KING OF COOL
Speed Twin blends modern tech with traditional style
The Speed Twin name has a lot of resonance for fans of Meriden Triumphs, and now the Hinckley era will have reason to champion the name, too. Taking the massively popular T120 engine platform into yet another new model, the new Speed Twin blends the modern classic styling of a new Street Twin with the mumbo of a Thruxton R to create a muscle bike with classic roadster styling. But far from just being another derivative retro naked, the Speed Twin, say Triumph, will handle, too. Triumph developed a new frame for the Speed, but it’s based on the Thruxton R, and paired it with cartridge forks and preload adjustable twin shocks with 17in cast aluminium wheels and Pirelli Rosso Corsa III rubber. Hauling it all back down are twin axial Brembo four-piston brakes, which are more than likely up to the job but which look old-hat compared to the seemingly ubiquitous monoblocs. The riding attitude is traditional thanks to its flat bars, bench seat and mid-position pegs. But there is a little more aggression, too. The slightly arse-up, head-down, canted forward stance means that the rider should be able to boss the Speed through bends when it gets twisty. The Twin is also 10kg lighter than the Thruxton, while packing the same 96bhp and 82.6ftlb and electronics package.