Triumph’s Speed Twin: smart, snazzy, super
The Speed Twin expands Triumph’s burgeoning retro range further. Derived from the Thuxton, the Speed Twin is altered to make it lighter and easier to ride. Its place is somewhere between the Thruxton and T120, all three share the same engine, but the Twin’s is in the same tune as the former.
The bike we borrowed had a host of aftermarket goodies (V&H can, replacement tail, black intake covers, quilted seat, black sump plate, machined headlight bezel, LED indicators front and rear and multifunction headlight assembly) worth over £1,400 before fitting.
Give me some spec
A 1198cc parallel twin engine puts out 96bhp/71.5kW @6,750rpm with maximum torque of 112.5Nm/83ft-lb @4,950rpm, seated in a tubular steel with aluminium cradle frame. Three preset riding modes (Road, Rain and Sport) are available. Dry weight is 196kg/432lb. Stopping power comes via twin 305mm Brembo 4-piston calliper front discs, backed up by a 220mm, Nissin single calliper rear.
So what’s it like to ride?
The Speed Twin looks small; apparent lack of dimensions reinforced when you sit on it (lower than the other two bikes, sculpted tank tucks legs in, small, gently tapered bars sit you upright). The Twin actually has a longer wheelbase than the Thruxton. Losing all that weight makes it an easy bike to sit up and paddle.
Doling out power isn’t as smooth as the T120, but it’ll roll at town speeds well enough. But the Twin’s party trick comes via it’s torque. There isn’t a torque curve as a flat line, meaning instant driving power available at any gear from any revs. It blasts forwards (first time I opened up, I slid backwards in the comfortable, but slippy aftermarket saddle; knees gripped the tank firmly after that!), the front’s urge to lift controlled by the longer chassis.
The small, almost straight bars combined with the 22.8-degree rake creates a direct relationship between bars and front wheel. The Twin rolls on its side easily, the excellent Pirelli Rosso Corsa III tyres sticking to the Tarmac like glue. Despite the pegs being set further forward and lower than on the Thuxton, there is still more ground clearance than you’ll need. Legs feel tucked in, but I was comfortable after an hour in the seat.
It took me time to get the hang of the brakes; initially I was applying too hard, hauling up sharply. But with practice came control and they had all the feel I needed.
Bar end mirrors aren’t for everyone, but the Twin’s are superb. The twin clocks (paired with the brilliant thumb-operated toggle) give masses of information.
What nick is it in?
This bike had been earning it’s corn as a demo bike, so it was in spotless condition.
What’s it worth?
The dealer wants £10,299 for a bike with 3,479 miles recorded and a huge list of aftermarket goodies. Our dealer search found a few available with prices ranging from £9,499 for a bike with 1,221 miles recorded to £10,999 for a bike with 2,000 miles logged.