2021 TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1200 RS
P46
F I R ST LO O K
2021 TRIUMPH SPEED
TRIPLE 1200 RS
T
he bike that started the
streetfighter segment
back in 1994—the vener-
able Triumph Speed Triple—is
getting a full-blown makeover
for the 2021 model year.
In the face of the contin-
ued performance onslaught
by European rivals KTM,
Ducati, Aprilia and BMW,
and Japan's Kawasaki and
Yamaha, Triumph's hand has
been forced and the British
boys and girls have produced
a new Speed Triple that's
lighter and significantly more
powerful than before.
Starting with the motor,
the capacity has seen a
110cc hike and now stands at
1160cc. Power is up a stout
29 horsepower to a claimed
177, while the torque from the
inline three-cylinder engine is
up six pounds-feet to 92 lb-ft.
That's an almost 25 percent
increase in the power-to-
weight ratio over the outgo-
ing Speed triple, and almost
twice that of the 1994 model.
There's a new clutch and
gearbox, and the model now
comes with Triumph's Shift
Assist up and down quick-
shifter as standard.
As for the chassis, 22
pounds have been shaved
off during the construction.
Triumph is claiming the new
Speed triple will weigh 437
pounds ready to ride with a
tank of gas, making it one
of the lightest super-nakeds
in the category. The riding
position is more aggressive,
the bodywork has changed,
and there are new Brembo
Stylema brake calipers, Oh-
lins suspension and Metzeler
Racetec RR rubber fitted as
standard.
As for the electronics, Tri-
umph's used a new five-inch
TFT dash, five riding modes,
up and down quickshifter as
standard, redesigned LED
lighting, keyless ride, Corner-
ing ABS and traction control
(feted by a six-axis Inertial
Measurement Unit) and the
Triumph Connectivity System
is fitted as standard for navi-
gation and phone duties.
The new Speed Triple
will come with an MSRP of
$18,300, making it one of the
most affordable machines in
the class. Units will be avail-
able by the end of March this
year. CN
