Is Triumph's new 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS a step too far? | MCN First Ride

#TriumphSpeedTriple1200RS #MCN
Neevesy gives his first impressions after riding the new Speed Triple 1200 RS in this in-depth video review. We tested the bike on both the road and on track to see how it really feels.
We cover the Speed Triple's design, price, speed, history and everything you need to know about the new 2021 bike and more importantly answering the question: 'Is the Triumph's new 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS a step too far?'
Let us know what you think in the comments!
Check us out on socials:
Facebook: @MotorcycleNews
Twitter: @MCNnews MCNSport
Instagram: @motorcyclenews
Visit the MCN website for all the latest news, reviews, advice and bikes for sale:
www.motorcyclenews.com/
MCN Compare is your one-stop bike insurance shop: www.mcncompare.com/
Subscribe to get MCN every week, in newspaper or digital format: bit.ly/3rEIjaP

[@davidpersson986]

Best reviewer ever! Feel like I know what I want after listening to Neeves. Brings out the nuances and selling points of each bike. Nice contrast to all the reviewers out there full of general praise of little use to who is trying to navigate in the wonderful world of motorcycles

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Thanks for watching! We appreciate your comments.

[@williamdavies550]

this is the same guy that said the R1 was a comfortable bike

[@sabihasultana5914]

@@williamdavies550 0

[@greenambles]

1:52 “That doesn’t even need it’s front wheel unless it’s parked” 🤣🤣🤣👍🏼

[@johnnyrodrigo2030]

Hahaha I laughed a lot. I have a 2017 1290 SuperDuke GT, and even for the Grand Tourer it’s true 😂😂

[@marscruz]

I always think that Michael does the best job in defining the niche each test bike fits into. He knows what kind of rider is going to enjoy whatever bike he is talking about. All riders are different and I appreciate the fact that he is trying to give us the profile of type of rider each bike was built to satisfy. There is no "best bike" per se. There is only the "best fit" for your requirements. Thanks for that.

[@richardcurtis2469]

That's a fair point. I will take that on board. It's me I think. I am 64. Still ride bikes got a Honda cb600 hornet been restored fully . It's 22 years old. So I think I'm still stuck in the 1970s

[@michaelmarston237]

To heavy abs comes in to early .

[@Zekenificent]

I love the comment he made about the KTM Super Duke only needing its front tire when it is parked 😆.

[@diablo5744]

ha, i just said this without readnig through the comments, im deleting my comment ! lol

[@Zekenificent]

@@diablo5744 no worries, don't delete your comment

[@countryjoe3551]

I've ridden one enough to completely understand and agree with him.

[@panchochilli11]

I really like the way you summarize where this bike fits into the category. Really useful info for a buyer. Great job as always, my favourite reviews.

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Thanks!

[@samiam5326]

Great review and comparison. Thank you. Who else wants to see a shoot out between the new Speed Triple, new S1000R, and new Tuono 1100 RR?

[@beetleything1864]

lamb chop rides - compares the triumph to the Tuono

[@flubbyhog]

I love the way neeves dissects a bike; the good, the bad and the competition in there’s too. Never a bad review. Always makes me think about something I didn’t think about before. Well done!

[@andrewprice1189]

The only reviewer worth listening too these days is Mr Neeves. Sets the standard all others aim for

[@the510wagon]

Neevesey is the best reviewer. Very wise. I always appreciate the background info he gives about the history of a bike & where it sits relative to the category & competitors. I would love a new ST1200RS... But pricing in Australia is rude.

[@Bajker4ever]

Its time for new Daytona 1200 :)

[@shawnlack1527]

Yeah the Daytona needs a Liter bike. Or a production Norton.

[@bboness713]

Oh yes! I'll second that!

[@Benjay1975]

The people have spoken

[@WegrennerX]

Love the look of that old beast

[@jastheacenz]

Yessssssssss plzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@douglashodge334]

Neeves is the only bike reviewer I can happily listen to talking for 20 mins. Great review and what a machine!

[@bokiNYC]

Agree 100%!

[@lensoprezole5322]

Hello Michael, your comparison between all the bikes of the supernaked category is just GOLD 👍 Thank you very much. Very useful to guide us for a purchase. Precise enough even though I love to learn more about technical details. Now, waiting for the icing on the cake with the Tuono V4 factory review 😍 Take care.

[@craigmason6656]

Nice realistic review Neevsy. I'll be sticking with my 18 RS thanks. Hope this sells well though. Cheers from Melbourne.

[@duc899]

Lovely bike, typically great review. The most helpful in picking a bike I've seen - much appreciated sir.

