The Triumph Scrambler 400 XC adds tubeless spoked wheels, attractive accessories, and new color options to the existing Scrambler 400 X.
Triumph’s 400cc lineup expands with the new 2026 Triumph Scrambler 400 XC. The XC is based on the Scrambler 400 X, which was introduced for 2024 alongside the Speed 400 as Triumph’s smallest and least expensive machines.
The Scrambler 400 XC gets a color-matched flyscreen. A tinted flyscreen is available as an accessory for the Scrambler 400 X.
In terms of the engine, chassis geometry, and specifications, there’s not much daylight between the X and XC. What the XC has going for it are a few accessories that give the bike a more off-roading flavor. The biggest difference is that the XC gets side-laced spoked wheels with lightweight aluminum Excel rims and tubeless Metzeler Karoo Street tires, still in the Scrambler X’s 19-inch front and 17-inch rear sizes.
2026 Triumph Scrambler 400 XC in Vanilla White
In addition to the wheels, the XC gets a color-matched front fender and flyscreen in place of the optional tinted flyscreen available for the X. It also gets an aluminum sump guard and engine bars for added protection.
The Triumph Scrambler 400 XC is available in three new color options, each with graphics and a black Triumph logo: Racing Yellow, Storm Gray, and Vanilla White.
New tubeless side-laced wheels make the 400 XC more off-road-ready.
Everything else carries over from the Scrambler 400 X. The Triumph 400s are powered by a TR-Series liquid-cooled 398cc Single that makes a claimed 39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm and 27.7 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. The Scramblers’ suspension includes a 43mm inverted fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock, both offering 5.9 inches of travel. They have switchable traction control and a dedicated off-road ABS mode, as well as a round analog speedometer paired with an integrated LCD screen.
2026 Triumph Scrambler 400 XC in Storm Gray
With its added accessories as standard, the XC weighs 15 lb more than the X, coming in at 410 lb compared to the X’s 395 lb.
The high-mounted front fender is color-matched to the bike.
We tested the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X at Triumph’s press launch in Spain in 2024, and after riding both bikes for a full day, we anticipated that these two fun and forgiving machines would appeal to a range of riders and draw in a new customer base for Triumph. The XC provides a third option with a more rugged scrambler aesthetic.
2026 Triumph Scrambler 400 XC in Racing Yellow
The 2026 Triumph Scrambler 400 XC will arrive at dealerships in September 2025, with an MSRP of $6,695 ($800 more than the Scrambler 400 X). Visit the Triumph website for more information.
This 2026 motorcycle buyers guide highlights new or significantly updated street-legal models available in the U.S. As with previous buyers guides, we will also include 2027 teasers as soon as manufacturers let us know about them. We will continually update this guide as new models are available, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back often.
Organized in alphabetical order by manufacturer, our guide includes photos, pricing, key update info, and links to first looks or – when available – Rider‘s first rides, road tests, and video reviews of the motorcycles.
2026 BMW R 12 G/S
2026 BMW R 12 G/S in Light White
Inspired by the BMW R 80 G/S of the 1980s, the new 2026 BMW R 12 G/S puts an off-road spin on the existing R 12 roadster. Its engine remains the same air-/oil cooled, 1,170cc boxer with DOHC, and it comes with a 6-speed and shaft drive. Also carrying over from the R 12 family is the one-piece tubular bridge steel frame, with a tubular steel rear frame bolted on. The R 12 G/S’s footpegs are positioned under the flat solo seat and the aluminum tube handlebar is positioned high and close to the rider, and standard seat height is 33.9 inches. The G/S rides on 21-inch front and 17-inch rear cross-spoke wheels, and suspension is fully adjustable with 8.3 inches of travel up front and 7.9 inches in the rear. Ground clearance is 9.4 inches. The bike includes ABS Pro, three ride modes, Engine Drag Torque Control, traction control, full LED lighting, a round instrument display, and a 12V socket.
The 2026 BMW R 12 G/S comes standard in Night Black Matte with an MSRP of $16,395. The nostalgic Light White paint option includes G/S graphics and a red seat, and the Option 719 Aragonit option includes Sand Rover Matte / Racing Red Matte / Mineral Gray Metallic Matte paint.
Replacing the BMW R 1250 R is the new 2026 BMW R 1300 R. It receives the same updated 1,300cc liquid-cooled boxer as the R 1300 GS. Displacement is increased from 1,254cc to 1,300cc. Horsepower is increased from 136 hp to 145 hp at 7,750 rpm, and peak torque is increased from 105 lb-ft to 110 lb-ft at a slightly higher 6,500 rpm. The new powertrain has a weight savings of 14 lb compared to the previous one. The sheet-metal steel frame is also new and is said to offer higher levels of stiffness and a more compact package than the previous frame. The previous tubular-steel subframe is replaced with a die-cast aluminum unit. Ergonomics are updated for a sportier, more aggressive riding position. Slightly rear-set footpegs and a flatter handlebar position the rider farther over the front wheel for improved front-end feedback. Standard seat height on the base model is 30.9 inches. Also new is a 47mm inverted telescopic fork and revised EVO Paralever suspension. Ride modes include Rain, Road, and Eco as standard, and engine Drag Torque Control, Dynamic Traction Control, and Integral ABS Pro are standard.
