Day 1: Tackling Loveland Pass & more // Speed Twin Goes West

How much awesome stuff is there to see in Colorado? How good is the Triumph Speed Twin for touring? Why does it take me almost twice as long as it should to get anywhere on a motorcycle? All these questions and more will be answered on this five-day road trip through western Colorado aboard my '19 Speedy. I'll be putting out one video for each day of the trip, so stay tuned.
It takes me forever to edit this stuff. See it first on Instagram: / van_blamm
Music: SEA by RITCHRD
creativecommon...
**GET MY GEAR**
(contains Amazon Affiliate links; if you buy from Amazon after clicking one of these links, I may earn a tiny commission at no cost to you)
CAMERA GEAR
Mirrorless camera: Sony Alpha a6300 (amzn.to/3hPS1SU)
Current model: amzn.to/2GemcVS
Long lens for a6300: Sony 55-210mm E-Mount lens (amzn.to/31PGOfy)
Prime lens for a6300: Meike MK 25mm E-Mount lens (amzn.to/31N33mn)
Helmet camera: GoPro Hero7 Black (amzn.to/3hKNt07)
Helmet camera mount: RideTechMoto GoPro mount for Shoei RF1200 (rb.gy/zh2fgx)
GoPro 3.5mm mic adapter (amzn.to/3ilsS2V)
Housing for GoPro & mic adapter combo (amzn.to/3lUT9at)
Handlebar camera: GoPro Hero5 Session (amzn.to/2DlGgVn)
ND filters: Neewer Filter Kit for GoPro 5/6/7 (amzn.to/34RaATe)
Drone: DJI Mavic Air (amzn.to/2YX9VMi)
Current model: amzn.to/2F1ngf2
Audio recorder: H1 Zoom (amzn.to/3hX9KIk)
Mini shotgun mic: Rode VideoMicro (amzn.to/2EEXaPv)
Vlogging tripod: Joby GorillaPod (amzn.to/3lJsNb5)
Compact tripod: YoTilon Travel Tripod (amzn.to/34YSrmi)
Camera slider: Zeapon Micro 2 (amzn.to/3hPllZG)
MOTORCYCLE GEAR
Note: I am 5’8” (173cm), 160lb (72kg)
Yellow helmet: Shoei RF1200, L (amzn.to/3lImCnB)
Leather jacket: Rev’It! Flatbush, 48 (discontinued)
Mesh jacket: Rev’It! Eclipse, M (rb.gy/j7josc)
Cold/wet weather jacket: Rev’It! Nautilus, 48 (discontinued)
Olive armored riding pants: Speed & Strength Dogs of War, 32x30 (discontinued)
Blue kevlar riding jeans: Draggin’ Jeans Slim Fit, 32x30 (rb.gy/wuezi3)
Waterproof riding boots: Tourmaster Solution WP Air, 10 (amzn.to/3bj8IDE)
Breathable gloves: Scorpion EXO SGS MKII, M (amzn.to/2ERzLdv)
Cold/wet weather gloves: Rev’It! Boxxer H2O, M (rb.gy/htlfxo)
Current model: rb.gy/vieady
Bluetooth communicator: Sena SMH10R (amzn.to/2QSs0Gx)

[@berndkalweit6856]

Heh van blam I'm in Australia own the 22 speed twin your videos are fantastic your description on things are engaging great to see a young man on a journey full of adventure

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you! Ride safe!

[@chrispulham4779]

I'm in Queensland, and he does a good video for sure!

[@justRORIRARU]

Dubbin for new gear helps wearing in leathers for me. Nice and interesting content and scenery 👌

[@nutsbutdum]

"Hey Van, why are you late!?" "I had to stop to check out a Winnebago" "What,...why!??"😅

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video fantastic bike hope you are enjoying Colorado stay safe looking forward to next one 🇬🇧👍🏻

[@wltrlg]

I noticed "Nederland" is a city in Colorado. Anyway, greetings from The Netherlands...

[@VanBlamm]

I rode through that town a couple times and it's lovely. Unfortunately have not ridden in the actual Netherlands yet. Cheers!

[@wltrlg]

@@VanBlamm can’t recommend riding in NL either haha. Everything flat, also need to ride 1,5h to reach the first hills and twisties.

[@mcscotty325]

Wonderful! Thanks for bringing us along.

[@NickandJoe1234]

Love this mate.....in March I did a tour of Tasmania with 9 other dudes 1800kms in 6 days......me on my 2009 Thruxton, a Royal Enfield, 2 Honda’s, 1 Kawasaki and 5 Harleys....we had a ball!

