Pommie has been out on the amazing updated Triumph Speed Triple RR after recently hopping off the RS model, check out what he thought of the tech heavy, three-cylinder monster...
After testing the Triumph Speed Triple RS a while back, I was hoping to get the call to test the new RR model and I wasn’t disappointed when the phone rang. The 2022 Speed Triple RR is a work of art, dripping in carbon, Öhlins and Brembo goodness…
“The RR is a work of art, dripping in carbon, Öhlins and Brembo goodness, with retro looks to match!”
Read Pommie’s review of the Speed Triple RS here…
Looking around the RR, the quality of the components and finish are as good as you’d find anywhere on any of the high-end exotic marques and Triumph really needs to be commended for this, but it does come at a cost and that’s around 32k ride away.
The Speed Triple RR has to be one of the best looking modern Triumphs! Made even better doused in all the best parts.
The first time I threw a leg over the RR, I could tell instantly this bike is a full on sportsbike, the ride position is as sporty as it gets, so if you’re not into those sort of ergonomics, then this is not the bike for you. The controls are well placed and reasonably familiar, because they’re the same as on the 1200 RS and thankfully are relatively easy to navigate around.
Read Cathcart’s world launch report of the Speed Triple RR here…
Everything is done via the crystal clear 5in TFT dash and I really like the fact that most of the info you don’t need access to all the time is put in sub menus, this keeps the main dash clear and easy to read. The only difference between this TFT and the RS model is, you now have the option to adjust the suspension in the various ride modes on the fly. Speaking of ride modes, you get Rain, Road, Sport, Rider (custom adjustable) and Track.
However, to access Track mode you need to be at a standstill and that is the same procedure if you want to disengage the traction control, because I’m not trusted by Triumph to make those decisions while riding! Another cool feature is that you can download the Triumph ride app, which gives you access to your phone calls, but more importantly lets you have a simple navigation option on the dash, which works really well and is simple to read.
The only difference between the TFT on the RR and the RS model is, you now have the option to adjust the suspension in the various ride modes on the fly.
My first outing on the RR was a commute to work, which is not the most exciting of rides. However, it was a good opportunity to test the bikes lane splitting capabilities and see how comfy the new electronic Öhlins suspension was, to which I can say on both accounts, it performed excellent. I even managed to easily find neutral, gently tapping down from second gear while sitting at the lights, however when you select first gear before you set off again, there is a heavy mechanical clunk as the gear goes in.
The standout is the suspension, I love having the ability to adjust it so you can get a good level of comfort on our crappy roads and then when you finally get to some smooth twisty bits, simply flick it into Sports mode or your pre set Rider mode, firm everything up and away you go.
“The standout is the suspension, I love having the ability to adjust it so you can some comfort on our crappy roads, then when you get to some twisty bits, simply flick it into Sports mode…”
On the road, the mirrors offer a reasonable non-vibraty view behind and are the same width as the bars, so you don’t have to worry about clipping them on cars as you split traffic at the lights, it also helps that the bike is nice and slim.
Pommie mentioned that the suspension was a real stand out for the Triumph Speed Triple RR.
The cable operated clutch is also pretty light and the quickshifter is as smooth as butter running down a Spaniards back. However, I did find that when riding the bike in anger, it does like you to use the quickshifter and not forget it’s there and try changing gear normally, the bike really doesn’t feel right and I found myself hitting neutral a couple of times when I forgot about the quickshifter..
You have a two choices when it comes to colour, but the white seems to offset the carbon-fibre parts perfectly.
Triumph did not design the RR for riding in traffic though and the biggest saver for the RR though is the cruise control, it works flawlessly and allows me to take the weight off my wrists while riding along. No, the RR is designed to ride insanely fast and look amazing while doing so and it does these two things very well. On a twisty road it just all made sense and the memory of the commute to my favourite road faded away and was replaced by a big smile and a dose of adrenaline.
There’s no mistake, this bike is blisteringly fast with almost 180hp to play with and torque just where it’s needed. I was thankful for the rider modes and electronic trickery on the RR, which was keeping me safe as I held on when I grabbed a handful of throttle.
“The noise under hard acceleration is intoxicating and it’s mostly induction noise…”
The noise under hard acceleration is intoxicating and it’s mostly induction noise, because the exhaust has been muffled by those spoil-sport euro emissions people, that being said, if I owned one of these bikes I’d be buying an aftermarket pipe at the first opportunity – I can only imagine how good it would sound then.
“There’s no mistake, this bike is blisteringly fast with almost 180hp to play with and torque just where it’s needed.”
Riding the twisties is where the fun is and this bike loves to be pushed hard, the handling is spot-on as I knew it would be having tested the RS, but the Öhlins electronic suspension make it even more pleasurable and responsive.
