They say, “New Year, new you,” and in the case of the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900, there lies a grain of truth. We first met Triumph’s gateway Bonneville-based motorcycle back when it was known as the Street Twin in 2016, where it proudly stood then as it does now—the most affordable parallel-twin-powered machine in Triumph’s Modern Classic lineup. A name change and a few updates later, this fun-loving standard seizes the middleweight mantle, slotting itself between the Speed 400 (a single-cylinder machine, BTW) and the larger-displacement Speed Twin 1200. There’s plenty of “new” to talk about, but what hasn’t been lost is its defining trait: approachability.
sample the new Speed Twin 900, we packed our bags and headed off to Sotogrande, Spain, a coastal city in the consistently pleasant Andalusia region and a stone’s throw from Gibraltar. We put the middleweight Speed Twin through its paces in the quaint surrounding villages, mountain roads, and a few highway runs during our full day in the saddle to hit you with the Fast Facts.
- Triumph engineers left the frame and 900cc parallel-twin engine mostly untouched this time around, though the 2025 model-year updates are reasonably extensive. Making the headlines are a slew of tastefully contemporized styling tweaks, a roomier cockpit, upgraded suspension via an inverted fork and new shock, improved brakes, as well as advanced Internal Measurement Unit-supported rider aids coming to the platform for the first time. The British firm massaged quite a bit for a minor $100 uptick in pricing, raising the MSRP to $9995.
- Served up with a punch and a smile, the 900cc water-cooled p-twin delivers once again. About the only change this year is new fueling maps that are said to improve throttle response in both Road and Rain modes. Fueling is spot-on with its 64 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 59 ft-lbs of torque at 3800 rpm, inviting riders to enjoy its user-friendly low-end shove, while its sweet spot rests firmly in the midrange, roughly between 3800 and 6000 rpm. Keep the digital needle around there and it’ll treat you right, remaining a torquey little thing that can satisfy a wide swath of riders in various situations. It doesn’t beg to be wrung out—power trails off when exploring the ample overrev—unless you want to hear the 270-degree crank and its genuinely hearty exhaust note sing from the new mufflers.
- Are five gears enough in 2025? Well, you might be surprised. There are few times when I wished for a sixth cog out of this broadly spaced five-speed gearbox, especially around town. When riding at speedier paces, you’ll be reaching for that light clutch and doing a bit of toe-tapping on the smooth-actuating shift lever to keep this engine in the sweet spot of the powerband, making sure you’re getting that taste of torque you’re looking for when accelerating. Yet, even when traveling at 80 mph on the freeway, the mill displays 6k on the clock and doesn’t feel like it’s gasping for air.
- Styling changes add a dash of contemporary flair to traditional designs. For the new model year, designers went for a sharper appearance across the board, and that started with the new fuel tank, which is almost italicized in appearance. New side panels, fenders, and engine covers convey the same design language while adhering to the clutter-free visuals we expect on a classic Bonneville. Following that up is a new round LCD/TFT display, replete with a USB-C charging port. Naturally, the suspension and wheels play their roles here, too, but we’ll discuss them momentarily.
- One-size-fits-all ergonomics are rare, though the Speed Twin is giving it the ol’ college try. Triumph puts more points on the board in the ergonomics department with a slightly roomier cockpit. Engineers raised the narrow handlebar 0.6 inches and nudged the grips forward 0.14 inches to create more space for your upper body and a decidedly casual reach. Meanwhile, the Brits are thinking about our lower half, as the 30.7-inch saddle is 0.6 inches taller due to additional padding, and the footpegs are a quarter-inch lower to further increase the seat-to-peg ratio. Importantly, these changes shouldn’t intimidate those with shorter inseams. Triumph’s emphasis on creating bikes with a narrow waist and the Speed Twin 900’s newly slimmed-down subframe ease a rider’s reach to the deck. That said, my 5-foot-10-inch self is quite happy with the digs after a full day on the long bench seat.
- We gotta thank chassis updates for making this a speedier Speed Twin. This standard bike isn’t afraid to get its elbows out, tackling curves with an exuberance that certainly lives up to its iconic namesake. This year, engineers replaced the tubular steel swingarm with a brushed aluminum unit that is stiffer, lighter, and, notably, shorter than the previous unit. The wheelbase is tightened nearly three-quarters of an inch, and, when coupled to an ultra-low center of gravity, the middleweight Speed Twin absolutely flatters its hefty 476-pound curb weight with its nimbleness. That brings us to another big talking point—suspension.
