[JigxZaW]

It has been a year since my friend and I embarked on an unforgettable all-night ride, a journey that significantly shaped my life. The evening started like any other, meeting up at our usual mechanic garage. I owned a Himalayan, while my friend possessed a Honda CB350. Our routine consisted of water-washing our bikes, engaging in passionate bike talks, sipping tea, and heading for a short highway ride before calling it a day. However, this particular night held something different in store.

After dropping off my bike for a thorough wash, we set out on our usual highway ride, discussing and planning our future biking adventures for the next few months. The prospect of exploring new routes and pushing the boundaries of our riding experiences fueled our excitement. As the hours passed, we decided to grab dinner and continue our journey within the city, confident that the late hour would spare us from traffic woes.

As the wheels turned and the night grew deeper, we found ourselves immersed in discussions about our dream bikes and what made each model stand out. Around 2 AM, we stumbled upon the Triumph showroom, where we gazed at the awe-inspiring motorcycles through the elegant glass panes. Little did we imagine that these bikes would eventually find a place in our collection. The night continued to unfold, and our aspirations for upgrading our bikes and riding more fiercely took centre stage in our minds.

As the clock struck 7 AM, our ride continued and we acknowledged the depth of our immersion in the world of motorcycling. Thirteen hours on the road, indulging in endless bike discussions, had awakened a profound realization within us. We were consumed by our love for motorcycles, and a sense of responsibility dawned upon us to consider not just if, but when we would make our next bike purchases.

A few months after that unforgettable all-night ride, my friend and I decided to turn our biking dreams into reality. We visited showrooms, carefully considering our options. While I was fixed on the Speed Twin, my friend's mind kept wavering between the CB650R, Ninja 1000 SX, and even the Bonnie T100 or T120.





After much contemplation, we finally made up our minds to book the bikes in a few months' time. However, a significant twist occurred during one of the most important weeks of our motorcycling journey. I had a family vacation planned that week, and before I left, my friend was inquiring about the T100. Assuming it was another of his fluctuating decisions, I didn't take it seriously.

Upon my return, my friend couldn't contain his excitement and proposed buying the bikes immediately. Confused by his sudden enthusiasm, I asked what was going on. That's when he revealed that he had secretly bought a Triumph Bonneville T100 during my absence. Overwhelmed with joy, we couldn't stop smiling as he shared the thrilling events of that week.

His decision to upgrade to the T100 left the ball in my court. Two days later, I found myself at the Triumph showroom ready to book the Matt Baja Orange Speed Twin 1200, a color I personally found drop-dead gorgeous. To our disappointment, the dealers informed us that the orange color had been discontinued, and two new options were available: grey+black and grey+red.

After thoughtful consideration, we opted for the grey and red combination, a unique choice since we couldn't find any photos of this color scheme on Google. Satisfied with our decision, I booked the red+grey Triumph Speed Twin, marking the completion of what we fondly called "Phase 2" in our biking journey.



The waiting game began, with the dealer estimating a 45-day delivery time. However, the unexpected happened as the dealer contacted us just two weeks later, indicating that the bike had arrived, and paperwork should begin. Coincidentally, my friend had planned a trip in 10 days, and we were determined to receive the bike before his departure.

Juggling the financial work and dealing with public holidays, we had a tight window of about 5 days for the bike delivery. My friend, understandably, didn't want me to take delivery without him, so we urged the dealer to speed up the process. The dealer assured a maximum of 7 working days for delivery, but we were hopeful it would happen earlier, considering I was obtaining a temporary registration.

Just when everything seemed to align for a Friday delivery, a disappointing setback occurred. The dealer communicated that the bike's new color had to be registered in Vaahan, causing an unexpected delay. Despite the setback, I decided to wait for my friend.

After a 1 week delay, the long-awaited day had finally arrived, and both my friend and I were brimming with excitement as we reached the showroom. The bike, shrouded in a black cloth, awaited its grand unveiling. As I removed the cover, we were astonished by the sight of our bikes in the new colour. It felt like fate had intertwined our journeys, and the red hue perfectly complemented our shared passion.



The delivery experience was meticulously planned by the showroom, complete with a bouquet of flowers and a cake-cutting celebration. Overwhelmed with joy, I rolled the bike out of the showroom, ready to embark on countless adventures.



The break-in period saw the bike navigating through traffic, the engine's heat making it a slightly uncomfortable experience. Eager to unleash the bike's potential, I decided to take it on a 120km highway stretch. The smoothness and agility of the bike at high speeds were simply incredible, almost gliding over the road effortlessly.

