Sticky thread area for: Ride and performance reports. Yes we know you got a new bike - Yes we want to hear how it does and what it does. Does it make you smile? Let us know about it. :smile2: Safe riding to you.
Watercooled Twins Reports & Reviews:
MarlinSpike
21 - 40 of 65 Posts
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58 Posts
Street Twin 7,000km report.
So I've had my bike a few months now and thought I'd chime in with my personal views and experience with this machine.
My background has included many bikes over the last 40 yrs, Japanese and Harley, from RD350 to 90" big bore Sportster.
No racing, no wheelies or burnouts, simply reasonable road riding, sometimes in a sporty manner.
I'm 160cm tall and weigh 75kg in all gear.
Engine is smooth and willing with a surprisingly strong midrange. The HP numbers don't really tell the tale. It feels stronger than the 49 or so on paper. Fuel economy is very good approx 4l/100k av.
Stock pipes look and sound pretty good to me.
Gearing is fine as is for me. I ride typically 105/110 kph on the open road....no problems there lots more on tap.
Suspension is ok on spring rate, 75kg rider, but a bit underdamped for me on our crappy bumpy roads. I will buy better shocks and look at springs and valves for the forks in the future but no rush, it's fine the vast majority of the time. Ride is good and pretty compliant, nice and stable in corners.
Tyres are ok, follow grooves a bit but not too bad for me. I've had the front slip a few times on dry smooth asphalt, just a warning, when pushed so that's letting me know it's no sports tyre. On chipseal they grip really well though. I'll probably see them to the end and replace with stickier ones.
The free play in the throttle off idle was too much for me so I shimmed out the slack.
I added the Triumph heated grips and they work really well.
A meerkat crossover and bar end mirrors were also added. The sound is great the mirrors just for style the stock ones were ok.
I also bought a Ventura rack and bag that fits really well.
Power is a little lacking at high revs and I have a TEC cam sitting in a drawer waiting till I feel like installing it. I'd like to dyno before and after so will try to organise that first.
I really like the ease of riding this bike. Low effort clutch with good engagement when warm. Easy light handling and compact riding position with pretty good all day comfort. I've ridden 12 hr days with only the normal aches and pains nothing really horrible.
Finally it looks great the styling is very classy.
My opinions only mind you.
Cheers
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
So I've had my bike a few months now and thought I'd chime in with my personal views and experience with this machine.
My background has included many bikes over the last 40 yrs, Japanese and Harley, from RD350 to 90" big bore Sportster.
No racing, no wheelies or burnouts, simply reasonable road riding, sometimes in a sporty manner.
I'm 160cm tall and weigh 75kg in all gear.
Engine is smooth and willing with a surprisingly strong midrange. The HP numbers don't really tell the tale. It feels stronger than the 49 or so on paper. Fuel economy is very good approx 4l/100k av.
Stock pipes look and sound pretty good to me.
Gearing is fine as is for me. I ride typically 105/110 kph on the open road....no problems there lots more on tap.
Suspension is ok on spring rate, 75kg rider, but a bit underdamped for me on our crappy bumpy roads. I will buy better shocks and look at springs and valves for the forks in the future but no rush, it's fine the vast majority of the time. Ride is good and pretty compliant, nice and stable in corners.
Tyres are ok, follow grooves a bit but not too bad for me. I've had the front slip a few times on dry smooth asphalt, just a warning, when pushed so that's letting me know it's no sports tyre. On chipseal they grip really well though. I'll probably see them to the end and replace with stickier ones.
The free play in the throttle off idle was too much for me so I shimmed out the slack.
I added the Triumph heated grips and they work really well.
A meerkat crossover and bar end mirrors were also added. The sound is great the mirrors just for style the stock ones were ok.
I also bought a Ventura rack and bag that fits really well.
Power is a little lacking at high revs and I have a TEC cam sitting in a drawer waiting till I feel like installing it. I'd like to dyno before and after so will try to organise that first.
