Had a speed twin 1200 for 18 months...put 14000 miles on it, loved riding it, and in all weathers...and there's its problem...front and rear protection is dire, radiator would fill with crap instantly in wet weather and my back looked like a slurry pit.......designed i guess for sunny sunday riders...It's not just Triumph though, manufacturers really need to have options available for riders who use their bikes all year round in all weathers...(Nothing suitable in aftermarket either apart from 3in fender extender lol..)
Hi Si, I bought one of these new last year and love it. For me, the perfect road bike and I don`t feel the need for anything else. Good review and all your comments are true. Just subscribed.
I baught the 2023, and with YSS piggy back shocks, Nitron front end, straight through exhaust without the cat, a perfect professional tune and many bits and bobs bolted on.... I don't think I'll ever need another bike in my life.
Thanks again Si for the review, looking forward to what you have to say about the speedmaster next week...there again I'll have my very own review next Saturday 😀
Just get the comfort seat. Did a 700 mile tour on mine last week. It was Brill! I’m 6.1 and weigh 85 kgs Thanks for the upload! Yeah the sound is awesome. That pop and bang on downshifts is cool!!!
I like your road test assessment. I have a 2023 orange tank 1200 Speed Twin and love it. I also have a new Ducati V4 Diavel I use for touring. I agree with you about the seat. I had a gel insert put in my seat and didn't change the contour enough so could retain the original seat cover. I suggest that change well worth doing. From the deep south of the South Island of New Zealand
I've have my speed twin for just over a year now love it brakes brilliant agree with everything and that seat is the only thing that definitely doesn't suit the bike, great review 👍
I love that 1200 lump and if I was a few inches shorter would have opted for this over my Scrambler 1200XE, which is a taller bike but still has that wonderful sound and looks. Lovely bikes Triumph
They are lovely bikes indeed, the engine is sublime. I have the Thrux RS and put a set of road 6s on it and they work really well on Scottish roads. The Roadtecs were good in the dry but all done at 2k. Triumph service costs are high and the 10K service interval is a bit of a con as these are not bikes that do big mileages.
Never ridden the Triumph Speed 1200, definitely a bike that appeals to me however the more aggressively styled Thruxton would be the model I think I would go for. Great review as always thanks Si.
Cheers Graeme, very different bikes, ideally one of each. If your intention is to buy a bike for a Sunday blast with classic styling the Speed Twin should defo be on your shortlist. The Scrambler is more versatile and I think would be easier to live with, however, I would have one of each if I could lol.
Hi Si, awesome review, going to test ride one back to back with the T120 and see which one i prefer. Sold my bmw r1250 so now need something different!!
Imo the thruxton is the most beautiful bike out there, but it's not as comfortable and versatile as the Speed. So I got the Speed which is slightly less beautiful, but much more comfortable. And I still catch myself just standing there and looking at her like a creep 😂
Hi Si, great vid, I do think that Triumph have missed a trick with the Speed Twin by not doing an RS version with better brakes and suspension as I would have got one but as they didn’t I went for the Thruxton which I love because it stops and handles so well!
Thanks, i want something lighter than my vstrom when i change in 3 years as i am 60 and already changed down from a tiger 12 not least for the weight getting it out of the garageand considering tiger 900 or speed twin 1200, lackbof comfort in seat may swing it for the tiger. Local to you so hopefully be in touch
Nice review! I am struggling with the suspension.. little to hard, specially on the forks... I am tweaking on my .. to correct things that do not suit me> I hate the bar ends mirror...as well, and the lack of a bit of friction on the throttle (due to absence of cables) is annoyng and tiresome. But a brilliant bike indeed Love your accent Cheers from Brazil mate
25000km on mine did a Norway tour up from germany. Got the Dr Jekyyl Mr Hyde Flap exhaust it sounds so got. Thought about selling it cause i wanna buy a Panigale V4....think im gonna keep it as my allways bike. Its all around just to good.
