Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1531887
transmission, but although we didn't get the opportunity to ride at a high cruising speed for a prolonged period, top gear does seem tall enough to keep rpm reasonably low at motorway speeds. The majority of the test was spent carving up mountain passes or hugging the coast and just enjoying the ride. Peak torque arrives just below 4000 rpm and, even if you held a gun to my head and asked at what revs the redline is, I wouldn't know. For 90 percent of the 96-mile route, my bike's tacho was firmly buried in that fat and fruity mid-range. Maybe two or three times, I asked for a few more rpm for an uphill overtake, but that was rare. When you do get an excuse to let the engine ment on the front and spring preload only on the rear, but it controls the chassis well up to peg-scraping angle of lean (and its ground clearance is suitable for a bike in this class). When the pegs do start to tickle the road, that is a good indication to back off a little as you're getting close to the limits of the new Mi - chelin rubber. Likewise, throw in a few big undulations when you are pressing on, and the softly damped and sprung rear shocks threaten to bottom out. Away from all this sporty riding, the Speed Twin prom- ises to be as competent as ever. Perhaps rather surpris- ingly, Triumph has stuck with the five-speed gearbox rather than updating to a six-speed It's not pin sharp, as you'd expect, and rolls over its 18-inch front wheel rather than turn- ing quickly to the apex, but it's smooth, stable and easygoing. If Triumph wanted to make the Speed Twin turn faster, a 17-inch front rim would be the obvious move, but that wouldn't match the bike's retro style. Besides, if you are after a modern classic that you can take to the track, the Speed Twin 1200 RS is a serious option. Despite the relaxed nature of the new 900, you can still have fun. On paper, the single-disc brake isn't a massive step up from the previous model, but it feels much stronger than before. The Marzocchi suspension is relatively basic, with no adjust - P96 RIDE REVIEW I 2025 TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN 900 (Above) This parallel-twin pumps out the same torque as the Street Triple 765 three-cylinder motor but does it below 4000 rpm. (Top right) The Triumph-branded brakes aren't Brembo Stylemas but they do the job just fine. (Right) Cute little LED blinkers are on the Euro model, but we're unsure if they'll be coming to America.