2019 Speed Twin
Engine: 1,198cc liquid-cooled SOHC parallel twin, 97.6mm x 80mm bore and stroke, 11:1 compression ratio, 96hp @ 6,750rpm
Fueling: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Transmission: 6-speed, chain final drive
Electrics: 12v, electronic ignition
Frame/wheelbase: Dual downtube steel cradle frame w/aluminum cradle/56.3in (1,430mm)
Suspension: Twin shocks with adjustable preload rear
Brakes: Twin 12in (305mm) discs front, single 8.7in (220mm) disc rear, ABS
Tires: 120/70 x 17in front, 160/60 x 17in rear
Weight (dry): 431.2lb (196kg)
Seat height: 31.8in (807mm)
Fuel capacity/MPG: 3.8gal (14.5ltr)/45-55mpg (est.)
Price: Starting at $12,100
Check out Triumph’s ever-growing Bonneville family of Modern Classics, and until now you’d have found 11 different versions available of the iconic parallel-twin range, which was resurrected back in 2000 by company owner John Bloor.
Since then, some 313,994 examples of the born-again Bonneville have been produced, making up around 40 percent in any given year of Triumph’s production at its two factories in the U.K., and three in Thailand. That makes it a key ingredient in the modern day success story that Triumph Motorcycles represents.
Triumph has now made it an even dozen different variants in its 2019 Bonneville lineup, with the unveiling of a new addition. To mark the 80th anniversary of the model, Triumph has revived the Speed Twin. While the original Speed Twin, initially produced in 1938, was designer Edward Turner’s ground-breaking and highly successful parallel-twin which brought new levels of performance and handling to the 500cc category, the new 2019 Speed Twin strives to do the same via a clever combination of parts bin engineering coupled with empirical development, as expressed via a total of 80 new components fitted to the bike.
The chance to ride the result on an enjoyable 170-mile test day spent bisecting the mountainous Spanish Balearic Island of Mallorca via the demanding roads where local hero Jorge Lorenzo honed his three-time MotoGP World title-winning skills, provided an insight into Triumph’s ambitions in creating the new bike — and whether they’ve been achieved.
Motorcycle Classics
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