By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Triumph Speed Twin 900 (MY2025) vs Bonneville T100 (DB04)
Triumph Speed Twin 900 vs Bonneville T100: style matters. So does everything underneath.
In a tight turn, the Triumph Speed Twin 900's updated chassis tips in quickly and it's eager to hold a sporty line. The Triumph Bonneville T100 doesn't fight you at a crawl.
So which one do you buy?
The Speed Twin 900 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Speed Twin 900
Through a string of corners, the Speed Twin 900 feels a little more eager. Put it down to a sportier chassis and more feel through the bars. The gap is small, so ride both.
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: Speed Twin 900
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the Speed Twin 900. Credit easier maneuvering in tight spots and friendlier manners. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The Speed Twin 900 costs less, but that gap doesn't make it the clear better buy. Neither bike wins on value alone.
What makes each one tick
Speed Twin 900
The Speed Twin 900 wakes up on back roads, where its shorter wheelbase and Marzocchi suspension don't need coaxing to point the front into each bend. Under heavy braking the lever still doesn't feel filtered, even with an IMU running cornering ABS behind it. Its seat and power don't bite. The twin shoves hard off every corner exit.
Bonneville T100
There's an off-beat throb in the Bonneville T100's twin, and it pulls hard from low revs before smoothing out near the top. Wide, flat bars over low pegs mean you've got room to stretch out. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, a bump runs into a cartridge fork up front and a pair of shocks at the rear. The peashooters thump out that beat.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Speed Twin 900 has the lower wet weight: 476 lb (216 kg) vs 503 lb (228 kg).
- The Bonneville T100 has the larger fuel tank: 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) vs 3.2 US gal (12 L).
- Ride Modes: standard on the Speed Twin 900, not offered on the Bonneville T100.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Call it even on character and running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Speed Twin 900
What owners say
Strengths
- Sleeker, more dynamic styling
- Approachable with friendly characteristics and low seat height
- Enough engine pep to drive out corners
- Genuine sporting capability from upgraded chassis
Bonneville T100
What owners say
Strengths
- Iconic modern classic styling with high-quality finish
- Powerful and torque-rich engine with Euro 5 compliance
- Manageable seat height and low weight for easy urban riding
Known problems to check before you buy
Speed Twin 900
- Rear turn signal non‑compliance recall (SRAN630 / 25V141) Recall 25V141000 The red rear turn signals were installed too close to the tail light, failing to meet FMVSS 108. Dealers will replace them with amber signals free of charge. Affects all 2025 Speed Twin 900, 1200, and 1200 RS models.
- Hard starting when cold A 2025 owner reports the engine requires two start attempts and occasionally sputters or dies when cold; ambient temperature not believed to be a factor.
- Fork noise when cold A knocking or rattling noise may be heard from the front forks under compression over uneven road surfaces, particularly when cold.
Bonneville T100
- Alternator wiring may short circuit and overheat (Recall) Recall 24V785000 NHTSA recall 24V785000 (November 2024) affected 2022–2024 Bonneville T100 models because the wiring between the alternator and main harness connector can short circuit and overheat, presenting a fire risk. Dealers will install a new wire alignment clip, free of charge.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 1-year-old Speed Twin 900 with a 1-year-old Bonneville T100.
- Speed Twin 900
- $9,000
- Bonneville T100
- $10,500
At one year old, the Speed Twin 900 sits around $9,000 while the Bonneville T100 runs about $10,500. That's a $1,500 gap in the Speed Twin's favor. These are recorded figures from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 900 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 64 hp (48 kW)
- Torque
- 59 lb-ft (80 Nm)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 100/90-18
- Rear tire
- 150/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Speed Twin 900 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 30.7 in (780 mm) | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 476 lb (216 kg) | 503 lb (228 kg) |
| Speed Twin 900 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 7,400 rpm |
| Peak torque at | 3,800 rpm | 3,750 rpm |
| Speed Twin 900 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 US gal (12 L) | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) |
| Speed Twin 900 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Speed Twin 900 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
