Speed Twin or R nine T
Discussion
TL;dr version: Man can't decide between Triumph Speed Twin or BMW R Nine T (of which there are three variants he'd consider).
Those of you remembered my thread where I fancied a Ducati, potentially to replace my old Fireblade. I've thought more, and decided to sell the VFR800 I have (which is a lovely thing, but given the relative comfort and ability of the Blade, is just a bit redundant) and the bloke is due to collect on Sunday. I adore the Blade too much, even though it's old, because it's just great to own and ride.
In the meantime, I've pondered about getting my twin fix in a different way, namely a retro/naked, leaving the Blade to do the old sports bike duties.
I test rode a Speed Twin last week, and really liked it. In terms of positives, I'd say:
Before I've ridden one I've got these thoughts:
Positives:
Of course, the 'sport' Nine T is a fair bit more (I've seen well specced new ones for the 14k mark) so I'm also open to the Pure, or even the Urban GS. I enjoyed my ancient old 1100 GS for its boxer engine, and that was fairly asthmatic compared to the 1200 engine.
Those of you remembered my thread where I fancied a Ducati, potentially to replace my old Fireblade. I've thought more, and decided to sell the VFR800 I have (which is a lovely thing, but given the relative comfort and ability of the Blade, is just a bit redundant) and the bloke is due to collect on Sunday. I adore the Blade too much, even though it's old, because it's just great to own and ride.
In the meantime, I've pondered about getting my twin fix in a different way, namely a retro/naked, leaving the Blade to do the old sports bike duties.
I test rode a Speed Twin last week, and really liked it. In terms of positives, I'd say:
- It has a nice character to the engine, pulls like crazy from low down and has enough stomp up top to get the suspension into trouble.
- It looks great, it's more compact than I thought, but is pretty comfortable for me. I could sense the seat might hurt my arse after more than an hour in the saddle though.
- It handles pretty well, certainly well enough for blasts on B roads that aren't too spirited. Blokes with beards and jeans riding to coffee shops may well find it plenty good enough.
- I prefer the 2019 design on the tank. But the 2021 version has a better front end, and the engine and fuelling is better.
- The rear suspension really isn't brilliant when pressing on, it just turns into a bit of a bouncy nightmare. So I'd want to replace the rear dampers.
- It does lack a few niceties like heated grips, cruise control as standard, but then it's an 11 grand bike with a pretty good fit and finish.
- Exhaust is possibly a bit muted, and being Euro 5 involves a whole system as it's one piece to avoid people fiddling.
Before I've ridden one I've got these thoughts:
Positives:
- More power, more aggressive motor
- Shaft drive so a bit less cleaning/maintenance - marginal gain as chains are hardly an issue anyway
- Looks great - in a very different way to the Trumpet
- Bit bigger, comfortable but slightly more aggressive riding position so better for higher speed.
- Cost
- Doubts about finish - legendary BMW paint quality on engine/gearbox/final drive
- Lack of fuel gauge! (and rev counter on the Pure or Urban, but can be retro fitted)
- Strays away from my brief of a bike that I ride too fast or too 'seriously' on. I'm looking for something quite relaxed. But perhaps that's more about me than the bike, you can potter about on anything really, except perhaps a Panigale.
Of course, the 'sport' Nine T is a fair bit more (I've seen well specced new ones for the 14k mark) so I'm also open to the Pure, or even the Urban GS. I enjoyed my ancient old 1100 GS for its boxer engine, and that was fairly asthmatic compared to the 1200 engine.
I found the R9T does not beg you to thrash it. Its a very fun and engaging bike without egging you on. By comparison, its really a very tame bike. I rented a selection of them - normal, pure, scrambler, and ended up buying the scrambler. Its probably got the worst suspension of the lot, but for whatever reason I enjoyed it the most.
It didnt come with the tacho, but about 400 euros later it had one - completely plug and play and your nan could install it.
Its a relatively small bike - very low. I dont really care for the chain vs shaft nonsense, and have no issues with paint. BMW service has actually been excellent too.
