2021 Triumph Street Twin First Ride

I was fortunate to be invited to the Triumph HQ and Visitors Experience Centre in June, and during that visit had the opportunity to test ride the Bonneville range of bikes.

I chose the Street Twin as i have just finished testing for a week the new Triumph Trident and both bikes are aimed at the entry level and both can be fitted with an A2 licence restricter kit. While the Street Twin has a higher engine capacity of 900cc and the Trident 660cc, This is the baby Bonneville and for those wanting more a classic look i had to ride this to see what the experience was like.

The classic looks are becoming more the thing these days and with the disappearance of the sport bike on the roads with more a lean toward upright naked bikes the Baby Bonneville fits right in.

Ergonomics of the bike, I am 6’2 tall and weigh around 95kg so this bike is a little small for me and can flat foot with both legs slightly bent. Now this does not put me off as this bike is a daily for sure and has a comfy seat, clear visible single clocks, simple yet tactile switch gear and a beautiful 900cc engine with torque set low down that delivers effortless power all through the rev range.

Coming from my current daily the MT10, the throttle connection is buttery smooth on the Street Twin. The sound from the double trumpet exhaust pipes is awesome!, with only 5 gears I didn’t miss a 6th and to be honest on any naked bike why would you want to sit on a motorway on this bike. The handling as with most Triump’s very good with big piston non adjustable forks on the front and twin rear preload only which handle and soak up the bumps nicely. While the seat is comfortable its long so taking a pillion is no issues and even gave the camera man a lift back to his van while on the photo section that Triumph had organised.

Watch the first ride on our Youtube Channel, don't forget to Subscribe not to miss anything 👍 https://youtu.be/d5TPHD7xVG4

The Engine as i mentioned has bags of torque at 80nm @ 3800rpm and as for horses its 64.1bhp @7500rpm

The 900cc motor is liquid cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270 degree crank angle parallel twin.

Braking comes in the way of a single 310mm floating disk on the front with Brembo 4 piston fixed axle caliper, with ABS. The rear has a 255mm disc with Nissin 2 piston floating Calipers also with ABS. Testing on route they feel firm and ample to stop the 216kg wet weight that this bike come in at.

Seat height is 765mm so for the shorter rider this bike suits and as I’m 6’2 it also fits me too so Triumph have aimed at a variety of riders. The bikes fuel tank is 12litres with fuel consumption coming at 68.9 mpg (4.1L/100klm) so good fuel economy for that daily ride or commute.

Price, The Street Twin comes in at £8,400

Final thoughts after my first 45 minute ride on this beautiful Street Twin is that its a very comfortable daily bike, more than enough power for the road, nicely sprung, good brakes, and perfect entry level motorcycle for that A2 licence or someone who wants a classic bike to add to their fleet to ride down to that cafe and sit back take in the Beauty that this baby Bonneville holds. Very impressed with its build quality and many accessories available through the triumph catalogue to make your own mark on this bike.

Now onto ride the next one up, the Bonneville T100.

We will be riding many Triumph’s over the next few months so stay tuned.

Spec”s,

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