The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 is one of the firm’s nicest modern classics to ride. First launched in 2018, it combined a high-output version of the 1200 Bonneville parallel twin engine with slick styling, decent running gear and premium build, making it a joy to ride on ‘normal’ roads, as well as looking really sharp.
And now the Hinckley firm has updated the model for 2025, with chassis mods, a bit more power, and a two-model range: a standard base-model Speed Twin 1200, and a fancier Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS.
Both the new models get a variety of upgrades: they share the new engine tune, which uses a different camshaft and larger throttle body to get an extra 5bhp – the water-cooled SOHC 8-valve 270° 1200cc parallel twin unit now makes a grunty 103.5bhp@7,750rpm while peak torque stays the same as before at 112Nm@4,250rpm.
That’s not big horsepower nowadays, but suits the bike well, and is a nice output for a retro classic road bike.
Both models also share some updates on the styling front, with a new fuel tank, side panels, black powder-coated engine casings, throttle body covers, LED headlight and bracket, bench seat, silencers and wheels.
Triumph’s also uprated the not-at-all-classic electronics, with cornering ABS and traction control and riding modes on both models. The standard 1200 gets two riding modes, Road and Rain, with the RS gaining an additional Sport mode. There’s a new TFT LCD dash in a round dial for classic looks, which also includes phone connectivity, navigation and a USB-C charging socket.
The running gear is where the big differences lie though. Starting with the 1200 RS, Triumph has given it some premium kit: you get fully-adjustable 43mm USD Marzocchi forks up front, and a pair of Öhlins rear shocks, with piggyback reservoirs and full adjustability for preload, compression and rebound out back.
Wheels are new thin-spoked cast aluminium parts, and the RS also gets some proper sporty rubber: Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tyres as standard, while the brakes are uprated to full Brembo Stylema calipers with dual 320mm discs and cornering ABS. Some of that sounds a bit overkill: the Racetec rubber in particular is more often used for proper track work on faster, more powerful machinery.
But we imagine Triumph knows what’s it’s doing, and the rear tyre is a narrow fitment: 160/60 rather than a massive 200-section superbike hoop.
The RS riding position is a little more committed too, with the back end lifted up a little, and there are more rear-set footpegs, which also allow a proper up/down quickshifter for the first time on a Hinckley modern classic. That’s because the longer shift rod has room for a shifting sensor, which isn’t possible on the stock Speed Twin.
The base model 2025 Speed Twin 1200 gets the same basic engine and chassis setup as the RS, but misses out on the up/down quickshifter and comes with lower-spec running gear. The brakes are Triumph-branded four-piston radial calipers biting on 320mm discs, rear shocks are preload-only adjustable Marzocchi units, and the front Marzocchi forks are non-adjustable 43mm USD parts.
You get less-radical (but still sporty) tyres – Metzeler Sportec M9RRs – and an easier riding position with slightly lower seat (805mm vs 810mm). Both bikes have the same wet weight: 216kg.
The bikes will be in the shops just in time for Christmas, with the RS coming in two colours, orange or black, and three shades for the stock bike: white, red or silver. The RS costs from £14,495 otr, and the basic Speed Twin 1200 is £12,495. More info: www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk
SPECIFICATION – SPEED TWIN 1200 RS
| ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled parallel twin, 8 valve, SOHC, 2700 firing order |
| Capacity | 1200 cc |
| Bore | 97.6 mm |
| Stroke | 80.0 mm |
| Compression | 12.1:1 |
| Maximum Power | 105 PS / 103.5 bhp (77.2 kW) @ 7,750 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 112 Nm @ 4,250 rpm |
| Fuel System | Multipoint fuel injection with electronic throttle control. Two rider modes. |
| Exhaust | Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin brushed stainless steel silencers |
| Final Drive | X-ring chain |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, slip & assist |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| CHASSIS | |
| Frame | Tubular steel, with steel cradles |
| Swingarm | Twin sided aluminium |
| Front Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy 17” x 3.5” |
| Rear Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy 17” x 5.0” |
| Front Tyre | 120/70 R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 160/60 R17 |
| Front Suspension | 43mm upside-down Marzocchi forks, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 120 mm wheel travel |
| Rear Suspension | Twin Öhlins RSUs with external reservoirs, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 123 mm wheel travel |
| Front Brakes | Twin Ø 320mm floating discs, Brembo Stylema M4.30 radial calipers, OCABS |
| Rear Brakes | Single Ø 220mm fixed disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, OCABS |
| Instruments | LCD multi-function instruments with integrated colour TFT screen |
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS | |
| Length | 2073 mm |
| Width (Handlebars) | 792 mm |
| Height Without Mirrors | 1127 mm |
| Seat Height | 810 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1414 mm |
| Rake | 22.6 ° |
| Trail | 92 mm |
| Wet weight | 216 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 litres |
SPECIFICATION – SPEED TWIN 1200
| ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled parallel twin, 8 valve, SOHC, 2700 firing order |
| Capacity | 1200 cc |
| Bore | 97.6 mm |
| Stroke | 80.0 mm |
| Compression | 12.1:1 |
| Maximum Power | 105 PS / 103.5 bhp (77.2 kW) @ 7,750 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 112 Nm @ 4,250 rpm |
| Fuel System | Multipoint fuel injection with electronic throttle control. Two rider modes. |
| Exhaust | Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin brushed stainless steel silencers |
| Final Drive | X-ring chain |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, slip & assist |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| CHASSIS | |
| Frame | Tubular steel, with steel cradles |
| Swingarm | Twin sided, fabricated aluminium |
| Front Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy, 7-spoke, 17 x 3.5 in |
| Rear Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy, 7-spoke, 17 x 5.0 in |
| Front Tyre | 120/70 R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 160/60 R17 |
| Front Suspension | Ø 43mm upside-down Marzocchi forks, 120 mm wheel travel |
| Rear Suspension | Twin Marzocchi RSUs with external reservoirs and adjustable preload, 116 mm wheel travel |
| Front Brakes | Twin Ø 320mm floating discs, Triumph branded four-piston radial calipers, OCABS |
| Rear Brakes | Single Ø 220mm fixed disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, OCABS |
| Instruments | LCD multi-function instruments with integrated colour TFT screen |
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS | |
| Length | 2070 mm |
| Width (Handlebars) | 792 mm |
| Height Without Mirrors | 1140 mm |
| Seat Height | 805 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1413 mm |
| Rake | 22.4 ° |
| Trail | 91 mm |
| Wet weight | 216 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 litres |