FOCUS ON RACING PROWESS

Just a few months after Triumph launched the highly acclaimed 1200 RS, the British firm surprised the market with the limited-edition track-focused RX. Here is our first impression

- Story: Adam Child 'Chad' Photography: Triumph and Chippy Wood

IT FEELS LIKE ONLY yesterday that we were at this very same racetrack about to ride Triumph’s all-new Speed Triple 1200 RS. Now we are back at Portimão, thankfully in much better weather conditions, to ride the limited edition—only 1,200 units of this motorcycle will be available to buy worldwide—and track-focused 1200 RX.

The stunning-looking “performance yellow” RX is heavily based on the 180-hp RS, but arrives with a far sportier riding position, an Akrapovic silencer, and a semi-active Öhlins steering damper that matches the Öhlins EC3 semi-active suspension from the RS. On the cosmetic front, there are fresh dashes of carbon-fibre and a new seat. It will be priced at £18,995 (Rs 22.22 lakh) in the United Kingdom, just £1,500 (Rs 1.76 lakh) above the standard RS.

It may be recalled that we had ridden the RS (both on the road and track) in mixed conditions in Portugal, so could not wait to push the RX to the limit around one of the best and most demanding tracks in the world in the dry. It is one of those bikes that look as if they are doing 160 km/h leaning on the side-stand, but will it deliver? Time to have some fun.

During that rain-hit test back in early March, the highlight was the RS’ sophisticated and highly versatile Smart EC-3 Öhlins semi-active suspension, which transformed the bike's ride from plush sports tourer to track-ready streetfighter with the touch of a button. Unfortunately, we did not get to push the system on track but, thankfully, conditions were perfect this time. With only a few media representatives selected for this one-day test, we had plenty of track-time to try the RX on standard Pirelli SuperCorsa rubber and race Pirelli slicks.