Triumph Speed Twin 1200 (2025 – ) review

Triumph’s Modern Classics range has always been the leading blend of traditional styling and contemporary conveniences, cleverly concealing things like liquid cooling and the necessary exhaust emissions gubbins into a range of beautifully finished bikes. While at a glance little different from the Speed Twin 1200 launched back in 2019 this new 2025 iteration has taken a significant step toward modern rather than classic, keeping the looks everyone loved but updating the engine to the latest Euro5+ regs, adding rider electronics like cornering traction control and ABS and swapping the previous twin clocks for a single, app-connectable display. The tank has also been reshaped and has gained some rather garish graphics at odds with the otherwise trad looks while the departure of the Thruxton has provided opportunity for Triumph to create a more focused RS version with uprated suspension, a slightly sportier riding position and other tweaks. So, more going on under the skin than the familiar looks might initially suggest.

While clearly more substantial and grown-up than the Bonneville-based (and also updated for 2025) Speed Twin 900 the 1200 is still an accessibly compact feeling bike, the 805mm seat height not as lofty as it sounds while the reach and riding position should suit riders of a range of sizes and physiques. There have been slight tweaks to the position of the bars and pegs, the new RS taking this further with the foot position going back and up while the bars are further forward. Even then it’s still a relatively upright and comfortable riding position, the option of dealer fit clip-on bars there if you want something a little closer in spirit to the dearly departed Thruxton.

Triumph sells a huge range of accessories for the Speed Twin 1200, and nearly three-quarters of buyers take it up on the offer with various options there if you want them. But even if you go that way this is never going to be a bike for long tours, commuting or the like and, as a naked, motorway stints are going to be a chore given the exposure for both rider and pillion. Connectability via the new display open options for phone powered nav and other conveniences, if you want them.

The fundamentals for both standard Speed Twin 1200 and new RS are the same, being based around an updated Euro5+ tuning for the proven parallel-twin motor. Output is now up a smidge to 105 horsepower but the 112Nm of torque defines the character of the bike, the Speed Twin hauling from any gear with a satisfyingly bassy exhaust note and exploitable flexibility. It’s not a light bike and real speed freaks may find themselves hitting the throttle stop on occasion but there’s fun to be had in the fact you can use all the available performance and it never feels slow. Brakes are very much modern kit as well, with twin radially mounted four-pot calipers up front. Those on the standard bike are Triumph branded items in an apparent downgrade from the Brembos of before, though have plenty of bite. The fancier brakes are now reserved for the RS, and have a nicer, more progressive feel to the lever.

It might look old-school but there’s nothing retro about the way the Speed Twin rides, the geometry somewhat sharper than the BMW R12 NineT that might also be on your shopping list and the Triumph feeling rather more agile and flickable even if both are on the hefty side. The standard bike makes do with non-adjustable forks, the rear shocks tweakable for preload only but the set-up striking a nice balance between comfort and damping support even when an unexpected detour on the route took us down a more Scrambler-appropriate bit of broken tarmac. Extra impressive given rear travel has actually been reduced a fraction over the 2021 model year bike this replaces. Handling is wonderfully confidence inspiring whether you’re in the mood to mooch or fancy cracking on a bit, the Speed Twin happy to play ball and with enough space to throw your weight around if that’s how you ride. Is it worth the extra money for the RS? With slightly more rear suspension travel from the Öhlins shocks, rear-set pegs and a fractionally taller seat the riding position is a little more purposeful and over the front wheel, while sticker Metzler Racetec RR tyres give you more to lean on. Everything from forks to lever feel just seems smoother and more refined, the quickshifter there if you want it and everything encouraging you to ride just that bit harder than you might on the standard model.

While cheaper to buy than that R12 Nine T the Speed Twin is an expensive bike, the RS version even more so. You don’t feel short-changed in terms of quality, fit or finish on either bike so it’s a case of pays your money and takes your choice in this respect. A big engine is obviously going to cost more in everything from fuel to insurance but the relatively lazy tune and riding style it encourages shouldn’t stress the components too hard.

For all the changes the foundations for the Speed Twin 1200 remain more or less as before, and are all well-proven. True, there are more electronics than before but, again, it’s all familiar kit so we wouldn’t have too many concerns.

Triumph’s 10,000-mile service intervals likely far exceed what most owners will be doing over a year but it’s a confidence inspiring sign of faith in the engineering and takes some of the stress out of ownership. Warranty is the standard two-year job, with the option to extend by one or two years at extra cost and transfer onto the next owner if you sell within that time frame. Which may help your case come resale time.

As happened with the related 1200 Scrambler X and XE Triumph has been a bit with give with one hand, take with the other when it comes to the finer details of the spec. So, where the standard Speed Twin 1200 once had standard Brembos these are now reserved for the considerably more expensive RS. The quickshifter on this bike is a nice-to-have, the peg position required to fit it meaning it’s not an option on the regular 1200. The switch from the previous twin clocks to a single offset one with app-supported phone connectivity is a modernising touch but one seemingly not universally popular among the target audience. Opinions will differ there but we’re more disappointed things like heated grips and cruise control are still cost options.

Triumph really sweats the details on its Modern Classics and that shows in the gorgeous lines of the Speed Twin 1200. That may sound superficial but the appeal of a bike like this stands or falls on how it looks as much as how it rides. For all the trad vibes the riding style is very much up there as well, and the Speed Twin 1200 can be ridden as hard as any modern bike but with charisma they could only dream of. Style and substance, in short. And a bike that’s at least as good to ride as it is to park up and admire.