That's very Kind, thanks. You won't be disappointed, it's a great bike.

Then you.

Thank you. Its really hard to keep some of them around 10 minutes but I try my best. Thanks for subscribing.

That's really nice to read, thanks Jaya.

That's pretty much how I felt about it all summed up. I love the Thruxton but I couldn't live with it day to day. This I could.

I'm the same. And if I could only buy one bonneville to do everything, this would be it.

Thanks. You're going to have a fantastic season on this mate, enjoy.

Rarefied Road thanks Man, keep making the videos like you are and the channel will grow.

Thanks Fred. Happy 70th. I've got something else for this year but I really do see myself owning one of these in the near future.

Good on ya Fred! And a happy birthday!!

Happy belated birthday fred !!!!! I bet you rode triumphs in your hay day , Dont bloody stop mate !!! See you on the rode

Andrew Bull .... cheers .... believe it or not , didn’t learn to ride till I was 60 ..... argh .... regards Fred

Appreciated as always. The RNINET is actually one of the only retro bikes I haven't tried. Think I need to fix that.

Rarefied Road please do! I’m between the r9t and the speed twin!

@@robertomarrero7086 What did you choose?

That's really kind, thanks. It is a cracking bike, and definitely one I'll keep my eyes pealed for in the future but I'd keep with your Street Cup if you're happy with it, that's actually my favourite of the 900 Bonnevilles.

Thanks man, glad to hear you're getting on with the speed triple. I don't think you'll have any competition with this for yours but it'll be nice to compare. I think like me you'll probably hit the rev limiter a lot because you're used to the triple. Enjoy the rest of the riding season, you've got the right bike for it.

@@RarefiedRoad thanks will do and enjoy the season too ! ;) Can't wait to test the Speed Twin, exactly the kind of bike which could be a logical suite in my biker carreer tbh. Keep up the good work and have fun !

Thanks

It's all through the same little Sony at the moment. Captures it through the helmet reasonably well but I will be trying something new for sound soon.

That probably changes depending on my mood but right now I'd go for this. Maybe just because I've owned a street triple and I'd like to live with something different.

Thanks that's good to know. I would say the position is more attack than the T120 for sure. It has flat bars for comfort but everything else is angled towards having a quick ride.

Yeah money wise it's hard to keep value in my head while I'm reviewing. I'm sure it would be different if I was actually looking to buy any of them, then I'd be hunting around to see what else I could get for the money.

The whistle does split a crowd. I really like the V7, it is pretty mellow but it doesn't feel underpowered until you're on a motorway, it'll keep up with the pack on a twisty road. Only problem I think I've got with it is that I feel like I'm being harsh on the engine because I like to rev it out so I'm not sure it's suited to my riding style because I feel like I'm working it too hard.

Rarefied Road hold on to your wallet then because i reckon you have an eye for that Speed Twin ;-)

Thank you for the suggestion, I will make sure I include some of the ergonomics next time i'm testing. As for the T120 I'm afraid I haven't tried it. I've yet to try that or the Scrambler. I've had experience with the same engine in the Bobber and I've sat on it at shows so I've always overlooked it as something that will feel very familiar.

@@RarefiedRoad Thanks!

Yeah it's got more of a tucked position which is nice, helps it achieve a better lean angle too. It's my favourite bonneville of the moment.

I'm sure you can if you want but I don't know how much It'll cost you.

I'd say you feel a little more connected to the Thruxton in a corner maybe because of the sports clip on position but I don't think I'd call it less heavy. You have more leverage over the bars on the Speed but the weight difference isn't so much that you'd notice.

@@RarefiedRoad ah I see thanks for the input

Ha! I wasn't going to say anything. It's the same landscape.

I think pretty much everything on the speed twin is a little more premium to be honest. For me the only thing the V7 wins on is character, comfort and style but that's all for the most part just down to taste. The Triumph has better brakes, suspension, more power as you say so it's also a faster bike but if you're not trying to break any lap records I think you'd be happy with the V7.

I prefer this to the BMW but they compare well. This is a bit stronger down low and gives more feedback the RnineT will rev smoother but it gives you some feedback and connection when you're stationary and you get the little rock over as you rev it.

That is high praise. But when a bike is right, you just know it. I still haven't ridden the Scrambler yet believe it or not, but I've only heard good things about it, what is it that sets it apart in your opinion?

@@RarefiedRoad Now there's a question...For one it has the non quantifiable quality of when you just gel with a bike and enjoy it as an ensemble. Not based on looks or spec sheets just enjoyment. I think that the engine really suits that chassis the best, my issue with the Speed Twin is yes, it's a lot of fun thrashing it on B roads with no traffic but get in town or in heavy traffic then I find that the riding position is still too sporty - I'm guessing that this is due to making the seat height more 'accessible' - and just kinda 'meh' whereas I kept thinking how much the XE felt like a cruiser (in the best way) with all the benefits of good handling and all day usability. It wasn't without issue though - I burnt my calf twice on the exhaust, I really can't be doing with the tft/joystick affair, and the switchgear is a bit fiddly...But they are nothing that would put me off, but it is worth noting that the one I rode had a wonky handlebar (!) so I still question the build quality on the modern Triumphs, corrosion seems to be a big problem for them too.

It has the character of a twin which is what I was expecting going in, It would be quite a big contrast to the Street Triple to be honest. If you got off that bike loving it then I'm not surprised this underwhelmed. This is the sportiest of 'classically inspired' Triumph range but it is nowhere near as modern, smooth or quick as the Triple range.

Just the Vance & Hines, fitted by the dealership.

Thank you. I get what you mean. They all kind of blend into featureless unfortunately but I think this one looks the most purposeful.

