Triumph Speed Twin - Road Test & Review - A legend returns? 

Finally! A Speed Twin review I actually learned something substantive from! Well done and thank you. All the best from West Texas.

Excellent video Tony. And good advice at the end. This looks like another winner for triumph.

Great review. looking forward to next one.

Outstanding review. Thanks!!

Great video.. beautiful countryside to shoot in . looking forward to the followup video !!

Well done Tony. Glad you enjoyed your ride.

Excellent review Tony!

Excellent vide, as always. Thanks.

Couldn’t agree more with you on that review. Tried the scrambler and the speed twin and in less than 2 weeks the speed twin (grey) will be mine. So excited!

Thank you for giving a detailed and genuine opinion towards it 👍👍

Excellent video Tony! I do quite like the speed twin. 👍😎🏍🇬🇧

I run a 675R Street Triple,it's due a service next month & after watching this I'm tempted to demo a modern classic Triumph why my bike gets serviced,thanks for posting this video.

Good luck with your new bike. I'm waiting for the new Scrambler 1200 to come in, reminds me of my first bike, a Honda CL160 with Scrambler pipes that I had at 15. Never had a Triumph but think I'm going to like it. Swerve carefully out there in Cali!

I had a good look at one at the dealer last week. It genuinely looks like a top shelf custom that a shop built.

Hi Tony . Perfect review like always. 4 month s ago in yours test video "New Triumph Scrambler 1200 - Press Launch and detailed spec run through" i wrote it that Speed Twin is perfect bike for you. When i saw it first time u was the first person who did i imagine that can be perfect owner. U can make this bike to top form. U did lot of good job on yours Street Twin and u was very inspirating for my Street Cup (i love yours Home Brew Tail Tidy). I hope that this youtube chanel bring this 10k what you need it :D

Hopefully my next Triumph !

Great review, enjoyed watching. As a current T120 owner, I prefer the look of my bike but would love it to have that extra 16 bhp of the Speed Twin engine. Cheers.

Great Review Thanks.

Nice review, and brilliant bike.

I missed this review when it came out. The only Triumph I'd consider.

Nice review Sir .... I’m awaiting mine ... end of April.... 70th birthday 😱....regards Fred.....px my old se ....

Great review.

The authentic Street Twin upgrade. Will be getting mine 2021 hopefully!

The thruxton smoking had me rolling! won a thumbs up from me.

A nice retro bike, though fifty five years ago I was a Norton rider. My last and final bike was a Suzuki Gixxer 750 K2, and to me one of the most beautiful designs there has been. Alas, age and infirmity overtook my enthusiasm. I maybe disabled but in my mind I relive everything. Every chosen line, gear, and speed, and so many rides I will no longer make. Enjoy your bike but ride safely and sensibly, and remember, you're only as good as the worst idiot out there.

Another great video 👍

Great review! Liked the "Barry White" bit 😂

Nice review Tony. This is what I've been after since the introduction of the Thruxton. I took out a Thruxton R and really liked it but told the salesman I still had to take out a Guzzi Griso as I was after a more 'sit up and beg' type bike as I already have a bike with a sporty riding position. I ended up with something completely different, but a year later I got the Griso as well. If this had been around at the time it might have been my choice. I always hankered after a T120 with the Thruxton R engine and I have toyed with buying a Thruxton used and putting a street bar conversion on it. (there are now top yolks available that take that drop shape of the original into account) This is a nice looking bike, save for a few details like the rear guard, the rubbish black silencers and the boring paint (I'd get the black and spend the £300 Triumph are asking for the metalics on a custom job) It's also disappointing that there isn't an 'R' version straight away with decent suspension (I don't know if there will ever be an 'R' version) I'm sure it's adequate but as you say, it is quite firm and our roads don't really deal with firm, so unless one is a little heavier it may well be too much. My Griso has fully adjustable suspension both ends but at 12 stone (76kg in new money) I still have to wind the compression down to zero. It's a quality unit, just set up 'Italian firm'. At least it is adjustable both ends and if the Griso were made today would be equivalent in cost to the 'Speed Twin' I think Triumph are short changing us a little. I'd happily lose the 'riding modes' that are of little or no consequence on a street bike and take some better suspension instead. I hope that isn't too negative; I'm looking forward to a test ride and I already know that I would consider (a used) one in a year or so.

One of the best Triumphs iv ever seen, i hope the power matches the looks.