It didnt come with the tacho, but about 400 euros later it had one - completely plug and play and your nan could install it.
Its a relatively small bike - very low. I dont really care for the chain vs shaft nonsense, and have no issues with paint. BMW service has actually been excellent too.
I've recently bought a 65 plate R ninet, probably done 400 miles on it.
It's the classic version with USD forks which imo look the part.
I looked at other offerings but the last bike I had was a. BMW twin, but never owned a boxer. Not disappointed in any way, loads of grunt, pretty comfy - OK the seat is firm but so far I've not had to stop for sore ass syndrome. Loads of customizable bits and sound pretty good with dB killers and exhaust valve removed (pre 17 bikes show no code I believe).
I'm not really that keen on the other variations, the pure is more budget and the gs style is a bit odd looking. Each to their own though! Having not ridden the Triumph I can't comment but would assume its not equipped with Ohlins all round? To be fair for the majority of riding the bimmer is fine, just it's budget suspension shows itself from time to time like when 2 up - saying that I don't find it dangerous.
It's the classic version with USD forks which imo look the part.
I looked at other offerings but the last bike I had was a. BMW twin, but never owned a boxer. Not disappointed in any way, loads of grunt, pretty comfy - OK the seat is firm but so far I've not had to stop for sore ass syndrome. Loads of customizable bits and sound pretty good with dB killers and exhaust valve removed (pre 17 bikes show no code I believe).
I'm not really that keen on the other variations, the pure is more budget and the gs style is a bit odd looking. Each to their own though! Having not ridden the Triumph I can't comment but would assume its not equipped with Ohlins all round? To be fair for the majority of riding the bimmer is fine, just it's budget suspension shows itself from time to time like when 2 up - saying that I don't find it dangerous.
It had only done 7700 when I got it, minor scuffs on the base of the tank from clothes but a polish and some clear vinyl will sort that.
Frame and engine - cant see any real corrosion anywhere - to only bit is on the base of an engine protector - but thats not BMW paint.
I did save a few £££'s to get a rear shock but at the minute its a bit extravagant for what might be in real terms a minor improvement, depending on what you read Wilbers is the way, Ohlins too stiff for the road - so I will wait till I feel it needs it. Fork dive was a bit of an issue but I changed the fork oil on Saturday with a mix of 10/15 wt over the original 7wt (from what Ive found) but poor weather has meant no time to test. On the forum one owner reported a massive improvement with a simple viscosity change.
Frame and engine - cant see any real corrosion anywhere - to only bit is on the base of an engine protector - but thats not BMW paint.
I did save a few £££'s to get a rear shock but at the minute its a bit extravagant for what might be in real terms a minor improvement, depending on what you read Wilbers is the way, Ohlins too stiff for the road - so I will wait till I feel it needs it. Fork dive was a bit of an issue but I changed the fork oil on Saturday with a mix of 10/15 wt over the original 7wt (from what Ive found) but poor weather has meant no time to test. On the forum one owner reported a massive improvement with a simple viscosity change.
To draw this to a conclusion, I rode a demo Nine T today:
It just felt so much better than the trumpet. Engine more characterful, with the boxer rock and roll but also power everywhere, whereas I found the triumph just ran out of steam above 5500-6000. The ergonomics of the BMW just felt better to me, and I found it a real riot to ride.
So I’ve put a deposit on a year old ‘pure’ that’s optioned up nicely, and I’ll upgrade the suspension anyway.
The sport felt pretty bouncy at the rear under duress and I know the front forks on a pure are basic damper rod design, but I’d rather get good aftermarket stuff on it anyway.
It just felt so much better than the trumpet. Engine more characterful, with the boxer rock and roll but also power everywhere, whereas I found the triumph just ran out of steam above 5500-6000. The ergonomics of the BMW just felt better to me, and I found it a real riot to ride.
So I’ve put a deposit on a year old ‘pure’ that’s optioned up nicely, and I’ll upgrade the suspension anyway.
