Nearly 30 years since Triumph’s first production streetfighter arrived and rolled off the Hinckley factory floor, the UK bike builder now unleashes their most powerful, lightweight, and best handling version to date with the completely new 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS.
Frankly, looking at the Speed Triple’s new specs and features, this track-ready, civilian-friendly machine is essentially a new motorcycle — everything is ramped up, from performance and handling to styling and tech, all in a big way. Essentially, Triumph has redefined the streetfighter for a modern era. Rightfully so, credited by many as birthing the aggressive, un-faired sport bike segment altogether while restoring the Triumph namesake.
Power and performance
more powerful 1160cc engine
new intake and exhaust
improved horsepower and torque
lower engine inertia and higher revving
Thanks to a new higher capacity 1160cc triple engine, the 2021 model is the most powerful and fastest accelerating Speed Triple to roll out Triumph’s factory, reducing engine inertia by 12-percent while improving revving to 650rpm.
Horsepower jumps up by 30 ponies to 180-hp, and torque improves to 92 lb.-ft. of torque. A new intake and exhaust round out the changes.
Handling
new lightweight mass centralized chassis
performance tuned suspension with Brembo brakes
more narrow design and better ride position
new up-and-down quickshifter
improved ABS and traction control systems
new ‘Track’ driving mode
new 17-inch lightweight cast aluminium, black painted V-spoke wheels
Triumph claims the redesigned Speed Triple 1200 RS is also the “the most agile, precise, dynamic handling” version yet. We won’t argue with that.
With a new mass centralized chassis shaving off 10kg of weight to ring in at 198kg wet, the bike flosses a more slender design with an improved riding position. The Öhlins suspension is performance tuned and fully adjustable, paired to Brembo Stylema brakes and new 17-inch black wheels wrapped in Metzeler RACETEC RR rubber.
A quickshifter with up-and-down functions is new for 2021, along with glossy 5-inch TFT instruments, a full keyless system, and improved ABS and traction control systems. Triumph is also throwing in their My Triumph Connectivity System as standard.
For riders hitting the track, there’s a new ‘Track’ driving mode as well, designed to be as unintrusive as possible — so, five modes in total: Rain, Road, Sport, Track and Rider.
Styling
Less bulky than the outgoing Speed Triple, particularly at the front, the new model takes on a more muscular look while retaining clean, sharp lines. The headlight and taillights are completely new and look much more distinct than before.
Other obvious styling updates include a newly designed carbon-fibre front mudguard, colour coded belly pan and seat cowl with an interchangeable pillion seat, and a new compact tail unit.
Overall, the styling pays homage to the original 1994 model, keeping the iconic bike’s DNA within the design cues.
2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS accessories
Of course, there are accessories — 35 in the range, to be exact. From styling updates to cargo and tech. Some of these include:
- body-coloured flyscreen
- tinted flyscreen visor
- frame protectors
- fork protectors and tank pad
- all-weather cover
- accessory battery charger
- machined sports bar end mirrors
- machined front and rear brake reservoirs
- machined aluminium rear axle finisher
- scrolling LED indicators
- tire pressure monitoring system
- Triumph Protect+ alarm
- Triumph Track+ tracker with 24/7 monitoring
- matching water-resistant tank and tail bags
Release date and price
Expect the Speed Triple 1200 RS to hit European dealerships late February 2021, and North America sometime in March, retailing for $18,300 before fees/charges.
If you’re shopping around, some worthy Speed Triple contenders in the space include:
- Ducati Streetfighter V4
- KTM 1290 Super Duke R
- Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory
- Yamaha MT10
- Suzuki GSX1000
- Kawasaki Z-H2
- 480
- 480shares