The base 2026 BMW R 1300 R is available in Snapper Rocks Metallic. The Exclusive variant features Racing Blue Metallic, the Performance variant comes in a Lightwhite color, and the Option 719 Kilauea variant has a Blackstorm Metallic color. Pricing starts at $16,595.
The 2026 BMW R 1300 RS sport-tourer is updated with a more powerful engine, revised styling, more aggressive ergonomics, a new chassis, and more – all aimed to make the machine sportier than its predecessor. The engine is the same updated liquid-cooled 1,300cc boxer as in the R 1300 R above, making 145 hp and 110 lb-ft. Ride modes include Road, Rain, and Eco as standard, with Eco working in collaboration with BMW ShiftCam technology to maximize range. The sheet-metal steel frame is also new and is said to offer higher levels of stiffness and a more compact package than the previous frame. The previous tubular-steel subframe is replaced with a die-cast aluminum unit. Rear-set footpegs and a flatter handlebar position the rider farther forward over the front wheel. The handlebar is also 1.4 inches wider than before. Seat height is 31.1 inches. Also new is a 47mm inverted telescopic fork and revised EVO Paralever suspension, offering 5.5 inches of travel up front and 5.1 inches in the rear.
The BMW R 1300 RS comes standard in Racing Blue. The Style Triple Black variant includes Black Storm Metallic paint. he Option 719 Cuyamaca variant comes in Brooklyn Gray Metallic paint, and the Style Performance option comes in Light White. Pricing starts at $16,995.
The 2026 BMW R 1300 RT is updated to make it even more capable and comfortable for long-distance touring. The engine is the same updated liquid-cooled 1,300cc boxer as in the R 1300 R above, making 145 hp and 110 lb-ft. Ride modes include Road, Rain, and Eco as standard. The frame has been updated to a new steel sheet metal unit, said to offer more stiffness than the previous frame. Also new is an aluminum lattice tube subframe, which also allows two-stage seat height adjustment for the rider’s seat and longer, more comfortable seats for both rider and passenger. Suspension is upgraded with electronically adjustable EVO Telelever and EVO Paralever systems, offering 5.9 inches of front travel and 6.2 inches in the rear. New 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels shave 3.0 lbs compared to the previous wheels. Fully Integral ABS Pro comes as standard. As standard, the RT also comes with two 27-liter saddlebags that have been redesigned to fit more closely to the motorcycle without sacrificing passenger legroom.
The 2026 BMW R 1300 RT base model comes in Alpine White with Mineral Gray Metallic Matte. The Style Triple Black comes with Black Storm Metallic paint, the Style Impulse version is in Racing Blue Metallic paint, and the Option 719 Camargue option comes in Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic paint. Pricing starts at $22,495.
Limited to only 1,200 units worldwide, the new 2026 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RX takes the updated 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS to the next level. The clip-ons are 2.71 inches lower and 2.04 inches farther forward than on the RS, while the footpegs are 0.57 inch higher and 1 inch farther rearward to create a more focused riding position. Complementing the RS’s new Öhlins SmartEC3 semi-active electronic suspension, the RX receives an integrated Öhlins SD EC steering damper. The RX also received a new Akrapovič muffler with a titanium outer wrap and mounting bracket and a carbon fiber endcap and exhaust valve cover, finished with a laser-etched Akrapovič logo. The upgraded performance seat features an embossed RX logo. All other components are carried over from the Speed Triple 1200 RS.
The 2026 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RX comes in Triumph Performance Yellow and Granite with an MSRP of $21,495.
Due to the popularity of the 2025 Special Edition model, Triumph has announced a 2026 Triumph Trident 660 Special Edition version with new colors. Compared to the 2025 Special Edition, the 2026 version will also benefit from the model’s updates announced for the 2025 model year, including optimized cornering ABS and traction control, the Triumph Shift Assist up/down quickshifter, cruise control, and Sport ride mode to join previous Road and Rain modes. Finally, the Showa 41mm inverted fork was upgraded to a Separate Function Fork-Big Piston version. The 2026 model retains the 2025’s special Cobalt Blue and Diablo Red highlights, along with the ’67 race number graphic on the tank, but the white of the previous model is swapped for glossy Sapphire Black paint for the new edition. Diablo Red wheels, a flyscreen with graphic details, and sculpted belly pan are also included.
The 2026 Triumph Trident 660 Triple Tribute Special Edition will be available starting at $8,745.
The 2026 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RX limited-edition model features more aggressive ergonomics, an Öhlins steering damper, an Akrapovič muffler, and carbon-fiber bodywork, as well as a unique color and graphics scheme.
Limited to only 1,200 units worldwide and available to order now, the new 2026 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RX takes the updated 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS to the next level with a more aggressive riding position, premium technology, and top-notch components.
An integrated Öhlins SD EC steering damper is added to the RX.
The RX’s riding position offers more focused ergonomics. The clip-ons are 2.71 inches lower and 2.04 inches farther forward than on the RS, while the footpegs are 0.57 inch higher and 1 inch farther rearward.
The front fender is carbon fiber.
Complementing the RS’s new Öhlins SmartEC3 semi-active electronic suspension, the RX receives an integrated Öhlins SD EC steering damper, which is adjusted via the Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface in the TFT menu.
The lightweight Akrapovič muffler features a titanium outer wrap and a carbon-fiber cover. Also notice the Triumph Performance Yellow accent on the rear wheel.
