# Triumph Speed Triple RS and 1200 RS Key Replacement

From 2018 the Speed Triple RS has keyless ignition, while the Speed Triple S of the same year kept a conventional key.

Source: https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/speed-triple/

Business: The Motorcycle Locksmith, mobile motorcycle locksmith. Phone and text: (619) 775-1858 (San Diego side).

> From 2018 the Speed Triple RS has keyless ignition, while the Speed Triple S of the same year kept a conventional key. The Speed Triple 1200 RS is keyless too, and its handbook allows only two keys in total and says the chassis control unit must be replaced if both are lost. On a 1200 RS, one lost key means you are down to your last one.

**Triumph Speed Triple RS and 1200 RS key quick facts**

- Triumph's 2018 bulletin says the Speed Triple RS is supplied with one smart key and two passive keys.
- The Speed Triple 1200 RS handbook lists two keys: one smart key and one standard key.
- Only two keys can be programmed to a Speed Triple 1200 RS, in any mix of smart and standard keys.
- On the 1200 RS the system sensors are on the right-hand side and at the front of the motorcycle.
- US-market 2018 Speed Triple RS bikes have a master ignition switch that has to be turned ON.
- The 2018 Speed Triple S and RS must be commissioned and unlocked with Triumph's diagnostic tool at pre-delivery before the engine will start.

## Triumph Speed Triple RS and 1200 RS key types by year

| Years | Models | Key type | Chip | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-present | Speed Triple 1200 RS | keyless smart key plus one standard key | yes | Two keys maximum. The handbook specifies a CR2032 cell in the keyless section. |
| 2018-2020 | Speed Triple RS | keyless smart key plus two passive keys | yes | Listed by Triumph as a keyless ignition model. |
| 2018-2020 | Speed Triple S | transponder key | yes | Conventional ignition key with an immobiliser. Triumph's pre-delivery bulletin for the S has no keyless step. |

## Keyed S, keyless RS

Triumph split the 2018 Speed Triple range by key system. Its pre-delivery bulletin for the Speed Triple S covers the instruments and engine ECM only, while the RS procedure adds a keyless ECM and describes the keys: one smart key and two passive keys. The smart key has an active mode, in which the bike can be powered on with the key within one meter (three feet) of the low frequency antenna, and a passive mode, in which it must be held against the antenna. Passive keys always have to be held against the antenna.

You can tell which mode a smart key is in from its button light: green is active, red is passive. The same bulletin says that both models leave the factory locked, and the dealer has to download calibrations and unlock the engine ECM with the Triumph diagnostic tool before the engine can be started for the first time.

**Need a key for your Speed Triple 1200 RS?** Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked. Call or text (619) 775-1858.

## Speed Triple 1200 RS: two keys and no more

The 1200 RS handbook is stricter than Triumph's other keyless models. Two keys are supplied, one smart key and one standard key, and only two keys can be programmed to the motorcycle. Most other keyless Triumphs allow three. That leaves no slack: if you lose the smart key you are riding on the standard key, which has to be held against the sensor every time you start.

The handbook puts one system sensor on the right-hand side of the motorcycle and another at the front. The smart key must be within about one meter of a sensor, and out of range it is unresponsive. Triumph advises switching the smart key off whenever you take it away from the bike, and says an additional smart key can be bought through a dealer.

## Messages, flat batteries and the master switch

Triumph's keyless bulletin names the Speed Triple RS among the models that can show 'Key fob out of range' and 'Key fob battery low'. The first appears when the bike stops detecting the smart key while riding and is meant to warn you that the key may have been dropped; Triumph says it does not indicate a fault. The second means the cell is nearly spent. Once it is flat, the key still works when placed against the antenna.

US-market bikes add one more thing to check. Triumph's bulletin tells dealers to turn the master ignition switch to ON on US models before powering up, and the 1200 RS handbook has a master ignition switch section for bikes that have one. A switch knocked to OFF looks exactly like a dead smart key.

## If the keys are lost

Triumph's handbook for the 1200 RS says that if all keys are lost, misplaced or damaged, the chassis control unit on the motorcycle will need to be replaced. That is a parts-and-dealer job, so the time to act is when the first key goes missing. With one key still working, a second can be paired to the bike.

If you have none, call us with the VIN and model year before ordering parts. Depending on the bike, new keys can sometimes be programmed to the existing unit at the bike. We will need photo ID and the registration or title, and the bike should have a charged battery, since Triumph's own key and module procedures call for at least 12.8 volts.