250 kms done:


As the kilometers increased, the bike only got smoother, and its performance in various modes left a lasting impression. The front brakes instilled confidence, especially during fast rides, while the Sport mode unleashed the bike's true power and responsiveness. Rain mode proved ideal for city riding, delivering smooth and gentle power delivery.

500kms done:


A rainy ride provided a different perspective, as the bike got quite messy with mud splatters, but it still performed admirably. Surprisingly, the stock headlights held up well during night-time highway runs with no street lights, providing a decent throw.



The bike's deceptive weight distribution made it feel much lighter than its actual weight of 216kg when cornering, enhancing its maneuverability. However, the horn sounded quite feeble and was promptly replaced.



Approaching the 1000km mark, it was time for the first service, and the bike's transition to fully synthetic oil made it even smoother, an astonishing feat. With the bike now running like a dream, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment and exhilaration.



One memorable night, just after the first service, my friend and I took our gorgeous machines on a highway ride, a tradition we cherished. As we sipped tea and discussed our bikes, the joy of the ride was evident, and I couldn't stop smiling throughout the journey.





Now, we are planning an exciting trip to a hill station, eager to test our bikes on challenging terrain. This past month has been an incredible ride, filled with unmatched happiness and a thrilling dopamine rush. I am immensely grateful for choosing this stunning machine, and it has been a true pleasure sharing this unforgettable experience with you all. The journey ahead holds boundless promise, and I am certain it will only get better from here.

[bf1983]

What a beautiful write up! The Speed twin 1200 is a gem of a bike as is the retro T100. Wish you many many happy miles on the saddle.

[lrpetrolhead]

Congrats on your new ride. I own a 2021 Matt Storm Grey. Its a great all rounder. The torque is addictive . I wish they had done something about the heating . For some reason the fan start blowing the hot air towards the rider. Also I feel the small fuel tank is a problem is on long drives. Mostly fellow riders gets frustrated because of the frequent fuel stops.

[tracerspiff]

Originally Posted by JigxZaW

While I was fixed on the Speed Twin, my friend's mind kept wavering between the CB650R, Ninja 1000 SX, and even the Bonnie T100 or T120.

Im curious to know why the Honda CB650R was rejected? Its on my "bike I would like someday" list.

[JigxZaW]

Originally Posted by lrpetrolhead

Congrats on your new ride. I own a 2021 Matt Storm Grey. It’s a great all rounder. The torque is addictive . I wish they had done something about the heating . For some reason the fan start blowing the hot air towards the rider. Also I feel the small fuel tank is a problem is on long drives. Mostly fellow riders gets frustrated because of the frequent fuel stops.

Hey, thanks! Heating sure is a huge issue. Fuel economy seems fine under 120 kmph for a bike of this category. But above 120 kmph is where it totally loses out on mileage.

[JigxZaW]

Originally Posted by tracerspiff

Im curious to know why the Honda CB650R was rejected? It’s on my "bike I would like someday" list.

So, we checked out the CB650R, but there were a few reasons why we decided not to go for it. First off, the dealers only had the 2019 model, and we weren't sure when or if the 2023 version would hit the Indian market. Plus, we heard some concerns about getting spare parts for this bike.

We were actually looking for a modern retro bike that could also handle touring. The CB650R was a bit more aggressive than what we had in mind, and we thought there might be better retro tourer options out there.

But I have to admit, when we took it for a spin, the bike's power delivery and gear shifts were ridiculously smooth. You don’t realise how fast you’re going until you look at the speedo.

[Turbosailor]

Originally Posted by JigxZaW

Speed Twin 1200, a color I personally found drop-dead gorgeous. To our disappointment, the dealers informed us that the orange color had been discontinued, and two new options were available: grey+black and grey+red.

Congrats on your new ride. Speed 1200 looks gorgeous It was a wise decision to go for it rather than CB650R. I had test ridden both on same day and was impressed by Speed 1200 except on Engine Heating department. But can't complain because its a massive 1200 CC engine in between riders leg which were developed in Europe were ambient temperature are significantly lower resulting in better riding experience. Even being a retro bike it offers many modern day features without sacrificing on its visual appearance and performance. And hopefully your service experience will become even more better after Bajaj's take over of Triumph India's operations. Wishing you many safe miles ahead.

[sandeepmohan]

Beautiful motorcycle.

These Triumphs do have an edge when it comes to fit, finish and quality of materials. At its price point, I don't think there is any competition, especially for a modern classic.

Whats the gearbox like on the Speed 1200? Does it get a 5 or 6 speed box? I ask, as I had ridden a old T100 and the gearbox was something I found a bit weird to operate. Not what you'd call slick operation or a gearbox that likes you to go through fast.

