Is the Triumph Speed Twin BETTER Than the Harley Sportster for Long Distance!?

Is the Triumph Speed Twin BETTER Than the Harley Sportster for Long Distance!? I took the Triumph Speed Twin on a 160 mile round trip road trip to see how it would stack up against my Harley Sportster. Obviously both bikes have their pros and cons. But tune in to get my opinion on which I would rather take long distance!
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[@dcasandman]

Just purchased a speed twin. Had multiple bikes to shop from in the price range, but the looks of the ST just got me. Then I rode it and fit, finish, refinement, sound sold me. Power is a perfect mix of torque with a little sport bike. I was in love. I like to look at and hear Harley’s but have never been excited about driving one.

[@TheMotoJawn]

It's an amazing bike that's for sure

[@BigAl53750]

How do you DRIVE a motorcycle? Just asking.

[@dcasandman]

⁠@@BigAl53750I hear this all the time drive vs ride. I love the correction. I also say go for a car ride too. Sorry I didn’t pick the perfect car. I understand the point but really don’t care.

[@ThatBobGuy850]

The timing of this video is interesting. I'm on my *fourth* Sportster (so far), and I'm thinking of buying a Speed Twin because it just looks so damn good! So I watched to see how a Sportster owner would feel about riding the Triumph. First off, I don't think it's fair to compare a bike with a flyscreen fairing to one without. Even small screens make a *big* difference in perceived wind blast. Triumph installs low bars on their bikes so that the rider leans forward slightly, and then the relative wind lifts your torso and reduces the pressure on the rider's arms. It was a trick that BMW and a lot of "sport" bike manufacturers used back in the 1970's. One complaint I've always had about the Sportster was the too-short distance between the seat and the mid-mount footpegs. This forces my knees and hip joints up into uncomfortable angles. This has gotten worse as I've gotten older. Sportsters with "mids" are so, um, "compact" that highway pegs are a must. In a typical ride, I'll be moving my feet from the mids, to the highways, to the passenger pegs. Those damn frame-hugging Sportster seats look good but don't work good ergonomically. I would *hope* that the Triumph seat was taller and flatter, allowing the rider (me) to move around a bit and not be so cramped. Okay, let's compare apples to apples. I'm sure you could put a windscreen of some sort on the Triumph. I'm sure there are racks and sissy bars available for it too. But like the Speed Twin, a stock Sportster without a sissy bar has precious little capacity for carrying stuff, especially with that gawd-awful narrow passenger seat! I took my third Sportster from Florida to Washington State (and back). I looked like Jed Clampett's truck on the old "Beverly Hillbillies" TV show. It was ugly. Sportsters really aren't "tourers" by any stretch of the imagination - although any motorcycle can be persuaded to adopt the role if a Sportster is all you've got and your destination is 3000 miles away. All I want is a light, nimble, reliable, easy-to-work-on motorcycle. It should be good-looking too. The Sportster, Speed Twin, and Kawasaki Z900RS tick all of those boxes for me. I liked this video, but I felt like you were being a little biased and unfair to the Triumph.

[@jomamma1750]

It seems to me that you never ran the roads he's talking about here. There's a tremendous amount of wind in Jersey and Southeast Pennsylvania. The traffic is thick, brutal, fast and to top it off ,the roads are one hammered mess. The Triumph is a little too light for running around those areas. It's not aerodynamic like a Gsxr either. That seemed to be his biggest complaint and, having grown up and having ridden around that area, I can agree with what he is saying and why he is saying it. It just makes sense.

[@ThatBobGuy850]

@@jomamma1750 - makes sense? Not to me! I grew up in NYC which is where I started riding. I doubt that the roads around Philly are any worse than those I rode on. And I doubt that the Sportster has *better* suspension than the Triumph. Harumph! You make a lot of assumptions about me, yo. I learned to ride back when Triumph 650s and Harley Sportsters (inded, Honda CB-450's) were considered "full-size" motorcycles, before the CB750 and Gold Wing came out. Now, it seems that a 650 is...what..."too light?" to be considered a serious, "real" bike? That seems odd and silly. All of my Sportsters (all four of them) have been light, nimble, and squirrelly in crosswinds and passing semis on the Interstate. Their suspension is minimal at best. But I love 'em! Just yesterday, I had to take the Harley "Sport" windscreen off my bike because of a piece of broken hardware. Then I went out on a 120-mile jaunt through a nearby state forest - 70-80 mph on the Interstate there and back to get to/from the forest entrance. And I have to say, it was neat riding with*out* the shield. Like the old days! (Of course, I've got low bars on my Sporty just like the Triumph.) I may leave it off unless I go on a long tour, say, up to Washington State from Florida, which I've done. On a Sportster. I'm not familiar with your riding experience, yo mamma, and so I will not comment on it. By my criticisms of the video stand.

