Motorcycles

After 27 years, Triumph turns the Speed Triple back into a sportsbike

After 27 years, Triumph turns the Speed Triple back into a sportsbike
Fold-in mirrors will make the RR a weapon in traffic
Fold-in mirrors will make the RR a weapon in traffic
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Fold-in mirrors will make the RR a weapon in traffic
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Fold-in mirrors will make the RR a weapon in traffic
Super-sleek back end
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Super-sleek back end
A 5-inch TFT dash is the center of a clean and tidy cockpit
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A 5-inch TFT dash is the center of a clean and tidy cockpit
Stitchy seats: We like 'em
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Stitchy seats: We like 'em
Wires coming out the top of your forks is usually a good omen. In this case they herald semi-active Ohlins suspension
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Wires coming out the top of your forks is usually a good omen. In this case they herald semi-active Ohlins suspension
Electronically adjustable, active Ohlins shock
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Electronically adjustable, active Ohlins shock
The Speed Triple 1200 RR debuts a pair of very smart paint jobs
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The Speed Triple 1200 RR debuts a pair of very smart paint jobs
The most track-focused Speed Triple ever
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The most track-focused Speed Triple ever
Little bits of carbon fiber under the fairing and tank look great
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Little bits of carbon fiber under the fairing and tank look great
A neo-retro cafe racer look for the great British Bruiser
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A neo-retro cafe racer look for the great British Bruiser
The ergos are a lot more aggressive, and give you something to hide behind on track
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The ergos are a lot more aggressive, and give you something to hide behind on track
Clip-on bars are a lot lower and further forward than the flat bar on the 1200 RS
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Clip-on bars are a lot lower and further forward than the flat bar on the 1200 RS
The RR builds on, rather than reimagines, the Speed Triple's look
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The RR builds on, rather than reimagines, the Speed Triple's look
Higher footpegs will slightly increase the lean angle before pegs start to drag
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Higher footpegs will slightly increase the lean angle before pegs start to drag
The sportiest face yet for Triumph's Speed Triple
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The sportiest face yet for Triumph's Speed Triple
White paint job with gold accents looks class
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White paint job with gold accents looks class
178 horsepower probably does deserve a bikini fairing
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178 horsepower probably does deserve a bikini fairing
Plenty of clean air under that tail section
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Plenty of clean air under that tail section
View gallery - 18 images

Anyone who's thought Speed Triple riders are nuts riding around on 178-horsepower monsters with zero wind protection can wear a satisfied smirk today. Triumph has revealed its new flagship: a neo-retro, bikini-faired Speed Triple 1200 RR cafe racer.

Born of the current-generation Speed Triple 1200, the new RR thankfully leaves most of the best-looking bits of the naked bike intact. The lovely curved frame has been a highlight of this bike since 2011, the trellis subframe and high, sharp tail on the 1200 look beaut, as do the single-sided swingarm and that murdered-out matt-black motor. These all remain.

Indeed, the main visual change is simply the fairing, and as somebody who's not typically overly fond of fairings I'd say that's been done tastefully here. It's pretty compact, works well with the lines of the bike, it's lined with tasteful carbon bits that extend back around the tank, and it culminates in a classy round LED headlight set in amongst some X-shaped structures at the front which give it a pleasing layered look.

This fairing allows a pair of fold-in sportsbike mirrors, which can flip in neatly to make the bike extremely narrow when parked, out on track or simply when it's time to get real skinny for some lane-splitting in traffic.

A neo-retro cafe racer look for the great British Bruiser
A neo-retro cafe racer look for the great British Bruiser

The ergonomics have changed too. The footpegs are higher and further back, and the flat handlebar has been replaced with a set of clip-ons that place your hands significantly lower and further forward. Triumph calls the riding position "fully engaged and committed," and speaks of the RR's track day potential, but this is still a streetbike first and foremost, so hopefully it'll retain some of the nakedbike's all-day comfort.

The other substantial upgrade is a set of Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, which is semi-active, responding to surface conditions, and electronically adjustable.

A 5-inch TFT dash is the center of a clean and tidy cockpit
A 5-inch TFT dash is the center of a clean and tidy cockpit

Otherwise, it sticks fairly closely to the spec of the Speed Triple 1200 RS, with the same 178 horsepower and 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) peaks, the same Continental IMU, which enables cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and the like, and the same ride-by-wire system, which gives you four pre-programmed riding modes, one user configurable one and tasty features like cruise control, keyless start, back-lit switchblocks and a bi-directional quickshifter.

The sporty new 1200 RR's extra bits and pieces bump the price up to start at US$20,950 (AU$32,490 in Australia), making it more expensive than the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory, but less than the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S, which both also rock electronic Ohlins semi-active damping. That's tough competition; the Speed Trip is well and truly in the big boys' league now, so comparo reviews will be very interesting.

178 horsepower probably does deserve a bikini fairing
178 horsepower probably does deserve a bikini fairing

As an unabashed Speed Triple fan, I think the new RR looks terrific. I'm glad it's more neo than retro, and maintains a lot of the British bruiser's aggressive good looks, albeit with a sportier twist and a bit of extra class thanks to candy-red and white/gold paint jobs. The formula remains intact and compelling, and the RR opens up the world of Speed Triples to a new type of buyer that might have a bit more track time on their mind. The video below has more.

New Speed Triple 1200 RR Features and Benefits

Source: Triumph Motorcycles

View gallery - 18 images
3 comments
3 comments
Roundup
Wow, this has to be the most beautiful machine ever penned by the modern reincarnated Triumph company. The stance, lines, and aesthetics of the bike are stunning from every angle, no one would be mistaking it for anything else other than the gorgeous British creation that it is. Job well-done dudes, I think I'm finally ready for my first Triumph.
BogBeast
I just don't like round lights. But other than that it looks great - I will be dropping by my local Triumph dealer to have a look. However, it will take a lot for me to trade in my superduke...
RobertElliot
Get one for me to go with the Tesla.