Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Officially Breaks Cover

This is the most powerful and fastest-accelerating Speed Triple yet

In the world of large displacement naked roadsters, Triumph was one of the early movers with its original Speed Triple back in 1994. Recently, though, Triumph has been a little off the ball with an out-of-date, under-equipped and underpowered Speed Triple 1050. Here to mend its ways is the all-new Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS, the most powerful and fastest Speed Triple to ever exist.

At 180PS, the output from the 1,160cc inline-triple motor isn’t quite in the league of the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and Aprilia Tuono, but it is still a massive 30PS up from the outgoing Speed Triple. Torque is up by a more modest 8Nm but still stands at a very healthy 125Nm, and Triumph has managed to shave a considerable 7kg off the engine.

Overall, the bike has lost 10kg, thanks to an all-new aluminium chassis and lithium-ion battery, and now tips the scales at 198kg wet. As a result, the 1200 RS has a power-to-weight ratio that’s 25% higher than the outgoing bike, and almost double that of the original 1994 Speed Triple! Since this is the flagship RS variant, it sports fully-adjustable springers from Ohlins and range-topping Brembo Stylema stoppers, all helped by sticky Metzeler Racetec RR rubber. Triumph says the riding position has become more purposeful (read aggressive), so you should feel more inclined to unleash all the newfound firepower.

To help harness this extra output, Triumph has also loaded the bike with electronic features and rider aids. Thanks to an IMU, the Speed Triple 1200 gets cornering ABS and cornering traction control, five riding modes (including a Track mode), a bi-directional quickshifter and wheelie control, all toggled via a 5-inch colour TFT dash that comes standard with the Triumph Connectivity Bluetooth system.

All this sounds very exciting, and there are only a couple of pieces missing from this puzzle. We’re yet to find out how much it costs, and what it’s like to ride. Both pieces should arrive soon enough, because the bike is expected to be in dealerships by the end of February. Stay tuned for an official launch soon in the range of Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom). Hype!