P56
RIDE REVIEW I 2025 TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN 1200
package looks almost subdued
compared to the eye-popping
RS's Baja Orange, but if you ex-
pect the ride to be any less lively,
you're thankfully mistaken.
Our test in Majorca had us out
on the base model early and if
you'd left me on that for the day,
I'd be quite happy. Understated
it may be, the base 1200 is still a
thoroughly handsome machine
with ultra-clean lines and very
little clutter. The shiny twin pipes
are pure Triumph in their design
and, believe it or not, do indeed
house catalytic converters, which
just goes to show how poor
some manufacturers' attempts at
hiding cat converters really are.
The base model is more akin
to the old roadsters that inspired
these machines than the RS is,
which almost has a supersport
complex to its personality. With
a slightly higher-set handlebar
and lower-set footpegs, the ride
is relaxed and cruisy on the
base model. Due to near spot-on
fueling, the low-speed manners
of the 1200 are impeccable as
we negotiated the early morn
-
ing Majorcan traffic. There's no
quickshifter on the base model,
(Top) The
Baja Orange
colorway looks
something
straight out of
a café racer
film. (Bottom)
Ohlins shocks
give the RS a
competitive
edge.