@@chrislye8912 you lost me. My point is the 10k service intervals, is a con! As most riders don’t cover anywhere near that distance, in a year. So it’s serviced annually, as per the manual .
Surprised to hear how different it is to the Bonnie. I have the Speed Twin 900. I contemplated the T100 but sounds like I made the right decision for a change. Looking forward to the Speedmaster review.
Get a roadtest from a dealership , there's no better way to know if it fits you well. I have ruptured discs in my back and neck and it suits me fine. I'm 5'9 though.
Hi si you sold me a triumph gt low nice bike but not for me doing 200miles a fortnight so I traded it for a speed twin 1200 stealth wal much more me lovely machine came from sports bikes and time for me to calm down best decision hope your well cheers davie
Hey Davie I remember it well, hope you enjoy the Speed Twin bro, its puts a smile on my face every time I throw a leg over, its a hoot to ride. Have a great Christmas bro
Hi Chris, I don't have any Triumph gear myself, however, a few of the guys in the shop have the gore tex suit and love it. Its really small made though so would defo size up if your going for some.
Have you ridden the Kawasaki Z900RS SE by way of comparison. I was on the Triumph website “building” the bike and after adding a wee bit of options, options which IMHO should not be options imagine my surprise when the price was well over 15,000 USD?! Yes value is subjective but as is regrettably the case with Triumph too much dough for not enough go. Even the non SE version of the Z900RS is considerably less money it too having minimal electronics. One reviewer who owns both said although they weigh the same the Triumph feels heavier; the Yamaha XSR900 even less money still by almost $4,000! No need to option it out or change tires; OTD complete as is. Perhaps a comparison and again for considerably less money the Suzuki Katana and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX the latter offering the considerable value and the best all rounder. Your focus appears to be largely Triumph which could lead some to believe however mistakenly that you are their go to photographer making you a bit biased.
Not the Z900; the Z900RS or Z900RS SE; it would be good for you to experience the others to see what else is on offer and value for money because as Ralfy a whisky reviewer is fond of saying, money doesn’t grow on trees you know.
Serious contender for an older biker moving away from a Z1000SX, but am totally lost why race tyres are put on this for an English bike in English 'wet' weather. They look horrific for wet grip tbh. Nice review, cementing my desire to take one out. Shame Euro5 has killed the sound.
They still sound good to be honest, however they have a self learning ECU and if you fit a straight though exhaust and get your dealer to reset the ECU it will run fine and sound utterly epic :)
Had a ‘23 Speed Twin 1200 for six months before deciding to cut my losses and traded for a ‘24 Street Triple 765rs. Apart from the looks and to some degree the engine the bike fails in many areas. Suspension, Weight and Wind blast being the main parts. After the initial cost hundreds if not thousands more are required to make it work properly if you intend to ride above legal limits (obviously Triumph don’t think we will). It’s design is aimed in my opinion at older bikers who as by design become weaker with age yet its 28 kg heavier than the Triple!! Don’t bother with a fly screen they make little difference to the wind blast again at speeds Triumph don’t think you’ll reach. Compared to the Triple the Twin handles like a barge, and costs more. A test ride doesn’t uncover a bikes foibles but I knew after 300 metres I was changing too the Triple!
Had a speed twin 1200 for 18 months...put 14000 miles on it, loved riding it, and in all weathers...and there's its problem...front and rear protection is dire, radiator would fill with crap instantly in wet weather and my back looked like a slurry pit.......designed i guess for sunny sunday riders...It's not just Triumph though, manufacturers really need to have options available for riders who use their bikes all year round in all weathers...(Nothing suitable in aftermarket either apart from 3in fender extender lol..)
Thanks for the insight Chris it's always interesting hearing from actual owners and learning what it's like to live with. Cheers dude, Si
Still got had it for 5 years I know what you mean I tried the 400x a couple of weeks ago just as bad
90 % of bike's have pathetic mudguards
First of your videos I’ve seen, love it. Subbed.
