2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS – First Look
Updated look, corner-sensitive electronics, and a sportier new variant
Triumph announced an updated Speed Twin 1200 model, as well as a new higher-performance Speed Twin 1200 RS model, introducing upgraded suspension, refreshed styling, increased power and new IMU-based electronics.Both models will arrive in North American dealerships in December, with the regular Speed Twin 1200 starting at $13,595 and the Speed Twin 1200 RS coming in at $15,995.
Visually, the new Speed Twin receives some subtle styling changes, adding some modern touches while still maintaining a classic look. The fuel tank has a new streamlined shape with deeper knee cutouts, along with a new flip-up fuel cap design. Below the reshaped one-piece bench seat, the side panels are more integrated with the brushed aluminum throttle body covers, which is a similar look introduced on the Speed 400.
Up front, the round headlight is a more compact design than the previous design, with a new brushed aluminum bezel and cast aluminum finishers. New cast wheel designs add a sportier, and modern touch.
The engine looks identical to the previous one, but Triumph says it was able to coax out an extra 5 hp from the 1,200cc Parallel-Twin, claiming a peak of 103.5 hp at 7,740 rpm and 82.6 lb-ft. at 4,250 rpm. Thanks to its 270° firing order and low-inertia crankshaft, the engine retains its distinctive character.
Triumph updated the electronics package, with lean-sensitive traction control and cornering ABS. The standard Speed Twin 1200 offers two ride modes, Road and Rain, while the RS model gains an additional Sport mode with snappier throttle response and optimized traction control settings.
To help manage the new electronics, Triumph updated the instrumentation, replacing the previous dual-gauge unit with a single combination LCD and TFT display. The new instrumentation offers phone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, and a USB-C charging socket.
Now that we know what the two Speed Twin 1200 models have in common, let’s see how they differ, starting with what makes the RS worth the premium.
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS
The Speed Twin 1200 RS offers sportier ergonomics than the standard model, with its handlebars positioned 0.6 inches lower and 0.4 inches further forward, and the footpegs moved 0.3 inches higher and 1.6 inches further back. The seat is also 0.2 inches higher, at 31.9 inches from the ground.
Along with the extra Sport mode, Triumph equipped the Speed Twin 1200 RS with a bidirectional quickshifter, a first for any of its Bonneville spin-offs.
Up front, the RS is equipped with fully-adjustable 43mm Marzocchi inverted forks, with 4.7 inches of travel. For the rear, Triumph went with Öhlins, with dual fully-adjustable external reservoir shocks offering 4.8 inches of travel.
Brembo supplies the dual Stylema M4.30 radial-mount calipers, matched with 320mm discs. For the rear wheel, Triumph went with a Nissin two-piston floating caliper and 220mm disc. Both wheels come standard with Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires.
The 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS comes in two color options, Baja Orange or Sapphire Black. Both feature RS graphics on the tank, anodized suspension, and brushed aluminum fenders.
2025 Speed Twin 1200 RS Colors
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200
The standard Speed Twin 1200 doesn’t get the same sporty ergos of the RS, but it does offer different ergonomics than the previous model. The handlebars are 0.7 inches higher than the previous generation, and 0.5 inches further forward, and the 31.7-inch seat height is slightly lower than the previous 31.9 inches.
The 43mm Marzocchi inverted forks aren’t adjustable, but they do have updated settings, and the same 4.7 inches of wheel travel., Marzocchi also provides the preload-adjustable twin rear shocks, now with external reservoirs and 4.6 inches of travel.
The brakes are also a lower spec than the RS model, with Triumph-branded four-piston radial calipers up front. Metzeler also supplies the standard model’s tires, but they’re Sportec M9RR tires instead of the RS’ Racetec rubber.
The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 will be available in Crystal White, Carnival Red, or Aluminum Silver.
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Colors
Specifications | Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS | Triumph Speed Twin 1200 |
|---|---|---|
Engine Type | Liquid-cooled parallel twin, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° firing order | |
Capacity | 1200 cc | |
Bore x Stroke | 97.6 x 80.0 mm | |
Compression | 12.1:1 | |
Horsepower | 103.5 hp at 7,750 rpm (claimed) | |
Torque | 82.6 lb-ft. at 4,250 rpm | |
Fuel System | Multipoint fuel injection with electronic throttle control. Two rider modes. | |
Exhaust | Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin brushed stainless steel silencers | |
Final Drive | X-ring chain | |
Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, slip & assist | |
Gearbox | 6-speed | |
Frame | Tubular steel, with steel cradles | |
Swingarm | Twin sided, fabricated aluminum | |
Front Wheel | Cast aluminum alloy, 7-spoke, 17 x 3.5 in | |
Rear Wheel | Cast aluminum alloy, 7-spoke, 17 x 5.0 in | |
Front Tire | 120/70 R17 | |
Rear Tire | 160/60 R17 | |
Front Suspension | 1.69” (43mm) upside-down Marzocchi forks, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 4.72” (120 mm) wheel travel | 1.69” (43mm) upside-down Marzocchi forks, 4.72” (120 mm) wheel travel |
Rear Suspension | Twin Öhlins RSUs with external reservoirs, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 4.84” (123 mm) wheel travel | Twin Marzocchi RSUs with external reservoirs and adjustable preload, 4.57” (116 mm) wheel travel |
Front Brakes | Twin 12.6” (320mm) floating discs, Brembo Stylema M4.30 radial calipers, OCABS | Twin 12.6” (320mm) floating discs, Triumph branded four-piston radial calipers, OCABS |
Rear Brakes | Single 8.66” (220mm) fixed disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, OCABS | |
Instruments | LCD multi-function instruments with integrated color TFT screen | |
Length | 81.6” (2073 mm) | 81.5” (2070 mm) |
Width | 31.2” (792 mm) | |
Height Without Mirrors | 44.4” (1127 mm) | 44.9” (1140 mm) |
Seat Height | 31.9” (810 mm) | 31.7” (805 mm) |
Wheelbase | 55.7” (1414 mm) | 55.6” (1413 mm) |
Rake | 22.6 ° | 22.4° |
Trail | 3.62” (92 mm) | 3.58” (91 mm) |
Wet weight | 476 lbs (claimed) | |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 3.83 gallons | |
Service Interval | 10,000 miles / 12 months | |
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS Gallery
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
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While style and appearance is very subjective, for sure, I wish Triumph (and many other manufacturers) would stop painting nearly all of their motors black. At least for me, aluminum polished engine cases like the ones on the Royal Enfield 650’s are far more attractive and more in keeping with the vintage look of the vertical twin format.
Anyway not my style of motorcycle. I need fuel range (300+ mile) and long distant comfort.