27 September 2024
Sometimes it’s rather wonderful to just ride something classic. Something simple. Something that I’m not expected to post a fastest lap on. Something that I don’t need to traverse the world on. Something that won’t out perform everything else. Something I can just enjoy a bit of simple, easy riding on.
While that’s all good, I do have my standards and as such a bike needs both those simple good looks and a bit of heritage.
Kawasaki have theirs, the Z900, Honda’s CB 1000 stands out, Yamaha have the entire XSR range.
But Triumph do it so very well.
For the coming year they have a new Speed Twin 1200 on the way. It promises to be quite the bike.
While it’s always for our bikes to boast the latest technology, it’s also great when they look like they don’t have them at all.
The new Twin promises “Sports performance and agile handling”.
Both the standard and the RS versions of the Speed Twin 1200 make a shade over 100bhp. The performance number may actually be true.
As well as kicking out a claimed 103.5 bhp, the parallel twin engine is a parallel twin delivers a very usable 83 ft pounds of torque and 103.5 bhp. It’s also going to be easy to look after with service intervals at every 16,000 kilometres
The handling promise has a ring of truth too, since its chassis has evolved from the Speed Triple, itself a pretty awesome bike by anyone’s standards.
While both machines sit on the same chassis, the RS has a slightly better spec with, amongst other things, adjustable suspension.
The front end is by Marzocchi with a pair of 43mm USD forks while down the back is a pair of Öhlins and their external reservoirs.
The looks and styling are perfect. The new machine has taken that classic look and, Triumph has, once again, made it it’s own.
As with all classic machinery you can’t have one looking like the other. Thankfully the lads at Triumph have this one boxed off with a full range of bolt on goodies.
Bar end mirrors, pillion footpeg blanking plates and a very cool 1960’s style café racer seat.
And, whilst patience might also be a virtue, you’ll not need wait long to check out the Speed Twin 1200. The bike will be here in the next few weeks. See www.triumph.ie for all the details.
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