I fitted a mudguard extender to the front and a Rocket type rear wheel mud guard. I use a tail tidy with the number plate to stop rear mud.
Hi Si, I bought one of these new last year and love it. For me, the perfect road bike and I don`t feel the need for anything else. Good review and all your comments are true. Just subscribed.
Thanks for the sub Darren and for your kind comment :)
Great video. Picking up my brand new Speed Twin tomorrow.
Great choice and great bike Keith
I baught the 2023, and with YSS piggy back shocks, Nitron front end, straight through exhaust without the cat, a perfect professional tune and many bits and bobs bolted on.... I don't think I'll ever need another bike in my life.
Some great mods there Jeremy, keeper for sure
How many horses did you pick up with those mods ?
Awesome review Si, keep them coming, look forward to next week. 🎉
Thanks, will do, cheers Si
Thanks again Si for the review, looking forward to what you have to say about the speedmaster next week...there again I'll have my very own review next Saturday 😀
Cheers Togs, roll on next Saturday :)
Just get the comfort seat.
Did a 700 mile tour on mine last week. It was Brill!
I’m 6.1 and weigh 85 kgs
Thanks for the upload!
Yeah the sound is awesome. That pop and bang on downshifts is cool!!!
Why did I get Avon tires from factory on mine? Ran out of Mezzlers or Avons?
Cheers Tom
Really nice review. Got a T100 and ridden the other Bonnevilles including the Speed Twin. Great to hear someone else's opinions. Cheers.
Glad you enjoyed it Peter :)
First of your videos I’ve seen, love it. Subbed.
Awesome, thank you!
nice to see the straight handle bar frame to be able to add risers. cant do it on the ST 900 .
I have that exact bike use it for work 23 miles each way love riding it. Just turned 1300 miles. Great review. 🥳
Thank you
Enjoyed that Si. Seriously attractive bike.
Cheers, yeah its a looker for sure
I like your road test assessment. I have a 2023 orange tank 1200 Speed Twin and love it. I also have a new Ducati V4 Diavel I use for touring. I agree with you about the seat. I had a gel insert put in my seat and didn't change the contour enough so could retain the original seat cover. I suggest that change well worth doing. From the deep south of the South Island of New Zealand
Thanks for sharing and I swear one day I am going to get my ass over to NZ, cheers bro
I've have my speed twin for just over a year now love it brakes brilliant agree with everything and that seat is the only thing that definitely doesn't suit the bike, great review 👍
Thanks Ben :)
Nice review Si. 👊🏻
Thanks G 👍
I love that 1200 lump and if I was a few inches shorter would have opted for this over my Scrambler 1200XE, which is a taller bike but still has that wonderful sound and looks. Lovely bikes Triumph
Cheers Mark
Just found your channel. Great video. From a new subscriber in Montana USA.
Welcome aboard!
They are lovely bikes indeed, the engine is sublime. I have the Thrux RS and put a set of road 6s on it and they work really well on Scottish roads. The Roadtecs were good in the dry but all done at 2k. Triumph service costs are high and the 10K service interval is a bit of a con as these are not bikes that do big mileages.
Never ridden the Triumph Speed 1200, definitely a bike that appeals to me however the more aggressively styled Thruxton would be the model I think I would go for. Great review as always thanks Si.
Thanks Dave, love the thruxtom but prefer the rising position of the Speed Twin for my big frame lol
What a great honest review! Many thanks indeed! ❤
Thanks for watching!
Beautiful review, I agree with you on everything! Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Nice review Si, Interested what you think compared to the 1200 scrambler which I know you also love.
Cheers Graeme, very different bikes, ideally one of each. If your intention is to buy a bike for a Sunday blast with classic styling the Speed Twin should defo be on your shortlist. The Scrambler is more versatile and I think would be easier to live with, however, I would have one of each if I could lol.
