinister black lines and howling inline triple power, it made a big impression on anyone who looked at one, let alone rode one.

Now Triumph has raised the bar for its flagship streetfighter yet again, with the arrival of the new 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS ushering in the next chapter for this backstreet, bare-knuckle bruiser, which these days blends sophistication with brutal force in equal measure.

What’s new? Let’s start with that powerhouse of an engine... Thoroughly revised, the inline triple has grown in capacity from 1050cc to 1160cc. And while this Euro 5 unit is also lighter and more compact, it also packs an extra 27.5hp and 8Nm over its predecessor. That’s not a misprint.

Peak output is now 177.5hp (132.4kW) at 10,750rpm and a stonking 125Nm at 9000rpm. That’s from a package now 10kg lighter, at 198kg (wet), thanks to weight shaved largely from the new engine and new chassis.

Throw in a blood-curdling inline triple exhaust note, and you’ve got a visceral riding experience non-riders can’t hope to understand.

Then there’s the fully adjustable Öhlins suspension front and rear, the Brembo Stylema front brake calipers, the sticky Metzeler Racetec RR rubber, the new 5.0-inch TFT display, the latest lean-angle-sensitive safety tech, the revised ergonomics, LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity and the sharper, sleeker, more purposeful styling.

The ‘Speed Trip’ has always enthralled, the bike placing heart-thumping adrenaline at the core of its existence, but the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS takes this formula to extremes – and so it’s a natural contender for the 2021 bikesales Bike of the Year.

Who will the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS appeal to?

This much performance demands an experienced hand, but the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS can be readily tempered via its smart electronics. Various settings can be tailored to effectively muzzle this attack dog, but to do so is almost doing it a disservice – better to let this animal off the chain and let it run.

To that end, this hooligan machine is just as at home at a track day as it is prowling the streets, although it’s the former where you can truly explore its ample talents.

To those roles add city commuting; while its now broader handlebar might involve a little more waggling when filtering through traffic, the accommodating ride position is comfy for everyday riding while also delivering a high degree of control.

In truth, it’s a great all-rounder: docile when you need it to be, blisteringly quick when you don’t.

How much does the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS cost?

The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is priced from $27,700 ride away, so it’s a premium bike with a price to match, but it’s also only $2410 dearer than the existing Speed Triple RS. That, we think, isn’t a lot more to pay for all the gains on offer.

Bluetooth connectivity is included as a standard feature too – on some recent Triumph models it's been a factory accessory – unlocking features like turn-by-turn navigation and call and text management, among others, via the accompanying MY TRIUMPH app.

What have we already said about the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS?

Triumph only just snuck into the 2021 bikesales Bike of the Year by the skin of its fried tyres; due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its related delays, lockdowns and border closures, we only just got our hands one in time to include it in this year’s awards.

But, never was there a more prescient example of the phrase, ‘Better late than never’. Here’s what bikesales editor Dylan Ruddy had to say after sampling the new machine...

“...the Speed Triple 1200 RS is about using a motorcycle for its true original purpose – going fast and having fun,” he said.

“Triumph has smashed this one out of the park; the new Speed Triple 1200 RS is exactly as a motorcycle should be.”

Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS at a glance:
Price: $27,700 ride away
Engine: 1160cc, liquid-cooled, 12-valve, DOHC inline triple
Output: 177.5hp (132.4kW)/125Nm
Transmission: Six-speed
Weight: 198kg (wet)
Seat height: 830mm
Fuel capacity: 15.5 litres

Related reading:
Triumph goes big with 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Review
Track friendly Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR revealed for 2022