Triumph blindsided me with the announcement of its limited edition Speed Triple 1200 RX, but I shouldn't have been so surprised. When I tested the Speed Triple 1200 RS in March, I never questioned the changes the engineers made to make the cockpit roomier and give you a more comfortable ride because it still performed so well on a wet Portimão track.
I was enamored that Triumph's engineers managed to keep the Speed Triple performing at probably 90-95% the performance of the rest of the hyper naked models, but make it feel like a sports tourer at the touch of a button.
But at the same time, I should've known Triumph wouldn't settle for 90-95% compared to rivals, and that's what the RX is for.
The 1200 RX takes the relatively comfortable ergonomics of the 1200 RS and makes them more suited to on-track performance, and that starts with the handlebars. The RX features clip-ons and a machined top yoke, which are 69mm lower and 52mm further forward than the 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS.
Combine this with foot pegs that are 14.5mm higher and 25.5mm further to the rear than the RS, and you've got a far more aggressive riding position.
Although it'll be down on power compared to its most extreme competition—Ducati's Streetfighter V4—the RX's clip-ons mean it won't just match the competition on track in terms of sporty ergonomics, it should best them, and that could be a difference maker when it comes to the stopwatch.
The RX comes with the same Öhlins Smart EC3 system that impressed me in Portugal, but also features the Öhlins SD EC steering damper, which isn't on the RS model. I have to imagine that, since the RX has less leverage on the handlebars when compared to the RS, this new damper should be a literal lifesaver on this wheelie machine.
The most interesting thing about the SD EC steering damper is the fact that it integrates with the Öhlins Smart EC3 system, and you can adjust it via the Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface on the instruments. All the aforementioned features should help riders feel more comfortable and faster around a race track.
Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud said: “The new Speed Triple 1200 RX offers the ultimate riding experience, both on the road and on the track. The extra technology, premium specification and more focused riding position will put this firmly on the wishlist of every track day enthusiast. With just 1200 of these available around the world, customers who secure an early order will really stand out from the crowd.”
Apart from the more sport-oriented ergonomics, riders will be even more secure around a track thanks to an upgraded performance seat, which features an embossed RX logo and is supposed to enhance both performance and comfort.
When I was trackside listening to a fleet of Speed Triples roar past me on Portimão's main straight, I thought, "This is possibly the nicest sounding bike with a standard exhaust currently on sale." But the RX looks set to take that spot.
This model comes with the new Akrapovič silencer as standard, and the can features a titanium outer wrap and mounting bracket, a carbon fibre endcap and exhaust valve cover, and is finished with a laser etched Akrapovič logo.
The final piece of this aggressive puzzle comes in the form of the paint scheme and bodywork. This model features an exclusive Triumph Performance Yellow and Granite graphic scheme and white RX accents. Helping to keep the wet weight down to 438 pounds is a carbon fiber front mudguard and tank bodywork. The final touch is one more Triumph Performance Yellow accent on the rear wheel.
In many ways, we could look at the Speed Triple RX as a replacement for those who would've bought the Speed Triple RR. But, unfortunately, Triumph will only produce 1200 units, and the price is still $21,495, which really isn't bad compared to the standard model's $18,895.
