Motorcycle specifications Triumph 1200 Speed Twin RS 2026 Thruxton on the road?

The RS designation has a strong sporting connotation, whatever the brand. This is even truer at Triumph, where the only models to use this adjective are particularly sensation-hungry. Speed Triple RS (1200 and 1050), Street Triple 765 RS, ex-Thruxton RS... Excluding the old sport-GT Sprint RS, whose identity followed the VFR doctrine.

with the Thruxton having jumped ship, the Modern Classic range finds itself without a café-racer on board. A niche market, to be sure, but one with a cult image. It's up to the 1200 Speed Twin to cultivate some of this spirit with its RS version. The idea is not to replace the cafra, but rather to spice up the roadster a little and subject it to a more muscular ride.

Some significant gilding... aluminum mudguards.... More demonstrative decals... Miss RS neither shocks nor provokes, but expresses its more dynamic orientation in no uncertain terms. It's all about not shivering in the face of a demanding enthusiast, and why not kick a R12 NineT to the curb if the latter goes astray parking near it.

The Triumph doesn't squeal with impatience. It waits quietly, with British phlegm and the assurance of a well-built machine. The front end of the Speed Twin 1200 RS takes full advantage of its desires. The fork is still a Marzocchi model, but enriched with preload, compression and rebound adjustments. The beautiful gold color quickly informs any curious onlooker that the steering wants to dominate its subject. Braking performance reaches a high level with the arrival of Stylema calipers, one of Brembo's best references. They are more efficient than the M50s on the ex-Speed Twin, and have a much more distinguished pedigree than the clamps on the standard Speed Twin.

This "super-Bonneville-sport" is a charmer on the road, with a more pneumatic tire with a robust grip, Metzeler Racetec RR K3, a hypersport rubber with a strong road feel. And top-quality Öhlins shock absorbers, also adjustable in all directions. The rider's natural inclination to attack is enhanced by a more committed riding position than on the Speed Twin: the buttocks are 5 mm higher (810 mm from the ground), the handlebars lower and further back (16.2 mm / 9 mm), and the footrests slightly higher and further back (6.5 mm / 40 mm). Triumph is also keen to encourage the use of half handlebars (optional), to make this a truly sport-classic machine.

with a little more electronics, the Speed Twin RS asserts its position. For the first time in the extended Bonneville family, a shifter makes its appearance. Active when upshifting and downshifting, we're curious to discover how it will behave with an engine originally designed for English boxing and not especially for cheetah racing. Added to this is an additional "Sport" driving mode... or rather, the reintegration of this mode. Yesterday's Speed Twin, no RS at all, had it as standard. But Triumph has taken the fat out of the model to further highlight both the difference and the added value of this RS.

As standard, the Speed Twin 1200 RS comes with an Up&Down shifter, three riding modes (Road - Rain - Sport), traction control, ABS (now cornering), assisted clutch and anti-dribble, a new headlamp (full LED) and a completely redesigned dashboard. For some, the all-digital speedometer will be a bit of a turn-off compared to the old, classic double dial with chrome accents. One part displays driving information in LCD, the other manages assistants and goodies in TFT. Step-by-step navigation has been added, and the USB socket has been relocated.

with its optimized chassis, the RS has no more horsepower to manage than the Speed Twin. Each is entitled to 105 hp at 7,750 rpm, 5 more than the 1200 from 2021->2024. Only the Sport electronic management system will give the RS an extra boost. The 11.4 mkg will give you a gratifying burst of thrust, while the 270° engine timing will provide just the right dose of character.

The 1200 Speed Twin announces its 3rd generation with a review of details (tank, silencer, wheels, saddle, trim elements). Halfway between the cafra Thruxton and the normal Speed Twin, the RS rocker strives for a racy recognition. Better suspended, better equipped, a little more bourgeois-trashy, it's ready to rumble its strength and relaunch. But beware, she knows how to make her company's hearth pay. At over 17,000 euros, it smells more of monarchy than democracy...

M.B - Manufacturer's photos