[Auto] 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS review: First ride

[ʟᴜᴄɪ፝֟ꜰᴇʀ]

HIGHLIGHTS

Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS priced at Rs 16.95 lakh ex-showroom.

Weighs 10kg less than the outgoing bike at 198kg.

Makes 180bhp and 125Nm of peak torque.

Flagship streetfighters are evolving so fast alongside their faired siblings, that almost every year we’re rewriting the rule book on the parameters of what gives a motorcycle that the flagship tag. A minute ago, the norm was a litre class supersport came alongside the flagship streetfighter with 130-150bhp on tap. Now with the likes of the Italian’s and the Swedes pushing the envelope of displacement with their almost 1200cc 200bhp+ streetfighter, the 1050cc Speed Triple was beginning to look a little bland. The resultant pushback from the boys at Hinckley is this, the new Triumph Speed Triple 1200cc that will be sold in a single RS trim. The essence of the formula hasn’t changed much, but underneath, this new 1200cc Speed is an all-new motorcycle.

2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS review: Design

2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS review:The new graphics kit adds to the Speed’s fresh appeal, although the colour theme does vary according to the colour package, This red on black on the Sapphire Black is understated and classy.

There’s so much change under the skin, it’s hard to wrap your head around how Triumph have managed to ensure that the sum of all these new parts add up to create a motorcycle that is instantly recognizable as a Speed Triple. The familiar bug-eyed headlamps are still there but in this generation, they are slimmer and LED, with those sharp boomerang DRLs. The fuel tank too has gained some sinew, and this time around features graphics that run along the knee recess’. Being an RS badged motorcycle, the new 2021 Speed Triple also gets a carbon fibre mudguard and a body-coloured belly pan. The Sapphire Black paint scheme on our test bike is understatedly beautiful. Material quality too is exceptional all around, even before you touch tarmac with the Speed Triple, it feels flagship. The instruments are displayed via a 5.5-inch TFT screen which also allows riders to interface with their mobile phones and GoPros using the MyTriumph connectivity suite. Triumph’s TFT interface does stand out in terms of UX and harsh light legibility. Another flex for the 2021 Speed Triple is the full keyless system, which includes keyless ignition, an auto-steering lock as well as a fuel filler cap.