- Modern suspension comes to this Modern Classic. Underscoring those chassis changes are suspender upgrades brought to us by Marzocchi. A significantly stiffer 41mm non-adjustable inverted fork replaces the outgoing traditional KYB unit, reducing flex to a notable degree while also steepening the rake a whiff. Internally, fork settings are said to be roughly the same as before. Out back, spring-preload adjustable shocks now feature piggyback reservoirs. While spring rates are similar to last year’s offerings, damping is said to have increased significantly by 50 percent. Make no mistake, the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900 has a delightfully cushy ride. Yet, the increased chassis rigidity and damping add an extra dose of welcomed control and all-around support. Sure, sizable G-outs eerily reminiscent of what we have in SoCal will find the shocks’ bottoms. Still, if I had my way, I’d up the damping to a sniff more, but it’s well-tuned to do it all nicely.
- Michelin Road Classic rubber is spooned onto new eight-spoke alloy wheels. Those familiar with the Speed Twin 900 platform will recognize the Road Classic tires manufactured by the French tire firm. There is no doubt that owners will get their mileage from these hoops, though their longevity does come at the cost of grip. With the retro-styled 18-/17-inch wheel combo, there are alternative options once those wear out, though not as much as a pair of 17s. Interestingly, the new alloy wheels are said to be 3.5 ounces lighter than before, reducing unsprung weight and perhaps contributing to said improved cornering skills, at least in a minor way.
- 2025 brings more stopping power. Moving to that shiny new fork provided an opportunity to opt for a radial-mounted Triumph-branded J.Juan four-piston caliper. It clamps onto a 10mm-larger 320mm rotor and is managed by an axial master cylinder with a span-adjustable lever. Given the speeds you’ll hover around aboard this machine, the braking situation will never leave you in a lurch or begging for more bite. Unfortunately, the budget-minded master cylinder lacks a firmer feel that would better jibe with the 900’s recent enhancements. However, if owners genuinely want that, they can toss on aftermarket units.
- Advanced rider aids add both safety and value to the platform. In most cases, cornering ABS and lean-angle-sensitive traction control might seem a bit overzealous for the performance levels we’re achieving. The thing is, Spain and its roads proved the value of said features on more than one occasion, particularly when faced with its famed diesel-slicked roundabouts. On one freshly greased occasion, the defeatable traction control demonstrated its worth by expeditiously cutting power after an eye-opening slide—consider me among the faithful. Likewise, cornering ABS adds a layer of protection for riders without stepping in prematurely—it takes some unsarcastically aggressive braking, battered pavement, or moisture to trigger it. As a proponent of electronics, the experience underscored why even modestly powered machines can benefit.
- Classic, casual, and downright fun sums up the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900. What has attracted so many to the motorcycle and made it one of the brightest feathers in Triumph’s cap is the sheer accessibility of what could easily be considered its entry-level Bonneville. The British marque has a near monopoly on this segment for two good reasons—authenticity and rideability. From the capable, inviting, and punchy parallel-twin engine to this little roadster’s maneuverability, these traits resonate with a broad audience. Of course, those might include riders graduating from a lower-displacement bike, returning to the riding fold, or perhaps those downsizing—it speaks to all comers. Often, finding the “middle” is the answer in life, and in the case of the Speed Twin 900, I suppose it’s the middleweight that will, especially since it’s gotten a bit speedier.
Photography by Gareth Harford and Chippy Wood
RIDING STYLE
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Bonneville 900 HT vertical twin w/ 270-degree crank
- Displacement: 899cc
- Bore x stroke: 84.6 x 80mm
- Maximum power: 64 horsepower @ 7500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 59 ft-lbs @ 3800 rpm
- Compression ratio: 11.0:1
- Fueling: EFI
- Valvetrain: SOHC; 4vpc
- Cooling: Liquid
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ slipper and assist functions
- Final drive: X-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Tubular steel cradle w/ aluminum swingarm
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable Marzocchi inverted 43mm fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension: Spring-preload adjustable Marzocchi piggyback-reservoir shocks; 4.3 inches
- Wheels: Cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 18 x 2.75
- Rear wheel: 17 x 4.25
- Tires: Michelin Road Classic
- Front tire: 100/90 x 18
- Rear tire: 150/70 x 17
- Front brake: 320mm disc w/ radially mounted 4-piston caliper
- Rear brake: 255mm disc w/ Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 56.5 inches
- Rake: 24.9 degrees
- Trail: 4.1 inches
- Seat height: 30.7 inches (30.0-inch seat optional)
- Fuel capacity: 3.2 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 59 mpg
- Curb weight: 476 pounds
- Colors: Pure White; Phantom Black; Aluminum Silver
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900 MSRP $9995
2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900 Review
