A ‘It is very lairy but it works on the road… just’
The new Speed Triple 1200 RS is a far more sports-focused bike than the outgoing 1050 models and that means it won’t appeal to everyone. But by the same token it will certainly turn some riders towards the British brand and also appeal to those who may be looking to upgrade their smallercapacity naked Triumph.
If you own the smaller Street Triple RS and love the sporty nature of that bike, relish the fact it destroys corners and enjoy the thrill of working a motor and being rewarded by serious performance, the 1200 RS will meet your every expectation.
It has all the sporty attitude of the smaller-capacity bike but with more of everything — performance, tech, handling and kudos. However, owners of the old Speed Triple 1050 would be upgrading to a very different bike to what they’re used to.
The new model lacks a little of the soul and easy-going speed that many find is at the heart of the Speed Triple’s appeal. Its engine is whirry and supersmooth where the 1050 is characterful and almost a living thing in feel. The
1200 demands to be ridden with commitment. The same goes for the chassis — much better when softened, it’s still firmer than the old bike, though it does have far nicer steering and impressive stability. It would run rings around the old bike on track.
Overall, the Speed Triple 1200 RS delivers on Triumph’s ‘performance naked sports’ brief, but it is far from a traditional ST in feel — and for some, it’ll be too damn fast for its own good.