Where the RS was let down slightly by the more track focused suspension, the RR can be adjusted to suit your needs and I found after playing around, I settled for -3 on the front and -5 on the back, this is a soft setup, but for my local roads that are pretty average to say the least, it was a good compromise, I then adjusted it firmer when I got to some smooth stuff.
You’ll have to muck around a fair bit with the electronic suspension to see what suits you and your riding style.
In the corners the bike feels really well planted and with the clip-on style bars there’s more weight over the front-end inspiring even more confidence. Flicking from side to side is a dream, but not quite as easy as on the RS, mainly because that bike has the wider bars giving more leverage, having said that, the RR has a more planted feel and is less flighty when driving hard off the bends. This was made even more evident while going over repaired potholes while cornering, where the RR just took it in its stride.
The Triumph Speed 1200 RR Brembo Stylema brakes are excellent, they offer massive stopping power without being at all grabby, I would have loved to test them and the bike on the track, because I’m sure they would have shined further. The front brake is even adjustable at the lever for reach as well as brake ratio. The bikes ABS performed faultlessly and I tested it a few times coming into gravel washed corners, after our recent flooding in NSW.
It’s hard to not fall in love with such an amazing bike as the Speed Triple RR. At $32,390 rideaway, the price is spot on for all the tech you get.
Is it worth the price? Well, if you wanted a sportsbike that’s different, exotic, has fantastic power just about everywhere in the rev-range and rides and sounds amazing, then yes. But, be prepared to spend a little extra for the shoulder and neck massages you’ll need if you’re a bit of an old fart like me. My only real gripe on the bike was, at this price level and being a British bike, it should come standard with heated handlebar grips, imagine riding this in British winter without them!
Tech Talk
New for 2022 is the cockpit fairing, sculpted to incorporate the signature-RR single round headlight set-up. Attention to detail is key, so the whole cockpit area has been kept clean and uncluttered through the clever use of hidden cabling and hoses. Premium new carbon-fibre infill panels add an extra level of detailing to the tank, fairing and cockpit, and when combined with the new carbon-fibre side panels and front mudguard.
The new model comes in two paint schemes – the Red Hopper and Storm Grey scheme or Crystal White and Storm Grey option with premium gold detailing. Both schemes come, as standard, with a colour coded belly pan and colour coded seat cowl, which is supplied alongside the pillion seat.
The updated model has new ergonomics, updates include new focused clip-on handlebars, which are 135mm lower and 50mm further forward than the Speed Triple RS, plus a new foot peg position. When combined with the accessible 830mm seat height, narrow tank and sculpted seat profile.
The sports edge to the RR is underlined by the premium specification of equipment that comes as standard. Instrumental to this is the new Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 electronically adjustable, semi-active front and rear suspension, which is the most advanced suspension system available from Öhlins. This new system has been specifically tuned to suit the RR’s geometry. It’s fully adjustable, even while riding, via the TFT instruments, and uses a highly-advanced suspension control unit to continually monitor the input received, including riding style, speed and acceleration to automatically adjust both compression and rebound damping.
The Speed Triple 1200 RR also benefits from lightweight track-spec twin Brembo Stylema monobloc front calipers and lightweight 320mm floating front discs. These are controlled via a Brembo front brake lever with multi-click system for span and ratio adjustability, to allow the rider to tailor the ergonomics for maximum comfort and control. On the rear, the stopping power is provided by a Brembo twin-piston caliper and 220mm single disc.
“The Speed Triple 1200 RR also benefits from lightweight track-spec twin Brembo Stylema monobloc front calipers and lightweight 320mm floating front discs.”
The 17-inch cast aluminium wheels are extremely lightweight and are fitted with the new high-performance Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tyres. For even more focused track use, there is also an approved track-only specification: the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC2 V3.
With every component optimised for power, torque and response, the powertrain delivers an impressive 180hp@10,750rpm, and 125Nm@9000rpm. Characteristic of all Triumph triple engines, the torque curve is smooth and strong from low down, right through the mid-range and all the way up to peak revs for incredible punch and acceleration.
“Impressive performance and distinctive character come naturally to the Speed Triple RR’s 1160cc triple engine – the same lightweight, efficient and high performing engine that already powers the RS model.”
The stacked six-speed gearbox is compact and light weight, with optimised ratio progression to precisely match the power curve. The lightweight slip and assist clutch uses ramps in the clutch to force it together when under load, adding to the force of the clutch springs and allowing more power to be transmitted from the engine to the gearbox. The opposite is also true when downshifting aggressively, where a controlled amount of clutch slip is allowed to maximise rear wheel control.
