More Speed Twin mods: Givi top case // No more TEC shocks! // 39-tooth sprocket

To continue my gradual catch-up on mods/accessories for my 2019 Triumph Speed Twin 1200, we take a day-long ride through the Appalachian foothills and talk about three key updates I've been enjoying over the past year. Here's the route if you want to follow along: maps.app.goo.g...
In case you haven't seen my video about the exhaust yet, you can watch it here: • The Best Sounding Triu...
Product links (contains affiliate links):
• Givi Dolomiti 30L Monokey top case, black: amzn.to/3V0lob0
• Givi specific fit cargo rack for Triumph Speed Twin 1200: tinyurl.com/4y...
• Givi E251 Monokey plate: amzn.to/3K0WcuX
• Superlite 39t rear sprocket, black steel: sprocketcenter...
• Fly Racing mini tank bag: amzn.to/4dz6UGq
• Kriega US-10 dry pack: amzn.to/3QHq3Mr
Support the channel: www.buymeacoff...

[@VanBlamm]

Can you tell I didn't write a script for this one?

[@blanvamm]

I can tell you shot your b-roll through a cheap VND filter

[@SteveSmartiMartinez]

about time you came back man. Dude you are personalizing the bike. Go nuts. It's yours

[@fredhastingsquebectrip6180]

Well photographed, great storytelling and love the bits of humour. Liked this video as much as your others. I’m a fan.

[@VanBlamm]

Glad to have you! Thanks for watching

[@crumbpicker1]

I saw your Givi case on your camping video and liked the way it looked on the bike. I have a Bonneville T120 that I was looking for a case for to moto camp with but could not justify the cost of the Givi when there are so many cheaper alternatives out there. I went with an off Chinese brand that is a 45 liter and so far pretty happy with it, one point being it’s a bit taller and a smaller foot print. I was concerned that with my custom tail light being tucked under the rack the bigger foot print of the 30 liter would make it so drivers could not see my brake light. Love your videos keep it up!

[@conrad152]

Beautiful video, it's obvious how much effort you put in to your projects with many drone shots of the majestic American landscape plus your static shots of you riding by; and your helmet camera taking us right into your riding experience. The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 is such a beautiful bike and the adaptations of the smaller sprocket and shocks to suite your riding style was really interesting. I shall be visiting various websites to investigate your recommendations.

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you very much!

[@jrodrims27]

Enjoyed it all. Great job Van Blamm. I hope the "Van" thing isn't related to being a Jim Rome fan. I can't stand that dude. Nice work!

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! Haha, I have never heard of Jim Rome. Van Blamm is just a carryover from my Xbox gamertag in high school, long before I ever thought I'd be making videos of my own

[@willhorsley2105]

Definitely good mods / farkles for the bike. Maybe try the Givi Dolomiti 46. Also, I bet with a bit of shoving or shaving you can get all 4 rack bolts in and keep the TEC shocks.

[@tedcity5861]

I'm more of a saddlebag fan than the topbox for aesthetics. I agree with that the oem shocks are adequate for lighter riders. Those are are great roads & scenery there.

[@VanBlamm]

If there was a decent lockable hard pannier option for this bike I'd be all over it

[@damianmcnulty7663]

Thanks Mr Blamm, great video, really enjoyed the soundtrack. Love from Scotland.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks for watching!

[@splodge5714]

I own a 2019 Speed Twin, great bike and I've no problem with the stock suspension. Enjoyed the video, lovely scenery. Cheers😊

[@TheTwinPost]

Welcome back champ...props to the script, video angles, and basically the editing to make it all fall in place and get the final result which looks like a small movie - Amazingly done 👍

[@VanBlamm]

Much appreciated

[@guzziman]

Good to hear from you, amazing how many people change bikes everyday, while you proven you can enjoy one bike and do so many things on it for so long. I am also in the position that I need to ride an hour on highway to get to nice roads, and to see you doing it on the Speed Twin is inspiring, I do it on the V7, and it does feel underpowered and a bit of a small footprint on the highway, I guess the power in the speed twin negates that small footprint. Enjoy your videos

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! Can't say I've never been tempted to move on from it, but at the end of the day, the best bike in the world is the one you've got.