The RX also received a new Akrapovič muffler with a titanium outer wrap and mounting bracket and a carbon fiber endcap and exhaust valve cover, finished with a laser-etched Akrapovič logo. The upgraded performance seat features an embossed RX logo.
RX graphics are easily visible from the cockpit.
This limited-edition model also features unique styling with a Triumph Performance Yellow and Granite graphic scheme and white RX accents. It includes carbon fiber for the front fender and tank bodywork, and the rear wheel features Triumph Performance Yellow accents.
Special RX details are included.
All other components are carried over from the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS, which is the most powerful and high-tech model in Triumph’s lineup. The updated model includes a boost in horsepower and torque thanks to a freer-flowing exhaust, resulting in 180.5 hp at 10,750 rpm and 94.4 lb-ft at 8,750 rpm. The advanced spool-valve technology in the Öhlins SmartEC3 semi-active suspension provides instant and highly sophisticated suspension adjustment and is only available on a few high-end sportbikes. New IMU-supported electronics include adjustable front wheel lift control, engine braking control, and brake slide assist, and lighter wheels and a new lithium-ion battery results in a lighter 439-lb wet weight.
The upgraded performance seat includes an embossed RX logo.
Find full details and riding impressions of the RS in our 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS review, for which we traveled to Portugal to test the bike on the road and at the Algarve International Circuit MotoGP track.
The headlights are carried over from the updated 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS, the most powerful model in Triumph’s lineup.
The 2026 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RX has an MSRP of $21,495 (+$1,500 compared to the RS), and delivery is expected in June 2025. Visit the Triumph website for more information.
2026 Triumph Trident 660 Triple Tribute Special Edition
Available for only one year, the 2025 Triumph Trident 660 Triple Tribute Special Edition was a race-inspired tribute to the “Slippery Sam” Trident that claimed five consecutive Isle of Mann Production TT wins in the 1970s. Due to the popularity of that Special Edition model, Triumph has announced a 2026 version with new colors.
The 2026 Triumph Trident 660 Triple Tribute Special Edition will also benefit from the model’s updates announced for the 2025 model year, including optimized cornering ABS and traction control, the Triumph Shift Assist up/down quickshifter, cruise control, and Sport ride mode to join previous Road and Rain modes. Finally, the Showa 41mm inverted fork was upgraded to a Separate Function Fork-Big Piston version.
The 2026 model retains the 2025’s special Cobalt Blue and Diablo Red highlights, along with the ’67 race number graphic on the tank, but the white of the previous model is swapped for glossy Sapphire Black paint for the new edition. Diablo Red wheels, a flyscreen with graphic details, and sculpted belly pan are also included.
Aside from the colorway and the addition of Triumph Shift Assist up/down quickshifter, the Special Edition is the same as the updated 2025 Triumph Trident 660. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 660cc 3-cylinder engine that makes a claimed 80 hp at 10,250 rpm and 47 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm. It has a seat height of 31.7 inches, a wheelbase of 55.2 inches, a wet weight of 419 lb, and a fuel capacity of 3.7 gallons.
In addition to the Showa SFF-BP fork, suspension also includes a Showa monoshock with preload adjustment. Nissin brakes include two 310mm discs pinched by two-piston front calipers. The bike also includes 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels shod in Michelin Road 5 tires and a TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity to display navigation, calls, and music.
Triumph’s accessories lineup to accompany the Trident 660 Triple Tribute includes 32 accessories. Riders can tailor their bike with protective pieces like a rubber tank pad or CNC-machined fork protectors, or they can add luggage, a USB charging socket under the seat, tire-pressure monitoring, bar-end mirrors, heated grips, and more.
The 2026 Triumph Trident 660 Triple Tribute Special Edition will be available starting at $8,745. It will begin arriving in dealerships in June 2025. Visit the Triumph website for more information.
We spent two days testing the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS on the street and track in Portugal. (Photos by Kingdom Creative)
Introduced in 1994, the Triumph Speed Triple was one of the first production streetfighters – combat-ready sportbikes stripped of their fairings (often after a crash) and tarted up with upright handlebars, rowdy exhausts, and performance mods. These days we call them naked bikes, and they’re enjoying an upswing in popularity. As you’ll read in this 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS review, the ST has made a huge leap forward and is now the most powerful and high-tech model in Triumph’s lineup.
You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
The Speed Triple has gone through an interesting evolution over the past three decades. The earliest models had a single round headlight, but after a few years the signature twin round headlights were adopted. Early models were carbureted, powered by a liquid-cooled 885cc inline-Triple that made 108 hp, and fitted with a conventional two-sided swingarm. As the years rolled by, the engine became fuel injected, displacement and horsepower increased, the swingarm became single-sided, aluminum replaced steel for the frame, and an upright handlebar replaced the clip-ons. The Speed Triple’s model designation evolved too, from T309 to T509, 955i, 1050, and 1200 RS.
A photo used in advertisements for the 1994 Triumph Speed Triple.
The Speed Triple 1200 RS was introduced in 2021, replacing the 1050 version, which had gone through a series of changes since arriving on the scene in 2005. With serious competition in the naked bike segment, Triumph went all-in to create the 1200 RS. Displacement of the inline-Triple grew from 1,050cc to 1,160cc, and engine output jumped from 140 to 177 hp and 83 to 92 lb-ft of torque. It also lost more than 30 lb, gained a state-of-the-art electronics suite, and was fitted with top-notch Öhlins suspension and Brembo Stylema front calipers.
