I had just hopped off a Ducati Superleggera V4 the
week before I took delivery of the Street Twin—two
bikes that couldn't be more diametrically opposed if
they tried—and the Triumph was just so inviting after
the boxing match the Ducati represented. Every time
I fired it up in the garage, I was met with that low,
booming bark of the parallel-twin, and I found myself
sneaking off for a quick strap up Santiago Canyon
Road near my place just for the joy of it.
The way the Triumph delivers its go from the
900cc motor is creamy smooth. I'd not call this a
beginner's bike, yet it would suit riders with lower
levels of experience over some of the higher per-
formance machines in the Triumph range.
There are two riding modes of Street and Rain,
and the motor is matched to a five-speed gearbox
I'd admittedly like to have seen a sixth gear in. The
shift itself is light and direct, especially when used
at a casual pace. Up the speed and urgency of
your riding and the gear shift can get a little notchy,
which is a gentle reminder to take things a bit
slower on the Triumph.
The same can be said for the single-disc front
brake. Gripped by a four-piston caliper, the brak-
VOLUME 57 ISSUE 42 OCTOBER 20, 2020 P83