The sport felt pretty bouncy at the rear under duress and I know the front forks on a pure are basic damper rod design, but I’d rather get good aftermarket stuff on it anyway.
its funny...I had an urban GS R9T and just couldnt get on with it.... clunky gearbox, slightly agricultural sound, bit of an odd riding position. Grips always felt v thin as well (not sure diameter of bars but always looked v wide and thin)
I chopped it for a Speed Twin and love it...smoother, easier to ride, and I prefer the noise (although its too quiet as standard). It does run out of oomph though as you say.
both great bikes for town and / or legal-ish speed
what i'd really like is the latest Speed Twin with the better Brembos and suspension, and a Zard exhaust
I chopped it for a Speed Twin and love it...smoother, easier to ride, and I prefer the noise (although its too quiet as standard). It does run out of oomph though as you say.
both great bikes for town and / or legal-ish speed
what i'd really like is the latest Speed Twin with the better Brembos and suspension, and a Zard exhaust
It’s funny, we all like different things!
Bars feel quite a bit wider on the 9T (think the bike overall is 100m wider, and that’s not accounting for the bar end mirrors too).
The ‘22 demo Speed Twin I rode last week had a firm but pretty compliant front end, the calipers being M50s look gorgeous along with the radial master cylinder. The bite was fairly soft, though..
I wanted to like the triumph more, but it just left me a little bit underwhelmed. I can see how it’s a very enjoyable ride for a slightly different purpose..
Pics of the one I bought will follow when I collect next week..
Bars feel quite a bit wider on the 9T (think the bike overall is 100m wider, and that’s not accounting for the bar end mirrors too).
The ‘22 demo Speed Twin I rode last week had a firm but pretty compliant front end, the calipers being M50s look gorgeous along with the radial master cylinder. The bite was fairly soft, though..
I wanted to like the triumph more, but it just left me a little bit underwhelmed. I can see how it’s a very enjoyable ride for a slightly different purpose..
Pics of the one I bought will follow when I collect next week..
bgunn said:
The sport felt pretty bouncy at the rear under duress and I know the front forks on a pure are basic damper rod design, but I’d rather get good aftermarket stuff on it anyway.
Are they not taken from the S1000R? Could have sworn I read that they were but with the adjustment removed?On the ‘sport’, yes, they’re 46mm USDs and are updated to be adjustable on the euro 5 models. Original euro 3/4 models were non adjustable.
On the pure they are 43mm RWU forks with no adjustment. Apparently the rake and trail are very slightly different slowing the responses slightly too. By all accounts it’s not that perceptible a change.
The rear damper is the same across the range and is a bit s
t.
Obviously the brakes are axial on the pure, radial on the sport. For the road I can’t see why it would matter. It’s a beard and jeans retro bike, not a balls out sportsbike.
On the pure they are 43mm RWU forks with no adjustment. Apparently the rake and trail are very slightly different slowing the responses slightly too. By all accounts it’s not that perceptible a change.
The rear damper is the same across the range and is a bit s
t.Obviously the brakes are axial on the pure, radial on the sport. For the road I can’t see why it would matter. It’s a beard and jeans retro bike, not a balls out sportsbike.
My brother has a 22 speed twin and really likes it. His only thing is the rear shocks could do with uprating and I think he was looking at some nitrons to replace it.
I’ve not ridden it yet but looking at it, it’s a really nice thing and I’m not massively into that style of bike.
Got Zard pipes on it that look really good, he struggled to find anything for it and did have some fitment issues with the zard’s but now they’re on they look great.
I’ve not ridden it yet but looking at it, it’s a really nice thing and I’m not massively into that style of bike.
Got Zard pipes on it that look really good, he struggled to find anything for it and did have some fitment issues with the zard’s but now they’re on they look great.
i made the mistake of popping into my local Triumph place this morning
I prev had a Scrambler 1200XE and missed it.... they had just taken a 20 bike in as px, anyway one thing led to another
OP am sure you have made your mind up but if all this Speed Twin chat has excited anyone...PM me !
I prev had a Scrambler 1200XE and missed it.... they had just taken a 20 bike in as px, anyway one thing led to another
OP am sure you have made your mind up but if all this Speed Twin chat has excited anyone...PM me !
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