The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 is designed to be proof for nostalgics, the same ones who go from one place to another on a motorcycle because they like it and prefer it that way, but who also look for the moment to go for a spin on the road and “remove the carbon”.
Nostalgic? Here's your motorcycle. The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 is that mirror in which you like to see yourself reflected; because the years can go by for everyone, that's true, but for some of us who are “in the march”, the years are accumulated experiences to, precisely, put them into practice and hit the gas and enjoy it as if it were the first time.
Let's see: we have different elements to combine such as the motorcycle itself, experience, and an inner strength that asks us to go out and see the world on two wheels, either to go to work every day or on weekends, storage parties ( hide, rather I would say, the computer or the car keys) and vacations. Make a single pack with all of this and you will find the Triumph Speed Twin 1200 as a result.
Because the past exists and the future is yet to be written, what better way to do it than with a motorcycle that looks back with nostalgia but, at the same time, with the wisdom that a "know-how" provides worthy of applause; On the other hand, we build the future ourselves, but if it's with a tool like this classic naked, but with Brembo brakes, Marzocchi suspension, MetzelerRacetec RR tires, and 100 CV, well, hey, much better, right?
How is the Triumph Speed Twin 1200
If you have a biker heart of those who have been pumping gasoline and blood as a mixture for some time, in the purest 2T style with oil, a motorcycle like this does not go unnoticed at all, even less if it hits so well and so well in the mix of solutions in full force seasoned with a look worthy of the most glorious past of the motorcycle.
All this is concentrated in the maximum expression of a 6-speed engine with motorcyclist roots, yes, passed through the "Túrmix" of the contemporary and technologically current. So a classic-looking twin should be fed by carburetors and cooled by the air that comes into gear. The "point and aside" of this motorcycle allows it to breathe fully with the help of a front radiator and is fed by an electronic injection system.
Result? An engine with a retro, elegant, rounded, and beautiful appearance, which in addition to passing Euro 5, is capable of offering us no less than 100 CV to the right fist; I would say that it is the ideal power, almost perfect, for those of us who like to have "chicha" when we open the gas, but who do not want to run out of points on their driving license.
In its latest version, it has been able to reach the round figure of one hundred CV, increasing power in the middle area by 5% according to official figures, with an engine that has worked to eliminate, as far as possible, the inertia of its essence, also including a more sporty distribution from the Thruxton that allows it to free itself from "ties" to the gas cut. As I told you, the result is an engine that feels very alive, that revs up with obvious joy at each turn of the throttle, and stretches like you would never have imagined from a motorcycle like this a short time ago.
In the cycle part, the inverted Marzocchi fork stands out with thick 43 mm diameter bars, accompanied by a pair of shock absorbers with a single spring preload adjustment by means of a half-point wrench... Come on, like God's whole life until the preloads arrived. remote and electronic; although perhaps most surprising of all is how it works on the ground.
The same could be said for the brake assembly. The weight at stake is enough to "distrust" a basic kit to "get by" in the hands of senior pilots who are not very demanding with performance... Ok: turn this argument around and you will find the key to the operation of the pair of discs front and the small rear. Guaranteed bite with 320mm discs bitten by Brembo M50 radial calipers. There it is.
Sitting on the motorcycle, which will be what you hope to do for
a long time and kilometers, you will find the "lifelong" pineapples
and watches, at least in their clean, simple, and classic design that those of
us who flee from the " switch panels” full of buttons, at least on this
type of motorcycle.
The one corresponding to the change in engine curve (Sport, Road, and Rain) is direct and easy to find, but the truth is that I don't see much use in it except if you are somewhat fearful of driving on wet asphalt. Sport is “the curve”. Higher up, at the opposite end, we see the person in charge of browsing the digital information available on the LCD screens inserted in both spheres of the frame; the numbers are somewhat small but if you want to see them, you will see them, just as it happens with the circular informers that "seek" to escape from the needles to be seen in broad daylight...
There is no lack of LED lighting with the corresponding unit for daytime running light which, accompanied by a set of fine turn signals, provide that bit of modernity that is so noticeable on a motorcycle that is not only retro in general appearance but also modern in optical groups. suspensions, brakes, tires... and even a tank, not because of the shapes, but because of the capacity. Why only 14-odd liters?
How's it going
The simple fact of going from theory to practice gives us the guidelines to solve questions like the one we have just formulated; Another question is that it be resolved satisfactorily for all, although for that we each have our opinion.
Mine goes through drooling since even before I got on its controls. The bike is very attractive to look at, classic but modern, round but aggressive as if hinting at what soon after you will find yourself on it and moving through traffic like a small child with new shoes.
