The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 occupies a unique space in the brand’s Modern Classic segment, blending the aesthetic appeal of a heritage machine while managing to hint at the performance of the brand’s contemporary naked bikes. Reintroduced in 2019 as a spiritual successor to the original 1938 Speed Twin, the platform impressed us. It bridged the gap between the practical Bonneville T120 and the full-blown café racer Thruxton by providing a more comfortable alternative that didn’t sacrifice an ounce of sportiness. In fact, the Speed Twin 1200 has done that job so well that it effectively replaces the Thruxton altogether after 2025.
Success often breeds success, which is why the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 range includes both a standard and the up-spec Speed Twin 1200 RS. Let’s zero in on the range-topping RS for a moment, which offers fully adjustable suspension courtesy of Marzocchi and Öhlins, upgraded Brembo Stylema calipers, and a more focused riding position for the princely sum of $15,995. The engine enhancements, visual tweaks, and rider aid updates still apply to both offerings.
We’ve come back to where it all began for the modern Speed Twin platform, returning to Spain’s Mallorca Island, parked in the Mediterranean Sea. The island’s mix of tight, technical mountain switchbacks and sweeping coastal roads proved a nice match for the freshly updated 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS. So, without further ado, let’s get on with the Fast Facts.
- The Speed Twin 1200 bikes received a notable nip-tuck this year. Evolution is a tricky thing to manage for manufacturers, yet the 2025 Speed Twin 1200 is arguably angling for a more unique aesthetic identity. A chiseled fuel tank with larger knee cutouts creates a sleeker silhouette, while also offering greater interface surface area. Other minor elements subtly reinforce a speedier narrative, such as the redesigned engine cases. The RS edition steps out with a few model-specific features, including the brushed-aluminum fenders and textured bench seat. Even the LED headlight is refashioned to follow an updated motif.
- The details matter to Triumph, and that’s abundantly clear in its Modern Classic range of bikes. The British marque deserves all the back pats it gets when it comes to fit-and-finish, doing a fine job of making riders look like they’re getting their money’s worth. Triumph goes the extra mile with the new flip-up aluminum fuel filler cap and turbine-pattern twin-spoke wheels, all gently nudging the Speed Twin 1200 machines toward a tastefully modern take on its classic machine. Do the cosmetic changes do anything for the ride quality? Not a chance, but it’s hard to argue that the brand isn’t catering to our collective senses.
- A pumped-up 1197cc p-twin? Yes, please! Euro 5+ emissions regulations aren’t standing in the way of a good time, thanks to an updated camshaft, ignition timing, and fuel map that tease out an additional five horsepower and 500 rpm worth of extra revs. Peak figures claim to be 104 horsepower at 7750 rpm, while the same plentiful 83 ft-lbs of torque at 4250 rpm returns for another strong showing. The grunty mill’s 270-degree crank composes a lovely tune from the twin silencers, and its power carries on through to that higher redline instead of petering out up top as so many parallel twins do. Pulling low from the revs is handy when working the tight Mallorcan switchbacks, though it delivers plenty of roll-on power to steam ahead when a flowing stretch of road presents itself.
- The 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS leans into modernity with a bi-directional quickshifter, though that comes at a price. The Speed Twin has sporting chops, and we’ve pined for Triumph to apply a quickshifter to this engine and its six-speed transmission. In practice, the twin doesn’t take to adopting such technologies as smoothly as the brand’s triple-cylinder engines, which all seem to have units that operate to near perfection. Instead, clutchless low-rpm shifts can feel clunky by today’s standards, so the quickshifter is best used while hard on the gas. The six-speed gearbox and feather-light slip-and-assist clutch aren’t to blame; those work as smoothly as they’ve always done.
- You can quickly tailor the riding experience with three distinct ride modes—Sport, Road, and Rain. What separates the RS from the base model is Sport mode, so let’s start there. As the name suggests, it’s the liveliest of the bunch and offers the least nannying. Road eases the throttle response, and the fueling is quite good in both modes. Naturally, Rain cranks up intervention, taming the RS as one would expect. Luckily, we narrowly avoided bad weather and didn’t need to use it this time around. Purists, and I count myself among them, will lament the loss of the classic dual clock instrumentation. It is replaced by a round TFT display offering improved functionality as the higher level of tech corresponds with menus of greater depth.