Nice bike, nice overview Tony. I loved the look of the Thruxton R, but I didn’t like the riding position, maybe this is an option. I like it in red, and do agree with you on the exhaust colouring. The twin clocks are great, a TFT setup would be just wrong.

Lovely bike and stylish. Glad the seat height is more sensible than the twin . I’m not ready to chop in my Twin yet but when I do this could be a contender.

I think this has been your best review to date. Well presented, researched and edited. The camera shots on the twisties were superb. Nice looking bike and food for thought if you fancy either the Thruxton or Street Twin. I do feel Triumph have an identity crisis with its name badges. Yes, they mostly have to same font/logo but some bikes have the stripe running through it (new scrambler I believe) and some have a type of shield. If Triumph are trying to pull everyone’s heart strings into buying a classic retro style then why not have a standard name badge/shield on then petrol tank that also harks back to bygone times? The cynic in me thinks that Triumph probably want you to buy a classic looking tank badge as an extra so they can cut costs and then charge top dollar to loyal customers for OEM part. Anyway enough about that. Great review and nice looking bike but I’m a Thruxton fanboy👍

Nice video very informative.

The best thing about any of the new Triumphs is that they are very different to one another. I love this. A Scrambler 1200 is one thing, the Speed Twin is a whole other story and so on. This one might be a little too close to the Thruxton, but the fact that it has a different gas tank (actually different than the T120 or Street Twin...) shows that Triumph wasn’t lazy when developing the Speed. It has all those little unique touches that make it a pleasure to look at. Triumph is absolutely killing it with its Modern Classics range. 👏🏻🤩

Great looking bike aside from the few odd bits. Reminds me of my 1981 CB900F SS.

Cracking review as usual Tony. Really enjoyed your comments - an honest and fair appraisal. Couldn't agree more about the new Scramblers ... this is a far nicer bike.

On the money again Tony. Great piece. Totally agree about the side panel, fantastic 70's aesthetic to the bike but with the Streethawk font for the Speed Twin spoils it a bit.

Excellent review, Tony. A lot of the details on this bike influenced my decision to buy the Street Cup instead of the Twin. I did like the slightly more aggressive riding position of the Cup as well, but the twin clocks, bar end mirrors, and paintwork were a bonus. I’ve added Motone Monza gas cap, British Customs drag pipes, and a couple other bits, and this suits me perfectly. I honestly like it better than the Thruxton as i found it a stretch to fit on. I guess I basically built a water cooled 900 Thruxton. Beautiful new bike, though. If it had been out I may have taken another look. Cheers.

A twin cylinder hooligan bike that sits similar to a Speed Triple. This and the new Scram 12 are in class of their own. Well done T!

Love the review. I found with my old T120, I just did not have the road space to use the power it had. So I went for the slightly lighter and nimbler Street Scrambler 900. But the Speed twin is an ideal retro with a twist of real world perfomance! Looks great. Out of interest what is economy like? Nearly 100 bhp is superb for a retro! WOW . But living in S E England - roads are crap and too much traffic out there.

Good review, thanx. Nice to see a bit of Meriden history at the beginning. Hey Triumph, can you please bring back the Trident name. A Speed Triple with pretend air cooling, retro looks, analogue clocks and a round headlight. Basically a prettier XSR900 that says Triumph on the tank. TIA... Edit, Thank me later when it becomes your best seller...

Really good review! You should try mixing your commentary audio with the background noise from the film. Regardless, good info.

Im well pleased with my speed twin its a great bike for me👍👍

Definitely agree on the comment between this bike and the scrambler, only time will tell but I reckon that after the initial clamour to have a new model in the stable the speed twin sales will rise above that of the scrambler, I think that the scrambler will be too tall for the majority of riders and fitting a lowering kit ( of which there will undoubtedly be one ) is counter intuitive to producing a bike with such long suspension travel , added to that the scrambler is a good deal more expensive and is restricted to the amount of luggage panniers that the owner can have due to the one sided high level pipes . Thanks for posting , now subscribed .C.

Nice view. I'm looking for my first bike and I 'd like to choose this bike

I have a 2017 Bonneville T-120 with the 1200 HT engine. The main problem I have with the T-120 is that I often scrape the foot pegs when cornering. The foot pegs on this Speed Twin look to be mounted higher so that you can lean more into the corners without scraping.