## What to have ready

**Have this ready when you call or text**

- Year, make and model of the bike
- Where the bike is parked
- Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
- Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)

## Triumph Speed Triple RS and 1200 RS key FAQ

### Is my 2018 Speed Triple keyless?

The RS is; Triumph's bulletins describe it with a smart key and two passive keys. The Speed Triple S of the same period uses a conventional ignition key.

### Can I add a third key to a Speed Triple 1200 RS?

No. Triumph's handbook says only two keys can be programmed to the motorcycle, in any combination of smart and standard keys.

### Where do I hold the standard key on a Speed Triple 1200 RS?

The handbook locates a system sensor on the right-hand side of the motorcycle and another at the front. Check your handbook's illustration for the exact spot on your bike.

### What happens if I lose both keys to a Speed Triple 1200 RS?

Triumph's handbook says the chassis control unit will need to be replaced. Call before ordering parts, because programming new keys to the existing unit is sometimes possible.

## The immobilizer system on this bike

- [Triumph Immobilizer and Keyless Ignition: Keys and Lost Keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/immobilizer-systems/triumph-immobilizer/): Triumph's engine immobiliser reads a transponder in the key and only lets the engine start for a key that has been paired to the bike.

## More Triumph models

[Air-Cooled Bonneville and Scrambler](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/air-cooled-bonneville-t100-scrambler/), [America and Speedmaster (865)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/america-speedmaster-865/), [Bobber and Speedmaster (1200)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/bobber-speedmaster/), [Bonneville and Street/Speed Twin](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/bonneville-street-twin-speed-twin/), [Daytona 600 and Daytona 650](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/daytona-600-650/), [Daytona 675, 660 and Moto2 765](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/daytona-675-660/), [Daytona 955i and Speed Triple 955i](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/daytona-955i/), [Rocket 3 and Rocket III](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/rocket-3/), [Scrambler 1200 XC and XE](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/scrambler-1200/), [Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/speed-400-scrambler-400-x/), [Speed Triple 1050 (2005-2017)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/speed-triple-1050/), [Sprint ST 1050 and Sprint GT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/sprint-st-sprint-gt/), [Sprint ST 955i and Sprint RS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/sprint-st-955i-sprint-rs/), [Street Triple](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/street-triple/), [Thruxton 900, 1200, R and TFC](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/thruxton/), [Thunderbird](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/thunderbird/), [Tiger 1050](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/tiger-1050/), [Tiger 1200 and Tiger Explorer](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/tiger-1200-explorer/), [Tiger 800, Tiger 850 Sport, Tiger 900](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/tiger-800-850-900/), [Trident 660 and Tiger Sport 660](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/trident-660-tiger-sport-660/), [Trophy and Trophy SE (1215)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/trophy/), [All Triumph keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/triumph/)

## Services for this bike

- [Lost Motorcycle Key, No Spare](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/lost-motorcycle-key/): No key at all? We make a working key at the bike.
- [Motorcycle Key Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-replacement/): New keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes.
- [Transponder and Immobilizer Key Programming](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-programming/): Chip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer.
- [Motorcycle Key Duplication and Spare Keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-duplication/): A spare now costs far less than a lost only-key later.
- [Motorcycle Ignition Repair and Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-ignition-repair/): Sticking, worn or damaged ignitions repaired or replaced.
- [Broken Motorcycle Key Extraction](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/broken-key-extraction/): Snapped key removed and a new one cut from the pieces.
- [Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag Locks](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-lock-repair/): Gas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks.

## Related guides

- [Motorcycle Key Fob and Keyless Ignition Problems](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/motorcycle-key-fob-and-keyless-problems/): Most keyless motorcycle problems come down to a weak fob battery, a fob the bike is not reading, a damaged fob or a lost one.
- [When to Get a Spare Motorcycle Key, and Why Now](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/when-to-get-a-spare-motorcycle-key/): Get a spare motorcycle key as soon as you are down to one working key.
- [Motorcycle Immobilizers Explained: HISS, KIPASS and More](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/motorcycle-immobilizer-explained/): A motorcycle immobilizer is an anti-theft system that only lets the engine start when it recognizes a coded chip in the key or a paired fob.
- [Electric Motorcycle Keys: Zero, LiveWire and Energica](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/electric-motorcycle-keys/): Electric motorcycles still have keys, and they are tied to the bike's electronics more closely than on most gas bikes.

## Where we come to you

[San Diego County](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/), [San Diego](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/san-diego/), [Chula Vista](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/chula-vista/), [Oceanside](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/oceanside/), [Escondido](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/escondido/), [Carlsbad](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/carlsbad/), [El Cajon](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/el-cajon/), [All service areas](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/)