Thanks Si, I will give them both a test ride, I have a Ninja 1000SX so its a second bike for me. @@simotofoto
Hi Si, awesome review, going to test ride one back to back with the T120 and see which one i prefer. Sold my bmw r1250 so now need something different!!
Have fun!
Great review! It is a wonderful bike. I have a Thruxton RS...so which one would you go with? Speed Twin or Thruxton RS? 🙂
Love the Thruxton but I would opt for Speed Twin myself for added comfort
@@simotofoto - sounds good to me! Given that I own mostly sports bikes...the Thruxton is downright as comfortable as a couch in comparison! 🙂
Imo the thruxton is the most beautiful bike out there, but it's not as comfortable and versatile as the Speed.
So I got the Speed which is slightly less beautiful, but much more comfortable.
And I still catch myself just standing there and looking at her like a creep 😂
Hi Si, great vid, I do think that Triumph have missed a trick with the Speed Twin by not doing an RS version with better brakes and suspension as I would have got one but as they didn’t I went for the Thruxton which I love because it stops and handles so well!
Good point, maybe we will see a Speed Twin RS..........
@@simotofoto I really hope so as BMW have just released a new updated 12R 9T and the Speed Twin needs a freshen up especially in the suspension..
Great review.
Cheers Alan glad you enjoyed it
My next bike when I step up from my speed 400👍
Perfect step up, very similar riding position just a few more horses :)
Thanks, i want something lighter than my vstrom when i change in 3 years as i am 60 and already changed down from a tiger 12 not least for the weight getting it out of the garageand considering tiger 900 or speed twin 1200, lackbof comfort in seat may swing it for the tiger. Local to you so hopefully be in touch
Awesome Malcolm, give me a shout anytime:)
Nice review!
I am struggling with the suspension.. little to hard, specially on the forks... I am tweaking on my .. to correct things that do not suit me>
I hate the bar ends mirror...as well, and the lack of a bit of friction on the throttle (due to absence of cables) is annoyng and tiresome. But a brilliant bike indeed
Love your accent
Cheers from Brazil mate
Cheers brother :)
25000km on mine did a Norway tour up from germany. Got the Dr Jekyyl Mr Hyde Flap exhaust it sounds so got. Thought about selling it cause i wanna buy a Panigale V4....think im gonna keep it as my allways bike.
Its all around just to good.
The Jekyl & Hyde exhaust sounds great!
Nice review mate.. worth pointing out, it’s a 10k service interval! Or ANNUALLY. so if you only ride 3k a year, it’s 3k service intervals. Cheers.
Thanks for the info!
Yeah right, oil is degraded by elastomers being chopped, it doesn’t age out mate.. that’s just so it gets serviced…
@@chrislye8912 you lost me. My point is the 10k service intervals, is a con! As most riders don’t cover anywhere near that distance, in a year. So it’s serviced annually, as per the manual .
@@benkelly2190 absolutely, I’m explaining why…👌
@@chrislye8912 I wasn’t sure, thought we had crossed lines. You’re absolutely right.👍🏻
Is there any difference in the engine heat/temp between the gen 1 and gen 2 due to Euro 5 ?
Not sure dude, hopefully some gen 1 owners can answer below
Surprised to hear how different it is to the Bonnie. I have the Speed Twin 900. I contemplated the T100 but sounds like I made the right decision for a change. Looking forward to the Speedmaster review.
Cheers Patrick, love the sound of the 900, it defo plays a nicer tune than the 1200
Having trouble finding accessories for mine
Got mine in 2019 for my 70th still riding although thinking of change to a small light bike ….. but will I miss that 1200 twin 😮 . Enjoy yours 😊
Cheers Fred
Triumph street triple 765r is supper light 😊
@@paulbarnes6124perfect for a 75 y.o. 😂
Was one of those boats behind you in the opening scenes “The Vital Spark” ? Showing my age there 🤣😂
Hahaha it probably was Stewy they look ancient lol
Hello , is the speedtwin comfy enough for mij 6.1 feet and painful back and neck
Get a roadtest from a dealership , there's no better way to know if it fits you well. I have ruptured discs in my back and neck and it suits me fine. I'm 5'9 though.