I really like the ease of riding this bike. Low effort clutch with good engagement when warm. Easy light handling and compact riding position with pretty good all day comfort. I've ridden 12 hr days with only the normal aches and pains nothing really horrible.
Finally it looks great the styling is very classy.
My opinions only mind you.
Cheers
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Joined
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339 Posts
Did you get the service done? What was the total at the end of the day?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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1,156 Posts
No, not done yet, and it’s probably going to cost me more because I may need my original cam put back in.
Joined
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1,156 Posts
Speed Twin 2000 mile report.
I love this bike.
It’s quick. Gun it in first and it rips through it, 2nd, and 3rd and before you know it your doing 90-100.
It handles well. No issues with wheels coming up since changing sprockets to a 17 in front. Lean angle has been good for me. No scraping pegs at all. Things get a little hairy at 100+ due to wind, which is a bit of a disappointment because I had no such issues on my Street Twin, but it’s manageable. Pulls up hill and coast down them without issues.
It’s a looker. While it’s stying has been a bit polarizing here on the board, everyone I run into has nice things to say about it. I personally love the more aggressive lines. It’s not aggressive to the point where another rider would suspect its fast, which makes toasting them that much more satisfying. There’s enough universal touring gear out there to take it on longer trips If one so desires.
The seat is a bit rough. It’s fine about an hour or 2 before my arse starts to go a bit numb. Oddly I’ve had other days where I rode for 4 hours with no issues, but that was more stop and go, giving my numb a reprieve when stopped at lights. Replacing the seat has moved close to the top of my list. Need a Corbin with a backer for my wife and another regular seat for myself.
2up riding is way better then on my Street Twin was. The power is still there and ready to go. We can both get comfortable but probably not for much longer then 1-2 hours without a pit stop. Our feet hit occasionally, which is why I’ll probably not install rearsets on the bike.
Little things:
Not crazy about the peg position. I can get comfortable but they just feel a little to far I the wrong direction for me. I’m short, so I’d prefer a slightly lower seat height so I can completely flat foot. May address this when I have the TEC adjustables installed.
Gears don’t always drop into place properly. I sometimes have to click down twice when lowering gears. It’s annoying but hasn’t caused any major issues so far.
Rear break isn’t great, but the front breaks makes up for it. I will say when using it suddenly I do feel like I’m going to go flying over the front. Not fun. Front does bite down quick though.
Overall, as stated, I love the bike. It was the perfect step up from a Street Twin. Money very well spent.
I love this bike.
It’s quick. Gun it in first and it rips through it, 2nd, and 3rd and before you know it your doing 90-100.
It handles well. No issues with wheels coming up since changing sprockets to a 17 in front. Lean angle has been good for me. No scraping pegs at all. Things get a little hairy at 100+ due to wind, which is a bit of a disappointment because I had no such issues on my Street Twin, but it’s manageable. Pulls up hill and coast down them without issues.
It’s a looker. While it’s stying has been a bit polarizing here on the board, everyone I run into has nice things to say about it. I personally love the more aggressive lines. It’s not aggressive to the point where another rider would suspect its fast, which makes toasting them that much more satisfying. There’s enough universal touring gear out there to take it on longer trips If one so desires.
The seat is a bit rough. It’s fine about an hour or 2 before my arse starts to go a bit numb. Oddly I’ve had other days where I rode for 4 hours with no issues, but that was more stop and go, giving my numb a reprieve when stopped at lights. Replacing the seat has moved close to the top of my list. Need a Corbin with a backer for my wife and another regular seat for myself.
2up riding is way better then on my Street Twin was. The power is still there and ready to go. We can both get comfortable but probably not for much longer then 1-2 hours without a pit stop. Our feet hit occasionally, which is why I’ll probably not install rearsets on the bike.
Little things:
Not crazy about the peg position. I can get comfortable but they just feel a little to far I the wrong direction for me. I’m short, so I’d prefer a slightly lower seat height so I can completely flat foot. May address this when I have the TEC adjustables installed.
