FIVE NEW TRIUMPHS RELEASED. ALMOST ENOUGH

Triumph released five new twins today: the Street Twin, The Thruxton, the Thruxton R, the Bonneville T120 and the Bonneville T120 Black.

The Street Twin is a 270 degree 900 which makes 80Nm of torque at 3200 rpm: 18% more than its predecessor model.

The Bonneville T120 and Bonneville T120 Black share a 1200 which makes 105Nm of torque at 3100 rpm.

The Thruxton and Thruxton R share a 1200 which makes 112Nm of torque at 4950 rpm.

All feature ride-by-wire fuel injection, an engine management system, a six speed gearbox, ABS, traction control, slip assist clutch, ride-by-wire throttle and rider modes.

The all-new upswept brushed stainless steel exhaust system of the Street Twin has, according to Triumph, been developed and tuned carefully to look great and deliver the unmistakable sound of a genuine British twin, and not one of those non-genuine non-British twins; with a rich, fruity note to match its lively character. Their media kit does not specify the type of fruit the exhaust note sounds like, but it does state that the exhaust is tuned to a level you can feel as well as hear.

Probably a pomegranate, we’re thinking.

It also has an LED tail light, a USB charge socket, all the usual instrumentation, and is available with a range of accessory kits for those who like to customise. Triumph calls these “Inspiration kits”, because it is common knowledge that marketing people take drugs at the office, and their dealers will be offering the Scrambler Inspiration Kit, the Brat Inspiration Kit, and the Urban Inspiration Kit.

Importantly, it comes in five colour schemes, three of which are black.

“Listen! Is that the unmistakable sound of a genuine British twin?” Yes. Yes it is.

The Thruxton and Thruxton R are your café racers. They share the 1200cc 8 valve twin engine and café styling. The R has Brembo monobloc calipers, Showa big piston forks, Öhlins rear suspension and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa Tyres. Unlike the rich fruity note of the Street Twin’s exhaust, the Thruxton’s is described as thunderous and rich bass, which we believe is a type of fish.

The Thruxton comes in three colour schemes, only one of whch is black; and the Thruxton R comes in two colour schemes, neither of which is black. We assume that the marketing department was on one hell of a jag when THAT decision was made. Probably whiskey and ice. Not the cold kind.

The Thruxton: head-turning style, spine-tingling performance, say Triumph. Better keep your chiropractor on speed-dial.

As above, with a dash of Brembo, Showa, Öhlins and Pirelli.

The Bonneville T120 and T120 Black are, Triumph say, built for the modern classic riding style. Most of us here at BIKE ME! ride in the modern classic style, so this will probably be the one we buy. The exhaust is described as deep and rich, with no mention of fruit or fish, and that makes us reach for our chequebook every time. Well done, marketing!

The Bonneville T120 is available in four colour schemes, two of which are black, and the Bonneville T120 Black is available in two colour schemes. It’s okay: both of them are black.

Also, you can customise it with the Prestige Inspiration Kit. We think it has lots of black stuff in it.

Ticks a lot of boxes, that last bike.

The Bonnie T120. Not black enough.

The Bonnie T120 Black. Aaaaah.

There’s even a sexy film…

Tags: Bikes, NEW MODELS

About the Author

Al Al does a bit of everything, and likes hanging around with Boris, because there are generally motorcycles and whiskey, and because hilarity generally ensues. He wastes his spare time not moderating the BIKE ME! forums, where he posts occasionally and is regarded as unfair, unbalanced and unmedicated. Shows how much THEY know.