Road test of Triumph1200 Speed Triple RS 2025 The hooligan revolution

The Speed Triple's reputation is well established. From junkie roadster to hyper-efficient streetfighter, the 2025 version takes it to an even higher level. We tested the new Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS with Öhlins Smart EC3 electronic suspension

As the hyper-roadster segment grows year after year, we wonder: where will we be in 5 years' time? 250hp roadsters at €25,000, as unworkable as they are unfinishable? At the start of 2025, it's the turn of Triumph's big 3-cylinder engine to come under the microscope, with an evolution in equipment, homologation and, of course, price.

The story of this generation of Street Triple RS begins in 2021 , with the arrival of a 180 hp engine (previously 150 hp on the 1050) and original Öhlins suspension. A year later, we saw the arrival of the (very pretty) Speed Triple RR with semi-active Öhlins Smart EC generation 2 suspension and an even more expensive price tag of over 20,000 euros.

2025 is also the year of the Euro 5+ standard. The 2025 vintage Speed Triple 1200 RS therefore passes homologation, and Triumph has taken the opportunity to completely redesign the exhaust system and add 3 hp and 3 Nm to the 1160 cm3 block. After all, why not? While they were at it, they slightly revised the engine's internal balancing and mapping, and added two gadgets to the on-board electronics: 4-level wheeling control and engine brake control.

The oceanic climate of southern Portugal took its toll on the presentation, which took place mostly underwater. However, Triumph's engineer was confident in his nose-up control algorithm, and after a demo, a few of us volunteered to ride the rear wheels on the Portimao circuit's straight line, on rain tires, please. After unplugging the fear, we open wide in 1st gear and change gears with the shifter, all on the rear wheel in the apocalyptic atmosphere of the rain that's been pouring down on us since morning. Nothing to say, it works perfectly and it's amazing!

The rest of the electronics can be operated intuitively with the joystick, even if the number of settings makes it a bit of a gas factory. And yet, the way in which the Öhlins electronic suspension is adjusted by scenario is relevant. Brake support: choose more on five levels or less on five levels. The same goes for acceleration support, and bis repetita for all the scenarios predicted and detected by the inertial unit. Well done, this thing, and well executed, too. So what's the difference with the 2nd-generation Öhlins Smart EC suspension on theold Speed Triple RR? For one thing, there are two more scenarios (initial acceleration and constant speed) and the suspension components use plug valves rather than traditional needle valves. The advantage? They're quicker to change settings, and the oil circulates better.

While it was difficult to get a precise feel for their effect on the track in rainy conditions, we were able to see the amplitude of the settings on the road: it's rather soft when fully softened in comfort mode, and more rigorous in normal mode. The trouble with this bike is that you have to put the suspension in "normal" mode to start doing what you tell it to do when you're wandering around a bit. In "comfort" mode, it's hard to get it around corners, and the bike understeers. All things considered, we know that not everyone rides at press presentation pace. What is certain is that Öhlins Smart EC 3s are the ultimate in semi-actives currently available on the market, and that the Speed Triple is the least expensive of the hyper-roadsters equipped with this system.

The 3-legged, 120°-stall engine is always bursting with torque from 2,500 rpm all the way to the red zone, with a soundtrack that makes you want to squeeze. If some criticized the previous engine for its explosiveness, the new version improves on what the mechanics make us feel! On the one hand, all mapping has been revised for Euro 5+, as has the crankshaft balancing "strategy". In other words, it sounds rounder and the vibrations have been changed for the better. It still pushes just as hard, and as it's linear, it's predictable, but above all you have to hold on tight to the handlebars from 6,500 rpm, as it threatens to pitch up quite quickly when you open up wide.

We love to feel the block pushing us all the way to the red zone. Armed with power assistants, you're not afraid to roll over! When you reach 183 hp at 10,750 rpm, you've just got time to grab the selector, and it's ready to go. The original muffler allows the 1160 cm3's vocals to express themselves very well, but the Akrapovic still gives us the eye..

We're not so keen on the shifter, which is too chewy when you drop a gear, especially when you're playing with the clutch on a daily basis. On the other hand, it's comfortable to use, even at low revs, without jerking!

Don't expect a sofa either, this is a sporty roadster, but you can easily ride for miles without too much pain, thanks to a comfortable saddle and the Öhlins in comfort mode. You don't really need anything else except a windshield... The pressure on the wrists will force you to take breaks before you've done Paris-Lyon. Smaller riders will be bothered by the 830 mm saddle, especially when maneuvering at low speed.

the Speed Triple 1200 RS went from €17,500 in 2021 to €18,490 in 2024. Triumph is asking no less than €19,990 for the 2025 model! Of course, it's evolved, with the latest Öhlins technology, a steering damper (rather useless, but it's nice and reassuring) and new rims with a new exhaust. For the average person, if you can make do with the (very high-performance) "passive" Öhlins of the 2024 version, don't hesitate!

But if you're a tech aficionado, then this is the best-finished and most advanced bike available in this price range. The direct rival with the same suspension is the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S, sold for a whopping €28,490. If you're happy with the 2nd generation Öhlins Smart EC, you can take a look at the Yamaha MT-10 SP (€18,999) or theAprilia Tuono V4 Factory (€19,999), whose raging V4 offers a very different mechanical ambience.