Gears don’t always drop into place properly. I sometimes have to click down twice when lowering gears. It’s annoying but hasn’t caused any major issues so far.
Rear break isn’t great, but the front breaks makes up for it. I will say when using it suddenly I do feel like I’m going to go flying over the front. Not fun. Front does bite down quick though.
Overall, as stated, I love the bike. It was the perfect step up from a Street Twin. Money very well spent.
Joined
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100 Posts
Second Triumph Water Cooled Twin
My first Water Cooled Twin was a 2016 Street Twin it was a nice bike but after the first 5000 miles I knew it wasn't what i really wanted I would always try shifting to a 6th gear that it didn't have and topping out at around 105 mph wasn't enough for me, I blew the motor after 14,000 miles and yes I rode it hard and rode it every single day that I could.
After I traded the Street twin in I got the bike i should have gotten in the first place a 2017 T120 I have 16000 miles on it and have modded it with the following:
X-pipe
British Custom Predator Pro slip ons
Puig windscreen
EBC sintered HH pads
Garmin GPS
Triumph Panners
TEC piggy back shocks
TEC pregressive fork springs
Michelin Pilot Activ Tires
K&N Air Filter
Chrome Engine Covers
Cruise Control
Shorty Levers
I ride every day and ride it hard and fast it will do 130 + verified. it doesn't turn in a quick as my old street twin but it has 300 cc's more, a center stand, a tach, and the 6th gear. And since my street twin blew up while under warranty and I had so many problems with it from the beginning i was able to get free maint. and free extended warranty.
My first Water Cooled Twin was a 2016 Street Twin it was a nice bike but after the first 5000 miles I knew it wasn't what i really wanted I would always try shifting to a 6th gear that it didn't have and topping out at around 105 mph wasn't enough for me, I blew the motor after 14,000 miles and yes I rode it hard and rode it every single day that I could.
After I traded the Street twin in I got the bike i should have gotten in the first place a 2017 T120 I have 16000 miles on it and have modded it with the following:
X-pipe
British Custom Predator Pro slip ons
Puig windscreen
EBC sintered HH pads
Garmin GPS
Triumph Panners
TEC piggy back shocks
TEC pregressive fork springs
Michelin Pilot Activ Tires
K&N Air Filter
Chrome Engine Covers
Cruise Control
Shorty Levers
I ride every day and ride it hard and fast it will do 130 + verified. it doesn't turn in a quick as my old street twin but it has 300 cc's more, a center stand, a tach, and the 6th gear. And since my street twin blew up while under warranty and I had so many problems with it from the beginning i was able to get free maint. and free extended warranty.
Attachments
5000mi in on a lightly modified Thruxton R.
EDIT
I have since removed the Analog FEK, and replaced with the European OEM tail tidy. I also replaced the massive F/R indicators with the Euro OEM LEDs (which are much smaller). Just added heated grips, which are fantastic in the northeast. Icing on the cake is a new engine map from DNK TuneWorks. Along with a high flow air filter, and the snorkel removal, Meerkat x pipe & Cone engineering "shorty performers".
The bike has a lot of character now, both in ride and sound. I love it! The only thing that I don't love are the crappy brushed silver engine parts and gas cap. Pitted and marked up after 3 years (garaged).
EDIT
I have since removed the Analog FEK, and replaced with the European OEM tail tidy. I also replaced the massive F/R indicators with the Euro OEM LEDs (which are much smaller). Just added heated grips, which are fantastic in the northeast. Icing on the cake is a new engine map from DNK TuneWorks. Along with a high flow air filter, and the snorkel removal, Meerkat x pipe & Cone engineering "shorty performers".
The bike has a lot of character now, both in ride and sound. I love it! The only thing that I don't love are the crappy brushed silver engine parts and gas cap. Pitted and marked up after 3 years (garaged).
