Id be happy with the stock exhaust system it sounds more than good enough without the hassle of the noise police & insurance issues that come with fitting none road legal items.
Honestly, the idle on that stock exhaust sounds really good. Of course the slash-cuts will sound nicer once you give it some gravy - but that stock pipe is no slouch. Props to Triumph!
It's a Japanese styled Triumph. I prefer them more classic looking, but I wouldn't kick this one out of the garage. You are exactly right though, on real roads it's everything you want from a bike. 160 hp and bone racking riding position/race suspension add nothing to a back road ride around the country side.
Got mine Saturday 14th August, so I'm still running it in, absolutely loving the bike, best choice i could have made. The only tiny negative I've found is that if it has rained you get water and mud coming between the rear mud guard and number plate, so I will be getting rid of the small tail tidy. Thanks for your reviews
Great review! Just demoed this bike last weekend and wow. It put a HUGE smile on my face! Handles like a dream, sounds glorious, and rips through the twisties just fine. Are there faster bikes? Sure. Do any of us need more to have an absolute BLAST on open roads? Not. At. All. 👍🏻😁
I waited for the new one to come out before deciding whether to buy it or the previous model. I ended up choosing the previous one. Just prefer the aesthetic all round and the suspension / brake upgrades didn’t mean enough to me to go that route and I really didn’t like the new tank graphics and would have ended up just getting the black one.
Nice review Rob! Impressive they've actually found a few more HP in Euro5 guise - mind you, they found an extra 10bhp for the T100 :-) They do run hot though don't they? Mine can scorch your left kneecap if you're not careful - probably a result of them running so lean? Oh, and get the headlamp aim checked on the Silver Speed Twin, you'll be bringing planes into land! ;-)
I gotta say I’m leaning heavy triumph for my next bike. This and the trident 660 are at the top of the list. Will depend on how the bank account looks next year on which.
Can’t wait for the new Scrambler 1200 XE/Steve Mcqueen ride review. The exhaust work that Triumph claims to have better heat management is something to be verified. Lovely review this one too. Thanks.
I was deciding between this & the new Kawasaki Z900RS SE. Kawasaki won, Triumph need to upgrade the rear suspension, fix the snatchy throttle/stalling, & sort out the engine heat that keeps the cooling fan running all the time. What's the story with the Race tec tires on this rear suspension set up?.
love the Z900RS specially in stunning metallic green yellow scheme.In fairness its twin vs I4 very different experience.Twins have that throbbing feel that I4 lacks and why Motto Guzzi, Ducati twins BMW R's ,Triumph feel so good.
I am keeping my 2019, firstly it looks better. I have upgraded my suspension and brakes and installed the Vance and Hines pipes with x-pipe, so I don’t think the new bike will do much better.
I'm scouting for a new retro. This bike looks perfect, really seems to hit the sweet spot. The only issue I'm trying to get past is that it looks a little small to me in person. It feels fine when on it, but just doesn't quite have the presence I'm expecting.
It does still sound great though. Compare it with all the new Ducati twins, which sadly now just have a one dimensional noise, and it shows how much Triumph have worked with the new regs.
The old speed twin was a good half way between the T120 and Thruxton. The new one has pushed closer to the Thruxton and lost some classic style. Maybe they should just make a 1200 twin version of the trident called the speed twin, looking more like a speed triple, and make a T140, slightly sporty version of the T120. When you're pushing a retro so far towards performance, why bother with twin shocks, retro clocks etc.?
First, thank you for creating all the contents. They are very high quality and enjoyable to watch. Have to admit, this bike is really tempting. Almost perfect blend of retro, naked, roadster and sport bike into one. Never thought a parallel twin could sound this good like a V twin, even with a 270 crank, they often sound like a weird single or half a triple, just not quite a V twin. Just checked the price here in Aussie, around 20k which is pretty good value considering the styling, quality, performance, features included and better running cost. Resale seems a bit let down for Triumph, not sure why. But for long term ownership, it is less of an issue. I think this is the bike I would like to jump on once I am off licence restriction (Yep, they make you riding a under 660 for three years before jumping on bigger bikes no matter the power to weight ratio, so even the Street Twin is off the list. DAMN! ).
The only thing I don’t like about the looks of this bike is the side view with the gas tank leaning downwards. I wish it was in a straight line front to back
I love my speed twin 😎 still prefer my tank but each to there own. Never had squeeky brakes either. Prefer the looks of the old forks but as looks more classic old school but no doubt the new setup is better but I don't have any issues on mine. It's a great bike new or old 😎🏍️
@MOTOBOB 01:34 "Most of us don't really need it (adjustable forks)" I have to disagree, its the first thing any rider should sort out on a new bike. And that is the most disappointing aspect of these upgrades, why not throw on the Thruxton forks to complement the better brakes??? especially given the increased weight. Rider set-up is paramount to good handling and in turn better braking. I think Triumph really missed the mark here. Just my 2 cents worth, thanks for the vid bro!
