It’s nearly time for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride event: registration is now open for the charity motorcycle ride-out event, which takes place on Sunday 17 May at cities around the globe, and attracted 127,000 riders in more than 108 countries in 2025.
It’s aimed at raising money for charities, especially men’s health organisations, and is generally a fun day out too.
And now title sponsor Triumph Motorcycles has unveiled this unique custom Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer DGR Edition as the headline ‘Gentlefolk Prize’ for 2026. It’s a one‑off custom, created specially for this year’s event, and is said to be inspired by the original British café racers of the 1960s.
The special build is based on Triumph’s Speed Twin 1200 Café Racer Limited Edition, and features a bespoke Harris Tweed bullet seat no less, made from authenticated, handwoven fabric from the Outer Hebrides, a material closely associated with the style of DGR riders around the world. Clip-on handlebars, a unique ‘15 Years of Dapper’ anniversary graphic and number board plus a unique Certificate of Authenticity rounds off the special equipment list.
A spokesperson from the official Harris Tweed Authority (who was probably slightly surprised to be talking about motorbikes instead of plus-fours and the like) said: “It is exciting to see Harris Tweed used in this way for the creation of the Gentlefolk Prize Motorcycle.
Just as The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and Triumph have taken their unique style and quality around the world, our Harris Tweed is handwoven in the Outer Hebrides and recognised and valued around the world; a global symbol of craftsmanship, tradition, and enduring quality. We are proud to contribute to a motorcycle created to help raise money, celebrating global unity and the collective impact of riders everywhere.”
Away from the Tweedish aspects, the 1200’s classic retro styling is defined by a low, tucked riding position created by the clip-on bars, the streamlined single-seat profile and ‘the refined attention to detail throughout the motorcycle’. Machined bar-end mirrors reinforce the bike’s clean silhouette, while ribbed clutch and alternator cover badges, black head bolt covers and sculpted knee pads add subtle but distinctive detailing.
Completing the look is an exclusive British racing-inspired colour scheme, combining Competition Green and Aluminium Silver paintwork with Aluminium Silver wheels and a colour-coded Competition Green headlight bowl.
As on the Speed Twin 1200 RS, the custom Speed Twin has a sweet chassis setup, featuring fully-adjustable Marzocchi front forks paired with Öhlins twin shocks at the back. Premium braking kit comes in the form of twin Brembo Stylema calipers with 320mm floating discs, while sticky Metzeler Racetec RR K3 race tyres are fitted as standard.
It’s all powered by Triumph’s high‑compression Bonneville 1200 twin engine, making 105 PS at 7,750 rpm and 112Nm peak torque. A handsome beast for sure, and Triumph’s big retro twin goes well too.
GENTLEFOLK COMPETITION
The Gentlefolk Competition Prize is awarded through a random draw, giving all eligible participants an equal opportunity to win the one‑off Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer. To enter, riders must register at gentlemansride.com and unlock all four DGR profile badges before the campaign closes. Entrants have to complete the rider profile, make a personal donation, make a donation to a random gentlefolk to earn the ‘Pay It Forward’ badge, and raise at least USD $250.
Once all four badges are unlocked, the rider is automatically entered into the draw. This means that any registered rider, anywhere in the world, has the chance to take home this unique DGR custom motorcycle.
Alongside the Gentlefolk Prize, Triumph will also award brand new modern classic motorcycles to the top three fundraisers worldwide, further motivating riders to fundraise and make a difference in support of Movember’s life‑changing programmes.
Riders can register for The DGR at gentlemansride.com and find out more about the Speed Twin 1200 Café Racer Edition at triumphmotorcycles.co.uk