[@VanBlamm]

That sounds awesome! I love seeing groups of riders with a wide variety of bikes like that

[@k.sjones9139]

Great video as always. I like your honesty about the lessons you learn while on the trip. I did 170 miles on my Speed Twin yesterday in Yorkshire England and loved every mile. What a bike. Keep up the good work 👍🇬🇧

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you!

[@thomakis29]

Is like greek roads trips in mountains home sweet home usa is like my country nice

[@VanBlamm]

I should travel to Greece then!

[@thomakis29]

Its far away from you i hope yes doit with your bike.

[@MrScrogg]

Found this video researching the speed twin and stayed for the travel content. Nice pace and story telling. Had to subscribe.

[@VanBlamm]

"Came for the Speed Twin, stayed for the content" is literally my entire goal with this channel, thank you!

[@patrickh2438]

I really enjoy watching your videos and absolutely love the bike. Stay safe. Greetings from Germany

[@davidaubuchon7309]

Beautiful scenery! Great video. Thanks for posting.

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you, plenty more to come!

[@BobC777]

Always enjoy your videos and commentary. And it is so refreshing that you don't feel compelled to airbrush out your license plate or speedo!

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you! I don't think it's necessary to blur the speedo in the US as long as I don't ride so crazily that people complain to the authorities about me. I still do it anyway on some videos because it's fun to play with the effects tools in Premiere Pro. No point ever blurring the license plate though.

[@yajushp]

Amazing video and those road 5's will keep you pretty happy

[@rickslijkhuis6822]

Sick video! I can hear you're getting the hang of using the sound recorder. Great views and information. Went on 5-day trip to Gernany last week on my Speed Twin and had an absolute blast! This bike is so much fun in anything you throw at it (except off road). Best balance in sound, looks, power and ease I've ever ridden.

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you! It's definitely a great all-rounder on pavement. Which I needed it to be, as it's my only bike.

[@jaxtynzachary5825]

i know im asking the wrong place but does any of you know a way to get back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot my login password. I would love any tips you can give me!

[@maxmack2150]

@Jaxtyn Zachary Instablaster :)

[@jaxtynzachary5825]

@Max Mack Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and Im trying it out now. Takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@jaxtynzachary5825]

@Max Mack HOLY **** IT REALLY WORKED :O I literally got access to my instagram password within roughly 45 minutes of using the site. Had to pay 15 $ but definitely worth it :O Thank you so much, you saved my account !

[@johnridesadv2512]

Loving the videos man, keep up the great work. Colorado has some awesome roads and scenery! The Speed Twin is on my shopping list. Ride safe!!

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you!

[@vincentcriscuola1477]

Looks like a great trip, nice job on the camerawork. I’ve yet to spend more than 2 hours on my same Speed Twin

[@Britishshooter]

Really great video man! Love your stuff and good editing too. Re luggage, I suggest looking at Kriega, if you want to maintain a sleek look, 2 x 22 litres and a 20 or 3o litre on top.

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you! The Blaze bags have actually been working out pretty well long term. I recently did another trip with them that will hopefully appear on my channel fairly soon.

[@JonathanBijos]

Your editing and immersive content just made me subscribe. Great job, mate! Ride safe

[@richardstoner866]

Loved your consideration towards cyclists out there......chapeau! 😀👏

[@ZeeZoy303]

Just finished a 1,500 mile trip on my Speed Twin from Phoenix to Grand Junction (camped one night at Devils Canyon campground), down to Cortez along the Dolores River via CO 141 (one of the prettiest stretches of road I’ve been on) and through Telluride, then back to Phoenix. It was manageable but I’d have to stop and take a break every hour to hour and a half and 6 hours a day was more than enough. But I’d do it again. Cheers on the great vids 👍🏼

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you! Sounds like an awesome trip. I took 141 as well and it absolutely blew me away! That will feature in part 3 of this trip.

[@kenp1013]

Sounds great 👍

[@tdoolin18]

Looks like a great trip!! I’m looking at picking up a speed twin and it’s good to see they can do a little touring. Question when you were talking about the tires it looked like your front tire was on backwards. Not positive but just noticed it looked a little off to me. Keep up the good work!

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you! It'll take me another week or so to post the next installment, but they're coming! Tbh I hadn't even thought to make sure the tires were facing the right way; I just checked and both are correct.

[@sinus65]

Great video, greetings from Germany👌🏍

[@VanBlamm]

Danke!

[@SoulofMachine]

Enjoyed the video bro! man, you look like a rad guy to ride along with on a trip! greetings from South Africa! also, love the speed twin, had one on test a little while ago, great all rounder.

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you!

[@blandinepruvost6001]

Hâte de pouvoir faire mon premier road trip avec ma speed twin ☺️

[@dblhelx]

Awesome video! Any chance you could tell me precisely where you got your saddlebag luggage system from, please? Thanks!!

