Motorcycles

Triumph unleashes its most powerful Speed Triple ever

Triumph unleashes its most powerful Speed Triple ever
Triumph extends Speed Triple's legacy into the Euro-5 era with the new 1200 RS
Triumph extends Speed Triple's legacy into the Euro-5 era with the new 1200 RS
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple RS remains instantly recognizable
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple RS remains instantly recognizable
The return of a long, low-hung exhaust can is a tell-tale sign of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple RS
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The return of a long, low-hung exhaust can is a tell-tale sign of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple RS
At 792 mm (31.2 in), the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is practically as wide as the previous model
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At 792 mm (31.2 in), the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is practically as wide as the previous model
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS sports a new cast aluminum frame
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS sports a new cast aluminum frame
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Matt Silver Ice color
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Matt Silver Ice color
The fuel tank of the new 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS holds 15.5 liters, exactly like its predecessor
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The fuel tank of the new 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS holds 15.5 liters, exactly like its predecessor
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Sapphire Black color
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Sapphire Black color
True to its tradition, the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is primarily a capable sportbike
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True to its tradition, the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is primarily a capable sportbike
With 177.5 hp on tap, the wheelie control system of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS will have its plate full
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With 177.5 hp on tap, the wheelie control system of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS will have its plate full
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is expected to feel at home both on the street and or the race track
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is expected to feel at home both on the street and or the race track
After a full decade and three models with the 1050-cc motor, Triumph introduced the 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS
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After a full decade and three models with the 1050-cc motor, Triumph introduced the 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS
The fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear monoshock carried on from the previous model to the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
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The fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear monoshock carried on from the previous model to the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS received Brembo's Stylema radial four-piston monobloc calipers
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS received Brembo's Stylema radial four-piston monobloc calipers
The passenger seat of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS doesn't look very hospitable for long rides
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The passenger seat of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS doesn't look very hospitable for long rides
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS builds on a 26 year-old legacy
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The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS builds on a 26 year-old legacy
The twin headlights of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS have evolved from the original round "bug-eye" units to a modern, stylish design
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The twin headlights of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS have evolved from the original round "bug-eye" units to a modern, stylish design
The tail light of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
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The tail light of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
Triumph extends Speed Triple's legacy into the Euro-5 era with the new 1200 RS
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Triumph extends Speed Triple's legacy into the Euro-5 era with the new 1200 RS
View gallery - 18 images

Armed with a new 177-hp three-cylinder powerplant and a raft of high-end mechanical and electronic gear, the next generation of Triumph's legendary streetfighter hits new heights. Meet the 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS.

Since 1994, when the T309 was first introduced with an 885-cc in-line three-cylinder engine from Triumph’s Daytona superbike, the pioneering Speed Triple has stood tall in the streetfighter class.

The Speed Triple has evolved over more than quarter of a century, getting its signature “bug-eye” twin headlights with the second generation in 1997, before growing to 955 cc. Several years later, when Triumph had abandoned the superbike class and had turned the Daytona into a very successful 675-cc supersport, the Speed Triple got an even bigger 1050-cc engine. That triple powered the latest three generations of the model, until the transition to Euro 5 norms called for another overhaul.

The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Matt Silver Ice color
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Matt Silver Ice color

The result takes center stage in the all-new 2021 Triumph Speed Triple RS; a brand new 1160-cc in-line triple that catapults output to 177.4 hp at 10,750 rpm and 125 Nm at 9,000 rpm. That’s quite a jump from the 148 hp the previous model produced and, to top it off, the 2021 model is 10 kg (22 lb) lighter, announced at 198 kg (436.5 lb) all fueled-up and ready to go.

Although larger in capacity, the new engine revs lighter and higher, as 12 percent less inertia assisted in raising its operational ceiling by 650 rpm.

The engine hangs from a new cast aluminum frame that retains more or less the same geometry and dimensions as the previous model.

With 177.5 hp on tap, the wheelie control system of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS will have its plate full
With 177.5 hp on tap, the wheelie control system of the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS will have its plate full

Electronic management is assigned to a new six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), providing sophisticated control to the Continental MIB-EVO cornering ABS and the cornering traction control (TC). Both are adjustable, with the TC offering four sensitivity levels (Rain, Road, Sport, Track), while the ABS can be dialed to either Road or Track setting.

Conveniently enough, the new Speed Triple offers five riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport, Track and Rider customizable), each featuring accordingly preset ABS and TC settings. The rider controls and adjusts everything via a new five-inch color TFT screen and buttons on the handlebars.

The standard electronic equipment list also includes keyless ignition, cruise control, front wheel lift control and the My Triumph Connectivity kit.

The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Sapphire Black color
The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Sapphire Black color

As was the case with the previous RS version, Öhlins provides the fully adjustable NIX30 43-mm inverted forks and ΤΤΧ36 monoshock. In the braking department though, the 2021 Speed Triple takes it up a notch with Brembo’s latest high-end Stylema calipers.

The standard RS trim also includes an assist-and-slip clutch, as well as Triumph Shift Assist.

According to Triumph’s modern tradition the RS is the top-spec model of the family, and we should expect the standard Speed Triple 1200 coming sometime soon. It will probably run on the same engine, with lower-spec suspension and brakes, and perhaps less electronics in order to ensure a friendlier price.

Triumph could also use this new engine to power new projects, such as a fresh Tiger 1200, or perhaps a power cruiser that would fill the gap between the Bonneville Speedmaster and the Rocket 3, while taking the fight straight to Ducati's Diavel 1260.

The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is expected to hit showrooms by the end of March, starting at US$18,300.

Source: Triumph Motorcycles

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