2025 Triumph PB2 / Speed Triple 1200 RS

Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS: Overview

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is the sharpest, most focused version of Triumph’s legendary Speed Triple lineage — a pure performance naked bike built around precision, power, and razor-edge handling. It’s not just an evolution of the old Speed Triple 1050; it's a completely new machine.

At the heart of the RS is a 1,160cc inline-three (triple) engine, a significant jump from previous generations. It delivers a peak of 177 horsepower (132.4 kW) at 10,750 rpm and 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) of torque at 9,000 rpm, making it ferociously quick but with that signature smooth, linear triple-cylinder pull. The engine is lighter, more compact, and revvier than before — it's built to be explosive at the top but strong in the midrange too.

Chassis & Handling

The RS is incredibly light for its class at around 198 kg (437 lb) wet, giving it an agility that feels more akin to a supersport bike than a traditional streetfighter. The frame is a lightweight cast aluminum unit, incredibly stiff but thin-walled, helping to keep the bike nimble.

Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable Öhlins — a NIX30 43mm upside-down fork at the front and a TTX36 twin-tube monoshock at the rear. Braking is just as elite: Brembo Stylema calipers biting twin 320mm discs at the front, with a Brembo MCS master cylinder offering adjustable brake lever ratio and feel.

Electronics

The Speed Triple RS comes loaded with top-tier electronics:

5 ride modes (Rain, Road, Sport, Track, Rider-configurable)

Cornering ABS and traction control (both governed by a 6-axis IMU)

Up-and-down quickshifter

Full-color 5-inch TFT screen

Keyless ignition

Bluetooth connectivity with phone and GoPro control via the Triumph app

Everything is tied together in a clean, intuitive, rider-first interface without being overbearing.

Design

Stylistically, the 1200 RS looks like a true Speed Triple: minimalist, aggressive, and lean. Signature twin headlights (now LED) sit under a small flyscreen. The tail section is tight and pointed, with a sculpted tank and midsection that make the bike feel physically smaller than it is. The swingarm remains single-sided — a Speed Triple hallmark — proudly showing off the rear wheel.

Paint options usually include sharp, stealthy colors like Matt Silver Ice or Sapphire Black, with contrasting frame and graphics detailing that hint at its premium status.

The Ride

On the road, the Speed Triple RS is a weapon:

Steering is ultra-precise

The ride is firm but controlled

Throttle response is immediate but finely tuned

Brakes are eye-poppingly strong

The quickshifter is slick and satisfying

It demands an engaged rider but rewards every bit of skill and attention you give it.

Final Word

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS isn’t just a big, fast naked bike — it’s a scalpel for the streets and the track. It’s more aggressive and pure than a Ducati Streetfighter V2 and more visceral than a KTM 1290 Super Duke R in many ways, without feeling brutish. It's one of the most refined yet thrilling hyper-nakeds you can buy.