What I did love about it was the lazy nature of the engine, a sweet rumble for company and a more relaxed (Compared to my Interceptor) feel when riding.

Two modern classic motorcycles from their respective segments. You can appreciate both. If you like something easy going, the T100 it is, eyes closed. The Interceptor has a more edgy throttle and encourages you to whack the bike. This particular Bonnie T100 Black was new unsold stock from 2020. My friend picked it up for song, a little over the price of a brand new Interceptor! Makes it a absolute bargain.

[JigxZaW]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Beautiful motorcycle.
Whats the gearbox like on the Speed 1200? Does it get a 5 or 6 speed box? I ask, as I had ridden an old T100 and the gearbox was something I found a bit weird to operate. Not what you'd call slick operation or a gearbox that likes you to go through fast.

Hi, it’s a 6 speed gearbox. It was a bit tightly wound during the first 250-300 kms. But as the kilometres kept increasing, the gearbox gradually kept getting smoother.

[a_chelat]

Beautiful motorcycle. High up on my wish-list as well

Couple of questions as I am mulling over a similar upgrade:

1. How difficult/easy is it to handle the performance, especially for someone coming from a 300-400cc motorcycle? Did you consider the 900?

2. Does the T100 or T120 come with tubeless tyres? With the spoke wheels, I am assuming they don't but getting conflicting information online.


I am waiting for Khivraj Triumph to be fully functional here in Bangalore before I take a test ride. Do not want to deal with Keerthi Triumph after all the horror stories I have heard.

[JigxZaW]

Originally Posted by a_chelat

1. How difficult/easy is it to handle the performance, especially for someone coming from a 300-400cc motorcycle? Did you consider the 900?

2. Does the T100 or T120 come with tubeless tyres? With the spoke wheels, I am assuming they don't but getting conflicting information online.

I am waiting for Khivraj Triumph to be fully functional here in Bangalore before I take a test ride. Do not want to deal with Keerthi Triumph after all the horror stories I have heard.

Within the city, it’s a pain to drive. Not because of the power, but because of the heat. Rain mode makes the bike very approachable and easy to handle with the gradual power delivery. You will surely feel the big jump in power. But you’ll get used to it sooner rather than later.

Both T100 and T120 come with tube.

Khivraj have their own horror stories here in Chennai.

[maniabraham23]

Congratulations on getting the speed twin. It’s a beautiful ride, best of both worlds, retro and fast. I fell in love with the bike the moment I took a test ride. The pull of the bike from low revs in intoxicating and it does it in every gear. The weight is so beautifully balanced, that taking corners at speed is not scary.










One major drawback is the rear mudguard, it’s as if the mud guard doesn’t exist, even a little wetness or slush on the road will dirty the rear seat and sometimes even my jacket.

[amayjoshi]

Congratulations! I bought a speed twin 900 in August 2023, and looking at this enthusiasm, I am feeling the maturity in the buyers’ for bigger cc motorbikes. My height being 5.3 foot, the 765mm height of the speed twin 900 suited me as if this bike was only tailor-made for me. Well as discussed here, the weight distribution in speed twins is just perfect. At low crawling traffic speeds, you rarely need to put your feet down to balance the bike. You ride along those 5-10km/hr speeds like a slow cycling race. Literally that is the level of chassis balance and component alignment here. I have done 2000km and with its age, the transmission and the vibrations are getting smooth. As you see in the image, I am performing my 500km interval of chain clean and lube. Happy torquey miles ahead.

[shabih]

Originally Posted by amayjoshi

Congratulations! I bought a speed twin 900 in August 2023, and looking at this enthusiasm, I am feeling the maturity in the buyers’ for bigger cc motorbikes. Happy torquey miles ahead.

Hello there, what a gorgeous color you chose . Do another 7500 km and then remove the catalytic converter. What happens next, is your bike changes to something you'd not have imagined, Trust me haha.

[JigxZaW]

Originally Posted by maniabraham23

Congratulations on getting the speed twin. It’s a beautiful ride, best of both worlds, retro and fast. I fell in love with the bike the moment I took a test ride. The pull of the bike from low revs in intoxicating and it does it in every gear. The weight is so beautifully balanced, that taking corners at speed is not scary.

One major drawback is the rear mudguard, it’s as if the mud guard doesn’t exist, even a little wetness or slush on the road will dirty the rear seat and sometimes even my jacket.

Well said! Agreed on the mudguard drawback. I’m looking to make a custom mudguard extender for the back. I believe a front mudguard extender is already available in the market.