As with the Speed Triple 1200 RS, the RR comes with a full suite of state-of-the-art rider aids, electronics and convenience features designed to not only make the ride easier and safer, but also deliver a tailored set-up for different riding scenarios.
“As with the Speed Triple 1200 RS, the RR comes with a full suite of state-of-the-art rider aids.”
The full-colour 5.0-inch TFT instruments, with the My Triumph connectivity system fitted as standard. Android and IOS compatible, this enables phone call and music operation, turn-by-turn navigation (developed in partnership with Google) and GoPro control. All are accessed and managed via the backlit switch cubes and displayed on the optically bonded TFT screen.
The RR is also equipped as standard with Triumph’s most-advanced optimised cornering ABS and switchable optimised cornering traction control systems. These use an inertial measurement unit to measure roll, pitch, yaw and acceleration rates, in order to calculate the lean angle and precisely control the ABS and traction control response to match, optimising slip rates and torque control to suit the specific riding mode chosen.
Linked to the traction control system is the advanced front wheel lift detection system, which uses advanced algorithms for precise control. The new RR features five riding modes – Road, Rain, Sport, Rider-configurable, and also a Track mode, which has minimal ABS and traction control intervention. The riding modes have multiple levels of intervention to choose from and are selected and adjusted via the TFT instruments.
Another key feature for use on the road and on track is the Triumph Shift Assist up and down quickshifter, which has been developed using the insight Triumph has gained through its involvement in the World Moto2 championship. It features an advanced sensor that gives the engine control unit a wealth of information, allowing both up and down gear shifts to be fully mapped against a number of parameters, exactly as the Moto2 race teams do.
“Another key feature for use on the road and on track is the Triumph Shift Assist up and down quickshifter.”
When up-shifting, the Triumph Shift Assist adjusts factors such as ignition, fuel, and throttle angle, to momentarily relieve the pressure on the gears and allow them to slide. This is a much more sophisticated system than a traditional quickshifter, which would simply cut the ignition. When down-shifting, again the system monitors and adjusts various parameters and precisely controls the throttle blips, guaranteeing a smooth shift.
Lighting is LED throughout for maximum durability and efficiency. There’s a daytime running light incorporated into the new single round headlight (where market legislation permits) and a distinctive rear light integrated into the tail unit with unique light signature, plus LED self-cancelling indicators.
The new Speed Triple has LED lighting throughout the bike which looks amazing, especially the tail-light.
The new Speed Triple 1200 RR comes with Triumph’s two-year unlimited mileage warranty, which can be extended by one or two years. The Speed Triple 1200 RR is available in Triumph dealers in Australia for $32,390 rideaway for the Crystal White/Storm Grey and $32,890 rideaway for the Red Hopper/Storm Grey.
2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR Specifications
Price: Starting at $32,390 rideaway
Claimed Power: 132.4kW@10,750rpm
Claimed Torque:125Nm@9,000rpm
Wet Weight: 199kg
Fuel capacity: 15.5L
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, inline three-cylinder, 1160cc, 90.0mm bore, 60.8mm stroke, 13.2:1 compression. Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with electronic throttle control.
Gearbox: Six-speed, X-ring chain, wet, multi-plate, slip and assist clutch.
Chassis: Aluminium twin spar frame, bolt-on aluminium rear sub-frame
Rake: 23.9° Trail: 104.7mm
Suspension: Front – Öhlins 43mm fully adjustable USD forks, 120mm travel. Öhlins S-EC 2.0 OBTi system electronic compression / rebound damping. Rear – Öhlins monoshock RSU with linkage, 120mm rear wheel travel. Öhlins S-EC 2.0 OBTi system electronic compression / rebound damping.
Brakes: Front – Twin 320mm floating discs. Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers, OC-ABS, radial master cylinder with separate reservoir, span & ratio adjustable. Rear – Single 220mm disc. Brembo twin piston caliper, OC-ABS. Rear master cylinder with separate reservoir.
Wheels & Tyres: Front – Cast aluminium, 17 x 3.50in, Rear – Cast aluminium, 17 x 6.00in. Front Tyre – 120/70 ZR17, Rear Tyre –190/55 ZR17.
Dimensions:
Length: 2085mm
Width (Handlebars): 758mm
Height Without Mirrors: 1120mm
Seat Height: 830mm
Wheelbase: 1439mm
Instruments & Electronics: TFT Dash, Two stage ABS, Traction Control.
Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.
The Verdict | Bike Review: Triumph Speed Triple RR
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Pommie has been out on the amazing updated Triumph Speed Triple RR after recently hopping off the RS model, check out what he thought of the tech heavy, three-cylinder monster…
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