PREVIEW - 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Triumph Motorcycles Australia
One of the more popular bikes in Triumph’s Modern Classics range, the Speed Twin 1200 is still a relatively new model, having only debuted here in 2019 – albeit using a name that’s much, much older. The Speed Twin’s last major update was in 2021, so a makeover was overdue. That makeover has recently been revealed, with the revised Speed Twin 1200 for 2025 boasting more power, more tech, new features and a new member of the family, too.
Triumph haven’t messed with the successful Speed Twin formula too much (this is a Modern Classic, after all), but they’re making sure it keeps up with the times by adding more tech assistance and swapping from analogue to digital for the instrumentation. While some will welcome more rider assistance, losing those analogue gauges may be a tougher pill to swallow. It’s reflective of the broader motorcycling market, though, with even staunch “traditional” brands like Royal Enfield adopting TFT screens in recent years.
That aside, the new Speed Twin 1200 is still very much in the aesthetic of the old one, with familiar styling elements, like a large, round headlight, slim two-up seat and wheels that almost look like old-school wire spoke rims – if you squint – maintaining that classic look.
Like the styling, the running gear and chassis haven’t been altered much for the new version, either. A 1200cc parallel twin still provides the power – but with a bit more of it – while the impending loss of the Thruxton from Triumph’s catalogue is somewhat offset by the addition of a ‘Speed Twin 1200 RS’. This all-new addition to the Speed Twin 1200 range offers the same power and torque as the standard model, but features a more aggressive riding position, along with premium equipment, like Öhlins rear suspension, Brembo brake calipers and a quickshifter.
Both models get their own colours, graphics and detailing, with the treatment of the Speed Twin 1200 arguably a little bolder than the Speed Twin 1200 RS. The former will be available with three colour options, with two for the latter.
Further details, along with a release date and pricing, will be revealed closer to the Australian launch, which is scheduled for “early 2025”. The following is what we know so far.
A Bit More Power
The 1198cc parallel twin from the current Speed Twin 1200 carries over to the 2025 model, still with a 270-degree crank, single overhead cam, four valves per cylinder and liquid cooling. Compression ration of 12.1:1 is unchanged, too, but Triumph have managed to extract a little more power by changing the camshaft profile and revising the throttle bodies.
While the increase in maximum power is mild – up from 73.6kW to 77.2kW – it’s sure to be welcomed by Speed Twin buyers, just as the increase from 71kW to 73.6kW was for the 2021 upgrade. The power now peaks a little later in the rev range, too; at 7750rpm, instead of 7250rpm. Maximum torque is unchanged at 112.5Nm at 4250rpm.
Transmission is still a six-speed, with a slip/assist clutch as standard on both Speed Twin 1200 variants, but the RS adds the ‘Triumph Shift Assist’ up-and-down quickshifter. According to Triumph, the quickshifter perfectly complements the power delivery and character of the bike.
Upgrades and Downgrades
Frame for the 2025 Speed Twin 1200 remains a steel cradle type, which given the mild engine upgrade and aesthetic changes, didn’t need alteration. There have been some changes to what’s hooked up to that frame, though.
The Speed Twin 1200 gained 43mm USD Marzocchi forks with the 2021 upgrade. These remain for the 2025 version, but Triumph says they’ve been upgraded. Marzocchi rear shocks with remote reservoirs are new, replacing the generic coilovers of the current model. Preload adjustability on the rear shocks is standard, but if you want compression and rebound adjustability, you’ll have to step up to the Speed Twin 1200 RS, which swaps the Marzocchi rear shocks for premium Öhlins remote reservoir units. The RS offers full adjustability on the Marzocchi front suspension, too.
In terms of braking, the current Speed Twin 1200 is fitted with Brembo M50 calipers on dual 320mm front discs. For 2025, the all-new Speed Twin 1200 RS gets the Brembos, specifically the latest Stylema calipers, while the standard model reverts to Triumph-branded units (possibly sourced from Nissin) on discs of the same size. Rear braking is made up of a 220mm disc with 2-piston Nissin caliper – unchanged from the current Speed Twin 1200 and applicable to both 2025 models.