Picked up my 2019 T100 3 days ago. I hadn't been on a bike (aside from the safety course 4 years ago) in over 10 years and even then I'd only ridden a couple of street bikes briefly. I did have dirt bikes most of my life though. I went back and forth on what bike I wanted to get. I didnt want something that I'd be bored with in a week, but i also didn't want something 800 pounds either. I decided on a T100. I had to pick it up about 45 minutes from home in what for me is a big city (Colorado Springs). I wasnt worried about the trip home once I got out of town, but I was nervous about the traffic in town. I shouldn't have been. There were no incidents of any kind and after about 10 minutes I felt completely at home on my new bike. I love this thing. Wind blast to your head is a bit tiring at 70+ with an open face helmet, but up to 65 or so is great and the bike was perfectly content to run at 70 if I'd chosen better suited head gear. For anyone considering a T100 for a first bike I say if you've got some experience on the dirt you couldn't pick a better option. If you've never ridden anything you might want to follow the common 250cc type bike suggestions, but this thing is perfectly manageable for someone comfortable with the mechanics of riding and would make a great ride for someone looking to get back into riding after some years off too. I intend to enjoy mine for years. Here it is when I picked it up at the dealer.
![726718]( "726718")
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20 Posts
Sounds like you got a lot of issues with that bike, LOL
Here's an odd-ball question -- a friend rode his brand-new 2019 Speed Twin over to the house today for me to drool over. It is definitely a beautiful bike, but it has one odd quirk (at least to me). The bike had Daylight Running Lights (DRLs), but no low-beam. Switching the Hi/Lo switch to "Hi-beam" turns on the Hi-beam as expected, but toggling it to "Lo-beam" turns on the DRL's. There is no separate switch on the left switchgear for the DRL's. Are all SpeedTwins like this? This does not match the manual presented with the bike, as the manual clear shows a "DRL Switch" that should let you toggle between DRL or LoBeam. (Flip the switch to "DRL on", and it should operate like his does, Switch to "DRL off" and he should have "Hi & Lo beams" activated by the Hi/Lo toggle switch. At least the manual says this is how it should operate). Did Triumph make an in-line change? Does the 2020 model have a "DRL" switch? Does your 2019? Inquiring minds want to know! (If the choice is Hi beam or DRL's, do the DRL's put out enough light on the road to satisfiy the state gendarmes?) My 2012 Bonneville SE has no DRL's of course, but does have a Hi/Lo headlight.
Joined
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1,156 Posts
Honestly don’t know. I never ride at night these days so I’ve had no interaction with the lights other than to remove their fuse. I’ll check it out though.
Joined
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72 Posts
I have a 2020 - the grey rocker switch on the switchgear pod alternates between the LED DRL and low-beam, so it seems that is missing on your mate's bike?
When low beam is on (the green DRL light on the instruments is off) the black 'pull to flash' switch on the front of the switchgear toggles between high and low beam. If the DRL is on, the black pull switch can be used to 'flash' the full beam.
Joined
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72 Posts
Very strange - check this video of a US speed twin; his also has no rocker switch, just proper low and high beam, no turning on of the DRL.
It looks like his Headlamp has the 'LED DRL' elements in it though. I presume that DRLs are not approved in the US and rather than make two different headlamps, Triumph just don't provide the switch in US. If so, maybe something got wired wrong at the factory?
Or at the dealer who did the final assembly. Maybe plugged the wrong wires?
Joined
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59 Posts
Hi when you say you blew up the motor what exactly you mean. Made me worry I have an SS 19 model and working at 3700 to 4700 rpm range
Follow-up to this post: We took the Speedy to a different Triumph dealer for the 600-mile service and for a check of the strange DRL/Lo-beam problem. After lots of head-scratching & several calls to Triumph NA, this dealer reported a missing jumper in the headlight pod. Of course, this dealer didn't have one, but has promised to order one and replace it for no charge once it arrives. The wait continues.
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