2019 Triumph Speed Twin vs rivals: Price, specifications comparison

Triumph has launched the Speed Twin in India and priced it rather competitively at Rs 9.46 lakh. That makes it just Rs 2 lakh more expensive than the lower-capacity Street Twin. At this price point, the Speed Twin has no direct rivals in India, but the Ducati Scrambler 1100 comes close in terms of displacement and power figures. With the Speed Twin, Triumph will also be entering the market that houses similarly priced bikes like the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight. So those are the two bikes we’ll be considering for this comparison. That said, the BMW R Nine T is another motorcycle designed for the same purpose, but at Rs 17.45 lakh, it costs nearly double the price of the Speed Twin, so we haven’t taken it into consideration here.

Powertrain

The powertrain on the Speed Twin isn’t exactly new – the 1,200cc parallel-twin motor is also seen on the Thruxton. The Speed Twin uses an updated version of this engine with a magnesium cam cover to reduce weight, and a revised clutch assembly assisting the 6-speed transmission. With a peak torque of 112Nm, the Speed Twin produces considerably more torque than the Harley and the Ducati. Its peak power of 97hp is also more than the Ducati, which makes 11hp less. That said, the Ducati has a larger rev band. The Forty-Eight, on the other hand, produces 97Nm of torque and, as is Harley-Davidson tradition, we don’t have an exact power figure for its V-twin motor. The Ducati and the Triumph come equipped with a 6-speed gearbox, while the Harley Davidson gets a 5-speed transmission.

*power-to-weight ratio calculated with dry weight figures

Design and styling

The Speed Twin is part of Triumph’s Modern Classics line-up and its styling is quite indicative of that. While the retro styling may not necessarily help the motorcycle stand out in a crowd, what will grab attention is the high levels of fit and finish. Brushed aluminium front and rear mudguards, throttle body covers, side panel trim, and heel guards with anodised aluminium bits for the headlight brackets, swingarm and wheels aid its premium feel. The Ducati Scrambler 1100, on the other hand, also features its fair share of brushed aluminium bits and its relatively more unconventional design gives it a greater on-road presence. The third motorcycle of the lot, the Forty-Eight is part of the brand’s Sportster family and is also ergonomically different from the other two. The stand out features of this Harley are its narrow tank, and minimalistic styling. The Forty-Eight is also available in a Forty-Eight Special variant that offers a more laid-back riding position, with ape-hanger like handlebars and a different colour scheme on the fuel tank.

Chassis

Triumph has used a similar frame to the Thruxton, but it now sits on a conventional telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers. Having said that, the suspensions are said to be high-quality units from KYB. The Ducati comes with the best equipment in this regard, with its fully adjustable Marzocchi USD fork and pre-load and rebound adjustable KYB monoshock. While the Forty-Eight doesn’t come with hardware as sophisticated as its rivals here, where it does beat the competition is with its low seat height. At 710mm, the Forty-Eight offers a very accessible ride, even for shorter riders. The list of high-end components on the Ducati and Triumph continues with the tyres – the Pirelli Diablo Rosso IIIs on the Speed Twin and the Pirelli MT 60 RSs on the Scrambler 1100 are some of the most capable tyres for their intended purposes.

Features

The Speed Twin looks like a retro motorcycle, but there’s little that’s old fashioned about it. The bike features switchable traction control, three riding modes (Road, Rain and Sport), full-LED lighting and a USB port. The instrument console is an analogue unit but conveys a decent amount of information. However, the Scrambler 1100 offers a tad more, with advanced cornering-ABS, four-stage traction control and three rider modes. The lowest of these modes, City, reduces power to 75hp, and reduces throttle response and maximises the traction control. The other riding modes have all 86 horses on offer. Meanwhile, the Forty-Eight is a simple motorcycle that comes with no electronic aids, apart from ABS.

Summing it up

The Speed Twin offers a fair amount of high-end tech and hardware that justifies its pricing. And, at Rs 9.46 lakh, it also undercuts its opposition by a fair margin. The Ducati Scrambler 1100, on the other hand, is slightly more expensive but also comes with more advanced rider tech and higher-spec suspension; and though the Scrambler 1100 is quite firmly set up, and the Speed Twin may be more comfortable in this regard.  They both produce almost similar output figures, with the Speed Twin being slightly more powerful. The better bike between the two comes down to the intended application and requirement.

The Forty-Eight is much more of an old-school machine, and it offers comparatively less. However, Harley-Davidson does have a significant following in the country, and it is that very segment of market that Triumph will be looking to lure with the new Speed Twin.

Triumph Speed Twin

₹ 12,95,335 * on road price (New Delhi)

FIND OUT MORE