The Metzeler Racetec RR tyres that were once standard on the Speed Twin are now the preserve of the RS, while the regular model runs Metzeler Sportec M9RR rubber.
Two to One
The “softening” of the Speed Twin 1200 to distinguish and separate its new, racier RS brother continues with the tech. The ‘Rain,’ ‘Road’ and ‘Sport’ modes from the current model are now only offered on the RS, with Sport removed for the standard Speed Twin 1200.
It’s not all losses, though. ABS and the switchable traction control gain optimised cornering functionality as standard on both Speed Twin 1200 variants, so bends can be attacked with more confidence than previously.
The tech upgrade that may jar with Speed Twin aficionados is the change from analogue to digital instrumentation. The dual clocks of the current model are replaced with a single round gauge made up of an LCD screen in the upper portion and colour TFT display below. Speed, revs, gear position and fuel level are displayed on the LCD, while the TFT offers a range of secondary info, as well as displaying turn-by-turn navigation instructions when paired with a smartphone app.
On the left-hand side of this gauge is a USB-C charging socket.
LED lighting carries over, but there’s a new A-shaped DRL signature and a new look to the bezel and brackets. Round indicators are part of a range of genuine accessories for the new Speed Twin 1200 that numbers more than 50 items and includes a pillion seat cover, clip-on bars, different mirrors and seats, axle sliders and a tank protector.
Style Tweaks, Stylish Treatments
Beyond the headlight and indicators, other styling changes on the 2025 Speed Twin 1200 include new-look wheels, side covers, throttle body covers and seat, plus a flip-up fuel cap. The fuel tank, heel guards and engine covers are said to be restyled over the old Speed Twin, too, but differences on these items are more subtle. Likewise, the exhaust silencers are said to be more compact than before, but the differences are marginal.
In addition to being reshaped, the throttle body covers fit, jigsaw-like, into the side covers and feature a brushed aluminium finish. This finish is applied to several other details and also extends to the mudguards on the Speed Twin 1200 RS.
Wheels for both new Speed Twin variants adopt a paired seven-spoke design, while the seat is shallower and slimmer at the leading edge, making it easier to stand over. Contrast stitching, a pleated pillion section and grab strap are standard, along with Triumph branding at the rear. Seat height is 805mm on the Speed Twin 1200 (809mm on the current model), and the bars sit both 17.8mm higher and 13.4mm further forward than before. On the Speed Twin 1200 RS, the seat gains a suede-look finish and rises in height to 810mm.
The difference was a deliberate move on Triumph’s part – raising the RS’s back end accommodates a more aggressive riding position that includes handlebars sitting 9mm further forward and rearset pegs that are 40mm back compared to the standard version.
Colour Options
The 2025 Speed Twin 1200 will launch with a colour palette that includes Crystal White with Sapphire Black, Carnival Red with Sapphire Black and Aluminium Silver. On the two-tone options, a black lower section on the fuel tank reduces its visual bulk, with these options adding bold ‘1200’ identification, too. Tank graphics on the Aluminium Silver option are subtler, but the Triumph lozenge logo is common to all.
Black wheels, a predominantly black engine treatment, black ‘bars, bar-end mirrors, side covers and mudguards are standard, too.
Moving to the Speed Twin 1200 RS, available colours are Baja Orange and Sapphire Black, or plain Sapphire Black. On the two-tone option, the tank treatment replaces ‘1200’ with ‘RS’ identification and includes a white lower edge with gold and black striping and the Triumph lozenge logo. The monotone Sapphire Black has the same tank treatment.
The RS’s adjustable Marzocchi forks are finished in gold, as are the remote reservoirs for the Öhlins rear shocks. These, along with the aforementioned brushed aluminium mudguards, are the main visual differences over the standard Speed Twin 1200.
2025 arrival
There are still a few months to wait until the revised Speed Twin 1200 arrives in Australia, with release not expected until early next year. Full specs and pricing are also to be revealed, but given the current Speed Twin 1200 starts at $21,990, expect a slight increase for the new version. The RS variant will be more expensive again, given it’s now got some of what the base model previously had, as well as the Öhlins shocks and quickshifter.
Pricing, specs and more details will be announced closer to local release.
