Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS

The new hyper-naked street-fighter goes directly up against the Ducati Streetfighter V4, KTM 1290 Super Duke R, and Kawasaki Z H2 and has been priced at Rs 16.95 lakh (ex-showroom). This update was a long time coming as the previous model was launched in 2016.

The 2021 model has received many design changes and draws inspiration from the new Street Triple while retaining the muscular appeal of the Speed Triple. Triumph have also given the bike sleek new LED headlights and ditched the dual under-seat exhaust in favour of a single-exhaust layout. The bike gets an all-new cast aluminium frame (17 per cent lighter) with a weight distribution that is further forward and lower down. With a wet weight of just 198 kilograms, the bike is now 10 kilos lighter than the previous generation.

The new 1,160-cc in-line three-cylinder motor has been developed with insights gained from Triumph’s Moto2 race engine and designed for enhanced performance and reduced mass. It now puts out a very impressive 180 hp at 10,750 rpm and a peak torque of 125 Nm at 9,000 rpm. What is more impressive is that the all-new Speed Triple 1200 RS delivers the highest power-to-weight ratio in the Speed Triple’s history. For 2021, the bike will be available only in the RS variant and in two attractive colour schemes: Sapphire Black with red and silver graphics or Matt Silver Ice with black, silver, and yellow graphics. With improved rider geometry, high-end suspension and tyres, and a whole bunch of features, the RS offers quite a bang for the buck.