2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR unveiled

Triumph has taken the wraps off the 2022 Speed Triple 1200 RR, a modern cafe racer style superbike and it is for the first time in the bike’s 27 year lifecycle that it has gotten a faired variant. The Speed Triple 1200 RR is based on the Speed Triple 1200 RS and it is powered by Triumph’s new-age 1160cc triple-cylinder engine. The engine is coupled to a six-speed gearbox and as expected, the Speed Triple 1200 RR gets a whole load of electronic nannies and also more kit like semi-active suspension than its naked sibling. Let’s have a look!

2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR design

Triumph has a habit of making heart-achingly beautiful machines and the new Speed Triple 1200 RR is no different. Just look at it! The Speed Triple 1200 RR is Triumph’s take on a modern cafe-racer. It is based on the Speed Triple 1200 RS and the main factor which differentiates the two is the styling. What’s new on the 1200 RR is the cockpit fairing with the signature RR single round headlight and Triumph has given the Speed Triple 1200 RR 135mm lower and 50mm further forward set of clip-on handlebars for sportier ergonomics. Hugging the engine is a colour-coded belly pan and the rear gets a compact tail with T-shaped tail lights. The Speed Triple also gets a single-sided swingarm which adds to its beauty and a three-into-two into one exhaust that will sing the famed triple-cylinder high rev opera.

The Speed Triple 1200 RR sits on a set of 17-inch 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels and is available in two colours — Red Hopper and Crystal White. To enhance its sportier riding credentials Triumph has given the Speed Triple 1200 RR carbonfibre detailing on the side panels, cockpit, fairing and even the front fender. Did your heart just skip a beat? Ours certainly did!

2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR engine and chassis

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR shares the 1160cc inline three-cylinder engine with its naked sibling, the Speed Triple 1200 RS. The engine makes 177.6bhp (.1bhp more than the 1200 RS) at 10,750rpm and 125Nm torque at 9000rpm. As it is based on the Speed Triple 1200 RS, the Speed Triple 1200 RR is underpinned by the identical aluminium twin-spar frame with a bolt-on aluminium rear subframe chassis. Triumph, with the Speed Triple 1200 RR has tried to create the ‘ultimate sports bike for the road’ but that hasn’t stopped them from giving it a whole load of track-focused kit. It actually is a level up on the most track-honed version of the Speed Triple family, the 1200 RS, in terms of equipment.

Starting with the suspension, Triumph has given the Speed Triple Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 electronically adjustable semi-active suspension. Present at the front are fully adjustable 43mm USD forks while the rear gets a monoshock. Ohlins’ S-EC 2.0 OBTi system that adjusts compression and rebound damping electronically at both ends. Braking duties are handled by twin 320mm floating discs up front with Brembo’s Stylema monobloc calipers, and a single 220mm disc at the rear which is held by a Brembo twin-piston caliper. The aforementioned 17-inch wheels are shod on a set of Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tyres, but if you want to take your Speed Triple 1200 RR to the track, available on-demand is the super sticky and track-only spec Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC2 V3 rubber. Other noteworthy dimensions include an 830mm seat height and a 15.5-litre fuel tank. The Triumph Speed Triple 1200RR tops off the scales at 199kg (kerb weight).

2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR electronics and tech

Gracing the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR’s dash is a full-colour 5-inch TFT display that gets the brand’s My Triumph connectivity system fitted as standard. More on the connectivity front, this system is Android and iOS compatible which makes possible phone call and music operation, turn-by-turn navigation (developed in partnership with Google) and GoPro control.

The Speed Triple 1200 RR gets five riding modes — Road, Rain, Sport, Rider-configurable, and also a Track mode which has minimal help from the ABS and traction control system. Triumph has also fitted the Speed Triple 1200 RR with the brand’s most advanced cornering ABS system. A key feature that aids riding comfort is the up and down quickshifter, which has been developed using the feedback from the brand’s involvement in World Moto2TM championship. It also has auto throttle blipping for smoother downshifts. More features on the Speed Triple 1200 RR include a fully keyless system and cruise control.

Triumph has priced the Speed Triple 1200 RR at a price of £17,950 (without Indian taxes and duties) in the UK, which is a fairly large premium over the Speed Triple RS. While an India launch hasn’t been confirmed yet, the Speed Triple 1200 RR if and when it arrives here should demand a fair bit more than the Speed Triple 1200 RS’s ₹16.95 lakh, and could be launched at a price north of Rs 20 lakh.