[@vtwin6683]

Always a balanced in depth review from Michael and a pleasure to watch. Great stuff 👍

[@baccaratfitness2360]

Really appreciate your review technique, simple, direct, relaxed and thorough.

[@shadowred1980]

Great review. Michael gets the details across in a way very few others can. Hats off sir.

[@stevecrocker6904]

now here's a gentleman who does his product preparation and has set what he is going to say. No "ums", "ahs" and cliches of the would-be reviewers. I'll listen to him any time

[@bokiNYC]

Agree 100%!

[@4130Media]

this isn't first ride, this is a thorough review! very well done, always a pleasure to listen to Neeves' reviews

[@FunAllDayLong4353]

Top stuff, by far the best review of the 2021 Speed Triple 1200RS I've seen so far.

[@ericaworthington2675]

High power? Great for 2-up, eg Busa is a fabulous 2-up sport tourer. I can't wait to see this engine in a revised Tiger Sport, for 2-up. Please, Triumph, bring us a Tiger Sport 1200!

[@movem1]

Brilliant review and really impressed with Triumph for jumping into the ring with this one. Can't wait to see it at my local dealer

[@MrBlueberrypie44]

Well done Neevesy One of the best reviews of any bike I've seen on YT. I'm not a Triumph hero, but I do like them. And once again, Neevesy has spoken truth on the matter. Exceptional awareness and detail. Thanks MCN.. and Keep up the good work

[@MrMRTravac]

Lovely review honestly felt as if I've been out on the bike myself

[@suereed]

The birds are so happy. I honestly though they were outside MY window.

[@MMPAspergerian]

I thought they were outside also; maybe it's because I had too many beers?

[@Senninha1960]

It must have been one of the 5 days a year that the sun is out in UK

[@madpekon]

I have been waiting for the review since day one. As always spot on.

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

It's always worth waiting for!

[@MrMikey1703]

Thanks Mike, I like this new style of reviewing - as in giving your thoughts a day or so after riding the bikes. It's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of being on a new generation machine that you aren't able to take stock and have some rational thoughts. Being a newish 1290 SDR owner (after 5 Trumpy's inc a S3), I don't think that I should test ride one of these as it's bound to cost me a lot of money and a at least month sleeping in the kennel. :D

[@VikingBagsYT]

Great video! Just wanted to say we here at Viking Bags really appreciate your content! Keep up the good job!

[@JamesCAsphalt8]

Excellent, well thought out, well presented and researched review. Thank you.

[@benkelly2190]

A great review, telling me all I need to know..keep my 2018 speedy RS . Thanks👍🏻

[@wolfgangsimon1509]

Love the style of your reviews, very informative and competent. Thumbs up

[@michaelspreyer5619]

Great review which helped me enormously as it’s real objective. First time I’ve seen Michael Neeves as a reviewer but will follow him by now. He does a real amazing job!

[@GOINFINITI]

Love it how you explain the bike - you can really understand the feel of riding one.

[@gjkMN]

I love Neevesy's reviews because he talks about things like feel and character, and all the things I can't know myself just from reading the spec sheet.

[@chris8949]

Thx for the exeptional good reviews you provide. Best!

[@pascalborrens5708]

Great review like always, very curious to see you test riding the new Tuono 👏🏼👍🏼✊🏼

[@pratik649]

The introduction was very well laid out

[@I_am_Monty]

Hands down the best motorcycle reviewer. I like the video even before I watch it! I have got so much info/skills from watching Michael's videos. Sounds like an awesome naked bike 👌

[@DJPTEXAS]

Best reviewer by far ! great job as always...

[@vknair6652]

The best motorcycle reviewer on KZbin.

[@niksingh22]

big 👍 for MCN.. for showing full review of triumph rs1200👍🇮🇳

[@lexusrcflover9175]

Absolutely in love with my Street Triple 675r I couldn't imagine it with 70 more hp this bike must be madness...👌

[@MrBiggles]

Love MCN ❤️. Sounds like a nice bike, Cheers Neevesy 👍🏻

[@victorpintotapia4874]

Superb review. Greetings from Ecuador.

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

From abroad I loved to listen to your explanations; it's a wonderful bike both to ride and to look at.

[@CNCycle]

Great review. Really like that you're honest about the good and not so good. This was high on my list but I don't think it is anymore. Thanks again.