Talk about simple pleasures, to not have a lot of distracting drone-perspectives and flashy video editing is a welcome feature. Here is my question: Will this bike accept the same de-cat system many people are putting on their Thruxtons?

I really must go and try a Triumph modern classic. I was going to last time I took my Tiger in for service, however the sales guys were doing a brisk trade so I didn’t like to stop them hahahahah!

Good video as usual. Shame about the wind/sound. As an ST owner I am undecided as to whether to get the new ST with its more gutsy motor , or get the Speed Twin.

That road is a belter isn’t it! Literally commute it every eve from the city.

Great video Tony, really enjoyed, but I'm keeping my street twin! Lol!

I like those mirrors. They are tear drop but the taper is mild, so you get plenty of mirror . And they're stock yes? I guess they're usable with bar weights? I'd love a pair on my bonneville. Will check into them. I'd say they just wanted to add some sign of a passenger grab bar to the frame without an actual one? Personally not having any on my bonneville, I'd enjoy having something to hold on to when moving it around the utility. Not sure what it is, but of the 5 bikes I've owned, this is the only one I've felt top heavy pushing it around. And it's 100 pounds less than the VMAX was. Thanks man. Good review.

Just found your channel. Good review. I loved the Thruxton R not because I like cafe racers but just loved the look of the Thruxton R and spec of it. You're saying the Speed Twin is possibly better i.e. lighter to ride, more flickable, as weighs less and quicker because it is a little lighter? Does it have Ohlins suspension as well?

Nice job.

Hey tony, great video...when are you going to do the scrambler 1200 review? Hopefully soon coz I wanna upgrade my street twin and was thinking of the scrambler 1200.

Beautiful bike, another winner for Triumph.

Nice review. I recently rode a few modern retros at a Triumph Demo Day here in Colorado. Unfortunately, they did not offer the Speed Twin to ride. I did like the T-120 though. Can you compare the T-120 to the Speed Twin? Similarities / Differences / rider position etc?

Nice review. Straight forward without all the gushing flowery crap. I do some subfreezing temp rides. Any heated grips or cruise control to stick my hand in my pocket for a quick spell?

Hello, Tony. Nice and complete review, as usual ...but, I wonder: what is the « proverbial » that sticks to the blanket? 🤔

Great take on the bike! Perhaps you could do me a massive favor and give a little input on the T120 vs this Speed Twin? I reserved a T120 Diamond Edition, but for the similar price I'm thinking the Speed Twin is a better "bang for the buck." On one day I'll be looking for enough comfort for my wife and I for a few hundred miles a day and a way to mount a little luggage. On the next day, I'd want to have a blast through the twisties, not getting a knee down, but have the speed and agility to have loads of fun. Speed Twin, T120, I'm just not sure.

Good day for a review if not totally ideal. I really like this bike and it's equal 1st with the Speedmaster on my wish list. It's got everything you need really and that bit of frame at the back could have been made into a grab rail for pillion use, but then there's no accessory value in that and presumably why they didn't do it, i cant see what it's for either and maybe it's one of those "all will be revealed" things.

Nice review. Would the Scrambler 1200XE be better on those lanes?

Nice video Was that the Ongar road?

Very nice.

one niggle sorted. the reason the little hoop sticks out of the rear past the seat is because it is essentially a Thruxton frame which if you look has the same little hoop. if true, then Thruxton single seats will fit thew Speed Twin. and any after market Thruxton muffler "Can" will fit as well. subject to first hand verification.

Please review RE Interceptor 650

Have you ridden the Scrambler 1200? If so, how do you find the seating position compared to that? I find it a little low and cramped, though to be fair, I only rode the Speed Twin for less than 5 mins

What about the catalytic converter ? I have the Street Cup and it's like your Street Twin under the engine, you replace it with an x-pipe. On the Speed Twin is the cat integrated into each of the exhaust pipes on the rear ?

Great for tank bags!

From Jack Lilley in Romford, up to Ongar, I almost thought you were going to make it to Essex Triumph in Great Dunmow. The Essex Triumph dealer "tour" ! (make sure you return it to the correct place ;) ) Sorry for the cheekiness, it's an Essex thing as I'm sure you know ! By some miracle I've just passed my DAS, I'm looking at the 2019 Street Twin, but this is now making me think ! I have no clue if this will be too much power for me (probably "yes") , after having to rev the nuts off a 125 for the last 8 months I think I'd even appreciate some 500cc A2 class machine. Oh decisions ... Otherwise thanks for awesome video. (why the interlude of music in the middle ? )

Nice vid as usual. What do think between T120 v STwin? Wanna do some weekend camping trips and ride around town mostly..