[@jomamma1750]

@@ThatBobGuy850 Ok, so all of your sportsters have been "light, nimble, and squirrelly in crosswinds and passing semis on the Interstate" and a bike with a higher center of gravity and 75 less pounds of weight is going to fix that problem?? Good luck dude. I stand by my statements.

[@ThatBobGuy850]

@@jomamma1750 - you called it a "problem," dude, I didn't. Why are you even arguing with me? As luck would have it, there are a jillion motorcycles out there - one of them will certainly be perfect for *you* and the type of riding you actually do.

[@jomamma1750]

@@ThatBobGuy850 Do you even know how to read?? I said the Triumph is a little too light for running around that area. Perhaps if you read my comment, slowly, you would undestand that. I stand by that statement.

[@rottweilerfun9520]

The best purchase that I ever made as far as storage goes is a bag calked a Speed Bag , it's awesome, fits right over the seat , it's waterproof , has plenty of room for a long trip, and it's easy to put on and take off. The Speed Twin is greatly helped by a little windshield , some of them even look good , just a little deflector of the wind makes a huge difference .

[@whatmakesittick8362]

After having my thruxton RS for a week now, I can say that it is a wonderful motorcycle. Is it the same as my sportster 48? No not at all. But, the use scenario for it is the same for me. When I got my sportster, I had planned to modify it and make it a sporty sporty lol! I did just that. Dino before an after had a gain of 20 hp. Fox shocks, seat, bars, levers, on and on. I had stage two in that beast and it was fun! The way I use my motorcycle is just for romping around the back roads in New Hampshire where I live. It’s super fun in my area with winding roads hills and all the great experiences you’d want on a sporty bike. The thruxton fits that bill even better than the 48! I definitely would not ride it for very long however, it has clip on bars and rear sets. But having more horsepower, more torque, and over 100 pounds less weight you can really tell the difference. Add to that, the crazy race suspension, brakes, and tires? Priceless!

[@genegoodwin8925]

I've owned many bikes since 1967, mostly Japanese bikes and four Harleys. My wife always rides with me and the passenger seat is where you really feel all the bumps, road seams, pot holes, ect.ect. All four of my Harleys have rode like an old dump trubk. I am really turned off on the ride quality of a Harley. I agree with you the riding postion is more comfortable on the Harley, but we jist can't handle the harsh ride any longer. I'm 70 and she is 68 so our age might have a lot to do with it. My Harley is for sale right now and I hope to replace it with a new Triumph Speed Twin 900. I will outfit it with a small winscreen and a luggage rack with a small top box on back. My last two Harleys have had top boxes, or top trunks and they have spoiled me. I will also have to create two handles from the top bolts of the shocks back to the bottom of the trunk because my wifr is crippled due to so many cancer trestments and a surgery that went bad. She has battled cancer eight times, so I'm still lucky to have her with me. We have traveled well over 300,000 miles on motorcycles and camped out on most of our trips, but these days she can no longer camp out because she can't get up and down like she used to, she walks with a walker and barely gets around, but she still like to ride. Thanks for this video, I think it is an honest opinion of the ride quality and ridng position of both bikes.Ride safe and enjoy every journey.

[@fizzyridertoo]

You picked the wrong bike. A T120 would have been a much better choice for your type of riding and would have destroyed the Sportster in every category, rose tinted glasses or not.

[@leebo5555666]

Is the T120 much different riding position to the Speed twin?

[@fizzyridertoo]

@@leebo5555666 Yes, it's much more relaxed and with the pegs further forward.

[@nickrichardson1317]

A Useful comparison! I’ve had a 1200 Sportster and done long trips with no problem. I’m tall so forward controls work great and are not available on the Speed twin, but are on a SpeedMaster. I think you’d like the Speedmaster better than a Sportster on a long trip. Or choose A Softail Standard for similar money slightly used. Any Harley big Twin is better for long distance riding! Sportster’s are better around town! Triumph’s are lighter, faster and probably best on sport rides, not on a camping weekend. You have to look at the entire range and select comparable bikes.

