2019 Triumph Speed Twin launch review

Triumph and history go hand-in-hand, and there’s no better illustration of that than the Speed Twin moniker.

The company first released the Speed Twin in 1937, throwing down the gauntlet to the balance of the British motorcycle industry. The parallel twin looked similar to the ubiquitous single, but was lighter and only slightly more expensive. Hence, it was a big hit as a ‘real riders’ bike…

Since Triumph rose like a phoenix out of the ashes in 1992, thanks to British industrialist John Bloor, the Speed Twin badge hasn’t been used – until now.

That ended in December 2018 when the all-new Speed Twin was announced as the newest addition to the company’s ‘Modern Classics’ range.

The Speed Twin follows on from the 900cc Street Twin which was launched in 2016 and resulted in a red face for this author at the national media launch….

A bit of skylarking that ended with a slow-motion highside in front of my colleagues – but certainly not an indictment on what is a fine, capable package. And the punters agree: the Street Twin is the biggest selling Triumph modern classic, based on what Triumph says – via a UK survey – are the three most important characteristics for a prospective modern classic customer: look and style, comfort and handling.

Which now brings us to the Speed Twin… The introduction of a larger capacity roadster-type model has obviously been on Triumph’s radar for a while, which makes complete sense in gaining even more mileage from the company’s 1200cc liquid-cooled, eight-valve parallel twin.

I had first caught a glimpse of the $18,000 (plus on-road costs) Speed Twin at Triumph Australia a few weeks before the launch when I was collecting another press bike, and it certainly holds itself with plenty of poise – the Kawasaki Z900RS is the only competitor that’s in the same silhouette ballpark. The finish and detail is quintessential Triumph – clean and clutter free – and it’s beefy stance just reads ‘ride me’. The highlight: that brushed aluminium mudguard. Looks tough as.

The Speed Twin engine makes use of the Thruxton High Output ‘tune’, and has power and torque peaks of 97hp (71.5kW) and 112Nm respectively – the latter coming at a leisurely 4950rpm.

There are differences between the two engines, though: the Speed Twin has a lightened crankshaft (ie lower inertia) and higher compression ratio. Throw in bits and pieces like a magnesium cam cover and revised clutch assembly, and the Speed Twin engine is also 2.5kg lighter than the Thruxton’s. The Speed Twin is also 10kg lighter overall at 196kg (dry). That gives you some idea of the performance parameters.

Related: Thruxton R launch review

Weight and specs aside, the crux of the matter is the Speed Twin engine is flexible and super friendly – pure roadster territory.

Triumph calls the Speed Twin an “accessible modern set-up”, and the all-rounder ‘evidence’ is in factors such as 100Nm of torque at 2000rpm, a beautifully soft and compliant slip and torque-assist clutch, and a comfortable, upright riding position – further entrenched by the

Those attributes instantly came to the fore as we departed from Triumph’s flagship retail store in Melbourne for a two-day ride, straight into heavy traffic (when is it light?) before the roads opened up as we made a beeline to Lake Mountain ahead of an overnight stop at beautiful Marysville.

And, apart from a seat which definitely doesn’t feel as derriere-friendly as other Triumph efforts, the Speed Twin’s accessible script didn’t change from start to finish – no nasty surprises in this little gem.

That doesn’t mean the Speed Twin lacks excitement – far from it. Instead, the engine, chassis, brake and ergonomic mix allows riders to push the machine to near its limit – and nine times out of 10 that’s a more rewarding proposition than attempting to tame a hyperbike. Well, for me anyway; maybe I’m getting old…

The depressions on the 14.4-litre fuel tank and also great for tucking the knees into – and there was some room to spare, so taller men and women are also accommodated. And that also holds for the 807mm seat height.

The Speed Twin has switchable traction control, ABS and three riding modes – Sport, Road and Rain, each delivering different throttle responses.

Other than for a few kilometres in the Melbourne CBD, I was in Sport mode for the whole two days. That wasn’t intended as some macho exercise: more because the engine isn’t going to whack you in the bum. Indeed, the torque curve is flat and the power graph makes for a beautiful straight line: no dips, troughs or nasties. Just get on and ride, and the slick gearbox will be with you the whole way.

You want mellow? The Speed Twin purrs along at 3500rpm at 100km/h in top gear, which is when fuel consumption is well entrenched in the 4lt/100km range.

The chassis includes Brembo brakes, a tubular steel frame and the same KYB suspension as found on the Street Cup, Bonneville range and standard Thruxton – 41mm forks and preload-adjustable twin shocks. All perfectly adequate for the Speed Twin’s intended market.

Enhancing stability has also been a major factor, with the Speed Twin’s wheelbase 15mm longer than the Thruxton R (it’s 1430mm), and the steering angle isn’t quite as aggressive.

That doesn’t mean the Speed Twin doesn’t want to turn, as it also has less unsprung weight than the Thruxton R courtesy of lighter, seven-spoke, 17-inch cast aluminium wheels. The bike has Pirelli Rosso Corsa 3 tyres, with the rear a slim 160-section.

We only really upped our ‘work rate’ on the Speed Twin a few times, which is when twin shocks traditionally feel the damping pinch and deliver the odd sharp jolt through the lower back. The suspension travel is 120mm, so more than decent.

If you want to take the next step, Speed Twin owners can fit Ohlins shocks from the Thruxton R.

Other Speed Twin features include LED lighting, twin clocks with LCD insets, a USB charging socket, immobiliser and accessory tyre pressure monitoring.

The clocks look great and you won’t be left wanting for information and updates, but they are perched a fair way from the rider – and also at a slightly skewed angle. They are rigid as well, so no room for adjustment.

Triumph is never caught on accessories though, and for the Speed Twin the offering includes brushed Vance & Hines silencers, intake covers, quilted seats, knee pads, machined footrests, multi-function LED indicators, machined headlight bezel and engine embellishers.

TRIUMPH MODERN CLASSIC ACCESSORIES

The Speed Twin comes in three liveries: Silver Ice and Storm Grey, with hand-painted Graphite coach line and white stripe; Korosi Red and Storm Grey, with hand-painted Graphite coach line and white stripe; and Jet Black.

The Street Scrambler will always be my favourite Triumph Modern Classic, but the Speed Twin has now assumed position number two in the pecking order.

It’s simply a beaut, no-fuss machine and, while you can also probably say the same for the balance of the Modern Classics in a form over function type of way, the difference is that the Speed Twin looks the best. And in my books that’ll do just fine.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, eight-valve, SOHC four-stoke parallel twin
Capacity: 1200cc
Bore x stroke: 97.6mm x 80mm
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 97hp (71.5kW) at 6750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 112Nm at 4950rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate, slipper assist

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Tubular steel with aluminium cradle
Front suspension: 41mm forks, non-adjustable, 120mm travel
Rear suspension: Twin shocks with adjustable preload, 120mmm travel
Front brake: Twin 305mm discs with Brembo four-piston calipers
Rear brake: 220mm disc with Nissin twin-piston caliper
Wheels: Cast aluminium-alloy, 3.5 x17 front, 5 x 17 rear
Tyres: 120/70-17 front, 160/60-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Trail: 93.5mm
Rake: 22.8 degrees
Claimed dry weight: 196kg
Seat height: 807mm
Wheelbase: 1430mm
Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $18,000 plus on-road costs
Colour: Silver Ice/Storm Grey, Korosi Grey/Storm Grey and Jet Black
Test bike supplied by: Triumph Australia, https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com.au/
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres