[tsmgguy]

30.16' N 97.44' W: Georgetown, TX.

 

[TorqueBird]

Decisions, decisions. The reason I don't have a speed twin now is the cast wheels. I have a 06 bonnie and new thruxton and am looking to thin the herd. I thought the speed twin would help me do that but I love the spoked wheels. I need to test ride a t120 to see how I feel about the 18" front.

It's not the look of spoked wheels i hate, it's the cleaning and the inability to pull over and fix a flat in the middle of nowhere. As far as looks i do prefer cast if they are a good design, but i like a nice spoked wheel too as looks go and would actually prefer the look to some cast wheels. I suppose i could even deal with cleaning, but i just can't get past the mechanical advantages of cast like better control in a moving deflation and roadside repair. It's really a bummer for me because the bonnie was the last of the twins i would have considered but it's grown on me a lot and now it might well be my 1st choice. So i dunno.....maybe fix a flat, that stuff in a can? That is if theres a place to carry it in a bonnie.

On a side note, i watched several road test videos on the T100 even tho i'd never even considered that over the T120 before because i figured they'd feel exactly the same aside from the power difference. But several of them mentioned the 100 actually feels a lot different and the riders preferred it over the T120, one to the point he thought it ran much differently and better, power aside of course. So now i'm wondering if that would be the way to go and just keep my Tbird for those days where i want power or high speed freeway trips and make the T100 my leisurely rider and "go to the store" bike etc. They're both very sweet looking machines. Triumph has really upped the ante with the new water cooled line as build quality goes. They look gem like ! Makes a honda look like a toy, and a lousy toy at that.

 

[ELB]

By strange coincidence (with the author of the original post in this thread), I sold my 2015 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Touring at the beginning of this season. Nothing wrong with it. Definitely an (if not "the") apex predator of the ADV category (for on road performance, at least). But there were two issues for me that weren't going to get better. One, it's far too much bike for the street. It's like giving pony rides on a thoroughbred. Two, it wasn't my motorcycle soul mate, and life's too short not to find one.

So, I tested a ton of bikes. I won't go into them all, but I thought the Speed Twin was going to be the one. It seemed like the perfect blend of standards like the T100/T120 Bonneville and sportier cafe racers like the Thruxton R. And on paper it's a star: lightweight, Brembos, Thruxton engine, 17" front tire for more "flickability." When I tested it right before my second ride on a T120 — and it proved to be well tuned, solid and precise feeling — I thought it'd be too tough an act to follow. But then I got on the T120 (again), and it just...wasn't.

The Speed Twin struck me as a wonderfully well-sorted machine, but it didn't charm me the way the T120 did. Where the Speed Twin was taut, with abundant engine breaking and the like (logical, for a sportier machine), the T120 was unstressed and just glided down the road like a familiar dance partner. This also came through in the more relaxed riding position and the "plantedness" and stability that comes with greater weight and that 18" front wheel. As I've said many times, it's easy for a bike to be fun going fast, harder to be a joy going slow. The T120 is a bike that lets you slow down to smell the roses, not the need to blow them off their stems as you pass by.

And when you do spot that too-inviting stretch of curvy road that begs for extra, unlike many cruisers, the T120 obliges. The torque, street-appropriate power, exhaust "note" and confident (if not racer) handling make it a pleasure when the pace picks up.

If I lived on the side of one of California's famous canyon roads, I might choose differently. But for the riding I'm able to do, this type of bike that prioritizes character, comfort and cruising is the ticket to maximum contentment. That's why I bought a T120 less than a month ago and it's been bliss. There are tweaks to be made, but it's by far the best bike I've spent time on.

And, it's worth noting that nowhere above did I mention looks, nostalgia, how Triumph did such a brilliant job making the engine look like its mills of old. That's because, while I think "retros" are generally appealing, I have no particular affection for them, nor am I trying to capture some vision from my childhood. I wasn't alive in the 50s-60s.

Certainly, it's subjective and personal, but not a single bike I tried had the T120's magic mix of character/soul and refinement.

 

[Singlin]

Speed for a more modern look and the T120 for the classic Bonneville look.

 

[tsmgguy]

Yeah, any Ducati has a lot of rough edges. But it's a Ducati.

 

[Kl2be]

It was a no-brainer for me: a NEW left-over '17 T120 Jet Black was marked down $3,000, so I was out the door for $9,500 including all misc. charges!
I was tempted by both a Street Twin and a Speed Twin based on color availability and lower weight. But the discount was impossible to ignore and I was also attracted to the included center stand and heated grips.
My thoughts after a week of riding: (1)The performance envelope is irrelevant to me; after 50 years of riding without the slightest mishap (hard to figure after some of my antics in younger days and my tendancy to want to humiliate Harley riders at stoplights) I'm content to relish the massive torque of the T120 and keep things well within 70% of the bike's capability. (2) While I still admire the Triumph color schemes in Tangerine and Aquamarine, the Jet Black is growing on me. I'm falling in love with the Black/Brown contrast the seat provides and I also love the pea-shooter mufflers...how can you really have a retro Bonneville with out Pea Shooters? Maybe this winter I'll try my hand at some minimal gold pin striping on the front fender; or maybe not...I've always taken to heart the line from CS&N "love the one your with".
Don't stress over this, you cant go wrong!

 

[gadgetboy]

@RavenGryffen Where'd you find the small fairing/wind deflector for the Speed Twin?

 

[gadgetboy]

I recently took the Speed Twin out for a test ride at my local dealer.

In a tongue-in-cheek manner, the sales guy referred it as "an old man's Thruxton" and I'd say that's a spot-on description. It's tuned closer to the Thruxton. The riding position is more upright than the Thruxton, but the pegs and foot controls are a few millimeters forward - but not as far forward as the T100 or Street Twin. I like it better - it feels less cramped which will be great on long rides.

I'm in the process of buying a Speed Twin right now in the Silver Ice/Storm Gray color. We'll see how it feels after putting a few thousand miles on it this Summer.

 

[Dougl1000]

Decisions, decisions. The reason I don't have a speed twin now is the cast wheels. I have a 06 bonnie and new thruxton and am looking to thin the herd. I thought the speed twin would help me do that but I love the spoked wheels. I need to test ride a t120 to see how I feel about the 18" front.

It's not the look of spoked wheels i hate, it's the cleaning and the inability to pull over and fix a flat in the middle of nowhere. As far as looks i do prefer cast if they are a good design, but i like a nice spoked wheel too as looks go and would actually prefer the look to some cast wheels. I suppose i could even deal with cleaning, but i just can't get past the mechanical advantages of cast like better control in a moving deflation and roadside repair. It's really a bummer for me because the bonnie was the last of the twins i would have considered but it's grown on me a lot and now it might well be my 1st choice. So i dunno.....maybe fix a flat, that stuff in a can? That is if theres a place to carry it in a bonnie.

On a side note, i watched several road test videos on the T100 even tho i'd never even considered that over the T120 before because i figured they'd feel exactly the same aside from the power difference. But several of them mentioned the 100 actually feels a lot different and the riders preferred it over the T120, one to the point he thought it ran much differently and better, power aside of course. So now i'm wondering if that would be the way to go and just keep my Tbird for those days where i want power or high speed freeway trips and make the T100 my leisurely rider and "go to the store" bike etc. They're both very sweet looking machines. Triumph has really upped the ante with the new water cooled line as build quality goes. They look gem like ! Makes a honda look like a toy, and a lousy toy at that.

The T-Bird was the best bike I’ve owned. I regret selling it, only to get my second Rocket - more power but an impractical bike. Sold that and got a T120. Briefly considered the T100 but better brakes, power, and do-dads convinced me otherwise. However, I would prefer tubeless tires.

 

[Hybrid81]

I recently took the Speed Twin out for a test ride at my local dealer.

In a tongue-in-cheek manner, the sales guy referred it as "an old man's Thruxton" and I'd say that's a spot-on description.

Pretty funny. I’m definitely not an old man, but I love the stying and performance of the bike. Better to be upright/comfortable and tuck when needed then to be tucked all the time no matter what.

 

[RavenGryffen]

@RavenGryffen Where'd you find the small fairing/wind deflector for the Speed Twin?

It’s the thruxton one since they have it in the same color for 2019, thruxton mounts too. I think they have it in aluminum. Which would be good for a silver one maybe. Looks like the thruxton r would be the way to go color matched as it is available in silver ice. Dart is cheaper for flyscreens if the color isn’t as important.


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[TorqueBird]

The T-Bird was the best bike I’ve owned. I regret selling it, only to get my second Rocket - more power but an impractical bike. Sold that and got a T120. Briefly considered the T100 but better brakes, power, and do-dads convinced me otherwise. However, I would prefer tubeless tires.

Yeah, i haven't sold mine but every time I try to i just can't seem to do it. I too feel it's the best bike i have owned aside from that cursed knock which thankfully isn't an issue all the time. In fact if not for that i don't know that i could ever sell it. In 2 weeks I'll have owned it 10 years and to this day when it's running it's best i can't stop being impressed as i am on it. Thats pretty amazing considering i've owned it a decade. Even the look still has me often staring at it to this day. But alas, lots of miles on it and the fact it's discontinued which doesn't bode well for part acquisition on a bike who's production numbers are relatively very low makes me feel like it's best i move on. Plus i love the new twins with thier great power and MPG for thier size and incredible build quality. Keeping 2 bikes may be an option in the future but not at this particular time, so it's a tough decision. Riding since '69 and no bike i ever owned have i kept so long and loved so much.

I'll tell you this tho.....if they made the 1200 i want it would be far far easier to move one. But every new model has things about them i really don't like. I'd be all in if they made a street twin with the T120's chrome and polished aluminum engine but with the HP internals all in a larger frame with some weight to it for freeway. Add to that no gaiters, the T100/120 dual clocks and nicer two tone paint and it's bye bye birdie !

 

[innominate]

Test rode both as potential replacements for my Ducati Multistrada 1200 ST; looking for a bike with a lower seat height. I preferred the feel of the Speed Twin, which seemed a bit more lively and agile. I also like the lighter weight, tubeless tires, TPMS availability, and additional ride mode as compared to the T120. On the other hand, the T120 looks even better to my eyes, and offers a center stand and factory bag options which are unavailable on the Speed Twin. The power differential between the two did not strike me as significant, and it was difficult for me to tell on my relatively brief test rides if the T120's riding position is roomier - I'm 5'9" tall, with a 30 inch inseam.

For those of you who have compared both, how did you decide between the two? Any speculation around a near-future model year upgrade to the T120 which might result in a lighter weight, availability of TPMS, tubeless tires, or other Speed Twin benefits?

I finally test rode both bikes. Like I said in my earlier post I'm looking to down size my collection. I'm also looking for something more comfortable than my Thruxton R. At my height I have to sit back on the seat otherwise my legs are against the tank creases. Having to sit back makes me lean over more.

Love the speed twins engine since I have the Thruxton. The rider triangle is more compact than the t120 but not uncomfortably so for me. On my 06 Bonnie I frequently ride with my toes on the pegs. The speed is more of a sprinter while the T120 is a long distance runner. Instant power with the speed. The T120 you have to twist the throttle more before she reacts but the power is there. The T120 is capable but the speed reacts faster to steering inputs.

I'm leaning to the t120. Capable for a long day in the texas hill country. Relaxed and friendly around town.

 

[tsmgguy]

I'm leaning to the t120...

Great choice! (-:

 

[Kl2be]

I finally test rode both bikes. Like I said in my earlier post I'm looking to down size my collection. I'm also looking for something more comfortable than my Thruxton R. At my height I have to sit back on the seat otherwise my legs are against the tank creases. Having to sit back makes me lean over more.

Love the speed twins engine since I have the Thruxton. The rider triangle is more compact than the t120 but not uncomfortably so for me. On my 06 Bonnie I frequently ride with my toes on the pegs. The speed is more of a sprinter while the T120 is a long distance runner. Instant power with the speed. The T120 you have to twist the throttle more before she reacts but the power is there. The T120 is capable but the speed reacts faster to steering inputs.

I'm leaning to the t120. Capable for a long day in the texas hill country. Relaxed and friendly around town.

