Two names loom large in the history of naked bikes. One is the Ducati Monster, which helped kick off the segment in the early 1990s. And the other is the Triumph Speed Triple, which is arguably the naked bike poster child. However, while the Speed Triple is faster and sharper than its Street Triple sibling, especially in RS form, some of the latest-gen super streetfighters have started out-pacing it. But the icon isn’t taking that lying down. Instead, it’s fighting back with its strongest incarnation yet: the 2022 Triumph Speed Triple RR.  

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR doesn’t get more horsepower, but it does have new suspension tech

Up until now, the 2022 Speed Triple RS has been Triumph’s most powerful three-cylinder motorcycle. Now, though, it has to share that appellation with the 2022 Speed Triple RR. However, that’s not the naked bike’s biggest development.

While both the Triumph Speed Triple RR and RS have Ohlins suspension, the RR has electronically-controlled semi-active suspension. So, not only is the RR’s suspension adjustable but it’s linked to the selected riding mode. That should make it more comfortable on both the street and the track than the RS, MCN notes.

Speaking of riding modes, besides the trick suspension, the Triumph Speed Triple RR pulls most of its tech from the RS. Both bikes have 5” full-color TFT displays, five riding modes, wheelie control, cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control, and electronic quickshifters. And as on the RS, you can adjust the settings via the display, RideApart notes. Plus, the RR and the RS have identical Brembo disc brakes with adjustable brake levers.

It’s not quite a Thruxton, but the Triumph Speed Triple RR borrows its café racer duds

Oftentimes motorcycle trims’ differences are most apparent under the skin. But that’s not the case with the 2022 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR. Although it shares a lot with the RS and was co-developed with it, RevZilla says, the RR has its own style. That style is specifically ‘café racer,’ similar to the current Triumph Thruxton. But it goes further than just a new fairing.

For decades, the Speed and Street Triple have had dual round headlights. The 2022 Speed Triple RR, though, has a single LED headlight. And if that reminds you of the MV Agusta Superveloce 800, that might be deliberate, as Triumph claims that bike is one of the RR’s main competitors, RevZilla reports.

Besides the fairing and headlight, the Triumph Speed Triple RR also has different ergonomics than the RS. Rather than the RS’s one-piece handlebar, the RR has clip-on bars that sit lower and more forward. Plus, the new bike’s footpegs are higher and slightly further back. So, while the Speed Triple RS has a ‘standard’ riding position, the RR’s position is more like a sportbike. Fitting, considering its café racer style.

Finally, the RR has Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 tires, which RevZilla describes as “practically street-legal slicks.” In contrast, the RS has Metzeler Racetec tires.

When can you get this naked speed machine?

The 2022 Triumph Speed Triple RR should hit US dealers in January 2022. By then, its various Triumph accessories, such as heated grips, a GPS tracker, and an alarm, will also be available.

But is the RR worth the $2450 upcharge over the RS? Without riding both trims back-to-back, it’s difficult to tell. However, that extra cost likely stems from the electronic Ohlins suspension. If that’s the case, $2450 isn’t terribly expensive, where suspension upgrades are concerned.

Also, it’s worth noting that the MV Agusta Superveloce doesn’t offer suspension like that. Plus, it’s down 30 hp and costs about $4000 more than the RR. So, it might be worth giving Triumph’s new speedy naked café racer a test ride.

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