DESIGN, DETAIL & THE OPEN ROAD: LAURA’S TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN 1200 RS
Black, gold, and built for the Cotswolds. Laura’s Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS
From graphic design and heavy metal to mountain passes above the clouds—how Laura refined her 2026 Speed Twin 1200 RS to capture the true essence of riding.
Motorcycling has a unique way of bridging creative expression with raw mechanics. For Laura—a Gloucestershire-based graphic designer, photographer, and lifelong petrolhead—her 2026 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS in Sapphire Black represents the perfect intersection of detail, aesthetics, and pure riding flow.
LAURA’S SPEED TWIN 1200 RS
„I’ve never wanted to fit into a particular stereotype of what a motorbiker should look or act like. I just love being part of that world.“
Laura
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Transitioning from four years on a Ducati Scrambler Nightshift, Laura chose the Speed Twin 1200 RS for its balance of modern performance and classic twin-cylinder presence. Eschewing expensive overhaul for purposeful refinement, she fitted Hitchcox slip-on exhausts, a café racer seat cowl, and tuned her suspension specifically for a tailored fit. Whether carving through the Cotswolds, navigating cloud-lined mountain passes in Gran Canaria, or catching up with fellow riders over coffee at Oily Rag, Laura’s journey celebrates an inclusive, ego-free approach to moto culture.
THE RIDER
Name: Laura
Base: Gloucestershire, UK
Garage / Life: Graphic designer, photographer, heavy metal enthusiast, and advocate for an authentic, community-driven riding lifestyle.
THE MACHINE
Model: 2026 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS
Spec & Mods: Finished in Sapphire Black with gold RS accents; equipped with Hitchcox slip-on exhausts, café racer seat and cowl, tail tidy, bespoke decals, and custom-tuned ergonomics.
IN CONVERSATION WITH LAURA
RWN MOTOZINE: Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how your passion for character-driven machines began.
Laura: I’m Laura and I’m based in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds. I’ve always been a bit of a petrolhead. In my earlier years I had a couple of vintage Volkswagen Beetles, so my fascination with cars, engines and anything with a bit of character has been there for a long time. More recently, that passion shifted onto two wheels.
I’m a graphic designer by trade and a keen photographer, so motorbikes are a natural outlet for my creative side. I love finding a beautiful or interesting setting, then using light and composition to capture how it felt to be there in that moment. When I edit an image, I want it to tell a story of the ride, the place and the motorbike itself. I’m a bit obsessed with getting the details right and love sharing the results.
When I’m not riding, I’m usually working on something creative, planning my next motorbike project or trip, or heading to a heavy metal gig.
RWN MOTOZINE: You transitioned to Triumph after owning a Ducati Scrambler Nightshift. What machine are you riding now, and what drew you to it?
Laura: It’s a 2026 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS, finished in Sapphire Black with the black and gold RS styling.
I came to Triumph after owning a Ducati Scrambler Nightshift for just over four years. That motorbike took me all over the UK, including Land’s End and Snowdonia, so changing motorbikes was a big decision.
I’d ridden the Speed Twin 900 previously and really loved its character. I actually went into Cheltenham Triumph to look at the new Scrambler, but the Speed Twin 1200 RS caught my eye straight away. The combination of performance, handling, classic twin-cylinder character and that black-and-gold styling really got me, so it felt like the right motorbike at the right time.
RWN MOTOZINE: What specific modifications or ergonomic adjustments have you made to tailor the bike to your riding?
Laura: I’ve tried to keep the motorbike true to what attracted me to it in the first place, and the biggest change so far has been fitting Hitchcox slip-on exhausts. I love their more aggressive look, and they give the motorbike a deeper, more purposeful sound without losing the character of the Speed Twin. I’ve also added a café racer seat and cowl, a tail tidy and some decals to give it its own identity. I’m not finished with the modifications yet. I have a flyscreen coming soon, and there will be more details I’ll want to change as I spend more time with the motorbike.
Beyond the cosmetic changes, I’ve been setting the motorbike up perfectly for me. I’m quite petite, so the standard suspension and riding position haven’t always felt completely right. I’ve experimented with the suspension settings and tyres to find that balance between comfort and handling that works for me.
That process has taught me that making a motorbike truly yours isn’t necessarily about throwing loads of money at it. Sometimes it’s about understanding how it feels underneath you and making those small changes that make it work for you.
RWN MOTOZINE: Are there particular trips or road experiences that have left a lasting mark on you?
Laura: Some of my favourite motorbike memories have come from riding abroad. In Gran Canaria, I rode up into the mountains to one of the island’s highest points, with the clouds below me. It felt like being on top of the world. The dramatic coastal roads of northern Majorca were just as unforgettable, with every bend bringing a new view and that perfect mix of awe and excitement.
There’s something special about experiencing places like that on two wheels. You feel the changing air and temperature as you ride, and notice the light shifting across the mountains and sea. It’s a feeling of freedom and closeness to a place that, for me, only a motorbike can give. Those are the rides that stay with me long after I come home.
RWN MOTOZINE: What does motorcycle culture mean to you on a personal level?
Laura: For me, motorbike culture is about so much more than the motorbikes themselves. It’s the freedom, the lifestyle, the people you meet and that instant connection you have with someone because you share the same passion.
One of the things I’ve really come to love is the community around riding. Places like Oily Rag in Gloucester have become a home from home for me. There’s something really nice about turning up, grabbing a coffee and finding yourself chatting to complete strangers who, within minutes, don’t feel like strangers at all. You can talk about motorbikes, routes, modifications, trips, what you’ve ridden or what you’re thinking of riding next, and there’s always a shared understanding.
I love that motorbikes bring people together who might otherwise never have crossed paths. It doesn’t really matter what you do for a living, how old you are or what your background is. You can pull up alongside someone on a motorbike and immediately have something in common.
There’s also a real sense of freedom that comes with the lifestyle. Sometimes it’s a planned ride through the Cotswolds, sometimes it’s a trip abroad and sometimes it’s simply putting your helmet on and heading out with no particular destination. It gives you an excuse to explore places you might otherwise never see and to slow down enough to actually experience them.
I’ve never wanted to fit into a particular stereotype of what a motorbiker should look or act like. I just love being part of that world. I love the motorbikes, the sound, the roads, the coffee stops, the conversations, the friendships and even the slightly ridiculous things – like coming home absolutely covered in flies and somehow being completely happy about it!
For me, that’s what motorbike culture is really about. It’s a lifestyle built around a shared passion, a sense of freedom and a community that makes you feel like you’re part of something.
RWN MOTOZINE: Laura, thank you for the craft, the time, and for keeping the raw spirit of the culture alive.
Photos by Laura - Story by Sascha Köhmstedt