Triumph Speed Twin 1200

Built:2019-252019202020212022202320242025

Photos: Motorradtest.de

Man, is the fat, man. At first glance, the powerfully built yet compact Triumph Speed Twin is thoroughly low tech (as they say today). After all, the first triumph of this name came on the market in 1938, our test machine has been available since 2019. Not even 100 hp from 1.2 liters displacement and then this optic – how does the new old man perform in the test?

New Word Creation

We at Motorradtest.de have goals in life. In addition to the world domination of the cool "from biker-to-biker videos" we like to get excited about the latest marketing or technology chat. That doesn't stop with the sham innovation Keyless-Go for a long time, because now Triumph has hardly presented one. The Triumph Speed Twin, one hears, is something very special – in the past one would have said "motorcycle" to the design of the triumph, today it is called "Naked Roadster Bike". Triumph puts a skip on it and calls the Speed Twin "Modern Classic".

In order not to miss the trend, we are coming back again and are therefore pleased to announce the test of the Triumph Speed Twin, a Naked Roadster Bike of the subcategory Modern Classic.

The whole thing means one thing above all: it is a retro bike that lacks no modern safety features. This should be a matter of course with a not really cheap entry price of 11,950 euros, especially since this one can be shot powerfully into higher orbits by the manufacturer alone with no less than 80 accessories.

A high on torque

It's clear. It's about five meters, then you know it: This is an engine that gets its power out of the speed cellar. Briefly recapitulate the data: 112 Nm of torque are only 4950 rpm, according to the data sheet. The fact that paper is more patient than I am is is not new to me. Therefore: Forget the 4950 revolutions: from 2,000 tours, the feeling of a lack of performance never arises. A torque motor can hardly be more torque." The horsepower yield with 97 horsepower from 1200 cubic meters at 6750 revolutions is not exactly plentiful, others are looking for and find more than 150 hp. But not triumph. Probably because they weren't looking for it. For a bike like the Speed Twin, the harmony of the big picture is paramount, not the individual performance value. And as always, PS at the regular table, the torque on the road.

What is particularly commendable about the machine is that it does not appear laced up around. In this respect, there is little to worry about, it will have enough performance in 99% of all life situations. And the missing percentage falls under measurement inaccuracy.

Now you would have to say something more praiseworthy about the chassis. It is good that it works perfectly. It is also true that it falls off a bit in this high-quality environment, because only the rear with the stereo dampers can be adjusted to the respective situation. The basic setting, on the other hand, fits the machine, it is neither excessively sporty nor comfortable. Because it is so compact and light, it can be playfully thrown into curves, which it then hurries through confidently.

The suitability to travel is naturally limited by the lack of wind protection. Otherwise it could be endured well, by the way also for the sociable. The easy-to-use, easy-to-use, well-to-dosing and powerful brakes deserve a lot of praise – that's how it has to be.