By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Yamaha XSR900 (RN43) vs Triumph Speed Twin 1200 (DD01)
Yamaha XSR900 vs Triumph Speed Twin 1200: which one to buy once you're past the looks.
You'll hear the Yamaha XSR900's triple howl as it pulls off the bottom and keeps begging to spin up. The Triumph Speed Twin 1200's torque doesn't wait for revs.
So which one do you buy?
The XSR900 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: XSR900
In the twisties, the XSR900 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Call it a modest edge.
The Speed Twin 1200 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: Speed Twin 1200
Over a year of riding, the Speed Twin 1200 noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
Character, looks and sound
A touch ahead: Speed Twin 1200
Parked side by side, the Speed Twin 1200 draws the eye a little more. Credit a purer look and more retro style. Only a little, and taste can flip it.
Which one's the smarter buy
Nothing in it on value
At these used prices, neither bike is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
XSR900
On a twisty road, the XSR900's wide handlebar and light chassis let it flick from bend to bend, yet it doesn't get nervous once the speed climbs. Corner entry asks little of the bar: the front turns in precisely and holds the line. Broken pavement jars through the fork and shock, and the fork dives when you brake hard. Its crossplane engine loves high rpm.
Nils rode the XSR900 in Styria in 2018 (NastyNils Testride).
Speed Twin 1200
The Speed Twin only changes direction when you press the bar, and once it's leaned it keeps easing back toward upright. It forgives a clumsy line. Out of a bend on the Blue Ridge Parkway, there's shove from the parallel twin the moment you ask for drive. The brake lever's bite grows with every squeeze.
Nils rode the Speed Twin 1200 in Spain in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Speed Twin 1200 has the lower seat: 31.8 in (807 mm) vs 32.7 in (830 mm).
- The XSR900 has the lower wet weight: 430 lb (195 kg) vs 476 lb (216 kg).
- The XSR900 makes more peak power: 115 hp (85 kW) vs 96 hp (71 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
Call it even on commuting. 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
XSR900
What owners say
Strengths
- Addictive CP3 engine character
- Neo-retro styling with premium materials
- Excellent value for money
Trade-offs
- Suspension is budget-oriented and can be harsh
- Indicator switch placement is awkward
- Mirrors offer poor rearward visibility
Speed Twin 1200
Strengths
- Built to Survive a Close Look
- Stops the Room Cold
- Feels Smaller Than It Is
- Torque Always On Tap
- Charismatic, torque-laden engine
Trade-offs
- Rear Brake Squeals When Worked
- USB Port Buried and Useless
- Cheap-feeling rear shock on bumpy roads
Known problems to check before you buy
XSR900
- Handlebar holder bolt recall Recall 17V221000 On 2016-2017 models, the lower handlebar holders may not have had sufficient thread-locking agent due to improper painting, allowing bolts to loosen and potentially cause loss of control.
- Cam chain tensioner rattle on cold start The automatic cam chain tensioner on the CP3 triple uses a spring and ratchet plunger with no oil-pressure actuation. Its ratchet can fail to hold the plunger in position and back off. The cam chain then runs slack and slaps its guides, which shows up as a ticking or rattling noise from the cam chain area that is loudest on cold starts. At first it may die down once the engine warms up, but it can get worse until it is constant. If ignored, the slack chain speeds up wear on the chain guides and sliders.
Speed Twin 1200
- Warped front brake discs Some owners have reported warped front brake discs, causing pulsing through the lever and reduced braking effectiveness.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 6-year-old XSR900 with a 6-year-old Speed Twin 1200.
- XSR900
- about $8,000
- Speed Twin 1200
- about $8,000
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| XSR900 | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 31.8 in (807 mm) |
| Wet weight | 430 lb (195 kg) | 476 lb (216 kg) |
| XSR900 | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 847 cc | 1200 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Parallel twin |
| Power | 115 hp (85 kW) | 96 hp (71 kW) |
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| XSR900 | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) |
| XSR900 | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 298 mm | 305 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.7 in (1440 mm) | 55.6 in (1413 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| XSR900 | Speed Twin 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