[@VanBlamm]

I ordered the kit from Revzilla, but strangely they don't seem to carry the Speed Twin version anymore even though SW Motech still makes them. Looks like you can order them straight from SW Motech.

[@alansmith5255]

Have you thought about adding a flyscreen to your speed twin. I just installed the Dart Marlin light tint on my speed twin. It really does help keep the wind off your chest and most of your helmet. Does not look bad on the bike. Thank you for your videos.

[@VanBlamm]

I had a Dart screen on my former Street Twin, and while it did not disturb the looks of the motorcycle, I ultimately found I was fine without it and so I haven't bothered with one on the Speed Twin. Seat comfort is the weakest link for me on this bike, not wind blast.

[@TheEdward91]

Van Blamm, thank you for the great series! I've been looking for some review on what long cruises n tours feel like on the classy Speed Twin. How did your knees feel after the long ride?

[@VanBlamm]

My knees have never had a problem. I am 5'8" or 173cm tall. However, as my trips have gotten longer and longer, I'm finding the seat to be pretty uncomfortable. It doesn't have very much padding and is sloped forward so you are always up against the tank. I'm thinking about adding an air cushion.

[@KiwiMoto72]

I love my Speedy too! Only problem I have with it, is that im 6ft, 210 pounds.... and it feels a bit small, and also the stock suspension is not good, so I upgraded the front and rear to Nitron shocks

[@VanBlamm]

It's perfect for me at 5'8 and 160lb, but Triumph definitely could have done way better with the suspension.

[@KiwiMoto72]

@@VanBlamm perfect fit for you Sir! great video btw

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you!

[@kishoreravish]

Heard some metallic sound sounds like some loose part rateling, when u rev....just check...may be the place where rear mic is mount...me to speed twin rider Ur vlog is so impressive, drone shots n all too good...

[@VanBlamm]

Are you referring to that sort of high-pitched whine when I'm on the throttle? I'm pretty sure that's just the fuel pump. My old Street Twin made the exact same noise when I recorded it. Thanks for looking out though!

[@jaykirkland7300]

What model did you order those bags for originally? Revzilla says bike specfic and not available for speed twin. 2021 anyway. Great video tks.

[@VanBlamm]

I ordered them specifically for the Speed Twin, but I too have noticed Revzilla is not stocking them anymore. I think maybe SW-Motech is rolling out an updated version of the bags, and inventories are just kind of in limbo until the new ones come in. I'm just guessing though. Either way, I think you can order the bags and Speed Twin-specific mounting hardware directly from SW-Motech.

[@henkbokhove]

nice vid and what about the tires?

[@tinaeve_414]

wow. i want to go to colorado

[@sdickson123]

where did you get the leather jacket you wore on your colorado trip? brand/model?

[@VanBlamm]

It's the Rev'It Flatbush. Great jacket, but sadly discontinued.

[@ElectricEndurance]

Do you lock up your bike with a chain or some kind of lock outside of the steering lock on the bike? I am asking because I had to leave my T120 outside a hotel and someone messed with it and I worried all night someone would just put it in their truck and drive off with it. We have all the undocumented people to deal with in Texas now.

[@btc5998]

Great video thanks. What are the riding jeans?

[@VanBlamm]

Speed & Strength Dogs of War. Sadly they have been discontinued. They were a great alternative to the expensive Ugly Bros pants.

[@chrispulham4779]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@willmann30]

8:27 that rendition of "I'm only human" by Jeffrey Osborne former member of LTD

[@VanBlamm]

Wow, you just blew my mind. I only ever knew this as a RITCHRD song, but I'm loving the original too. Makes me want to track down the other songs he samples...

[@willmann30]

@@VanBlamm 😂🤣 yeah that is a classic track. Glad to have initiated you 👍🏾

[@pipperthis7807]

My second plan next to cb1100 unfortunately discontinued here, wondering how it handles highway.

[@VanBlamm]

I have done 100+ miles at a time on the highway on this bike multiple times and it handles it just fine. Cruises at 70mph at about 3800rpm with plenty more power left for passing. That said, I'm pretty sure the CB1100 would still be much better on the highway with that smooth motor.

[@imposibleandroad]

I still waiting for H1 Zoom set up .... Please, don't forget it. Thanks.

[@VanBlamm]

I won't forget! Sorry for the delay. It will come soon, maybe next week.

[@imposibleandroad]

@@VanBlamm Thanks!!! I hope to improve the sound quality of my videos.

[@VanBlamm]

I finally just published a video about my microphone setup! Check it out!

[@imposibleandroad]

@@VanBlamm Thanks!!!!

[@jonathanrath2627]

500th like ✨👌🤘

[@MrXjumpman]

what jacket is yours?

[@VanBlamm]

Rev'It Flatbush, sadly discontinued