Motorcycle specifications Triumph1200 Speed Twin 2019 The prodigal sister

Speed Twin...... Street Twin, Speed Triple, Street Triple, Speed Four. OK, no need to go any further, I'm getting lost in the Triumph names. Let's do it another way.
Like most of the Hinckley-based manufacturer's models, the Speed Twin has a famous name, one of those that marked its time. The first Speed Twin - and... what was it, when was it made?
.... Page 22 to 27, and I already know a lot more about the original 5T model, born in 1938. It turned the industry upside down and influenced motorcycle production for many years to come. You can find out a lot more in the book " L'art motocycliste anglais " by M. Levivier and Z. Enault.
80 years on, the will is not really the same, the reason is less vital, and inbreeding has taken its toll. The 1200 Speed Twin aims to be the best of two cousins.

First impressions are symptomatic, revealing that Triumph's DNA has clearly been mixed. Is it a sportier Bonneville? Or a more roadster-like Thruxton ? Both. The Speed Twin is a clever blend of classic roadster and café racer. And by extension, a bike for those who want a Street Twin with more muscle. It's the perfect blend for the sporting gentleman. A more complicated exercise than it might seem, since it's going to have to find a place for itself in an already exceptionally well-stocked vintage range (16 models).

the Speed Twin looks like a Bonneville, excited by Thruxton moments. Sportier moments are underscored by tapered exhausts, headlight brackets, handlebar-tip mirrors, stick rims, a sports brake fluid jar, a Monza-style fuel filler cap and novel openwork airbox covers. The saddle is not a single-seater, but the handlebar-passenger bar has disappeared. The brushed-aluminum mudguards are tiny, as on the sleekest Harley-Davidsons. But the highlight is the 1200 HP engine, here transposed at its best.
This twin is found in many Triumphs(Bonneville, Bobber, Speedmaster, Thruxton, Scrambler), each with its own inherent adaptation. Until now, the Thruxton has had the most powerful version. To turn it into a serious sensations machine, the engine-makers have taken the Cafra block and reworked it accordingly. It delivers the same 97 hp at 6750 rpm, except that the engine casings have been lightened, the ACT casing is made of magnesium, and the clutch has been redesigned. As a result, the engine weighs 2.5 kilos less.
Carried by almost 100 grunts and a torque of 11.4 mkg, this is a much faster Bonnie. With 196 kilos on the scales, the Speed Twin weighs 10 kilos less than the T120 for 17 more horsepower. A better power-to-weight ratio than the Thruxton , with a more relaxed riding position. That's what this holy saint is all about.

But let's not stop there. It's not enough for her to have her own special engine and styling. So, to keep her happy, the manufacturer gave her her own chassis, consisting of a tubular steel frame derived from that of the Thruxton and a lighter, stiffer aluminum swingarm. There are no surprises in the forks or shock absorbers, but the Brembo 4-piston brake calipers are more aggressive. Respectful of the hierarchy, it has left top braking to the Thruxton R and its M4 monobloc radial clamps. If you still have any doubts about her enthusiasm, check your shoes. A Bonnie cultivates retro with Pirelli Phantoms; the Speed Twin seeks velcro with Rosso IIIs.

this Classic doesn't adhere to all the codes that Triumph has implanted in this family. It dares to refuse to wear the carburetor-imitating covers. Unusual brushed-aluminium plates conceal the injection system. Does she want to show off her modernism more than the others? It's got what it takes. Technological equipment includes three riding modes (Rain - Road - Sport), ABS, LED lights and indicators, traction control, assisted clutch, transponder key, USB port and meters...... phew, style is saved with two needle dials, with a rock and miles look, complemented by two info-packed digital windows.

Those who fell in love with a Street Twin and then tormented by a need for more watts will be delighted. The Speed Twin transcends this spirit with 49% more power. All this for a weight of .... Here's the cherry on top: at 196 kilos dry weight, the 1200 is lighter than the 900. Far from being lost between the Bonneville and the Thruxton, it boasts the ideal bridge.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos