Sunday 1st May 2016

Triumph Street Twin: PH2 Review

Why Triumph's minimalist retro option punches above its weight

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Last year PH2 was invited to the unveiling of Triumph's new 'modern retro' range. There was the usual fanfare before three bikes were ridden into the room, at which point I confess I was left a little bemused. The Thruxton R and Bonneville T120 stood out instantly but I struggled to tell if the new Street Twin was actually an old Bonnie 900 or a brand new model.

Is this a bad thing? A blessing and a curse when you have a bike as iconic as the Bonnie - even a brand new model looks like the old one! Make no mistake though, this is a totally new machine.

Hidden depths
As with the Thruxton and T120, Triumph has gone to great lengths to hide the Street Twin's technology. Its parallel-twin motor is now liquid-cooled yet the radiator is almost the same size as the old model's oil cooler, thanks in part to the engine's fins. The fuel system is ride-by-wire, which means you get traction control and fuel modes (which is a bit pointless on a 54hp bike) and ABS is standard fitment. And yet, despite all this technology, the Street Twin still looks like the old air-cooled Bonnie 900. Thankfully, it rides completely differently.

Let's face facts, the old model Bonnie was a bit of a wobbler. As well as looking retro, it felt ancient to ride due to poor brakes, soft suspension and a lacklustre motor. Admittedly it was a great bike for gentle runs and, I confess, many of its faults actually helped enhance its relaxed character.

The new Street Twin, on the other hand, takes all the plus points of the old Bonnie but puts them in a bike that stops, turns and handles like a modern machine.

Go as well as show
The all-new tubular steel chassis gives you far more confidence in corners than the old model's and, combined with the updated suspension, makes the Street Twin far more poised. The suspension is still set fairly softly, which I like on rough UK roads, but it feels like it has much better damping. Where the old model wobbled and weaved its way around bends the new Street Twin is much more secure. Looking at the shocks it appears as if they have a level of progression built into the springs, and that's how it feels when you hit a bump - the initial jolt is absorbed before the suspension firms up to avoid the wobble. And the engine is also far more engaging.

There isn't much difference in power between the old air-cooled bike and the new water-cooled one, but the new motor feels faster to respond thanks to its 18 per cent increase in torque. And it is this sprightly feeling that sets the Street Twin aside. This is no longer a lazy engine, instead it is one that feel really engaging to ride and, dare I say it, gives the bike far more spunk than the larger T120 Bonnie...

Devil in the details
The rest of the chassis is also pleasingly updated, the single front brake is far stronger and ABS equipped, the single clock houses a new gear indicator (there are only five in the box) and the clutch is noticeably lighter thanks to a slip-assist system. All in all, there is little to fault.

I honestly didn't expect to enjoy the Street Twin as much as I did. As well as looking brilliant, it is leagues ahead of its predecessor in terms of handling. The parallel twin engine is in many ways more amusing to use than the slightly muted T120's and it is more than powerful enough to entertain without being too fast.

Rookie rider or experienced hand, commuter or sunny Sunday rider - all should adore this lightweight retro and I love what Triumph has done with its inspiration kits. Does it have any downsides? Like the T120 the larger 18-inch front wheel takes a bit of getting used to and the brake is a little wooden in its feel but, overall, it's a cracking machine no longer limited in performance by a chassis that can't handle the power.

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2016 TRIUMPH STREET TWIN
Engine: 900cc parallel twin, water-cooled, 8v
Power (hp): 54@5,900rpm
Torque (lb ft): 59lb ft@3,200rpm
Top speed: 100mph (est)
Weight: 198kg (dry)
MPG: 75mpg (claimed)
Price: £7,350

[Pat H]

Was pleasantly impressed by these at the bike show.

Not my scene, but my g/f loved the really low seat height and they look good in candy apple red with the optional (very expensive) high level pipes.

Surprisingly compact bike, but I'd rather get my hands dirty with an ancient T140.

[Pat H]

Mr2Mike said:

One thing not mentioned in the article is that the engine now has a 270 degree crank...

I didn't know that. Quite a strange omission from the article, as the noise these things make is quite an important part of the package.

I also found the TDM rather odd. Made a nice noise, but seemed all wrong coming from a parallel twin.

I don't think it would put me off, though.

[Pat H]

Mr2Mike said:

Wacky Racer said:

Buy a mint one of these for 8/10k they will be worth at least 50% more in twenty years time, when this Street twin will be worth 3k at best.

Good advice if you are buying purely as an investment. If you are buying a bike to actually use, the Street Twin is likely to best it in pretty much all areas.

Yep.

I'd much prefer a 1968 US spec Bonnie. Hell, I'd prefer a 1976 T140.

But if you actually want to ride the thing every weekend, the Street Twin is going to be a miles better prospect.

Plenty of people don't have the time, the mechanical aptitude or even the strength the kick over a T120.

In any event, buying an eight grand T120 and putting ten thousand miles of use in all weathers on it will be a much more expensive exercise that doing the same with a Street Twin, even taking into account what they might be worth at the end of the exercise.

But my man logic suggests that the best compromise is to buy two bikes. Something like an old BMW R100 for riding, with a nice old Meriden twin for sunny weekends.