2026 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition first look: The Thruxton revived?

Well, I know a Thruxton when I see one, and the 2026 Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition looks mighty similar to a Thruxton. The main difference is that the Cafe Racer isn’t joining Hinckley’s Modern Classic range as a mass-production bike. It arrives as a limited edition instead. 

The replacement

Mere months after the Thruxton’s swan song, Triumph introduced the model’s unofficial replacement: the Speed Twin 1200 RS. Ironically, that’s the variant the Cafe Racer Edition is based on. The British brand simply bolts on clip-ons, deletes the passenger pegs (still included in the bike crate), and fits a brown diamond-stitched seat (with removable cowl) to the sporty standard. The mirrors are now bar-end units. The badges on the clutch and alternator covers are ribbed. The head bolt covers are black, and the sculpted knee pads come standard. 

Of course, a trim-specific paint job speaks to the Cafe Racer’s exclusivity, with Triumph applying Competition Green and Aluminum Silver in a two-tone layout. Global production of the limited-run bike will be capped at 800 units, and each example comes with a certificate of authenticity. The Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer will begin rolling into Triumph dealerships in March 2026 with a base price of $18,895. 

If you’re not keeping count, that’s a $1,900 markup over the Speed Twin 1200 RS ($16,995). It isn’t the only price increase worth considering, though. 

Past lives

In Hitchcock’s 1958 classic “Vertigo,” Jimmy Stewart’s character, Scottie, falls for Kim Novak’s character, Judy, after his love interest, Madeleine (also played by Kim Novak), allegedly plummets to her death. (Don’t worry, if you’re not confused yet, you will be.) Still obsessed with his deceased partner, Scottie convinces Judy to dye her hair and dress similarly to Madeleine. Only then does he realize that Judy and Madeleine are actually the same person. 

In my estimation, Triumph has done the same thing with the Thruxton and the Cafe Racer Edition. The spec sheets only support that comparison. 

The Cafe Racer Edition retains the Speed Twin’s liquid-cooled, 1,200 cc parallel twin, which produces a claimed 103.5 horsepower (at 7,750 rpm) and 83 foot-pounds of torque (at 4,250 rpm). That’s nearly identical to the Thruxton Final Edition’s peak output of 103 horsepower (at 7,500 rpm) and 82.6 foot-pounds (at 4,250 rpm). 

The two models share the same wheelbase (55.7 inches), seat height (31.9 inches), and fuel capacity (3.8 gallons). Their rake and trail figures are nearly identical, too. Both even roll on the same Metzeler Racetec RR rubber. 

Admittedly, the Cafe Racer Edition touts Brembo Stylema calipers (versus the Thruxton FE’s M50s) and a Marzocchi fork (versus the FE’s Showa front end), but at $18,995, it also costs $1,000 more than the 2024 Thruxton Final Edition. When compared to the $16,995 Thruxton RS, the difference climbs to $2,000. That math is worth considering if you’re considering purchasing a Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition.

2026 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition
Price (MSRP)	$18,995
Engine	1,200 cc, liquid-cooled, eight-valve, parallel twin
Transmission, final drive	Six-speed, chain
Claimed horsepower	103.5 @ 7,750 rpm
Claimed torque	83 foot-pounds @ 4,250 rpm
Frame	Steel tube double cradle
Front suspension	Marzocchi 43 mm fork, adjustable for spring preload, compression, and rebound damping; 4.72 inches of travel
Rear suspension	Öhlins dual shocks, adjustable for spring preload, compression, and rebound damping; 4.84 inches of travel
Front brake	Dual Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers, 320 mm discs with ABS
Rear brake	Nissin two-piston caliper, 220 mm disc with ABS
Rake, trail	22.6 degrees, 3.62 inches
Wheelbase	55.7 inches
Seat height	31.9 inches
Fuel capacity	3.8 gallons
Tires	Metzeler Racetec RR K3, 120/70R17 front, 160/60R17 rear
Claimed weight	478 pounds
Available	March 2026
Warranty	24 months
More info	triumphmotorcycles.com