The bit at the end, getting the side stand down, I assume it's not been improved over the 2019 one ? I still struggle with that after 2 years. I must look like a complete plonker whilst struggling to get the lug on the side stand !
Very, very nice updates. Yeah, give me the modern improvements! And one thing you gotta appreciate is how most of the manufacturers are taking the new emission standards in stride. I have a couple of old bikes and the one thing that I really can't stand is having to inhale the garbage coming out of the pipes, specially in city stop-and-go. Disgusting, and frankly not the kind of contribution I'd like to make to our air quality problems. A tiny bit more weight is WELL worth it. Modern bikes are fast, reliable, look great, do great things, and clean. Nothing to complain about.
Yep spot on comment. Everyone seems to want to junk the cat, and ignore the unburnt Carcinogenic gases coming out. I have a 83 xs400 and fitted some triumph scrambler pipes with a cat. What a difference. I didn’t smell like and old van every time I got home!
The motor is a peach. Flexible enough to run gearing from 16/42 to 18/40. Invest less than $1000 for a tune, exhaust and cam boom another 15 horsepower on the ground. Find a two mile stretch of asphalt, sprockets and a fairing your got 150 mph. Of course that would be silly to do with one of these Triumph 1200cc watercooled twins....yep just call me silly.
@@misterchuck6866 That would be somewhat problematic... and after bombing through south Wales today... I am now back in the "keep the Street Twin" camp as it was absolutely sublime in the twisties. The bike makes you work hard, but oh boy it's worth it!
For the price, they should provide adjustable front forks, especially now that they have managed to provide a new set of forks then why not provide adjustments with them?
Because 99% of the people don't need adjustable forks, since if you don't know what you are doing you gonna mess it up vary badly ( and usually the stock setting on these Marzocchis are perfect), I'd say a better pair of rear shocks instead would have been "mandatory" for the price. On my old Bonnie (years ago) I swapped the horrible stock shocks with a pair of Bitubo and the bike changed 100% for the better.
@@gautamasakyamuni6688 Most people are always gonna appreciate an option to adjust the stiffness of the suspension. Some might find the stock settings hard and might want to soften it for a more comfortable ride and some might want a stiffer shocks for better handling. And who says that they have to adjust by themself, they can always take their bike to a professional mechanic to do the adjustments. It's always good to have the options. Please get the idea that 'we have to adjust it ourselves' out of your head.
@@narendrairengbam112 As you please, so every few miles you change the settings since road conditions vary ? 😉 This is not an "extreme sport" bike, make peace with that. Set the forks and have those shitty rear shock? Good luck.
@@gautamasakyamuni6688 I am not even talking about the rear suspension. That is not even in the picture. It may be bad and need improvements, but that's about the rear. My point is, it would be great if the front forks had adjustments features. For the price and the for the type of premium motorcycle it is, it needs that. I don't know where you are going with the points you are making. Adjustable forks are good features, that's why most premium bikes have them. So that's why it also needs to have that. Simple point and you are going into talking nonsense by bringing up the rear shocks which is not something I am talking about.
@@narendrairengbam112 You know for a good bike balance you NEED both "front and rear suspensions balance" otherwise you will have problems in handling it, now does this fits the picture? otherwise we can carry on forever...also this is not a "premium" bike, this is an old style looking modern classic. overpriced as all the Triumphs. If you don't understand that...well good bye and good luck 😉
I just got my new Speed Twin last week and the side stand blob is my only negative. I do struggle to get it first time and it is taking some getting used to.
The Kawasaki Z900RS is cheaper, taller, more comfortable, more powerful by 10 hp (or 30hp more for a mere ₤500 tune-up), fully adjustable forks, single rear shock fully adjustable, nicer clocks, traction control, and maybe even a better sound stock. I would call that the benchmark sporty classic roadster. Considering the Triumphs are all built in Thailand now, there really is no justification for the markup over the Japanese models. Now if the new Z900RS SE (with Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes) is not much more expensive than this, there is no competition on paper other than personal preferences for the looks of them.
i have both. The kawi is a more 360 usable bike, dinamically superior (better suspension and brakes) and cheaper. Yep its a win win for kawi, but the ST is more charismatic and i must admit everybody look at it and love it. But as a single bike? KAWI.