Would echo Rottweilers comment dude get one out for a test ride
Hi si you sold me a triumph gt low nice bike but not for me doing 200miles a fortnight so I traded it for a speed twin 1200 stealth wal much more me lovely machine came from sports bikes and time for me to calm down best decision hope your well cheers davie
Hey Davie I remember it well, hope you enjoy the Speed Twin bro, its puts a smile on my face every time I throw a leg over, its a hoot to ride. Have a great Christmas bro
Hi Si, what's triumph clothing like, any good? The Alder Gore Tex jacket for instance. Any reviews on gear planned?
Hi Chris, I don't have any Triumph gear myself, however, a few of the guys in the shop have the gore tex suit and love it. Its really small made though so would defo size up if your going for some.
Have you ridden the Kawasaki Z900RS SE by way of comparison. I was on the Triumph website “building” the bike and after adding a wee bit of options, options which IMHO should not be options imagine my surprise when the price was well over 15,000 USD?! Yes value is subjective but as is regrettably the case with Triumph too much dough for not enough go. Even the non SE version of the Z900RS is considerably less money it too having minimal electronics. One reviewer who owns both said although they weigh the same the Triumph feels heavier; the Yamaha XSR900 even less money still by almost $4,000! No need to option it out or change tires; OTD complete as is. Perhaps a comparison and again for considerably less money the Suzuki Katana and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX the latter offering the considerable value and the best all rounder. Your focus appears to be largely Triumph which could lead some to believe however mistakenly that you are their go to photographer making you a bit biased.
Never ridden the Z900, great looking bike though :)
Not the Z900; the Z900RS or Z900RS SE; it would be good for you to experience the others to see what else is on offer and value for money because as Ralfy a whisky reviewer is fond of saying, money doesn’t grow on trees you know.
Serious contender for an older biker moving away from a Z1000SX, but am totally lost why race tyres are put on this for an English bike in English 'wet' weather. They look horrific for wet grip tbh. Nice review, cementing my desire to take one out. Shame Euro5 has killed the sound.
They still sound good to be honest, however they have a self learning ECU and if you fit a straight though exhaust and get your dealer to reset the ECU it will run fine and sound utterly epic :)
wish the ST 1200 had a higher seat like the scrambler 400
SAME HEIGHT AS THE 900 ?
765mm versus 809mm for the 1200
Had a ‘23 Speed Twin 1200 for six months before deciding to cut my losses and traded for a ‘24 Street Triple 765rs.
Apart from the looks and to some degree the engine the bike fails in many areas. Suspension, Weight and Wind blast being the main parts. After the initial cost hundreds if not thousands more are required to make it work properly if you intend to ride above legal limits (obviously Triumph don’t think we will). It’s design is aimed in my opinion at older bikers who as by design become weaker with age yet its 28 kg heavier than the Triple!! Don’t bother with a fly screen they make little difference to the wind blast again at speeds Triumph don’t think you’ll reach. Compared to the Triple the Twin handles like a barge, and costs more. A test ride doesn’t uncover a bikes foibles but I knew after 300 metres I was changing too the Triple!
Robert thanks ever so much for the owners insight, hugely valuable for channel subscribers dude, thank you :)
So, not a fan ? 😅
It’s a naked classic…….not sure what you were expecting
Where's the closed captioning? 😂
Sunny Greenock/ Langbank.
And doesn't it look nice when the sun shines lol
I wish reviews would include leg placement views as well as the jargon .....
Will keep it in mind, thanks for commenting
Thanks for saying so many nice things about my bike @si Motofoto - when are you going on tbe @averagebikersinacave podcast 😊
Cheers Murray, that would be great the @averagebikersinacave guys are awesome