Thirty years ago, Triumph unveiled the Speed Triple T309, losing the typical fairings and creating the hooligan genre. For those who didn’t like the term ‘hooligan’, ‘streetfighter’ became a popular alternative. Over time, though, the motorcycle community settled on calling it a naked motorcycle.
That name seems most fitting, as the original intent behind these bikes wasn’t just to offer a cheaper option for crash-prone riders. No, the naked motorcycle was about purity—showcasing the raw engine and giving an all-business attitude.
It didn’t need flashy, futuristic fairings to prove its worth. Whether it’s used for stunting, racing, or cruising, when you park one of these machines, people can’t help but think it belongs to an MI6 agent on a mission to chase down bad guys. And, yes, maybe the owner starts to channel that persona before even throwing a leg over the seat, with Adele’s Skyfall playing in the background. Triumph’s success is undeniable—before you even turn the key, the score is already 1-0 in their favor.
Once seated, you’ll notice the Speed Triple’s enhanced ergonomics—a subtle but significant improvement. Triumph has raised the bars and made them wider, making the riding position more comfortable for longer rides.
The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is raw and tame simultaneously. What makes it raw is its light 438-pound wet weight and 180 horsepower at the crank. Of course, the electronics let you indulge in some hooligan antics before intervening.
The acceleration feels endless, with the quickshifter delivering smooth, rapid gear changes without a hint of hesitation. Despite Euro 5+ emissions standards, Triumph has given the Speed Triple’s engine an exceptional sound. Though a bit visually awkward with its fat, stubby can, the exhaust can easily be swapped for the Akrapovič carbon slip-on for a more refined look.
Meanwhile, the powerful hum of the triple-cylinder engine propels you forward, often lifting the front wheel off the ground—especially in the first three gears. More on wheelies later!
Typically, I would split my review into road and track sections, but heavy rain fell during my two days in Portimão, Portugal, on the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS. A track evaluation usually gives better insight into performance at higher speeds, under harder braking, and with more extreme lean angles, but the wet conditions here required caution. I rode on Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 SP tires for the road, and Pirelli Diablo Rain slicks for the track.
As a California rider, I’m not often caught in the rain, so this was a whole new experience. I spent a day exploring the mountain roads above Portimão. Despite the wet conditions, the Speed Triple kept its composure, offering stability and building my confidence.
Portuguese roads, I’ve learned, aren’t quite as pristine as their counterparts in other European countries. Even with that, the Speed Triple never failed. By the time I finished my rain-soaked 120-mile ride, I was in sync with the bike. Not once did I question the grip of the Supercorsa tires. A couple of times when I pushed past the rubber’s limits, the electronics intervened subtly, reducing slip to a minimum.
The real challenge came when I rolled off the pit lane at the Algarve International Circuit, with rain falling steadily on my visor. Riding in those conditions on a rollercoaster-like track is a task for experienced racers, not a rookie motojournalist testing a high-performance naked bike for the first time.
“Come on! You’ve got rain racing tires. Stop complaining.” I hear you. The Pirelli Diablo Rain tires did offer impressive grip, and by my third lap, I was beginning to feel like an astronaut defying gravity. On my fourth lap, however, the Rain tires lost grip in the deep water behind the steep uphill Turn 4, nearly sending me into orbit.
The rest of the day, I focused on the limits of the tires, aware of potential small rivers running across the track. The layout of the Portimão Circuit is massive compared to most U.S. tracks, so the rain only affected some sectors, while others were drying. This constant change in conditions meant I had to adjust my braking markers nearly every lap.
The Speed Triple 1200 RS’s electronics provide perfect control, balancing strong acceleration and a slightly slipping rear end. Although grip still relies on the tires, the electronics do an excellent job of helping keep things stable.
The dashboard offers four preset modes—Track, Sport, Road, and Rain—plus a rider-customizable mode. I spent most of my time in Road mode, with brief moments in Sport. I look forward to testing it on a dry surface with Track mode and slick tires.
The biggest improvement in the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is the Öhlins SmartEC3 OTBi semi-active suspension, which uses a spool valve design for a broader range of damping adjustability and quicker dynamic responses.
In its most comfortable setting, the Öhlins suspension absorbs all the bumps without making the chassis overly soft and wallowy. Switching to Sport mode on smoother sections makes the ride more direct, with better tire communication—just what you need when the pace picks up.
Triumph has kept the hooligan spirit alive by equipping the 2025 Speed Triple 1200 with the most advanced wheelie control I’ve experienced. Regardless of the gear, give the throttle a hard twist. The front wheel lifts, holding steady at a preset angle thanks to a four-stage electronic system. The system even handles sudden bumps or a rider leaning too far back, cutting power if necessary to prevent a crash. I spent an entire session practicing wheelies on the front straight, and it was incredible how well the bike stayed balanced, even in the rain.
Triumph has taken the iconic hooligan triple and enhanced it with smarter electronics and cutting-edge suspension. The ride on the 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS is safer and more comfortable without sacrificing the raw character that makes it so special—the electronics mean more fun, not less. You’ve got to love tech that lets you achieve things you wouldn’t dare to try, especially when the rain is pouring down.
Photography by Stuart Collins, David Reygondaeu, and Chippy Wood
RIDING STYLE: Track
- Helmet: Alpinestars Supertech R10
- Suit: Alpinestars GP Force Lurv 1-Piece (track)
- Jacket: Alpinestars Drystar Touring (road)
- Gloves: Alpinestars GP Tech V2
- Boots: Alpinestars SMX-6 V3
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Inline-3
- Displacement: 1160cc
- Bore x stroke: 90 x 60.8mm
- Maximum power: 180 horsepower @ 10,750 rpm
- Maximum torque: 94 ft-lbs @ 9000 rpm
- Valvetrain: DOHC
- Compression ratio: 13.2:1
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist-and-slipper functions
- Final drive: X-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Tubular aluminum twin-spar
- Swingarm: Aluminum single-sided
- Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable semi-active Öhlins SmartEC3 OTBi 43mm inverted fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted, fully adjustable, semi-active Öhlins SmartEC3 OBTi piggyback reservoir shock; 4.7 inches
- Wheels: Cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 17 x 3.5
- Rear wheel: 17 x 6.0
- Tires: Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3
- Front tire: 120/70-17
- Rear tire: 190/55-17
- Front brakes: 320mm floating discs w/ radially mounted Brembo Stylema 4-piston monobloc calipers, radially mounted master cylinder, and fully adjustable Brembo MCS lever
- Rear brake: 220mm disc w/ Brembo 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Cornering ABS
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 56.9 inches
- Rake: 23.9 degrees
- Trail: 4.1 inches
- Seat height: 32.7 inches
- Fuel capacity: 4.1 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 51 mpg
- Curb weight: 439 pounds
COLORS
- Jet Black
- Granite Diablo Red (+$325)
- Granite / Triumph Performance Yellow (+$325)
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Price: $19,995 MSRP