[@MOTOUK1]

Great review, when I reviewed the bike in last two weeks also I found for the road it just was missing something that sense of occasion. My standard street bike I ride daily is the MT10SP so coming from that I was a little disappointed. Agree for track amazing but at the end of the day it’s a road bike so needs to be more road focused like the earlier Speed Twins were. Thanks Michael 👍

[@reececampbell2609]

Superb review. 👌Was thinking of buying a 2021 but hardly ever manage to get to the track. Now assessing 2020 options. Thank you for the guidance.

[@matthewkonopka3012]

Just got a 2020 S3(outgoing model). Dream to ride. So glad I picked one up before they are all gone. A true masterpiece to the Speed Triple name.

[@ManishKumar-iv7ld]

I've see So Many of Ur Videos.. U are So Articulate & to the Point !! Fantastic Review (as Always) & What a Way, to Describe How the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS REALLY Feels / Behaves !! Thanks again :)

[@pclark6068]

Great to hear a balanced review of this new bike, I maybe a little bit biased as I have an 18 RS, but some of the other journalists gushing over the bike’s power and track ability, missing the point of how is it as a day to day road bike which most people probably use them for! They also gave glowing reviews of the previous model, yet seem to suggest how bad it is now !! Great video and detail especially against its rivals in this class 👍

[@peter_king]

Love this review. Just fantastic content. Don't generally bother with the paper these days but this vid has earned my sub'.

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video at last a review were the old speed triple rs hasn't been slated over the new speed triple rs 🇬🇧👍

[@melowd7779]

Best Mc reviews on KZbin, hands down.

[@hawaiielite]

Great video! Best review of this bike on youtube

[@DearMajesty]

Great review Neevesy! One of the few journalists a rider can trust these days. A very nice, complete and nuanced review!

[@TheDroelfzig]

Nice Video, nice expressions from you, at least the end with the clip ons. ;-) greetings a T509 rider from Germany :-)

[@masseyfergusonab]

You are the best reviewer Hands down• 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Appreciate that

[@petercarr6599]

Great watch buddy, thankyou ❤️

[@jonwalters6939]

Excellent informed test with great comparisons to its rivals. Telling it like it is!

[@kevinhamilton9920]

Just bought the 2022 rs. Picking up Wednesday. My uncle has the same bike. Can't wait to pick her up.

[@stuarthorn8398]

Excellent review as always. Thank you very much

[@Andy-2022]

This is the second review that says a negative about the ride quality. A bit of a let down because this bike will spend most of its time on the bumpy road. Adaptive suspension would have sorted that

[@pistolpete6321]

Great review, very informative!

[@mathiashammar1]

Great review and honesty about the bike! Seams like Triumph hit a big one with this for the more sporty riders. They nailed the chassi, TFT screen, engine and powertrain. Its a ripper with those nice tyres.

[@speedybobblehead9382]

Great review, I have no interest in change my 2018RS for this one, it’s every thing I need and more 😍

[@iantouzel638]

Your the man , best on the web. I was thinking about selling the my S1000R for the new Spedd triple, but where i live i need heated grips and dynamic damping. The road is a nightmare in Québec , holes, bumps, cracks.

[@trevorphillips3055]

Think I'll stick with my 2014 street triple 675r, it's all you need for the road and still great fun to ride. No BS electronics just abs.

[@allwheeldrive]

Great review. And, more to your point about going too far, I've got an '09 Speed I've put several thousand miles on. It is a total blast to ride. And even with a measly 130hp, it has *always* been more than powerful enough on the street. But even that version has one of the sweetest engines ever made. But like this one, the ride is always very firm, always ready to attack. And the ergos made my last 500-mile trip...challenging. It might be because I have a VStrom 1000 to choose from, but it is still spot-on for the days when you just want to play.

[@fyorbane]

Great review Neevsey. Shame that Triumph have made the new Speedy a little too track orientated with that setup. I have just watched a full review of the new 1100 Tuono Factory and the guy could not stop gushing over it. He actually went as far as to say it was the best bike he has ever tested. And it looks gorgeous. As ever a tremendous job of describing what the new Speedy is all about. Take care and ride safe.

[@waynepritchard7233]

A fascinating and honest review. This guy really knows his stuff. Outstanding video.

[@bikerbuddy3166]

Loved the old one ☝️ agree with everything you said , another good review as ever , stay safe

[@kubak5306]

Great review. Thank you .

[@fido0825]

As always Neevesy gives another excellent review! As a hick from Missouri, USA, I could listen to him talk all day about square root tables or antique coffee pots. He wins my "Best Online Bike Reviewer" award hands down both for his knowledge and insight as well as his accent (yes, you guys in GB have the accent). Chopsy would be 2nd!

[@markreynolds8630]

What an excellent review! Thanks.

