2019 Triumph Speed Twin

The bridge between the Street Twin and Thruxton, a delectable one at that

- Rishabh Bhaskar

Triumph’s Bonneville family is undoubtedly their most expansive product portfolio, offering a diverse set of motorcycles despite being cast, more or less, from the same mould. In the 1,200cc Bonneville range, the Thruxton and Thruxton R are at the extreme end, offering a hardcore, cafe racer motorcycle experience that we absolutely love. But, it’s not entirely practical or for everyday use, the cafe racer riding position will murder your wrists and back after a few hours. Triumph has a solution though, and it’s called the Speed Twin, the newest member of the Bonneville family.

What’s new about it?

Quite a lot, actually. You may think that Triumph simply rehashed the Thruxton to create the Speed Twin, but that’s not entirely the case. A majority of the focus, during development, was to ensure the Speed Twin weighs less than the Thruxton and the difference is a significant 10kg, overall.

The frame, to begin with, is bespoke, with a new sub frame and lightweight aluminium down tubes that form the cradle, contributing to the weight savings. Then there’s the 1,200cc, parallel-twin engine that’s 2.5 kg lighter than the Thruxton’s. This was achieved by using a magnesium cam cover, lightened engine covers and revised clutch assembly. Incorporating a lightweight battery is another kilo or two saved and all of this fat trimming contributes to the way the motorcycle behaves. But more on that a little later. Because you can’t really get on the bike before you soak in the way it looks.

Quite the stunner, no?