[@theresalways-1]

Top box looks goofy bro! I know because i have a top box on my Bonneville too. Looks funny but it is so damn convenient it makes up for itself.

[@VanBlamm]

Too convenient is right. It could look worse and I'd still want it on.

[@wltrlg]

If it works for you buddy, than it's fine! Already very happy that you use a nice naked bike for touring, and not an ugly ADV

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks for the input!

[@berndkalweit6856]

Love your videos interesting your comments about the shocks and back sprocket cheers from the land down under 😂

[@whome8192]

Ikon shocks are a cheaper alternative. Koni went out of the MC business a number of years ago, and Ikon out of Australia bought all the tooling. I have them on my street twin and they are so good, they just point out how bad the front is. Ikon will sell you custom springs when you buy for the same price. So heavy riders no problem. They are performance, so ride will be less compliant, but much better controlled than stock. Something to think about for any performance shock and dc streets. You will want to adjust the oil in the front shocks. After a rear shock upgrades. Springs in front..maybe not, performance springs are stiff. Depends how fast you want to go. I changed mine to ikon springs up front, then played with preload via making spacers of various length of pvc pipe and change the oil to a lower viscosity. Proper fun and proper handing on the back roads now, but not nice with pot holes. If you don’t want to do all that just leave it stock. You do not want to replace springs or shock oil in a parking garage…it is more involved and needs time. So while all that is possible….maybe you should just stick with stock.

[@garydavis2265]

Great video!

[@michaelmclarney1994]

Thanks for the upload, its nice to see what options you chose. I have been a fan of Givi for years and have used the hard luggage cases for nearly 30 years. The plastic racks are shame though as my first rack and pannier mountings were cast aluminium. They are solid, light and i reckon you could hoist the bike up in the air with them!

[@VanBlamm]

Nice! They have definitely found a longtime customer in me as well.

[@robgerety]

Get the Ohlins and most importantly set them up properly with the correct spring.

[@robmance1611]

Greetings from the UK. I really enjoy your film making and I love the Speed Twin, I’m considering getting one next year to replace my GSX-8S. It’s such a beautiful, soulful motorcycle.The mods you’ve made are cool and practical. I imagine the sprocket change prompts a smile every time you get on the bike. Nice one!

[@VanBlamm]

You'll definitely want to budget for nicer shocks if you want the Speed Twin to handle anywhere near as well as the Suzuki. Thanks for watching!

[@stanbono2103]

another great video! always enjoy your content. Thanks for taking us along.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks!

[@RocnerdSA]

I put the non reservoir ohlins on my speed twin and it got rid of the vague wallowy feeling I would get in some corners. I picked them up at a no brainer price though. I guess I’m probably 10 or so pounds heavier. I have a top box on my tiger and it never comes off, so with one bike I get why you did it. It doesn’t look bad. Good video. I would love to ride in that area one of these days.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! Glad to hear an endorsement of those shocks

[@TriumphLover]

I like the top box. I used to run the stock top box on my 1200 Explorer with my 90 mile round trip into Boston. The Fly tank bag I bought for the 1200RR and Thruxton RS. Nice low profile and functional. Good to see the new video here.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks, Kenn!

[@henkbokhove]

I still ride the same YSS shocks as on the previous model, no reservoir and cheaper as the Ohlins, and like them. The are not as shine/gold as the Ohlins but do the work perfect 🙂

[@MatthewMcMaster82]

Good to see you posting again and congrats on the “wedding fund”!

[@VanBlamm]

Thank you sir!

[@alansmith5255]

Very excellent professional video. Great drone video. Your videos are excellent and very professional even if I wasn't a motorcycle enthusiast I would be a subscriber for life please keep the content coming.

[@VanBlamm]

Much appreciated!

[@jwj30000]

I am waiting like this

[@neilgrimwood2789]

Hi i run stock shocks on my speed twin with no problem as i am about 170 aswell. I tried tec bike shocks on my Bonneville and they were dreadful stay safe keep riding

[@nunotomaz]

nice to see u back man

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks for being here!

[@stevendhiggins]

Hey there, love your videos! I have been very happy with Nitron R1 rear shocks on my '23 Speed Twin. They are adjustable, don't have an external reservoir and are built with springs for your weight and use.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! The Nitrons are on my short list too

[@KHender]

Excellent video, very well done!

