Triumph has always provided us with fun and practical motorcycles, both on or off the roads. It was the Speed Triple that was one of the first bikes to be a part of the super-naked saga, are we are forever grateful to Triumph for it. Well, for 2022, Triumph is dialing things up for the Speed Triple with the intensely updated 1200 RS.
It retains the madness but also adds in a lot more practicality and flexibility. This Brit remains one of the very few that can be let loose on the race tracks and cater to your daily chores without breaking a sweat. Superbikes are not made to be sensible, but over the years, Triumph has perfected the Speed Triple line-up to thin that line.
This is the reason why the all-new 2022 Speed Triple is a serious threat to its bold competition that includes the likes of the red-hot Ducati Streetfighter V4S, the mental KTM 1290 Super Duke R, and the supercharged Kawasaki Z H2. We will compare the reincarnation of the original super naked with the new advanced bunch out there and tell you why the Triumph triumphs!
The 2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is the more practical option when it comes to super naked motorcycles.
2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Redefines Hooliganism, Yet Again
The 2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is the most powerful offering for the iconic nameplate. Hooliganism has always been the roots of this mad machine, but with the latest updates, the bar has been raised even further. It gets angrier (literally) with redesigned LED headlamp layout and gets a revised exhaust system. While we sure are sad to see the iconic dual muffler layout go, Triumph has done well in preserving the soothing inline-3 whine that we all so love about Triumph Triples. The engine is bigger which also translates to the 2022 Speed Triple 1200 RS being the most powerful in this family.
The new 1,160cc inline-3 motor pumps out 177 HP and 92 lb-ft of torque, with improved low and mid-range torque. The engine revs up much more smoothly, thanks to 12% lesser powertrain inertia, which also facilitates a higher rev limit of 11,150 RPM. Even after all of the bump-ups in engine size and performance, the 2o22 Speed Triple 1200 RS is lighter than its predecessor. The engine alone is now 15.4 lbs lighter, which is also complemented by the slimmed-down exhaust system. The frame has also been trimmed down by 22 lbs.
The total curb weight now stands at 437 lbs. which makes it the 2nd-lightest super naked of its class (the KTM is lighter). Finally comes the insanely impressive technology and component package and it will surely make your eyes pop. It gets a new slip-and-assist clutch and an updated 6-Speed gearbox. The suspension setup has turned out to be the sweetest yet with fully adjustable Ohlins NIX 30 at the front and a TTX36 mono at the rear.
The cherry on this cake is an impressively widespread suite of electronics that can transform this hooligan from a jumpy road bike to a beastly entity on the tracks! It gets four riding modes with intricate adjustments to the throttle map, cornering ABS, lean-angle-sensitive TC, and wheelie control. The RS also gets a sweet Brembo brake kit that allows you to tweak the bite of those brakes at will.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Vs Ducati Streetfighter V4/ V4 S
On paper, Ducati undercuts Triumph with its MotoGP derived 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale 90-degree V4 engine that pumps out a hefty 208 HP and 90.72 lb-ft of torque. It takes just 3 seconds to cross the 60 MPH mark and has a top speed of 175 MPH. But the advantage that Ducati has is dulled down because of its added weight for a total of 443 lbs. Moreover, despite having quite a generous pack of technology and features, reliability is a grave concern for Ducati. Looking at the bigger picture here, Triumph sure has an allrounder.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Vs Kawasaki Z H2
This desirable Kawasaki is the only supercharged contender on this list. The Kawasaki Z H2 is all things great and is the pinnacle of engineering among motorcycles. Having a whining supercharger allows it to pack the smallest engine of the bunch. With a 998 cc supercharged inline-4 motor, this Kawasaki pumps out 200 HP and 101 lb-ft of torque. This green monster does 0-60 MPH in 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of 166 MPH. But then again it weighs in at an astounding 592 lbs. which takes away a lot of its fun including nimble riding dynamics, which is the spice-up aspect that makes the Triumph a cult favorite.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Vs KTM 1290 Super Duke R
This orange-madness is powered by a 1,301 cc 75-degree liquid-cooled V-twin motor that pumps out 177 HP. KTM 1290 Super Duke R is the lightest motorcycle of this class at an impressive 416.7 lbs. This allows it to zoom past the Triumph with a 0-60 MPH time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 186 MPH. While it creates shockwaves when it comes to performance, riding dynamics are single-minded and are not suitable for subtle road use. Reliability is also a big factor, and this is where Triumph evens the field!
The OG Super Naked Remains The Most Sensible Option Of Them All
While the KTM 1290 Super Duke R sweeps the competition with its performance, Ducati Streetfighter V4/ V4 S with its red-hot appeal, and Kawasaki Z H2 with its industry-leading technology features; Triumph managed to bring about a balanced layout with the 2022 Speed Triple 1200 RS. It is no small feat to make a super-naked that lives up to its hooligan legacy, but at the same time also is a daily driver. Triumph achieves just that and this versatile nature is what makes the Speed Triple 1200 RS the most sensible 'mental' option of the lot.
Sources: Triumph.com, Triumph-mediakits.com, Ultimatemotorcycling.com, Ridermagazine.com, Revzilla.com, Cycleworld.com