Pricey limited edition models seem to be all the rage (perhaps, it’s all those crypto millionaires). The latest is from Triumph. Pictured is the Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition, which will be available later this year as a 2023 model with a total of 270 units available at a U.S. MSRP of $18,300. If you wish, you can also order a matching watch from Breitling.
For the premium you will be paying over the standard Triumph Speed Twin (close to $6,000), you actually get a number of interesting features. To begin with, of course, you will have a limited edition numbered model, but there is much more.
A unique blue paint with hand-painted line detailing, instrument faces with Breitling watch style elements, a perforated leather seat with stitched Breitling logo, and other Breitling style elements found on the engine cases and handlebar clamp.
The coolest feature, perhaps, is the pair of Ohlins fully-adjustable twin rear shocks. They look the business and likely offer the best rear suspension available on a retro model.
If you order before August 2, 2022, you can order a Breitling Top Triumph limited-edition chronograph watch, which will have a matching, personalized edition number. You can find out more details and specifications on Triumph’s web site for this model, and you can also find a short video from the unveiling below.
I like bikes- and I like watches- but this is just tacky.
I’ve been wearing a Brietling for the past 20 years. It cares not which bike I’m riding. This cross merchandising stuff is just silly to me. Can you even imagine hearing someone who’s bought into this try to explain their setup to someone, because you know they will? Brands, marques etc. …. Gyaaw!!! Just get on it and ride. Hell you’re way better off not even knowing what time it is …..
My motorcycle came with a clock, saved me thousands of dollars. I think I’ll use some of that money to splurge on a highly accurate quartz crystal movement Casio watch that retails for just under $25.00. That way I’ll be covered for when I am not near the bike.
Nah! I am going for the regular Ducati Panigale, much more fun…
This past weekend I rode ~1,200 miles on my NC750X wearing my Sinn 856. Motorcycles and watches have a lot of the same appeal for me: cool, over-the-top engineering, with an emphasis on design, and use cases that are mostly fantasy.
Nice watch. Love that minimalist design.
Thanks, the technical features of the 856 make it a good pick if you’re going to wear a nice watch on a motorcycle trip. There are some really cool and interesting watches out there.
Silence you unwashed 99% heathens! Can’t you just let the stupid rich spend their daddy’s fortune in any way they see fit? I know what “time” it is. Time to ride! Don’t check the time on your overpriced wrist clock whilst riding your britbike cause some cage driver’s checking facebook!
Maybe this deal might help Triumph establish itself as a luxury brand. But based on many of the comments here, I don’t think the watch people are doing themselves any favors by putting their name on a tank with seams.
Not in a world with a ton of other luxury watch brands who are more careful about their image.
But then what I know about luxury watches could be put into a mosquitoe’s ear, where it would rattle like a BB in a box car.
What a bizarre wold we live in. 900 pound baggers are sold as persuit vehicles and over the counter bikes with a shock upgrades and watch brand logos go for a 50% premium. They gone about as fer as they can go!
At least at Yamaha you get 90 pounds of garbage on your MT07 for “only” $5800. Heck of a deal!
“over the counter bikes with a shock upgrades and watch brand logos go for a 50% premium.”
I hadn’t thought of it on a percentage basis, but, damn, that’s true.
It’s also insane. Wow, Triumph.
IMO there’s no reason to be offended that many or all the buyers for this bike, if they so desire, can afford to pay the dealer another several $k to swap the front forks for something fully adjustable.
I mean, those Federal Covid funds have to be spent somewhere, right? Might as well be the industry many readers here love.
The “Rolex” edition coming 2023 for a mere $23K has front suspension mods AND CRUISE CONTROL!!!!!
I added up what I paid for all the bikes I currently own.
2017 Kawi z900- $8000 new.
2004 Kawi ZRX1200R- $4500 used, mint condition.
2001 Kawi zr7S- $1450 used, very good condition, mechanically perfect.
2007 Honda Helix 250cc scooter- $1600 used, mint condition.
That totals $15,550
Did I do the right thing? I think so.
Instead of extra “interesting” features for $6000 bucks I could buy a whole nuther “interesting” used bike, or new bike for that matter.