- A six-axis IMU joins the Speed Twin 1200 platform for the new model year. Again, another box is ticked in the technology department as the two 1200 machines gain IMU-informed rider aids. That means the ABS and adjustable traction control systems are lean-angle-sensitive, which is a welcome change on paper. No eyebrows can be raised toward the ABS functionality, yet the TC programming leaves something to be desired. Road TC is overzealous, cutting in at decidedly less than impressive lean angles and throttle openings. Sport attempts to solve the problem by extending the electronic TC leash, although not completely. Triumph staff informed us that TC algorithms may be updated once the bikes hit the market. If it’s still too conservative for you, then it can be disabled.
- The Speed Twin 1200 knows how to hustle in the canyons. The RS equips a fully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi inverted fork and Öhlins piggyback shocks. That’s a big step up above the base model’s suspenders, which don’t offer much adjustment at all—really, that’s what you’re paying for with the RS model. The ride quality and overall chassis composure are good steps up from the base bike, and they’re both ready to customize footpeg feelers at the drop of a hat. Yet, the edge goes to the RS, as its geometry also takes another step toward sporting potential by raising the rear ride height a smidge for extra eagerness while cornering for this 476-pound machine. Yes, that’s what the spec sheet says, but you’d never guess it while behind its bars.
- A sportier stature comes to the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS. Another defining quality for the RS is its slightly sportier riding position. To pull that off, engineers kept the handlebars in the same position while kicking the footpegs 0.3 inches upward and 1.6 inches rearward, effectively raising the rider’s haunches up a touch. Sporty, yes, though it doesn’t contort this 5-foot-10 rider into shapes anywhere near what we’d find on a conventional sportbike, making it good for all-day rides.
- Brembo Stylema calipers deliver the stopping power. By now, it’s safe to say the Stylemas are beyond reproach, especially when hooked up to the span-and-ratio adjustable Brembo MCS master cylinder. A clicker turn and the ratio can be switched, offering a firmer or softer initial bite, depending on your preference. Braking feel and performance are top-notch, as we’d expect out of top-shelf components.
- Metzeler Racetec RR K3 track-day rubber is standard on the RS. There’s no doubt that the track-ready Metzeler rubber is over-speced. Its soft, sticky rubber offers copious amounts of grip and better-suited for dragging knee pucks than races to the café. Mileage? Well, that’s less of a concern with these round black things. They’ll work damn well while they last, though.
- Authentically retro and undeniably sporty, the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin RS is a serious motorcycle with serious style. Many may be drawn to it based on its looks alone, and it’s tough to fault anyone’s decision there—rather dashing appearances have allowed a great many bikes to ride farther into history than they should. Fortunately, the RS is more than a prettier face. It has genuine riding chops, thanks to an excellent chassis and stellar engine. Sure, the quickshifter and the advanced TC need a little algorithmic smoothing, but as far as everything else is concerned, you’re sitting pretty.
Photography by Gareth Harford and Chippy Wood
RIDING STYLE
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin w/ 270-degree crank
- Displacement: 1197cc
- Bore x stroke: 97.6 x 80mm
- Maximum power: 104 horsepower @ 7750 rpm
- Maximum torque: 83 ft-lbs @ 4250 rpm
- Compression ratio: 12.1:1
- Valvetrain: SOHC, 4vpc
- Cooling: Liquid
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist function
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Tubular steel w/ aluminum cradle
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable Marzocchi 43mm inverted cartridge fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Fully adjustable Öhlins piggyback-reservoir shocks; 4.7 inches
- Wheels: 12-spoke cast-aluminum
- Front wheel: 3.50 x 18
- Rear wheel: 5.00 x 17
- Tires: Metzeler Racetec RR K3
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 160/60 x 17
- Front brakes: 320mm discs w/ Brembo M50 4-piston monobloc calipers and radial pump master cylinder
- Rear brake: 220mm disc w/ Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 55.5 inches
- Rake: 22.3 degrees
- Trail 3.5 inches
- Seat height: 31.9 inches
- Fuel capacity: 3.8 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 42 mpg
- Curb weight: 476 pounds
- Colors: Baja Orange & Sapphire Black; Sapphire Black
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS Price: $15,995 MSRP
