I’m one of the luckiest riders in the world. Not only do I have fun working in marketing and public relations, I get to work with my husband 😂😂 and I also get to ride motorbikes as part of that work. And it just got better — because they needed a new pool bike and I got to choose!
I work with White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors and will visit the dealers and events we are showcasing at, as well as bike nights, on a motorcycle. The MT09 Tracer is now 11 years old and still going strong, but with our work supporting the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in Tring which I was delighted to co-lead, and the warm welcome we have received from those with vintage wheelers it was clear that another bike was really needed that was more suited to such interactions.
With the Tracer being a triple the obvious answer was a twin to ensure a real difference in the ride and handling, But since I’m not mechanically minded I knew it needed to be a modern classic rather than true vintage so it would hopefully be reliable. So the hunt began for a Speed Twin 1200. I chose that over others like the Ducati Scrambler because, whilst pretty to look at, I have an almost irrational dislike of pipes running under my thighs or calves from a heat/safety aspect. I’m convinced that despite selling thousands of bikes to riders safely like this that I will be the one with third degree burns!
I also thought of the Triumph Bonneville but that weighs in at a hefty 236kg compared to the 196kg to 216kg of the 2019 to 2026 Speed Twins.
After assessing the latest release I found myself put off by its very modernity – an offset single clock? why? Not to mention the fact that Triumph had seen fit to release it with Metzler Racetech tyres on it. I know there are many who rate them but say what you will they are not my weapon of choice for British weather. (And yes I do know tyres can be changed but that’s money wasted straight off the bat.)
And then I saw him – he flashed up on my Facebook page in a post from On Yer Bike, and as if it was a sign, followed by a Whatsapp of the same from the husband – and off I went to see him. A 2020 Triumph Speed Twin with just 5k miles on the clock and a lot of love thrown at him. One test ride later and I knew he would be the perfect addition to the pool.
The handling of the Twin when compared to the Tracer is like chalk and cheese. The Twin’s acceleration is slower and steadier but kicks in and pulls with the power of a mammoth tractor or should that be a steady plough-horse? whereas the Tracer takes off straight out the gate like he’s a racehorse that’s seen a warm stable on a cold day.
The Twin dislikes being in third gear for any length of time, becoming fretful and screechy like a whining rug rat in need of a bottle, whereas in fourth and fifth he’s settled with a gentle burble and feels light and easy and you know there’s so much more pull available which is thanks to all that torque.
Whereas it’s common practice to overtake in third gear with the triple of the Tracer providing mucho power, try that with the Twin and it’s painful on the ears and the body from vibrations. It feels alien to me but make the same manoeuvre in fourth and he’ll gently lap up the distance, engine literally purring, well planted and with negligible effort on his part which makes for a much more enjoyable ride.
The seat is low and narrow and indeed the entire bike is sleek compared to my Tracer which has a broader front end. I feel like I’m sitting on rather than in the bike, if that makes sense.
This version has three ride modes, Road, Rain and Sport. They all leave traction control on, unless you switch it off, but delay it according to the mode. I found Road mode was a touch boring. Popped into Sport and the response gives a much more aggressive ride – which is more fun. You feel like your riding rather than coasting the bike and that’s why I just leave him in that mode all the time. As I’m not planning on riding this one in the rain (have you seen all that chrome!) I can’t tell you how that handles but should I get caught out I’ll let you know.
One of the first things I noticed about him was the heat that just rolls off the engine. I’m talking to the point I was worried enough to pull over and get off to check the bike thinking there must be something chronically wrong. But nope, apparently that’s just how Speed Twins are – and having researched it and spoken to other owners they’re renowned for it and you just have to learn to do a little chicken or frog leg action now and then as you ride🦵😂 Having said that there is just one owner I know (Biker Kaz) who says she’s never noticed it!😂
As all of my other bikes have had full or semi fairing which has helped to dissipate the heat a little before it reaches me, I did need to think whether it was a deal breaker – but nope – I just adored him too much not to want to take him home!
Apart from how well he rides, he’s just gorgeous to look at. There have been changes aplenty to the bike starting at one end with a tail tidy and finishing at the other with a beautifully matched fly screen and lots in between – see below for the full list. Best of all there have been changes to the exhaust with slip on cans added which has reduced the weight, and boring look of the OEM pipes.
Funnily enough on every bike I’ve ever owned I’ve either changed the pipes if I bought it from new, or they were already changed if I wasn’t its first owner.
The original shocks had also been replaced with Ohlins. All the reviews I’d read had mentioned how poor the originals were so that was a great investment to see. And as for his boots – well I was pleased to see he was properly dressed with Michelin Road 6s. They’re my weapon of choice, just perfect in all weathers, and I’ve been using them on my rides since the 3s which is when I first discovered them.
I’m taking my time to get used to him since he’s my first naked bike and very different to the Tracer, and having fun whilst doing so. Last week I headed over to The Village Swan in Aston Clinton for Biker Kaz’s Bike Night. What a turn out! was fantastic to see so many riders and all welcomed by the pub and even one of the neighbours who opened their drive as an overflow for bikers to park in. Now that’s what I call a great community spirit.
After just a week of riding I’ve also realised that in comparison to every single bike I’ve ever owned, it feels like his tank holds only a thimble full of fuel! At just 14.5 litres I’m still working out his entire fuel range since the heat has meant I can’t always fill to where I want. Not entirely sure if I need to be so cautious but I feel I need to account for expansion in this heat.
Using one of his two trips as fuel gauge/milometre reading is giving me a fair idea of about 160 miles to a tank. He has a fuel light that comes on at 35-40 miles left in the tank and it’s slightly disconcerting to see the miles of fuel reducing as you look for a petrol station. Looks like I’ll need to fill up at the beginning or end of each day out.
In the past week I’ve added bar risers of 25mm which are just enough to take some pressure off my wrists. I think the front of the bike has been lowered through suspension changes but it handles fine. At some point I’ll of course have to head over to Triumph in Hinckley which I consider to be the “spiritual” birthplace of my Speed Twin.
Currently sharing some space with the husband’s GSX1400 which he’s restored, having had it from new in 2003. It’s a beautiful sight to see such “classics” together. Incidentally I’ve decided to name him Chilli and that’s because he’s red and he’s hot 😆.
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Chilli’s spec:
* Engine size – 1198cc
* Engine Spec – 4 stroke, parallel twin, 6 gears
* Top speed –
* Power – 96 bhp
* Torque – 83 lb-ft
* Weight -196kg
* Seat height – 807mm
* Tank range – 14.5 litres about 160 miles
Chilli’s accessories already supplied:
* Tail tidy
* Colour coded seat cowl
* Bobbins for paddock stand
* Ohlins shocks
* Exhaust slip ons
* Radiator guard
* Headlight grille and bezel
* Colour coded fly screen
* Tank protector
* Side Pannier rails
* Legend Side panniers with inners 13.5litres
* Legend magnetic tank bag 3.5-5.5litres
* Optimate lead
Accessories I’ve added:
* 25mm bar risers
* Engine protector kit
A bird's eye view to biking! 