Starting at the first push of the button gives us another joy: the engine sounds with a lot of presence, not thunderous, and with a personality that is transferred to its sound thanks, to a large extent, to the pair of mufflers with a classic design. tilted up a megaphone. If When I tell you that it's not only pretty... Also, it sounds good and just enough. Very accurate.
The shift path is very short and the feel of the slipper clutch is very immediate, hardly requiring any force to pull the lever and link speeds. Well designed and synchronized, as it is today, you can go up gears at medium speed just cutting the gas and playing to synchronize it yourself to nail the play. A true delight.
But of course, the most impatient will be waiting for me to tell them if it really accelerates enough to surprise, or if it is really a touring motorcycle, excellent and comfortable, but to go from one place to another without much pretension... What do you think based on what has been said here so far?
If you like to have fun, I won't even tell her. The Speed Twin 1200 is a motorcycle in which the position at the controls is not forced, and precisely for this reason you can ride calmly without pressing the engine, enjoying the torque at low and medium revs with the certainty that you are taking about 2 pounds from the tank. liters every 50 km of travel that you do in this way.
Now, if you are one of those who are always late, probably knowing the motorcycle on which you travel from one side of the city to the other for your daily chores, the Triumph will be a companion that will hardly appease your deepest instincts. Far from it, I would be careful on one-way streets where there is a huge “maximum speed 30 km/h” painted on the asphalt; you will have to roll in second and carefully at each turn of the throttle.
And although the Speed Twin 1200 does not dislike urban rides at ridiculous speeds, the truth is that it always accepts them with Christian resignation, yes, and as I told you, supported by favorable ergonomics that only incline you towards the handlebar just enough to thank you on the road, where you will seek to cut the air by bringing your body closer to the ignition key.
Before you will see how surprisingly well the suspensions work
on bumpy urban asphalt. Despite its sporty streaks, the Triumph doesn't shy
away from stepping on sloppy joints and gutters high off the ground, and even
deep ones. The factory settings of both the fork and the pair of shocks are
simply excellent for standardized riding.
If between the streets of your city, you valued the pleasant touch and traction of the parallel twin, on the open road you will need free space to check the sportier face of the British. The 100 CV goes a long way, so much so that it even puts a cycle part in trouble that looks "surprised" at such potential.
For example, you can "play" with each curve of a mountain pass as long as you know it, because otherwise, if you are forced to rectify, it will take you a bit to overcome the inertia of a motorcycle that seeks, and succeeds, enter very fast in each angle; now, if you need to correct, pay attention, because it already requires a certain "skill" and experience playing with the pressure on the outside of the handlebars, stepping on the footrests, loading the weight decisively to take it "there" instead of "here" in search of opening or closing the trajectory…
In reality, we are dealing with 216 kg which, in appearance, is not much, but it does "appear" when least expected, just at the moment when you need to react quickly; Perhaps with less horsepower the situation described should not occur, but once you try the bike with all the artillery in front, my friend, I wouldn't change anything between my legs or for all the gold in the world.
Well, maybe right here, between the two legs and above the engine, I would use a tank as elegant and stylish as the one you have, but with a greater capacity, at least to do 200 km without having to worry about finding a pump while the Speed Twin 1200 takes you to ingratiate yourself with its particular way of enjoying the road.
A way that, at certain ages, already tastes glorious precisely for reaching that point of balance between beauty, modernity, and dynamism of a motorcycle with yesterday's aesthetics and today's behavior. Long live the naked retro… especially this one.
The best
Touch and general behavior of the engine
Performance of brakes and suspensions
Would improve with
A larger capacity tank
Series shifter
When I was talking about how this bike moves through the city streets, I told you how well the suspension behaves on "difficult" surfaces, which, together with the pleasant feel of the engine, results in a bike not only with a personality to move with her every day but also personable and tremendously funny.
But if I have put this comment before any other negative, it is because, in reality, and after having done kilometers at the controls, what remains in your memory is the most positive, while aspects such as the little steering turn will only appear when andes short of space to perform a maneuver. Fortunately, I did not encounter many clogs during this test...
And of course, the Triumph Speed Twin 1200 is a motorcycle, as I
often say on occasions, for those who know how to understand and appreciate it.
If you are one of the motorcycle lovers that I have described above, do not
hesitate to try one and take a look at its current promotion because, perhaps,
you will end up changing motorcycles... or getting on another one years after
having left it parked for a while. Badly done. The British keeps us alive for
many more years. Don't miss it
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