The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS comes in Jet Black for $19,995 and Granite/Diablo Red (shown) or Granite/Triumph Performance Yellow for $20,320.
That brings us to 2025. The name may be the same, but four years after its debut, the Speed Triple 1200 RS has moved into rarefied air. A freer-flowing exhaust better centralizes mass and boosts output, now up to 180.5 hp at 10,750 rpm and 94.4 lb-ft at 8,750 rpm. The electronics package now includes Öhlins SmartEC3 semi-active suspension, an advanced system that’s only available on a few high-end sportbikes, all of which cost more than the Triumph’s $19,995 MSRP.
The Speed Triple’s Öhlins SmartEC3 electronic suspension system pairs a TTX 36 EC shock with an NIX 30 EC inverted fork. The “SV” stands for spool valve.
The IMU-supported electronics include new rider aids: adjustable front wheel lift (wheelie) control, engine braking control, and brake slide assist (in the Track ride mode). Lighter wheels save 1 lb of unsprung weight, and a new lithium-ion battery is 5 lb lighter than the previous lead-acid battery. The Speed Triple now weighs just 439 lb with its 4.1-gallon tank full and all fluids.
The O.G. streetfighter is now a highly refined sportbike.
Precipitation in Portugal
Triumph hosted a two-day press launch for the Speed Triple 1200 RS in Portimão, a city on the southern coast of Portugal that’s home to the Algarve International Circuit, a 2.9-mile MotoGP track known for its elevation changes and tricky corners. We’d spend one day testing the RS on the road and another testing it on the track. Global press launches with multiple waves of journalists from around the world take months to plan, and the dates can’t be easily changed when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Rain was forecast for the days we’d be there, so I packed waterproof gear and hoped for the best.
Dark clouds and rain put a damper on our 2-day street and track test, but it also gave us an opportunity to evaluate the Speed Triple’s electronic rider aids in less than ideal conditions.
My first press launch assignment at Rider was for the 2008 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 and was a street-only test in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina. Being the FNG, I was nervous about riding an unfamiliar motorcycle on unfamiliar roads that were damp from overnight rains. This was back in the day before ABS and traction control were common features on sportbikes. It all worked out, but I had flashbacks to that anxiety-filled day when we saddled up on the latest Speed Triple as light rain fell.
The Speed Triple’s Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires did better than expected on wet roads.
Part of my concern had to do with the Triumph’s Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 dual-compound tires, which have minimal rain sipes. To ease into things, I selected the Rain ride mode, which reduces available power to 100 hp, softens throttle response, and cranks up the intervention for the cornering-optimized ABS and TC. Our first few wet miles were drama-free.
The Speed Triple’s iconic “bug eye” dual headlights debuted on the 1997 T509 model. They were round for years, but they were replaced by sculpted “fox eye” headlights on the 2011 Speed Triple 1050.
As we would learn over the next two days, the storms passing through southern Portugal were patchy. There’d be dark clouds in one direction and bright sunshine in another. When we arrived at our first photo stop, we had escaped the rain and found a mostly dry road, but it was a rural two-lane with pavement that was far from perfect – the sort of surface that brings a sportbike’s hard edges into sharp relief.
Our street test was on rural backroads in Portugal that put the Öhlins SmartEC3 electronic suspension to the test.
But thanks to the Öhlins SmartEC3 electronic suspension, the Speed Triple felt remarkably plush. The SmartEC3 system, which combines a suspension control unit with an NIX 30 EC inverted fork and a TTX 36 EC shock, uses what Öhlins calls an Objective Based Tuning Interface (OBTi). It continuously monitors and adjusts damping characteristics in different riding scenarios. Seven different parameters can be adjusted independently: front firmness, rear firmness, braking support, acceleration support, initial acceleration support, cornering support, and cruising support.
The Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface allows riders to adjust seven damping parameters independently, or they can rely on Triumph’s three preset modes.
The system allows a far wider range of adjustment than what’s possible with manually adjustable suspension because it can maximize damping in hard braking or acceleration situations and then relax the settings back to a base level, all in the blink of an eye. Changes in damping happen so fast because the Öhlins system uses spool valves, which operate up to seven times faster than conventional needle valves.
The Öhlins SmartEC3 electronic suspension system continuously monitors inputs from the 6-axis IMU and other sensors to determine the bike’s behavior.
During the launch, I had a chance to speak with Stuart Wood, Triumph’s chief engineer, about the SmartEC3 system. “Öhlins is performance based, but they’ve given us a system where we can dial in an immense amount of comfort,” he said. “The system will decide for you exactly the suspension adjustments that you need at every point in time. It recognizes when you’re braking for a corner, driving out of a corner, going around a corner, or going in a straight line, and it will give you the appropriate damping setting. You can even dial in your own weight, and it will adjust the suspension for that.”
In terms of adjusting the objective-based parameters, Wood said “The rider can tell the system what outcome they want, and the system decides what to do. You don’t have to think, ‘I need two clicks of rebound and three clicks of compression.’ If you want less dive under braking, you can dial up braking support. And the harder you ride, the more support it gives you. You can adjust each parameter individually or just use our presets and it will work really well for you.”
There’s a lot to love about this front wheel. It’s 0.4 lb than its predecessor, it’s attached to an Öhlins NIX 30 EC fork, and it has a pair of Brembo Stylema calipers that squeeze 320mm floating discs.