[@michaelhayward7572]

I've watched a bunch of new S3 reviews. This one, honestly is comfortably, the best of the rest.

[@johanhasan4707]

Excellent review as always, Neevesy 👍🏼

[@Jandejongjong]

One of the best reviews Thumbs up!

[@Firestorm637]

Totally agree with you!! The Middle weights are the new Goldilocks bikes. Nice to have Halo bikes to show off new tech that will end up on their lower bikes. The Streetfighter is 208 horsepower but around town are you hiting 12,000 rpm plus.

[@marchaywood9378]

really helpful review, and could not have made my buying decision without it :)

[@brucekendall52]

Great analysis,thks.

[@garysmith2983]

I love my 848 Streetfighter. Traded my Blade for it last Sept and wish I’d made the change years ago.

[@bdoubleu68]

Great review. Am currently looking at one of these or the Ducati Street Fighter as a replacement of my MT10SP.

[@Terraceview]

Great review!

[@silkysmooth7900]

I love my '09 triple. It's perfect.

[@Ndeasington]

Only one question. Can you turn anti-wheelie off? Great review. Thanks

[@larrysweetser4198]

Best editor on two wheels

[@robinsmiggy3884]

Great test as always Neevsy, agree with your summary except the new Beemer S1000R isn’t getting the shift cam is it? At least not yet, mistake? Full test soon hopefully. Great choice out there now, well done Triumph for getting stuck in to the fight at the upper end. MCN still the go to tests

[@CubanRider]

Enjoyed every bit of the video. One correction I have to point out is that the new S1000R does not get the shiftcam from the RR, it gets the same engine as the 2020+ S1000XR. I can deal with a bit of suspension stiffness on the 1200 RS, hoping to pick one up soon.

[@tonydare7614]

Excellent review. I was hesitating between the Street Triple R and the Tuono 660 and was wondering whether the Speed Triple was worth considering too as a comuter and semi-urban day out machine. But I guess it is too much bike for the daily bread run.

[@JENX1976]

Looks wise, I love it. Looking fwd to test riding one soon.

[@zachghanie8894]

Great chat on bike ...its the bird sanctuary he was in that got me birds tweeting lol ...but great spill on bike

[@Andre-Mostert]

Those first line of the video is so true. Most of the people dont use the bikes for track days and they just want a well rounded awesome looking and riding bike with some good numbers to back it up. I just got myself a Street Triple R and I am so impressed how this 765cc engine feels so much like a litre bike. Smooth and sounds awesome. I have even gone so far to start a little motovlog to capture my experience with this bike. So far I am super impressed. This one is one I need to go and test ride some or other time. Liked and subbed.

[@pcarts232]

Yeah agree, I have the Speed Triple RS and at first tbh I didn’t like the suspension but it’s an absolute blast 💥 i love it and I wouldn’t swap it for anything!

[@red.riot.2280]

Heck now. More POWER! Haha. The only thing extra I want is a windscreen. But I agree that midrange is much better that top end. The option for a touring screen is a must for daily use. So far, I’m keeping the MT10. Well until the next gen.

[@carlosarques]

Best & honest reviewer ever! Period.

[@firehouse6226]

Good commentary. Triumph engines really are amazing.

[@scottbailey5644]

Neevesey is best and most knowledgeable presenter by far! Look forward to your next vid sir...

[@barrygreen1883]

Great review thanks. I am torn between the Triumph and the 2021 Tuono Factory. Mainly for road use. Test rode the Tuono this morning which I loved, great handling and fuelling. I am still waiting for the Triumph demo to arrive at the dealership, I’m told next week !!! What would be your recommendation ? Thanks in advance, best regards. Barry

[@TheJWC56RSA]

You are spot on!! I have both the Super Duke R and the Streetfighter V4 S. To be honest they are much to much for the road as you said! I think I enjoyed my MT09 much more!! I'd love the SDR and the SFV4 rather with more torque and less speed! More to enjoy on the road and not to go to a track.... It is getting stupid now! Who want to start to enjoy a bike at 9000 rpm and up?? Regards!!

[@lensoprezole5322]

TheJWC56 : you are totally right but unfortunately a lot of guys are "retarded" they think the more powerful bike is the best. They think like kids. I wonder if they have already riden on a 180 hp bike with the throttle wide open. And that's even without talking about all the guys never going above 6000 RPM because they are too scared. All they can say is "THE BEAST" on youtube ahah.

[@robertbermudez4458]

Mt 09 sp 👍

[@leandrocintrao67]

This channel is pretty awesome, stay true!