Like your style. Did you ever ride the last generation Yamaha XJR1300? If yes; how does it compare to the Street Twin?

Definitely a beauty Tony! Replacement for the street twin?

I've just watched this again. There is a Triumph dealer in Chiang Rai. Two big bikes that appeal to me are this and the Honda CB1000R, and only Triumph and Honda do test rides. I think the Honda looks better. Maybe I should give them a test ride, back to back.

Heard reports of jerky on/off throttle response at low speed. Was this noticeable to you at all? Nice review BTW.

Love the styling, nice balance. Hate the brake fluid reservoir, wonder if it can be lowered or hidden somehow?

How is the sitting position and the position of the knees on the bike? I tried Thruxton R and I really struggled to find a place for my knees as I was constantly looking for an OK place to keep my knees and squeeze the bike so my arms could relax a bit.

Enjoyed the video very much. I've been fortunate enough to have blagged a ride on one, and agree with your observations completely. I'm coming at this bike from the opposite direction, for want of a better descriptive. You arrive from the Street Twin, I'm coming from the Thruxton R side. Was I impressed with it? Oh yes. I'm I changing? Er.......NO! For me, it's a question of heart over head perhaps. The Thruxton is just so damn pretty. I know your views on 'Caff Racers', each to their own of course. But whatever one you choose, i find it hard to believe youd be dissappointed.

Hi tony (it’s Toni again). I heard you comment on the older model street twin brakes. I have the 2017 street twin and the brakes leave a lot to be desired. I recently cleaned off the calipers and they seem to work better but i still want more from them. I recent;y test rode the 2019 street twin and these felt fine for the bike. Do you have any suggestions for upgrades on brakes for 2017 models? Many thanks Toni

Great review as always Tony, there really is very little that i would do to that bike. Now the big question is trade in the street twin, or second bike...

Are there any vibrations ? Specifically at lower rpm ?

Taking a hard look at this bike. Great review and summary. I'm in Thailand. I had looked at the T100 andT120, but things like heated grips are like the proverbial tits on a bull and the T100 seemed a little spare. Long story short, I ended up with a Kawa W800, and am quite happy with it. Comparable to the Street Twin, but with more features, I guess. The Speed Twin looks to be a terrific upgrade. Another reviewer complained about the shifter. He found it awkward to hook his toe under it. Also no one has mentioned center stand. I assume it doesn't have one, since they paid so much attention to weight. Anyway, your thoughts on the shifter "issue" would be great. Thanks, John

11:29 does that exposed frame in the back work as a GoPro mount?

Good review, nice looking bike, apart from the brake master cylinder. Wtf were they thinking?

Great video as always Tony. I agree with you on the aesthetics. I think they got a little overzealous with the “modern” design elements.

best looking truimph bike

I have a 215hp bike and this seems ok power wise.

Nice looking bike. Wouldn't mind one me self,might even have to downgrade from my 1982 CX 500 for it!

Didn't hear you talk about comfort too much. Do your wrists get tired at all from the position? Could I go on a long trip like I did with the Street Twin (riding hours straight)? Or too bent over and tiring like the Thruxton

how do u like the exhaust sound when under load? I cant ride until mid march with this weather

How is the fueling and the gear box?

Can’t sling a leg over due to restrictions at the moment. Do you mind me asking how tall you are and if you’d think it will be comfortable a 6’2" rider?

Wish this motor and twin clocks were an option on the street scrambler

How much a custom paint job for the tank? Could be worth getting the black and putting the £300 towards a custom tank .

Next Tony's baby... I'm pretty sure ! ;-)

Works well on the left-hand side of the road. What about the other side ?

How does the speed twin compare with the BMW R NineT? Which bike would you choose and why?

In a land of Harley Davidsons all over the place, this is going to be me next motorcycle. Just to be different.

This a true piece of badge engineering. God, you would think Triumph would have taken the Bobber and painted it Burgundy. That by itself would have been far more convincing than this stale effort. I was so looking forward to what Triumph would do to bring back this iconic name. My excitement was matched only by my sense of deflation at the timid outcome.

Great review...great bike although I think charging another £300 for just 2 colour choices is a p##s take! I'm still tempted though.😕