Triumph’s presets include Normal, Comfort, and Dynamic, and for our street test I used both Normal and Comfort. As expected, Normal felt a little firmer in most situations, but both delivered very good compliance and ride quality over some very poor-quality roads. Because semi-active suspension uses an array of sensors to detect a motorcycle’s behavior and respond accordingly, the best systems deliver a magic-carpet-ride experience in terms of comfort, responsiveness, and chassis stability. The Öhlins SmartEC3 elevates the experience to a whole new level.
Around the Algarve
After a day of testing the Speed Triple 1200 RS on mostly wet roads and rarely getting an opportunity to shift higher than 3rd gear, we took a bus down the hill from the Algarve Race Resort hotel to the circuit. The weather was no better than the day before, and at times it was much worse with occasional heavy rain.
Pirelli World Superbike rain tires meant that our wet track test wasn’t a wash.
Due to the wet conditions, Triumph fitted our test bikes with Pirelli World Superbike rain tires. Learning the layout of a tricky, new-to-me track in the rain would normally call for very conservative lean angles and inputs to the throttle and brakes. WSBK rain tires were also a new experience for me, and they exceeded all expectations in terms of grip.
World SBK rain tires provide incredible grip on wet pavement.
In a closed-course environment, especially one with a 0.6-mile front straight, we could finally get hard on the gas and feel the Speed Triple’s full 180.5-hp fury. Rain mode limits power, but the entire can of beans is available in other ride modes, which include Road, Sport, Track, and Rider (customizable). As I turned more laps and gained more confidence, especially in the tires’ grip and their ability to endure intense loads under acceleration and braking, I rode farther and faster down the front straight. Over 200 kph (125 mph), the windblast on the naked Speed Triple became intense. I finally got as high as 260 kph (161 mph) before throwing out the anchor for Turn 1 and called it good.
The Algarve circuit is known for its elevation changes, including a rise leading onto the front straight and a blind crest at the end of the straight, seen here falling away to Turn 1.
Here’s the thing. I’m not a former racer, and I’m not much of a track guy. I like to ride fast, but I mostly ride on the street, and it’s a fool’s errand to wring out a 180-hp motorcycle on public roads. I’m not skilled enough to push a bike like the Speed Triple to its limits on a track either. But the wet conditions provided a unique opportunity to test what cornering ABS, cornering traction control, and other electronic rider aids can do. Ultimately, they made the experience safer and allowed me to ride with more confidence. Isn’t that what we all want?
The coolest part of our day on the track was testing front wheel lift control, which uses inputs from a 6-axis IMU and has four levels. Under hard acceleration, Level 1 will only allow the front wheel to skim the road surface to maximize acceleration. Each subsequent level allows the front wheel to lift to a progressively higher level, and once that level is reached it will stay there as long as the rider maintains steady throttle and upshifts if necessary.
Wheelies made easy thanks to the Speed Triple’s front wheel lift control.
Algarve’s Turn 15 is a long right-hand sweeper that leads to a gradual rise before the front straight. Approaching the straight in 2nd gear with revs at about 7,000 rpm, a brisk roll-on brings the front wheel right up to the specified level, no clutch or skills required! It worked like a charm every time, though I’d forget to shift before banging into the rev limiter and the front wheel would drop back down. Next time, I’ll try to remember to upshift.
After two days of testing, I was thoroughly impressed by the new Speed Triple. Yes, I’d love to repeat the experience on dry roads and track, but even in the rain the experience was a true thrill.
We had a couple sessions where the rain stopped and the track became merely damp rather than soaking wet.
All Grown Up
Over the past 31 years, the Triumph Speed Triple has matured from a rough-and-ready streetfighter to a proper sportbike with all the latest technology and refinements. It’s gotten better in every conceivable way: more power, less weight, better handling, more features, and better fit and finish. It also has the good bits that I failed to mention earlier, like a 5-inch TFT display with the Triumph Connectivity System, backlit switches, cruise control, an electronic key fob, and emergency deceleration warning (flashes brake light).
The Speed Triple’s 5.5-inch TFT display is paired with a joystick and menu buttons on the left switchpod, making it easy to adjust settings.
Rider’s first test of a Speed Triple was published in the March 1998 issue, and the 1997 T509 version that we compared to three other naked bikes (a Ducati M900 Monster, a Buell S1 White Lightning, and a Moto Guzzi V10 Centauro) retailed for $9,995, the equivalent of $19,918 in today’s dollars. The 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS is the most powerful, sophisticated Triumph ever built, and it costs just $77 more. Sounds like a bargain to me. I just wish it was available in Nuclear Red.
The Triumph Speed Triple has come a long way in three decades.
More than 30 years ago, the Triumph Speed Triple was one of the first production streetfighters, a proper sportbike with its bodywork removed and an upright handlebar. For years, it has been one of Rider‘s staff favorites.
For 2025, the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS has become the most high-tech model in Triumph’s lineup. It now makes 180.5 hp and 94.4 lb-ft and is brimming with the latest tech, including Öhlins’ latest-gen SmartEC3 semi-active suspension and a full suite of top-level electronic rider aids, including ride modes, cornering ABS and traction control, new wheelie control, and more.
We traveled to Portimao, Portugal, to test the new Speed Triple on windy back roads and the Algarve GP circuit. It rained during both of our testing days, which gave us a unique opportunity to test the Öhlins suspension and electronics in less-than-ideal conditions.
