Personified

1200cc in 2016, the new twins were (nearly) as performance-minded as Triumph’s triples.

As expected, the ST is comfy to sit upon, with a flat roomy seat and low tubular handlebars. Footpegs are also at a reasonable position, just slightly rear set, but not too tall. The flat(ish) orange paint manages to be both attentiongetting and subtle at once and guests at the hotel where these photos were shot frequently stopped to ask, “When did they started making cool-looking Triumphs again?” proving the brand’s instant recognition factor.

The Triumphs they imagined were never this capable, as the Speed Twin turns over with an audible cam gear whine and a lumpy, eager exhaust note. Spot-on fuel injection mapping and ride-by-wire throttle actuation mean low gear meandering to the interesting roads is neither jerky nor abrupt. As the former owner of a 2017 Thruxton 1200, I know the engine’s characteristics well and the Speed Twin is very similar on the go.

Feeling lighter than its 475 pound weight, the ST easily transitions from side to side, a bit of countersteer is all that’s needed to change lines. A 160mm rear tire and a steep 22.3 degree rake angle aids the light feel and keeps the Triumph poised through the next corner. The bike does carry its weight low down in the tubular steel cradle frame, prompting you to employ more pressure on the pegs than expected, but there’s a fluidity to the way this big twin moves that’s downright surprising. Torque is where it’s at with the 1200 Bonnevilles, so shortshifting between the gears supplies all the go you’ll ever need. Want to challenge a 200 horsepower hyperbike from the stoplights? The 98 horsepower Speed Twin is up for it (for a while, anyway). Want to whack the throttle and feel the 17” front radial get light under the bars? Those kinds of highjinks are all in a day’s ride for the Triumph’s 83 foot-pounds of torque, a grin-machine if ever there was one.

Even the notoriously notchy Triumph gear changes are absent on this cable-actuated, six-speed transmission, though I’m surprised there’s no up-down quickshifter in place.

Too many stern-looking CHP speed traps made me leery of pushing the Triumph much north of 90 MPH, but even on windswept Kanan Dume Road, the Speed Twin held steady at the ton and felt as if there was plenty more on tap. Over a couple of road bumps that felt like prostate exams, the rear shocks did bottom out, but it’s fair to assume Triumph’s engineers didn’t design the preload-only adjustable dampers for 250-pound Yanks. That’s a shame as the Speed Twin’s racy inverted forks, very sticky Metzeler Racetec radial tires and downright unruly engine are able enough for a track day fast group, though the budget rear shocks seem like an oversight. Still, there’s too much fun to be had – and too deep an aftermarket for late-model Triumphs – to let slightly soft dampers ruin the outing.

Even though this bike sits too low and is far too comfortable to be mistaken for a sportbike, there’s plenty of practicality (remember that concept?) with a seat that’s flat enough to bungee packages to, a two-year warranty, rear-view mirrors that actually work and 41 MPG fuel economy.

As a true heir to the classic cafe racer mantle, the Speed Twin is just about the perfect mount: the painless riding position doesn’t cause aches or cramps, there’s more than enough power on tap, the looks are retro-groovy and the line of Bonneville

1200s is popular enough – and affordable enough – that the Speed Twin will hold its value over several years.

We Dig: The classic looks and massive lowdown power

We’d Ditch: The budget rear shocks CR

2023 Triumph Speed Twin 1200

MSRP: $12,895

Engine: 1200cc water-cooled, eight valve parallel twin

Transmission: Cable-actuated six-speed

Brakes: Dual Brembo radial monoblock four-piston calipers with 320mm rotors, front; single 220mm rotor with two-piston Nissin caliper, rear

Wheels: Cast aluminum 12-spoke 17”x 3.5” front: 17” x 5” rear

Tires: Metzeler Racetec radials

Suspension: 43mm Marzocchi inverted forks with 5” travel preload adjustable; Fox twin shocks, preload adjustable with 4.7” travel

Weight: 475 pounds

Fuel Economy: 41 MPG

Electronics: Ride-by-wire throttle, three riding modes, traction control and ABS

Power: 98 horsepower @ 7,250 RPM; 83 foot-pounds torque @4,250 RPM