I Just Can’t Decide Between A Street Triple Rs And A Speed Twin

I know they are different bikes but I love both of them, how they look and everything and I can decide which one to pick. the street triple is always pushing you for more throttle which is kinda frightening to me at least. The speed twin is like some kind of a wolf in sheep's clothing but my issue with the speed is although I dig the retro look I just don’t know, it’s too much retro if you get me.

My 99% of riding is in town and I don’t plan on going on track days. I’m not the type of rider who wants to go 100kms per hour all the time and probably will never reach 170kms on a highway. I would go for the R model which is a bit more toned down but there isn’t a market to sell it used after a few years. Although I love the ergonomics of the speed I just love the triple sound. Anyway give me your thoughts if you can.

 

It sounds like you may end up enjoying the Street Twin a little more on the road. However, don't forget the throttle goes both ways, so the Street Triple may win you over in the long run. Have you ridden both? If not, I would try to get a decent test ride and see if that helps you decide.

 

I've ridden the Street triple R not the RS. The Speed twin sadly is not available for a test ride here in Greece... So I can't really know how it feels. The Street triple was an amazing addictive ride, I had it for three hours and only complaint was a bit of knee ache. Loved it though. And the sound is so much better than the Trident which I own.

 

That;s a shame you can't try the Twin. It does make your decision more tricky. I have a 675 and I've never tired of that triple engine sound. I don't think you'd regret either bike but circumstances seems to be putting the R in front of you.

 

Speed Twin is the absolute awesomestest combination of everything less off-road capability. And yes, it's quite the sleeper. I've had mine almost a year and a half and she still occasionally startles me. As far as "retro" goes, I think they toned that down and just sexied it up a bit bit compared to the mainstream Bonnies. I tell every one who asks me about it, and I get a lot of curious onlookers- it's a sexed-up Bonneville with a Thruxton R engine. AFAIC the styling is timeless.

If power is something that concerns you, I'll tell you what I tell everybody regardless of the motorcycle…

...Just respect the bike.

 

Speed twin everyday and twice on Sundays. The triple looks like every other bike out there while the twin does not, but that’s my opinion. I’d been bike-less for close to 15 years and had it narrowed down to three bikes…Speed Twin, Thruxton RS and Kawasaki Z900 Café, with my heart wanting the Thruxton. After setting on them I picked the Thruxton as the riding position isn’t as bad as it looks in the pictures…matter of fact it and the Twin are very, very close. Get the Twin, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

 

82ft lbs torque right now. Snappy gearing. Looks like a wee bike goes like a big one. Still amuses me no end. Speed Twin mate. “Ain’t no replacement for displacement” etc.
It’s even bloody economical!

 

I sold my speed triple to buy a speed twin and love it.

 

it's a beauty

 

Very nice in black.

 

Thanks, my partner Su had a 675 R street triple and now has a 1200 speed twin as well

 

Timeless I say...

 

I had a speed triple and loved it, but I think the addictive "reviness" of smaller capacity multi cylinder bikes goads me into constantly riding in the upper limits. I prefer big twins myself and have a 1200 Thruxton which has perfect engine characteristics for me.

Both lovely bikes though.

 

Speed Twin.

 

That was the 'problem' with my GSXR750.

 

Νάσος Απολλωνάτος
Welcome to the family.
Joe.

 

Yassou

Speed Twin all day long

DO IT!

 

I think just your use of the word "frightening" in relation to the Street Triple would sway me towards the Speed Twin if I were in your shoes. I am a new rider, so far too inexperienced and over zealous to provide any useful advice on bike comparison but, to me, the thought of riding your bike should be exciting and something that is going to bring you joy, not cause fear. If you think the Speed Twin will bring you more happiness and suit you better ergonomically when you ride it then that would be what I would have.

 

Exactly, my friend had one of those and it was insanely good fun to ride but probably quite dangerous to my life and licence. The 955 Speed Triple I had was much easier to own. I prefer the bigger capacity and the engine characteristics that can bring, especially twins.

 

A no Brainer for me. I like them both but it would be the speed twin. If I had the Garage space I would park one right next to my street twin. But I can't part with the street twin. Maybe I could sell the Jeep