We rip around on the new Triumph Sport 800 adventure-sport tourer in Portugal. (Photos by Kingdom Creative)
If you were riding a motorcycle on the roads near the southern edge of Portugal, you’d feel lucky to be on the new 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800. Its balance of agility, comfort, technology, and performance are exceptional. Essentially, it’s a Tiger Sport 660 with Street Triple 765 performance, resulting in a machine I dubbed “the practical hooligan” after riding it around the wonderful roads of Portugal.
This “tall-rounder” joins a cadre of sporty adventure-tourers filtering into the market, bikes that give up off-road capabilities but retain an open ergonomic triangle and longer-travel suspension suitable for sport-touring duties. BMW’s S 1000 XR was one of the first when it debuted in 2015, and Yamaha’s Tracer 9 is one of our favorite recent examples.
An open rider triangle, high-performance engine, and sporty chassis come together to form what we call the “practical hooligan.”
A Triumph Stew | 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800
The Tiger Sport 800 is distinct from the dirt-worthy 888cc Tiger 900s or even the defunct Tiger 850 Sport, all of which use Triumph’s T-plane Triple crankshaft timing that emits a Twin-like exhaust note. This new 798cc Triple is a hybrid of the 900 (with a shorter stroke) and the lovable Street Triple 765 with its screamer crankshaft timing.
The bike’s 798cc Triple makes 113 hp at 10,750 rpm and 66 lb-ft at 6,850 rpm.
The result is a sonorous motor with enhanced top-end power. It cranks out 113 hp at 10,750 rpm, which is 6 horses up from the 900, while torque dips from 66 lb-ft at 6,850 rpm to 62 lb-ft at 8,500 rpm. Despite its more high-strung nature, the 798cc mill exhibits a flat and usable torque curve.
As for the Tiger 800’s chassis, Triumph borrowed from the Tiger 660, using its steel frame but augmenting it with a new aluminum swingarm. The frame was tweaked to fit in three 44mm throttle bodies that replace the single fuel mixer on its 80-hp little brother.
The graphite/sapphire black Tiger retails for $12,495. Other colorways, like the Cosmic Yellow of our test bike, cost an extra $125.
As befits a sport-adventure bike, the Tiger Sport 800 has more suspension travel than most streetbikes: 5.9 inches at both ends. Up front is a 41mm inverted Showa separate-function cartridge fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping. The Showa shock is adjustable for rebound damping and spring preload, the latter via a remote hydraulic adjuster to conveniently and quickly accommodate various loads.
Triumph built the Tiger 800 to be used as a sport-touring rig, so cruise control is standard equipment, as are the hand-adjustable windscreen, integrated deflectors in the side fairing panels, and self-canceling turnsignals.
J.Juan calipers were more than powerful enough to keep up with the Tiger, and the Michelin Pilot Road 5 tires provided confident handling.
Attractive luggage options are available. Stuart Wood, Triumph’s chief engineer, expects most customers will purchase the accessory hardshell saddlebags, which are available for a reasonable $640. The bags secure via neatly integrated slots in the tailsection, use ignition-matched keys, and combine for 57 liters of capacity. They are included in the GT Pack, which adds handguards and heated grips for $1,156. A 47-liter topbox and its mounting plate retail for $432.
Pleased to Meet You | 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800
The Tiger Sport 800 looks almost debonaire in the flesh, with clean lines and a welcome absence of overstyling that’s seen on several contemporary motorbikes. The bodywork looks modern without crossing over into garish. The tailsection is particularly tidy, considering its integrated grab handles and unobtrusive saddlebag mounts.
This sport-tourer is ready to hit the road as-is, but it can be made even more touring-ready with the addition of Triumph’s accessory hardshell saddlebags, topcase, handguards, or heated grips.
Rather than employing a massive muffler to meet emissions requirements, most of the Tiger 800’s muffling is accomplished in an under-engine box ahead of the rear wheel. The stainless-steel headers merge into the chamber and exit through a diminutive side-mounted stainless-steel silencer – nice and clean.
Instrumentation is provided by the Tiger Sport 660’s gauges, which consists of an LCD upper section augmented with a 2.7-inch color TFT screen below. It looks a little pedestrian compared to the Tiger 900’s 7-inch TFT, but it includes Bluetooth connectivity for turn-by-turn navigation, phone notifications, and music info through the Triumph Connectivity System.
Instrumentation includes an LCD screen above a small 2.7-inch TFT screen.
Triumph trumpeted the Tiger’s low cost of ownership compared to its rivals, with class-leading service intervals (10,000 miles / 12 months) and valve adjustments unnecessary until 20,000 miles. All parts are covered by a two-year, unlimited-mile warranty.
“The Tiger Sport 800 is designed to deliver a perfect balance between thrilling sports performance and long-distance touring capability,” says Triumph. We’ll see about that.
Saddle Up | 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800
I was pleased with the Tiger’s narrow midsection, which allowed secure footing despite the 32.7-inch seat height. A 4.9-gallon fuel tank nestles between knees and offers a 236-mile range in mixed riding, according to Triumph. Full of fuel, the Tiger scales in at a husky 471 lb.
Before heading out for our ride, I asked Stuart Wood which bike he’d choose to be on for this ride: the wonderful Speed Twin 1200 we tested a few months earlier or this new Tiger. Although Wood is justifiably proud of the ST12, he said he would choose the playful Tiger.