Haven't tried the Speed Twin, but I did take my new T120 on my first trip last week; Anchorage to Homer, AK over a 500 mile round-trip route that's 80% twisties over two mountain ranges, a deep-cut fjord and rolling hills next to Cook Inlet. There are numerous passing lanes in the mountains where one can take a quick sprint to trippe digits. Lots of long 65 MPH sweepers where one can practice holding and/or changing lines. I personally practiced weight-shift turning since I havent had a chance to do spirited riding in a long time. I really liked how the 120 responded so well to a variety of riding techniques. In 60 years of riding (yes, I started at 12 on a Sears Moped) I've never riden such a comfortable, natural machine.
I traded off with my son-in-law who rode my '81 Yamaha XV 920 HR (the rare cafe version of the Virago v-twin).
I was left with two strong impressions: (1) Cafe style bikes have enrormous curb appeal and are very seductive in the showroom, but a standard is the only way to go on a ride over 60 miles, let alown 500 miles. I'm quite happy with settling for the T-120 over the Thruxton I was also considering. (2) I can't even imagine a bike more perfect than a T120 for a combination of urban driving, country-side cruising and canyon blasting. That's not to say I wouldn't like a Speed Twin just as much...its just that I don't see that much differance in all I've read and seen on videos. Seems like a combination of price and color choice would be the deciding factor for me. Oh, and don't forget to factor in the included center stand and heated grips; both are items you will want to add to any Speed Twin choice.
A parting thought. My 38 year old Yamaha big-twin is so very close to as fast and torquey (and fun to drive) as my new Triumph that I've got to remind folks not to get too hung-up on the minutia of small differences.

 

[salindroth]

I just returned from a week of riding mountain twisties near Boone, NC on my T120. The bike was wonderful. Tons of torque and agility to get around tight turns and switchbacks, plenty of speed if you need it, and super comfortable (to me) for the long ride home. For this kind of riding I didn’t need instantaneous speed, but rather power, control, and get-up-and-go coming out of the turns. Oh yeah, it looks amazing, too! [emoji16]

Don’t get me wrong, the Speed Twin is a fantastic bike, but it may not be as versatile as the T120.

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[innominate]

Haven't tried the Speed Twin, but I did take my new T120 on my first trip last week; Anchorage to Homer, AK over a 500 mile round-trip route that's 80% twisties over two mountain ranges, a deep-cut fjord and rolling hills next to Cook Inlet. There are numerous passing lanes in the mountains where one can take a quick sprint to trippe digits. Lots of long 65 MPH sweepers where one can practice holding and/or changing lines. I personally practiced weight-shift turning since I havent had a chance to do spirited riding in a long time. I really liked how the 120 responded so well to a variety of riding techniques. In 60 years of riding (yes, I started at 12 on a Sears Moped) I've never riden such a comfortable, natural machine.
I traded off with my son-in-law who rode my '81 Yamaha XV 920 HR (the rare cafe version of the Virago v-twin).
I was left with two strong impressions: (1) Cafe style bikes have enrormous curb appeal and are very seductive in the showroom, but a standard is the only way to go on a ride over 60 miles, let alown 500 miles. I'm quite happy with settling for the T-120 over the Thruxton I was also considering. (2) I can't even imagine a bike more perfect than a T120 for a combination of urban driving, country-side cruising and canyon blasting. That's not to say I wouldn't like a Speed Twin just as much...its just that I don't see that much differance in all I've read and seen on videos. Seems like a combination of price and color choice would be the deciding factor for me. Oh, and don't forget to factor in the included center stand and heated grips; both are items you will want to add to any Speed Twin choice.
A parting thought. My 38 year old Yamaha big-twin is so very close to as fast and torquey (and fun to drive) as my new Triumph that I've got to remind folks not to get too hung-up on the minutia of small differences.

I was in anchorage exactly 1 month ago. From there went to glacier bay, Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan. It's hot up there :laugh2:

 

[fcorbin]

About 6 months ago i was going thru the discussion T120 or Speed Twin. I came home with a Thruxton R. Rode the bike 200 miles and thought I had made a big mistake, but then went on a Sunday morning ride. Covered 90 miles over a 2.5 hour time and on two lane country roads. Now I love that bike, no way did I make a mistake. By the way I am a fairly large guy 6' 1" 210lbs , 33inch inseam and 70 years old. No problem ridding the bike but it is a bike for the open road not around town. So I now looking for a short run bike, probably going to try to ride them back to back in the near future. Will be interesting to see which one i like the best. Any additional information would be helpful.

 

[keo1050]

I saw your post and could not help but reply. I traded my Ducati multi-Strada 1200s Saturday for a speed twin. I test rode both that and the T120 which are both fabulous bikes but going from the Ducati I think it has to be the speed twin to satisfy you in my opinion.

 

[NC Steve]

Keep in mind that the T120 comes with optional cruise control, and it's easy to add heated grips...