[@TheMotoJawn]

Yeah i think the speed master would be more comparable to the sportster

[@BikesBeardsAndBrews]

yeahhhhhhh plugged tires should be a hold over at best vs a solution. I have no doubt the speed triple rides better but not as cool looking lol. Great vid!

[@TheMotoJawn]

Thanks dude!

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

windshield options ? pannier side bars for the passenger to hang onto would help. ??

[@roberttolley5055]

I have harley hard tail chop, Springer. I'm considering truxton rs. Trade up. Needed this video to decide

[@MrPhins]

I've had a 2022 Speed Twin for about 4 months and I love it but it's not a long distance ride at all. You mentioned the wind...o have a Dart flyscreen and it isn't much of an improvement. I try to avoid highways or lay on the tank and accelerate lol. The other thing you didn't mention was the seat. It's awful imo. Anything over 2 hours and I'm fidgeting around and inevitably stopping. The tank is only 3.5 gallons too. But the smooth ride and clutch, blistering torque at any speed and absolute joy in the twisties and mountain roads are what do it for me.

[@TheMotoJawn]

I thought the seat is decent actually

[@raybrensike42]

I've found it rare for a tire plug to fail. If it does, just put in another one. I've had punctures that took several plugs to seal it. Always carry plugs and a way to inflate is my rule.

[@TheMotoJawn]

Yeah I didn't have any problem at all

[@jaholdpunk]

The Speed Twin is not a tourer, if you compared it on twisty roads its a no contest. I suggest a better comparison would be the Truimph Speed Master.

[@shaglioni]

I like your opinion. I own both, a Speed Twin and a 16' Low Rider S in my situation, and I just adjust to the different cruising characteristics from both bikes and enjoy what they can each deliver with their own personalities.

[@whatmakesittick8362]

Haha!!! I just got a Thruxton RS, replacing the crashed 48! 😎

[@TheMotoJawn]

That's a beast I'm sure

[@rottweilerfun9520]

Yes sir , it certainly is !

[@quad_solo_az]

I’m in the process of choosing my first bike and it’s down to a shortage Sportster 1200 or a Bonneville. And I am still torn. No matter which one I choose I know I’ll wonder what if I choose the other. Almost didn’t matter because as a first bike I have no comps.

[@TheMotoJawn]

I would sat give them both a test ride to see what feels better for you

[@spaceflight1019]

As the saying goes, "all depends upon..." "Better" is a subjective term. I don't know about your 1200, but the 2005 1200R has Buell XB heads and cams. 80 mph in fifth is 3750 rpm, and the bike feels busy and doesn't encourage you to hold it there. Five speed Big Twins were geared identically, and with the increased speed limits in Western states the MOCO went to the sixth gear to get a more relaxed feel that was easier on the bike and rider. On my Sportster, the powerband comes on at 4000 rpm, making a blistering 57 horses. So now you're on that long and lonesome highway east of Omaha. Fuel economy becomes a factor. Going faster means more fuel stops and more fuel per stop. Which bike gets better highway mileage at 70 mph?

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

even the street twin needed higher pegs or lower brake lever to get the foot angle right. . ez enough with newer pegs. Does not say much for HD seats if your not comfy. the pillion seats on HD are awesome; thick , padded etc. Sportster S, is another story !

[@arizonaredneck5246]

Off course it is. Handling is much better. Nowadays Harleys are for posers not bikers. the good old honest Harley time has gone

[@humanentity2214]

Test rode it today. Short ride though. I think I'd take it over my 2014 Sportster 1200 custom

[@TheMotoJawn]

Definitely more zippy and powerful than the sportster

[@humanentity2214]

@@TheMotoJawn agreed and I felt way less exhausted after the ride.

[@splodge5714]

I own a 2019 Speed Twin and a 2001 Sportster 1200S. Both great bikes but neither the best for long distance rides although it is possible. There's no storage or wind protection on either. The Triumph engine has more power and is less tiring at high speed and I never have a problem getting blown about on either bike. Comfort is about the same on both but the Harley is torture for a passenger, be warned.😊

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

hd with feet forward has to be more comfy. Any big cruiser...

[@saulocpp]

You need to update the title to say you tried a Speed Twin 1200, since in recent years Triumph dropped the Street Twin name which indicated it was the 900cc. Comparing to the Speed 900 would be more adequate as it has 5 speed transmission, lesser brakes and suspension (which are greatly upgraded in the 1200).