Great video Rob… Love your vids ..straight talking and honest. So glad you got round to riding this… but I’m still torn between this and a new 2020/1 R Nine T … Same price roughly as dealers clear out their Euro 4 stock… I rode both last weekend…and at 6ft felt the R fitted me better…. But the ST defo felt quicker… but there’s only room in my shed for one…. Aaarghhh. What to do?
I don’t think build quality is an issue on the speed twin - it’s about as good as it gets. But I’m yet to ride the SE and it looks absolutely brilliant, so I’ll have to get back to you
That is a very hard question which I'm asking myself as well. However I rather steer towards the Speed Twin, but the Kawa looks absolutely awesome as well!
Thx for the video. Speed twin and T120 are bikes i'm considering. I know they have different styles which make me even harder to pick one. Can you make a video comparing those two bike??
I don't know... I still prefer the looks of the former model. Wheels and front fender especially. I feel they should've left the looks alone and focus only on the Euro-5 part.
They may as well go the whole way, put a monoshock on the back and get rid of those fussy looking clocks, that are at the wrong angle. The Street Twin is a great looking bike. Lots of people don't want spokes and olde worlde looks. The bike can be updated and lightened with minimal effort and be imporved too. I can't imagine that many people care about twin shocks on the back of a bike.
Great video Rob! I’m in the fence between these two generations, but whichever path I will choose, the mods in the 2019 gen from the video look sick. Can you let us all know where to get them?
I’m assuming they just partially fitted the lowering bracket from Renstall moto and haven’t set the headlight where it needs to be. Even though the headlight is wonky it’s cool to see the belly pan and seat without the headlight fairing. I wonder if that seat is comfortable though.
I'm buying one here in US, just put a deposit last week. Why the different blinkers for the US market? I like the smaller ones better. Also like the stock pipes sound!
I currently have a 2016 Thruxton but this bike really has my interest. I would love a more comfortable riding position and this is like a cross between the boni and the Thruxton. Would you choose a speed twin over a Thruxton?
Obviously these reviewers are not going to criticize the bikes they test...too much because they won't get another to test. Therefore..how reliable are their test reports??.
Hello! Just started watching your channel and you helped me discover the Triumph Speed Twin...what a delightful bike that seems to fit me well. I am in the process of purchasing a lightly used 2022 as I can't find a nearby new one. Can you point me to the best place to find accessories like luggage and performance parts for Speed Twins. Thanks and love your channel!
A question (should you read these). A a rider down here in Oz and so not concerned with Euro 5 is it worth my extra $5000 (2.5k quid) for the new version over the a 2020 with 1500 miles on it. I'm not an aggressive rider just want to cruise with a smile on my face. Great review as always.
Awesome review! Thanks MotoBob! For anyone that reads this and owns this bike or who has ridden it...would this be a bike you would recommend for a mature rider (coming on 40) who has had their motorcycle license been around bikes, scooters and atvs not to mention ridden plenty as a child thru to my 20s but never actually owned a motorycle? Sort of relearning. About 5'10" 100 kilos . I moved to Europe a few years ago for my job and looking to get back in but can't test ride until I get my endorsement as I had let it expire during time on east coast where I didn't need it. Regrets. Thanks for the content and any feedback I get from this comment! Cheers!
This a great bike for returning riders I think. Im 52 rode a lot until my 30s and was off bike for almost 20 years. I got back into riding and also have big Multistrada1200 Enduro for touring. This Speed Twin is perfect. Super comfortable, easy to ride...loads of torque and not revvy at all. Great to get around town, take out on the back roads, it ride so easy just cruising along. If you want o let it rip you can but it is a great all a rounder. If was going to pick a one and only this would be it. You cant go wrong with any Triumph classic but this one is as close to perfect as you can get.
Very happy with my 2020 ST. The newer bike does have slightly better handling, but IMHO, it’s not enough to justify changing. You get used to the side stand inaccessibility. Has anyone found a cure for the squeaky front brake?
That’s a fair point - it was a bit choppy. But it didn’t really come to mind with this one. So I guess they’ve sorted it? Recent bikes from Triumph, esp. the trident, are pretty smooth on/off.
The new version adds performance, but just seems cheaper-looking - I think losing the higher-tier paintjobs with hand-painted lines is a strict downgrade no matter how you shake it, and the new wheels look... spindly - the older generation Speed Twin wheels definitely had a more muscular look. When you add on the difficulty of modding EURO5 bikes, I don't think this new version is enough of an upgrade over the previous generation; I think the 2019/2020 Speed Twins will be the collectors items, down the road.
I really love the Ducati night shift over this anyday so would love your thoughts - I know this is more powerful but that night shift is a great looking one
