2019 Triumph Street Twin Revealed at Intermot

John Burns
by John Burns

The Triumph Speed Twin has only been around for a couple of years, but it’s already getting an update, including a substantial 18% increase in power.

Triumph says it’s experienced an 18% increase in sales over the last few years during a 1% market decline. In Deutschland, the uptick is in the mid-20s. So no wonder Valerie Kavafyan, GM for Germany and Austria, stated off with a pep talk in German. But Miles Perkins rescued us English speakers after about five minutes, pointing out that Bonnevilles sales are up 103% for some time period lately, and Speed Triple sales up 13%.

Why not improve on a couple of those best sellers then. It’s no surprise the Street Twin’s been the single biggest selling modern classic, a bike Perkins says changed Triumph’s landscape. Over 40% of its buyers are new to Triumph, and the Twin draws a great mix of riders: new riders, experienced, old and young, women.

The 2019 Street Twin now claims 64 hp, just about 9.9 horsepower more than the 2018 model, an 18% increase, says Perkins, and a 500-rpm higher redline. Peak torque remains at a claimed 59 lb-ft., but it now arrives at 3800 rpm instead of 3200 rpm. The 2019 version of Triumph’s High Torque Bonneville engine receives new lightweight crankshaft and balance shafts, new magnesium cam cover, a mass optimized clutch cover and a new lighter clutch.

The Street Twin also gets two engine modes, Road and Rain, each with optimized throttle maps and traction control settings for different conditions.

There’s a new Brembo four-piston caliper grabbing the single front disc brake now, attached to a new cartridge-style fork. New cast wheels, new upgraded instrumentation, and a plusher new seat are the big deals among a few smaller ones.

The headlight was redesigned with new machined detailing and brushed aluminum brackets. Also new are a tire pressure monitor, updated tank badge and a new, more contemporary Street Twin logo.

Other features include an LED rear light, ABS, engine immobilizer and a USB charging socket under the seat.

The Urban Ride Kit adds a brown quilted bench seat, black sump plate, fender removal kit, machined black oil filler cap, black intake covers and a (single) waxed cotton pannier.

Perkins was most excited to report, however, that over 80% of Street Twin and Scrambler buyers outfit their new bike with at least one accessory. Happy with that statistic, there are already more than 150 farkles available for them. Triumph also offers two custom kits, a stripped back Urban Ride kit and a Café Custom kit.

Read more from our 2018 Intermot Show Coverage

The Café Custom kit adds rear shocks from Fox, Vance & Hines silencers, a rear fender removal kit, black intake covers and a machined black oil filler cap.

The success of the Street Twin might be why Triumph may be releasing a larger version. As we’ve previously reported, a 2019 Speed Twin has been certified by the California Air Resources Board, suggesting a 1200cc version is coming, likely at EICMA.

The 2019 Triumph Street Twin will offered in three paint options: Korosi Red, Jet Black, Matt Ironstone

John Burns
John Burns

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  • MountainK1ng MountainK1ng on Oct 03, 2018

    Good looking bike. Even the exhaust looks good, which seems rarer these days.

  • GreggJ GreggJ on Oct 03, 2018

    Lets see, lighter than my current ride (1995 Triumph Thunderbird), much better mileage, lower center of gravity, ABS, roughly the same horsepower, more torque at a lower RPM, better brakes, fuel injection, and very good looking to boot. Hmm.

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