More power, less weight, slicker chassis and added tech for British super-naked triple
Last year marked 30 years since Triumph released the first Speed Triple – a three-cylinder sporty roadster, available as a 750 or 900, which shared many parts with the modular range which the firm used for its modern relaunch in 1991.
When the Speed Triple first appeared in 1994, it was up against some fairly anodyne machinery, like the Honda CB750, Kawasaki’s Zephyr 750 and 1100 or Suzuki’s GSX1100. Although to be fair, it wasn’t really taking on any of those bikes directly: it was actually one of the first bikes in a new class, the factory streetfighter, or super-naked as it would become known.
That class grew out of sportsbike owners repairing crashed bikes, but without replacing the costly bodywork panels to save money, making sporty, high-powered machines without fairings.
Over the following few years, bikes like the Yamaha XJR1200, Kawasaki ZRX1100, Ducati Monster and Suzuki Bandit 1200 would all come out of the woodwork, aiming at the same target audience: riders who didn’t want a fully-faired rocket-ship sportsbike, but still fancied a bit of spark about their bike’s performance.
The XJR and ZRX were arguably more like retro muscle bikes, but the Monster range and the Bandit 1200 were strong competition for the Speed Triple.
The Triple was an instant hit for Hinckley though, and soon became one of its signature models. The indifferent 750 was dropped, and when Triumph launched its in-house superbike, the T595 Daytona, the Speed Triple hitched a ride on its coattails, getting a similar aluminium frame, high-tech fuel injected engine, and single-sided rear swingarm, as well as the bug-eyed dual headlights that would become its trademark design cue.
Now, the big Daytona superbike is a distant memory, and plastic-clad sportsbikes are a declining force in the UK market. But the super naked class pioneered by the Speed Triple has never been stronger, with outlandish 210bhp offerings like the Ducati Streetfighter V4, BMW’s M1000R and the KTM Super Duke 1390 fighting for top spot.
And now Triumph’s given its prize fighter a new update for 2025, in a bid to keep it in the running.
It’s a case of evolution rather than revolution for the Triple though: a quick glance shows that the design is sticking to the current formula: dual pentagonal headlamps, aluminium tube twin-spar frame, the single-sided rear swingarm, and a hunched-forward stance.
Behind the style, is a moderately-comprehensive update: the 1,160cc three-cylinder 12-valve DOHC engine is more powerful than ever, putting out a heady 180.5bhp at 10,750rpm. That’s a fair chunk down on the ultra-nakeds from BMW and Ducati, but of course the triple motor has a torquier delivery that will feel just as strong on the road in most circumstances.
The bigger capacity will also help here (although remember the Ducati V4 engine is also an 1100). The peak power is up a couple of ponies on last year, thanks to a new exhaust design and revised crankshaft design – which also claims to reduce vibration and improve power delivery.
On the chassis front, there’s the latest version of the Öhlins semi-active suspension front and rear. The firm’s Smart EC3.0 setup uses its so-called ‘Objective Based Tuning Interface’ (OBTi), which claims to let riders easily adjust the suspension’s dynamic damping characteristics in different riding scenarios.
The seven parameters that can be independently tweaked are Front Firmness, Rear Firmness, Braking Support, Acceleration Support, Initial Acceleration Support, Cornering Support and Cruising Support.
There’s also a new steering damper fitment. Add in Brembo Stylema brake calipers with a Brembo MCS master cylinder, dual 320mm front discs, plus new lighter cast aluminium wheels wearing Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 rubber, and you have a pretty sharp set of running gear.
The other big update is the IMU-assisted rider aids package, with a new wheelie control function that’s four-way adjustable heading the list. Engine braking is customisable, as is the track-only Brake Slide Assist, which optimises the ABS calibration for the circuit by allowing more front wheel slip and more rear wheel lift.
This maximises performance on track while minimising the system’s intrusiveness levels, all while providing a safety net in case of unexpected conditions. You also get five separate riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport, Track, Rider), Optimised Cornering ABS and switchable Optimised Cornering Traction Control, with the Triumph Shift Assist up/down quickshifter fitted as standard.
It’s all controlled via a 5″ TFT dashboard/interface and intuitive 5-way joystick and backlit switches. The standard-fit My Triumph Connectivity System enables turn-by-turn navigation, as well as Bluetooth phone link and music control.
On longer trips, there’s a simple cruise control setup, and a new Emergency Deceleration Warning feature activates a high-frequency flash of the brake light to alert other road users in case of hard braking and rapid deceleration. Finally, there’s a new keyless ignition, which operates the ignition, steering lock and fuel filler cap.
The new 2025 Speed Triple starts at £17,495 OTR, in three colours options: Jet Black, Granite and Diablo Red or Granite and Performance Yellow, all with striking new graphics. Bikes will be arriving in dealerships from April 2025: more info at www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk
SPECIFICATION – 2025 TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1200 RS
| ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION | |
| Type | l/c, 12v DOHC inline-triple |
| Capacity | 1,160 cc |
| Bore | 90mm |
| Stroke | 60.8mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.2:1 |
| Maximum power | 180.5bhp (134.6kW)@10,750rpm |
| Maximum torque | 128Nm@8,750rpm |
| Fuel system | Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with electronic throttle control |
| Exhaust | Stainless steel 3-into-1 header system with underslung primary silencer and side mounted secondary silencer |
| Final drive | X-ring chain |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, slip & assist |
| Gearbox | 6 speed |
| CHASSIS | |
| Frame | Aluminium twin spar frame, bolt-on aluminium rear subframe |
| Swingarm | Aluminium, single-sided |
| Front wheel | Cast aluminium, 17 x 3.50 in |
| Rear wheel | Cast aluminium, 17 x 6.00 in |
| Front tyre | Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 – 120/70ZR17 58W |
| Rear tyre | Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 – 190/55ZR17 75W |
| Front suspension | Öhlins 43mm fully adjustable USD forks, 120mm travel, SmartEC3 OBTi system electronic compression / rebound damping |
| Rear suspension | Öhlins monoshock RSU with linkage, 120mm rear wheel travel, SmartEC3 OBTi system electronic compression / rebound damping |
| Front brakes | Twin 320mm floating discs. Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers, OC-ABS, Brembo MCS radial master cylinder. |
| Rear brakes | Single 220mm disc. Brembo twin piston caliper, OC-ABS. |
| Instruments | Full-colour 5″ TFT instruments |
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS |
|
| Length | 2090 mm |
| Width (at handlebars) | 810 mm |
| Height | 1085 mm |
| Seat height | 830 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1445 mm |
| Rake | 23.9 ° |
| Trail | 104.7 mm |
| Wet weight | 199kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.5 litres |