Q Is the chassis too sporty?
Whenever you see upgraded suspension and hear talk about an ‘enhanced sporty side’ there is always the fear that this will translate to a bone-jarring ride (as on the new Speed Triple RS...) that ruins the bike for everything aside from track use. Thankfully, with the Speed Twin, Triumph has avoided this trap.
The new upside-down forks may lack any form of adjustment but they don’t need it as Triumph’s test team has nailed a really good set-up that works perfectly on the UK’S bumpy roads and there is little to fault with the shocks’ performance either. Unlike the crashy Speed Triple, the Street Twin’s suspension absorbs bumps well and feels plush and well-damped while still retaining a sporty side that is so necessary on this bike, as it makes it such fun to ride. It’s not the sharpest-handling bike and certainly isn’t as agile as a traditional naked bike as it requires a bit more rider effort in low-speed bends. However, it is very sure-footed and never gets upset or threatens to shake its head. The new monoblock brakes are possibly a touch too much of a good thing though.
The problem is the brakes are too aggressive. The combination of Brembo’s finest and braided lines means there is little lever travel on the Twin, creating a bit of an on/off sensation as they are so keen to bite into the discs. The ABS also seems to get a bit overwhelmed and braking on an uneven surface sees it keen to intervene, certainly before the new sticky tyres are close to losing grip. Which leads me on to the rubber.
The only real reservation on the Speed Twin’s chassis are the tyres, which just seem over-kill on a bike such as this. There is an argument that the majority of riders won’t want to take their bike out in the wet but I’d be much happier to see it on Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres (or an equivalent) like before. These deliver more than enough dry grip while also being considerably happier in the damp than the Metzeler Racetec RRS it comes on. It seems a decision of style over practicality and is a mistake.
‘It isn’t as agile as traditional naked bikes’