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2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS revealed, coming to India this week (120 high-res photos)

Written by Nizam Shaikh

Triumph has revealed the new Speed Triple 1200 RS with an all-new higher capacity Triumph Triple engine with significant improvement in power and torque, lighter overall weight, a new intake and exhaust system, an optimised clutch and gearbox, an all-new chassis, premium suspension and braking equipment and advanced electronics package. Triumph has also announced that the 2021 Street Triple 1200 RS will be arriving at dealerships by the end of February. 

The 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is powered by an all-new 1,160cc liquid-cooled, inline 3-cylinder 12-valve DOHC motor with multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with electronic throttle control that makes 180 PS of power and 125 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed gearbox with slip & assist clutch. 

Despite having a larger displacement, the new engine is 7 kgs lighter and more compact compared to the previous Speed Triple powertrain. The new motor also pumps out 30PS more power and 8 Nm more torque than the outgoing model along with a 650 RPM higher rev limit. Triumph also claims that the power-to-weight ratio has been improved by 25% as compared to the outgoing model and nearly 50% more than the first generation, 1994 Speed Triple. 

Triumph has also optimised the clutch which is a new lighter weight slip and assist unit matched to the new stacked 6-speed gearbox with compact dimensions and optimised ratio progression. The new friction material used for the clutch allows for less number of plates minimising mass, improves clutch feel and maximises control during high-speed downshifting. 

The engine also benefits from an all-new free-breathing intake and exhaust system that produces a visceral intake roar and a full bodies exhaust howl. The 12% less powertrain inertia also means the revs climb faster and the engine sounds sharper. The lighter, compact and advanced engine enables the Speed Triple 1200 RS to deliver a perfect balance of aggressive performance and control. 

The new lighter powertrain is held within an all-new lightweight chassis that is 10kg lighter than the predecessor and offers new rider ergonomics and a dominant riding position. The new Chassis rides on premium Öhlins suspension performance tuned for the Speed Triple 1200 RS. The front features a 43mm NIX30 upside-down unit with adjustable preload, rebound & compression damping and a TTX36 twin tube monoshock with preload, rebound and compression damping on the rear. 

Braking duties are performed by 320mm twin floating discs with Brembo Stylema monobloc callipers on the front powered by a radial master cylinder with a separate reservoir, that comes adjustable for span & ratio. The rear features a single 220mm disc with Brembo twin-piston calliper with a rear master cylinder and separate reservoir. The motorcycle features Continental MIB-EVO Optimised Cornering ABS (OC – ABS) integrated with a 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU).

In the electronics department, the 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS features a new optically bonded 5-inch TFT instruments cluster with a new user interface, two different themes, a plethora of information and a lap timer for track use. The instruments cluster comes with My Triumph Connectivity system as standard and users can access phone control and music, control a GoPro etc. 

Other electronic features include 5 different riding modes – Rain, Road, Sport, Track and Rider, a new Triumph Shift Assist with up and down quickshifter fitted as standard, Switchable Optimised Cornering Traction Control integrated into the riding modes, front-wheel lift control, new LED headlights with menacing Daytime Running Light signatures in LED, LED taillight with a distinctive light signature, self-cancelling indicators, a full keyless system with keyless ignition, keyless steering lock, keyless fuel filler cap, cruise control as standard and illuminated switch cube. 

The Speed Triple 1200 RS features iconic Speed Triple design language that reverberates with the original Speed Triple from 1994 and the new-generation motorcycle gets a compact bodywork with newly designed elements such as a Carbon Fibre front fender, new RS graphics, Triumph branded handlebar clamp, a new tail unit, body-coloured belly pan, 17-inch black-painted V-spoke alloy wheels and attention to detail such as hidden cables and hoses. 

The Triumph Speed Triple is offered in two colour options – Matt Silver Ice with black, silver & yellow graphics and Sapphire Black with red & silver graphics. The Speed Triple 1200 RS also comes with a range of 35 accessories to personalise the motorcycle.

The all-new Speed Triple 1200 RS is expected to be priced around INR 17 lakh ex-showroom in India.