The Tiger Sport 800 offers the open cockpit of an adventure bike paired with street-going 17-inch wheels and sport-touring tires.
Triumph brought some of its homeland’s inclement weather to Portugal, so we began our day on wet roads. The slick conditions gave us a chance to sample the bike’s Rain mode. Unlike most Rain modes, the Tiger’s supplies relatively loose interventions from traction control, with throttle response mildly attenuated.
The cockpit is a pleasant place from which to rack up miles. The Tiger has a comfortable and commanding riding position, with roomy ADV-like ergonomics that permit altering butt and leg positions as they become stale. The generous amount of suspension travel makes bumpy roads smoother.
The windscreen is adjustable by hand and provides more protection than we expected.
Wind protection is exceptional for a bike without a full fairing. The modestly sized windscreen is hand-adjustable to suit rider sizes and preferences, as well as changeable weather conditions. More impressive is the shelter offered for legs, as the fairing’s small extension panels were surprisingly effective at keeping rain from soaking my lower limbs above the boot area.
Putting the Sport into Sport-Touring | 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800
The Tiger dips into corners neutrally and briskly, thanks in part to the leverage-inducing handlebar position. The Michelin Pilot Road 5 tires felt secure in the wet conditions and confidence-inspiring when the roads dried. A 6-axis IMU offers a full suite of electronic rider aids, like lean-sensitive traction control and ABS, which Triumph says is predictive (as well as reactive) to offer seamless responses.
Brisk handling and a characterful Triple bring out smiles.
So the new Tiger is comfy and steers nicely – that’s not really uncommon. But what makes the Tiger Sport 800 special is its sportiness, taking a big swig of the Street Triple’s vivacious character to create one of the most playful sport-tourers I’ve ever ridden.
Triumph’s latest Triple sings like a 765 but with a more robust spread of power, pulling smoothly from as low as 3,000 rpm regardless of the ride mode selected. First gear is barely needed, even on tight canyon corners, and 3rd gear can ably transport you from 25 to 75 mph without breathing hard.
Get out to the best motorcycling roads in comfort and enjoy playful performance and power when you get there.
The engine’s invigorating payoff begins as revs climb through the midrange. It delivers a lovely surge of grunt beginning around 7,000 rpm, and the surge gets evermore thrilling as the tachometer stretches into quintuple digits. This could be the revviest sport-touring motor on the market, and it’s easily kept on the boil with a slip/assist clutch and one of the best quickshifters in the business.
The Tiger’s chassis is fully up to the sporty nature of its engine. Steering is adroit, and the bike retains its composure even when ridden like a sportbike. I don’t think there’s another sport-tourer on the market I’d rather take to a trackday.
Shedding speed is the responsibility of radial-mount 4-piston calipers biting on 310mm dual discs. The monoblock calipers are from J.Juan, which is a name not nearly as prestigious as Brembo, but they likely perform better than you expect. Braided-steel lines provide a firm lever, and the strength of the brakes is far beyond adequate.
All lighting is LED, including the center-mounted Daytime Running Lamp mandated in Europe. DRLs are brighter and more focused than the “position” lights used on bikes destined for the U.S. market.
Final Analysis | 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800
Upon arriving back at the hotel, I chatted up Wood again, offering praise for the Tiger Sport 800’s breadth of capabilities, from commuting to touring to sportbiking. When I described the bike as “the practical hooligan,” he chuckled and said I nailed it.
The Tiger Sport 800 hits a sweet spot in the market – powerful enough to run with the big dogs but in a smaller, easier-to-manage package that’s financially achievable for many riders, with prices starting at $12,495. The amiable Tiger Sport 660 stickers at $9,695, but its performance levels can’t come close to those of its 798cc sibling.
BMW’s F 900 XR would be a decent alternative, as it looks similar to the Tiger and is priced about the same. However, it’s unlikely that gearheads would prefer the Beemer’s 105-hp parallel-Twin motor over Triumph’s splendid Triple.
The Tiger 800 might not have a full fairing, but its adjustable windscreen and fairing extensions keep the rider protected from wind and rain.
Yamaha’s Tracer 9 is a worthy competitor, as it also uses a 3-cylinder engine and is priced nearly the same as the Tiger even though saddlebags and a 7-inch TFT screen are standard equipment. However, I’ll bet the Yamaha’s futuristic styling won’t please as many eyes as the Tiger.
I’m an avowed fan of Triumph’s Street Triple 765, and this Tiger Sport 800 has about 85% of the Street Trip’s performance, with 25% more comfort and maybe 70% more wind protection. It puts the sport into adventure-sport touring, and it might be my favorite motorcycle of the year.
The 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800 combines sporty performance with touring comfort into an entertaining and versatile package. This bike uses the frame of the Tiger 660 paired with a 3-cylinder 798cc engine that makes a claimed 113 hp and 62 lb-ft of torque, and it really sings when it’s wound out. It includes fully adjustable Showa suspension, integrated wind deflectors, an adjustable windscreen, Michelin Road 5 sport-touring tires, and integrated saddlebag mounts. Also included are cornering traction control and ABS, three ride modes, and cruise control as standard.
To test out the Tiger 800 Sport, we traveled to Portugal and put this mid-size sport-tourer through its paces. We came away impressed with the bike’s blend of performance, versatilty, and accommodating ergonomics – we dubbed it a “practical hooligan.” Competing with bikes like the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ and the BMW F 900 XR, the Tiger retails for $12,495.
