Triumph Speed Twin Bike

Triumph Speed Twin Bike Overview

The Speed Twin uses the ‘Thruxton’ tuned 1200 Bonneville engine, which is aimed more at high power output than pure torque, making 96bhp. Compared with the stock Thruxton engine, we have a lighter clutch, magnesium cam cover and lighter engine cases – making it 2.5kg lighter.

Triumph engineers have cut a stack of mass from the cradle type frame by using an aluminium lower cradle section, rather than the steel tubes used on the Thruxton and Bonneville. The hybrid frame design uses the same aluminium swingarm as the Thruxton, but uses a longer chain to give a 15mm longer wheelbase as stock.

In terms of suspension, KYB cartridge-type RWU forks and preload-adjustable twin shocks work well enough, without being massively impressive. The brakes are made up of sweet axially-mounted Brembo four-piston calipers up front, twin-piston sliding caliper on the rear.

Triumph reckons the seven-spoke wheels are some of the lightest cast alloy wheels you can find on a stock bike. Rear is a 5” rim, and uses a narrower 160-section tyre, further cutting rotating mass.

The Speed Twin comes with a middle-of-the-road package of rider aids – non-switchable ABS, simple on/off traction control system, and three rider power modes – road, sport, rain. Easily navigated, but the rider modes can’t be customised.

High quality bodywork parts, including a cunning lockable ‘Monza’ fuel cap, brushed aluminium mudguards, sidepanel trims, headlight bracket, rearsets, and bar-end mirrors. Fuel tank on the red and silver models have hand-painted coachlines.