Today is without doubt, the best day of Lockdown 2021 so far. It’s the day when we can finally share the details of the all new 2021 Triumph Speed Triple RS. Not just all new paint and stickers, but properly new engine, chassis and everything else all new. Stick the kettle on and prepare to be home schooled, in a really good way.
Does it have the power to compete with KTMs and Ducatis on paper now?
Yes it flipping does. 177bhp, which is a significant hike over the old model.
How much does it cost?
It costs £15100, which is £650 less than a KTM SuperDuke R and £2.5k less than a V4 Streetfighter.
How much carry over is there from the old model?
Triumph has said none, when they said ‘all new’, they really meant all new.
How much lighter is it than the outgoing model?
Ten kilos! This new Speed Triple RS weighs 198kg wet.
Did you say 177bhp?
Yes, at 10750rpm. The new redline is at 11,150rpm. Peak Torque is also up, 125Nm at 9000rpm.
Is that Ohlins suspension I can see?
Yes, 43mm NIX30 upside down forks at the front and a TTX shock at the back, offering all the adjustment you need. This bike means business.
What cool things can’t I see yet that I need to know about?
The stacked gearbox? The slipper clutch? The Triumph connectivity system that now comes as standard? The up and down quick shifter that comes as standard? How about the keyless ignition and fuel filler? Cornering traction and ABS? The Speed Triple RS means business.
Are there any downsides that you can see from here?
The lack of factory option exhaust, like the Trident is an unfortunate sign of the times. Also, the fuel tank is 15.5 litres, which people might sniff at. The reality is probably easier to live with than you think. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to find out.
The Engine.
Is an all new 1160cc Triple cylinder layout, it’s all new and now features a finger follower style valve train. It’s seven kilos lighter than the old motor, it breathes better thanks to new intake and exhaust systems and features a single low level exhaust pipe. The new ignition system features twin tip spark plugs, according to Triumph this will increase durability at high revs. The motor also benefits from lower inertia across the entire powertrain, meaning a faster, stronger spin up across the rev range. The cooling system has been redesigned and is more compact than it used to be.
The Chassis.
Has been designed to deliver Street Triple levels of agility. The new chassis is cast aluminium and is 17% lighter than the outgoing chassis. Thanks to a new stacked gearbox, the single sided swingarm can be mounted closer to the centre of the bike and is slightly longer without adding to wheelbase, this should offer increased stability everywhere without slowing the steering down. The handlebars are wider, the standover narrower thanks to a skinnier tank and seat profile. The seat height is now 830mm. Thanks to the pegs being moved inwards, there’s more ground clearance to play with as well.
Ohlins suspension and Brembo Stylema monobloc brakes will deliver premium performance on road and track. There are two tyres homologated for the Speed Triple RS. The standard tyre is a Metzeler Racetec RR tyre, in our opinion one of the best all round tyres in the market and one that massively enhanced the Thruxton RS riding experience. For serious track riding, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC2 has also been approved. The single sided swing arm holds a new design of 17 inch rear wheel. We think It looks banging.
The TFT dash.
Is all new and optically bonded. The five inch screen houses all of the information you need, there’s also a lap timer and the option to change more settings on the move than ever before. The Triumph connectivity system that was previously a cost option is now a standard fitment. That means you can control your Go Pro with the handlebar controls and make use of Google turn by turn navigation.
Colours and accessories.
There are two colours of Speed Triple RS to choose from, neither of which cost anymore than the other.
In accessory terms, there are lots of extra boxes for you to tick that cover style and detailing, technology, luggage, protection and care. The lists within each are huge. Trust us when we say you’ll find something that catches your eye in each of these areas.
In summary.
This is the highest standard specification Speed Triple ever made. It’s also the most powerful and packs the most torque. It has the chassis hardware to not just stand shoulder to shoulder with the big guns in the naked sports category (Tuono, V4 Streetfighter and SuperDuke R) but it genuinely looks like it’ll be just as good on track as it will on the road. In styling terms, we think it’s a peach. that rear 3/4 angle really shows how sharp the Speed Triple RS is. The changes made to the inside are matched equally with a sharp new look that while retaining original Speedy DNA, has taken a leaf out of the Street Triple RS book. The Speed Triple RS is priced at £15100 otr. If that isn’t fighting talk, we don’t know what is.