2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Granite and Diablo Red
The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is updated for 2025 with more power and torque, new electronic rider aids, and new Öhlins semi-active suspension. The Speed Triple will also be available in new colors and graphics, and it’ll begin arriving in dealerships in March 2025.
Starting with the engine, the 1,160cc Triple features 3 hp more than before with 180.5 hp arriving at 10,750 rpm. Torque is boosted by 2.2 lb-ft to 94.4 lb-ft at 8,750 rpm. These performance upgrades are thanks to a new free-flowing exhaust system with a lightweight silencer, and the new exhaust also helps centralize mass. Triumph is also offering an Akrapovič silencer as an option. The bike features chain drive, a slip/assist clutch, and a 6-speed transmission.
The new Öhlins SmartEC3 semi-active electronic suspension system allows riders to set their suspension preferences for different types of riding and road conditions.
The second major update to the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is the adoption of Öhlins’ latest-gen SmartEC3 semi-active suspension. The suspension adjusts damping characteristics in real time to account for current riding conditions and rider preference. Using the Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface, riders can customize their preferred suspension characteristics through the 5-inch TFT instrumentation. There are seven parameters for the suspension that can be adjusted by the rider: front firmness, rear firmness, braking support, acceleration support, initial acceleration support, cornering support, and cruising support. For example, riders can adjust braking support independently to increase compression damping at the front and rebound damping at the rear to reduce the tendency of the bike to pitch forward. With new spool-valve technology, the suspension system reacts more quickly than before. Also new from Öhlins is the adjustable steering damper.
The bike gets new Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires, as well as a couple changes to its ergonomics. The handlebar is now slightly wider and set higher than before. Brembo Stylema front brake calipers and a Brembo MCS master cylinder are included, and the brake lever is span and ratio adjustable.
New lightweight wheels are wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires
To reduce weight, the bike receives new lightweight wheels, with the front wheel being 0.44 lb lighter and the rear being 0.64 lb lighter than before, reducing unsprung weight. A new lithium-ion battery also helps to shed weight.
The Speed Triple 1200 RS features premium Brembo Stylema front calipers.
Returning features include the Speed Triple’s twin headlights and single-sided swingarm, as well as its aluminum twin-spar frame. The bike weighs in at a claimed 439 lb ready to ride.
New tech comes in the form of a front wheel lift control system, which is adjustable to four levels. Ride modes include Rain, Road, Sport, Track, and Rider (customizable). The bike includes engine brake control, brake slide assist (available only in Track mode), cornering ABS, switchable cornering traction control, an up/down quickshifter, and cruise control. New for 2025 is the Emergency Deceleration Warning, which activates a high-frequency flash of the brake light during hard braking or rapid deceleration.
New graphics adorn the Speed Triple’s tank.
The 5-inch TFT instrument employs My Triumph Connectivity to enable smartphone connection for turn-by-turn navigation and phone and music control. The instrumentation is operated via a five-way joystick, and the switches are backlit. The ignition, steering lock, and fuel cap feature keyless operation, which can be disabled with the press of a button.
New colorways for 2025 include Jet Black, Granite and Diablo Red, or Granite and Performance Yellow, all with new graphics. The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS has an MSRP of $19,995.
Triumph’s Bonneville Bobber is one of its most commonly customized models, with its minimalist design offering ample opportunity for personalization. The new 2025 Triumph Bonneville Bobber TFC takes advantage of the possibilities of Bobber customization with its own unique details, a special gold paint design, and updated engine mapping. Only 750 individually numbered units will be available, and they’ll arrive at dealerships in February 2025.
The side panels feature hand-painted gold accents.
“TFC” in the model’s name stands for “Triumph Factory Custom.” The Bobber TFC is recognizable by its two-tone paint with hand-painted marble gold textured accents on the tank and side panels, and the tank includes the artist’s signature on the underside. Replacing the standard Bobber’s handlebar are clip-ons, and the standard Bobber’s 16-inch front wheel is replaced by a 19-incher on the TFC.
The Triumph Bonneville Bobber also gets a pair of slash-cut Akrapovič silencers with carbon-fiber end caps. It swaps out the standard Showa suspension for Öhlins suspension front and rear, including a gold-anodized 43mm NIX 30 inverted fork and a hidden rear shock. Adding more splashes of gold to the bike are the billet-machined engine-cover badges and the drive chain, as well as details on the ignition key. The premium leather seat is embossed with the triangular Triumph logo.
The Bonneville Bobber TFC is limited to only 750 individually numbered units and swaps the standard Bobber’s handlebar for a pair of clip-ons.
The liquid-cooled 1,200cc parallel-Twin produces the same peak power and torque as in the standard Bonneville Bobber, but in the TFC, those numbers arrive lower in the rev range, with peak power of 77 hp arriving at 6,000 rpm (6,100 rpm on the standard) and peak torque of 78.2 lb-ft arriving at 3,750 rpm (4,000 rpm on the standard). The TFC also gets Sport riding mode in addition to the standard’s Road and Rain modes, and traction control and ABS are standard. Overall, the TFC weighs 30 lb less than the standard Bobber, with a claimed wet weight of 523 lb.
2025 Triumph Bonneville Bobber TFC
The 2025 Triumph Bonneville Bobber TFC will have an MSRP of $18,495. Visit the Triumph website for more information.
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