The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 joined the British brand’s ranks in 2019, fully embracing the Modern Classic lineup’s penchant for heritage looks married to genuine performance. Born from the T120 Bonneville, the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 slots itself directly between its progenitor and the no-holds-barred café racer known as the Thruxton, which, as fate would have it, has exited stage left—precisely because the Speed Twin 1200 is a more sensible option. For 2025, the mission statement is no different, as we see the roadster receive a handful of updates designed to up its sporting ante in several key areas.
A solo flier no more, the Speed Twin 1200 is joined by its RS-badged sibling, featuring a few ritzy components that command a higher price tag of $15,995—we’ve got a review dedicated to that coming. For now, let’s focus on the more accessible $13,595 Speed Twin 1200 base model, which works to distinguish itself from the sportier RS with a more casual riding position and components aimed at tackling the daily grind. Don’t take it for a pushover; the Speed Twin 1200 has always been something of a sleeper that can give conventional sportbikes a run for their money on any given Sunday. Plus, you’ll look a whole lot cooler doin’ it.
I packed my bags and headed off to the Mediterranean hotspot of Mallorca, a scenic Spanish island about 150 miles east of Valencia. With epic views in nearly any direction, the twisting mountain routes provided the playground to see what the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 has cooked up for us. Now, it’s time to get on with the Fast Facts.
- The tried-and-true High Power 1200cc parallel-twin enjoys a few performance upgrades. Triumph’s p-twin is a classic in the making, lovingly tweaked quite often to continue building on a pedigree of user-friendly torque. To that end, engineers achieved Euro 5+ compliance by updating cam profiles, revising ignition timing, and adjusting the fuel map to extract an extra sniff of power—104 horsepower at 7750 rpm—while maintaining the same hearty 83 ft-lbs of torque at 4250 rpm. Oh, what a gem this mill is as it pulls from the depths of the rev range. Thanks to the internal upgrades, it carries on through to a 500 rpm higher redline. With torque delivery as linear as the day is long, the Speed Twin and its many siblings, for that matter, can satisfy a wide range of rider skill levels.
- A six-speed gearbox and a slip-assist clutch are all you need. Popping the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 into gear is done confidently, while short throws help you row through the gears. Then again, the aforementioned torque and broad midrange mean you don’t have to fiddle with the shifter often, either. Sure, it doesn’t have the RS’s quickshifter, but trust me when I say you aren’t missing much.
- The Speed Twin 1200 platform features a six-axis IMU. We have the usual Rain and Road riding modes on deck, which serve as a helpful corral for your non-adjustable cornering ABS mode and TC settings. If you’re wondering about a Sport mode, well, that’s exclusive to the RS. Undoubtedly, the added precision of an IMU is a benefit, and there’s nothing terrible about its ABS programming. However, overzealous traction control intrusion might hinder those who want to underscore the “speed” portion of the bike’s name. Fortunately, it can be disabled. Thanks to the engine’s inherent tractability, experienced riders won’t have trouble working around it. According to brand sources, the TC algorithm is set to be improved before Speed Twin 1200s reach dealerships—we’ll have to follow up on that.
- Those whizzbang gizmos bring a new hybrid TFT/LCD display along with them. The round TFT display will be polarizing for those who prefer the classic dual clocks previously featured on the Speed Twin 1200. Yet, it’s difficult to see how the bike’s additional menus and functions could be crammed into the smaller LCD screens on the old dual clocks. Regardless, I’ll commiserate their loss from a stylistic perspective. When it comes to navigating menus or enjoying niceties such as bright, easy-to-read graphics and a USB-C charging port to keep all your devices topped up while out and about, this display is difficult to beat.
- Marzocchi suspension settings are revised for the better. Equipped on the standard Speed Twin 1200 is a non-adjustable Marzocchi fork featuring softer damping settings, paired with all-new preload-adjustable Marzocchi twin remote-reservoir shocks. Engineers increased the damping rates in the rear but kept the spring rates the same, just like the front. That might seem a little counterintuitive, but it’s not. The Speed Twin 1200 is a bike tuned to gobble up potholes or hits without allowing a setup that might begin to wallow and weave once you’ve turned up the pace in the canyons. Sure, it’s softer than the RS by a noticeable margin, though it’ll still get after it, son!
- A riding position that balances comfort and control. Compared to its sportier RS cousin, the standard Speed Twin 1200 has a slightly less aggressive riding position due to the handlebar being raised 0.7 inches and nudged 0.5 inches closer, putting you in a casual posture. The footpegs are in the same place as before, too. Meanwhile, the 31.7-inch seat height is reasonably accessible to many riders thanks to the narrow nature of the Speed Twin 1200 platform. Shorter riders will have no issue reaching the deck, whilst tall riders won’t feel cramped, as they can move around on the long bench seat.
- Triumph-branded J.Juan calipers slow things down as needed. The prior-generation Speed Twin 1200 featured Brembo M50 units, which many readers will be familiar with as they were once commonly found on superbikes in years past. The move to lower-spec calipers is twofold: it creates a clear delineation between the RS model equipped with Brembo Stylema calipers and lowers the MSRP. Giving up spec is a tough pill to swallow for any consumer, though objectively speaking, the modest radially mounted four-piston J.Juan binders work pretty well with the 320mm rotors featured on both Speed Twin 1200 machines. There’s solid stopping power and feel at the lever, which nets a far narrower performance gulf than the spec sheet suggests. It’s probably worth mentioning that Barcelona-based J.Juan is owned by Brembo.
- Metzeler Sportec M9RR rubber is spooned onto the standard machine. Matching the Speed Twin 1200’s overall scope of work are conventional sport-touring tires. Respectable mileage and commendable dry and wet performance make these tires suitable for whatever the Triumph might face during the daily grind. If these aren’t to your liking, the new 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels are a conventional size and leave many options available.
- The 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 combines classic charm with modern performance. The Bonneville family of motorcycles is inherently versatile, but that’s hardly by mistake. An agile, fun-loving chassis is paired with one of the most soulful parallel-twin engines in the business, making it a gratifying experience. Other than the overenthusiastic traction control, the addition of IMU-supported electronic rider aids does elevate the platform significantly. The 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 is a base model that doesn’t feel basic. It goes, turns, and stops like the dickens and looks good doing it, too.
Photography by Gareth Harford and Chippy Wood
RIDING STYLE
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Bonneville HP vertical 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
- 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: Spring-preload adjustable Marzochhi 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 M9 RR
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 160/60 x 17
- Front brakes: 320mm discs w/ radially mounted 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 220mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 55.5 inches
- Rake: 22.3 degrees
- Trail 3.5 inches
- Seat height: 31.7 inches
- Fuel capacity: 3.8 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 42 mpg
- Curb weight: 476 pounds
COLORS
- Aluminum Silver
- Crystal White & Sapphire Black (+$500)
- Carnival Red & Sapphire Black (+500)
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Price: $13,595 MSRP