[@Needcoffeeee]

Street twin too cramped for my knees. And im only 5’6”. I cant go an hour and a half of riding on it

[@LA-ff6zk]

Everytime i get on my harley i need a beer is that unusual?

[@davegallo8166]

HCG has a Triumph 900 Rally Pro that is better suited than either the sporty or Speed Twin

[@MauriceTarantulas]

Exactly! The Tiger sport 660 has the best range I think..17l and not so powerful. Although similar to the Tiger 900 I think.

[@michaelcoger4626]

The last sportster I rode was a 78. Absolutely without a doubt the worst motorcycle I had ever ridden. It was slow and shook and rattled. I was riding a 750 Suzuki with 50,000 miles on it and it was twice the bike that the sportster would ever be.

[@warrenhayes8992]

this would proberly be the worst Video comparison I have ever seen so much nonsense the sportster is a cruiser and speed twin in a roadster no comparison at all. and the nonsense about the plugged tyre friggin hell done 6000km on a plugged front tyre no issues

[@iancarnell5020]

So is it the Street twin or the Speed twin ? You keep calling it the Street twin.

[@TheMotoJawn]

Speed twin. I always do that

[@warrenhayes8992]

i heard that too thought it was me

[@jaholdpunk]

Just to confuse you all, Triumph have renamed the Street 900 to the Speed Twin 900. The one reviewed is now the Speed Twin 1200.

[@WalterB_883]

Just an FYI...although you can't pump your own gas in NJ, all motorcyclists pump their own gas.

[@chrisrobinson79]

I agree with one comment I read 😎 you can’t compare these two bikes the speed twin is a roadster. And it oozes quality much better bike. 👍

[@donjingle4059]

Wind don't bother me, I'm old and tuff. Maybe you need a Goldwing since it's like a car and there is no better wind protection then in a car. By the way, you don't drive a horse and don't drive a motorcycle, you drive a car, and you ride a horse and a motorcycle.

[@MickH60]

I'm old too Don, I used to ride thousand mile days In Australia at 100+ MPH, when No bike had a fairing, I feel it a bit more now, but still ride without a fairing...

[@donjingle4059]

@@MickH60 Nice les Paul collection.

[@MauriceTarantulas]

Eh bit of a weird comparison? Speed twins dont have a big tank nor are Triumphs noted for good mpg. (They are ok). Royal Enfields better. Also the Motto Guzzis have big tanks! Now the Tigers are a diff kettle of fish, much better for longer distances. (Although their beefy engines balance it out. Think the one Tiger has a 30l tank but 50mpg!!!).

[@lorimcquinn3966]

I'm guessing you have minimum amount of riding experience.

[@KennyQuestShow]

I agree, the sportster is better suited for road trips over the speed twin. Fun fact -all of Great Britain consumes less land than the state of Texas.

[@TheMotoJawn]

Sporty for distance speed twin for ..... well speed

[@MickH60]

Try Australia mate, 800- 2600 miles between cities.... Australia is bigger than the whole lower 48 states, we have 6 states and 2 territories for that whole area.... Lots of long distance travel... PS, I'd take the speed twin over a sportster any day, superior frame , suspension and engine, and I'm 60 years old....

[@oo8663]

Anything is better that Harley Davidson

[@warrenhayes8992]

80 miles is that a road trip ? hehehe soft

[@BigAl53750]

You said; A road trip. Long distance. Then you tell me that this trip is 160 miles. Mate, that is NOT a long trip, that is a Saturday morning or afternoon outing. I can tell from your voice that you’re a young man, but I’ve been riding for 51 years and my first Bikes were Triumphs from the late 60’s and the early 70’s, on which I toured the two islands of New Zealand where I grew up. So, let me educate you a little bit about what is (and is not) a road trip. At 66 years old, I don’t get to do long road trips much anymore, but anything less than 500 miles in a day is not what I call a road trip. Road trips take two days at least. I do day trips here in the countryside around Melbourne Australia (where I’ve lived for the last four decades) on my 97 Sportster and I’ll spend 5-6 hours carving up the twisties and pretty regularly covering between 250 to 350 miles. THAT’S a long ride.

[@TheJWC56RSA]

What a pity you just had to say OMG... it just spoiled your whole review... Is this just a typical American hate for God thing?? Sad!!

[@rottweilerfun9520]

Who cares , god isn't real anyway. Grow up.