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[@TrekkieMoto]

I'll admit to weighing more than TWICE what you do, so I'm thinking some Öhlins would be most welcome on my Speed Twin. The trick with the rear sprocket is also very interesting, but I think my SW Motech Blaze bags are enough for my needs.

[@VanBlamm]

If you do get them, let me know how it turns out!

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

I had a set of non-remote res Ohlins and they really sucked. The adjustments just did not made any difference. I heard that if you start from zero and count out clicks they can be damaged?? Anyhow, sold the bike, a Triumph Bonnie SE. Go with Nitrons. I did w my Speed Twin and I am happy. Just make sure they are not over sprung!

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

Great video by the way. I am from Hagerstown, my brother lives in Leesburg. We both ride. I now live overseas in Scotland. Great Highland roads when the weather is nice. Really like my Speed Twin; forever bike??

[@garyjakemanbikes]

@Van Blamm I've fitted YSS none piggy back rear shocks and Ohlins fork spring kit, it's transformed my speed twin I'm 82kg in full kit.

[@VanBlamm]

Nice, I have bookmarked those fork springs too in case the TEC fork springs end up going the same way as the shocks

[@jfro9240]

What happened to your bike when you were out west? Check engine light and abs light? I have never seen an update. Thanks!

[@VanBlamm]

It turned out to just be the battery going bad: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXzKm2mYpLZ6h7Msi=61hXYFfyTwL6Xhy4

[@ianjames3078]

I’m 3 miles from mountain roads……I’ll keep stock gearing for now.

[@VanBlamm]

Lucky duck!

[@ianjames3078]

Loving the review/update. Whatever works for you in terms of mods. How many miles on your bike now?

[@VanBlamm]

I am a few commutes away from hitting 20,000

[@adamst.laurent9678]

Have you went 2up with box? Is there a pad on it?

[@VanBlamm]

I've done one brief errand 2-up since installing the box, not long enough to have anything to report. There is a back pad available separately from Givi.

[@pmdinaz]

my 0.02 on the pad...My wife wears her jacket always, and to make it more comfortable, I actually removed the pad on my top case to give her back that extra space. YMMV

[@louisjones2653]

Awesome video. How many miles are on the Speed Twin?

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! As of today, 19,729

[@WatermarquePaul]

Fantastic video, you produce really stunning films for sure. I had the box on my old Vstrom 650 and can also vouch for the quality and practicality, likewise the Dolmiti inner bag. Cant help myself though in disagreeing with you on the lines, it looks out of place for me on the speed twin. Which is a shame because I'm eyeing up the Scrambler 1200X with the same box combo. To be fair top boxes (cases) rarely look good on any bike so practicality wins the day.

[@VanBlamm]

The bike certainly looked better without it, that I won't deny. Thanks for watching!

[@FunWithAJ]

Where did you get the custom res sock/cover from?

[@VanBlamm]

I got it from motosox.com, but I am hesitant to recommend them. It is a one-man operation, and it takes a lot of follow-up and dogging to get him to actually fulfill an order, even after you've paid. The one you see took nearly a year, and I ordered some spares last October and haven't received an update since December. Unfortunately, it seems motosox is still the only game in town for custom brake reservoir socks.

[@FunWithAJ]

@@VanBlamm thanks!

[@chr11sf]

You've made it fit for what you need..nowt wrong with that bud 👍...about the stock shocks...they are what they are but for carrying pillions they're useless 😊

[@VanBlamm]

Been a while since I've carried a pillion... we'll see if I change my tune after my next 2-up ride

[@user-fv1576]

What’s it like in the rain? As a tourer?

[@VanBlamm]

Great in the rain with the right tires. Great tourer for 200-300 mile days in the mountains or 300-400 mile days on the freeway. Any longer than that and seat comfort will be your limitation.

[@TK-db1ts]

Great video 🔥 Where did you buy the sprocket kit from?

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! sprocketcenter.com/i-30499796-superlite-525-pitch-steel-rear-sprocket-tk2014-triumph.html

[@gcrichlow17]

Does the top case change the pace of your ride?

[@VanBlamm]

I don't think so