Just for my own personal taste I would go with the Triumph. I prefer the delivery and character of a twin, and for handling I felt a bit more connected, a bit more like I was part of the bike instead of sitting on it. But it's a complete heart vote because there's very little splitting them.

@@RarefiedRoad For me the Speed Twin and the Kawasaki Z900RS are my favourite retros. I cannot decide between them which one I would have in my garage if I could afford it. Both are great machines. The Kawa is the more powerful and quicker bike but the Triumph is plenty fast enough for the road. I suspect there will probably be an R version next year [2020] for the Triumph with fully adjustable upgraded suspension and wire spoked wheels. Great review by the way.

They're quite different. This is a big solid sporty bike compared to the nimble little street twin. The street twin is a bit more playful in comparison.

I'd be curious. I'm assuming it's cutting into it a little bit.

Congrats on passing. This bike is manageable for a newbie if you're sensible, I'd say since you are a little more mature you would be fine but you'll probably have more fun on the street twin to start with so I'd go for that. But, there's no harm in test riding both :)

@@RarefiedRoad It could come down to the usual deal breaker. Money ! The twin disks and twin clocks certainly look better on the Speed Twin. I think I prefer the plain red fuel tank on the Street Twin . Plus there's availability. The Speed Twin is on a longer waiting list as compared to a new Street Twin. Dunno if I can wait until sometime mid July for a Speed Twin , when it looks like I can have a Street Twin by late May. The power limitation of my Honda CB125R (and to be honest , all learner bikes) is now getting me down, although that felt fast to me back last October !

@@karlosh9286 yeah you get that with any bike. My street triple feels fast to me every time I go back to it but give me an hour and it starts to feel pretty easy. The street twin's got enough to keep you interested for a long while, and if the roads twisty enough you'll only notice the lack of speed on the exits and straights. If you're itching to get out then I'd put my money down on the Street.

@@RarefiedRoad I'm definitely itching to ride something bigger than a 125cc without being followed by the instructors. Although I did need the instructors following me, they did a very useful and good job !

@@RarefiedRoad I did get the Speed Twin. Probably has way more power than I currently need. It was the twin brakes, twin clocks, sixth gear, excellent visibility from bar end mirrors, and higher seat than a Street Twin that did it. Plus lots of positive reviews, like yours. The power level, I guess I'll grow into. I didn't want to get a bike that I might want to swap in a years time. Trading in bikes is not cheap (lost a lot on the 8 month old CB125R) I don't see me ever willing trading in the Speed Twin. As you found, my only real gripe is the throttle can be a bit snatchy in sport at low speeds (apparently a booster plugs might solve this, TEC do one). Yeah, the side stand is fiddly, needs just about 1/4 inch more hanging out, but I'm getting used to it. Ditto for the fuel cap. No lugs on the frame to fit a centre stand is a minor irritation, so I have the bobbins on the back for a paddock stand. A complete lack of rear luggage options from Triumph has been a pain. I have however just got a rear luggage rack from TEC (only just come out). Need to fit that. Don't guess it'll improve the looks, but sometimes I could do with a top box. I also had a test ride of a Street Triple RS at the Speed Twin's first service. Quite different, especially the engine. Now I want one of them too. In a choice between the two, I'd still have the Speed Twin mainly for it's retro looks. If I do get a second bike, well I have a retro twin, so a modern looking street triple will complement it nicely, now I just need to find the cash !

I'm already saving up :)

Buy one used.

If i could afford it yes

Thank you. They have made a lot and I'm tempted to agree with you. I think they can give the bonneville design team an extended holiday and maybe give us a new Daytona instead.

I'd love to be able to answer, but the R nineT is one of the only bikes in this field that I haven't ridden. Hoping to remedy that this year.

If I was touring it would be the T120 for me as well, at a certain mileage comfort takes precedent over performance. And to be honest whilst this is my favourite if I was buying new now, I don't think it would be enough to tempt me over if I already owned a bonneville and was just contemplating an upgrade.

Rarefied Road - yes, you put that well. That is just about how I feel. The T120 is very good for my partner as pillion, also luggage etc. 28 kg heavier, true, but even that sometimes is good in strong weather conditions. My dealer thinks the the Speed Twin is a higher spec than the T120, but the differences aren’t so great as to make me want to take a hit and part with more hard earned cash. I must say though, if I was just starting out and just wanted a bike for an occasional blast I’d look at the 2019 Street Twin (also a good review by you). Cheers. P

That's fair feedback, it helps to hear what they're like to live with. Thank you

What are you thinking of getting next year BTW?

@@RarefiedRoad will be going back to a sports bike, im thinking an m.v augusta f3 800rc if i can get a used one at a good price, would love a daytona 765🤞

@@leemacdonald6533 good choices. I'm a fan of a 3 cylinder too, they've got all the power you need all of the time. Happy hunting.

Pains me to say it but probably the speed twin

Glad to keep you on board.

Itches like that are dangerous, hope you enjoy it.

You got something against cats? 😼

@@jonathanrath2627 Hahahaha, not at all, but when people talk about the cat on motorbikes, they mean the catalytic concert or.

True, but the T120 is 10,600 and that's none adjustable too. I really liked it, genuinely did. But then I like the Thruxton as well so you might not enjoy this one as much.

I think the hype and riding position did it no favours for me. I think my biggest issue with triumphs is I always find the engines a little too refined for my personal taste. Other than servicing intervals I generally can't fault them. I've never ridden one that didn't handle beautifully.

@@I_am_Thursday Triumphs shocks (front and rear) have legendary status as being complete rubbish (even below basic)! I have a T120 and love it but to get the most out of it and feel safe doing so YOU do have to upgrade the shocks.

Ah, but are you trying to ride her like your XSR? ;-)

@@I_am_Thursday ha ha.... probably (instant tw@t, just add bike)! :-/