Or for $18.3 grand you could buy the new Speed Triple or pretty much anything. You may not have the fancy Breitling monogram on the seat but we all know a $20 Casio will suffice.
since when did the mods quit buying vespas and move to triumphs? gary nixon would not approve.
Now about tank seams. I like them ! ! ! Tank seams do a lot of good, and are attractive in a traditional sense. They stiffen the total fuel tank structure, provide a much more visible surface to see fuel leakage or spillage, offer a better surface to lay the tank down during removal, and improve high speed air turbulance while motoring at high speed, on a Saturday morning, just like a NASCA flow fence above the side windows. Ok, maybee no flow affect.
Tank seams are beautiful for ever. Long live stiff structures every where ! ! !
I’m a big fan of tank seams as well. 🍻
My ZRX1200 tank has beautiful seams. And some fool owners actually cover them up with plastic edge trim. It’s sad and I’ll never understand it.
I have no issues with tank seams and usually have to go look at one of my bikes in the garage to see if they have them when mentioned here.
I’ve owned 33 street motorcycles since 1965, American, Italian, Japanese, and British and honestly can’t tell you which ones had tank seams and which ones didn’t. Just not something I pay attention to or care about.
I know 2 of my bikes didn’t have them including one current one, since the tanks are under the seat lol.
and I haven’t worn a watch in decades
Exposed tanks seams of this type are not “attractive in a traditional sense.” You can rationalize their existence however you wish, but “traditional beauty” as an argument will never fly.
They’re a cost-cutting measure. Nothing more.
And they look it.
Everything about this bike is for looks only; nothing added to improve functionality as the fancy rear shocks can bee seen and fork improvements cannot.
Basically another trinket to add to your motorsports warehouse.
It is an attractive bike for sure, but I have to agree with many here. For that kind of premium, surely they could spring (pun!) for a better fork to complement the shocks and 15 minutes of a metal workers time to address the tank seams.
Then again, they could, but why would they? They probably received deposits on all 270 of them within minutes of people knowing this bike existed.
For that kind of money I would demand double walled chrome pipes plus a four year oil change / maintenance schedule thrown in…dump the timepiece!
Surely it doesn’t come with the watch? If it does, then I take back my criticism. A unique Triumph with a matching Breitling for $18K+ is actually a really good value for someone who is both an enthusiast of motorcycles and watches.
What a f’g joke. After watching the cornball video there is no way I would want to be associated in any way with these morons and their material quest. Brand pathetic.
My first response: WTF is a “Breitling”.
Having googled it, second response: Huh? I don’t get the connection, bike looks pretty nice I guess… how much? F Off….. its not that nice.
Last sentence: thanks for the laugh-seriously!
or buy a 270 Interceptor.. save a fortune and enjoy the ride.
If the bike manufacturers can make a few bucks by making high-end customers happy, it is a good thing. It means they will still be in business, supporting existing customers, and producing bikes for the less well-heeled as well.
This is a good thing. No doubt that 270 customers will be quite happy with this bike and/or bike/watch combo, whether they ride the bikes, or just look at them.
There is marketing and then there is pandering. This is the latter.
Super excited about the new adv/dirt program until today. Pretty flaccid now.
In much the same way that nobody really needs a motorcycle, nobody needs a watch either (anymore). However it is nice to have the choice, and I know a couple of watch fanatics.
They are also motorcycle fanatics.
I wear a watch every day. I don’t want to interact with my phone every time I want to know what time it is. I don’t wear an expensive watch, they all do the job the same.
So, I’m unclear on one thing here. Is the matching Breitling watch you can order with this bike included in that $6K premium, because it had better be. Triumph already does hand-painted tanks and special seats on their regular models, so all you’re getting for the extra $6K here is a set of $1,500 shocks?
If so, that’s really ridiculous.
And, yes, for $18k+, the least they could do is ditch those hideous tank seams. On a “premium” model like this, those things look decidedly non-premium.
A Breitling watch like this would retail for over $6k itself. I don’t think it is included in the cost of the bike.
What? No NFT?
So 270 collectors will add this bike to their collection and probably never ride it.
6k+ and the only functional improvement is $1500 worth of Ohlins shocks. Same non-adjustable front suspension. Seriously?
Great comment! You nailed it. I mean really, wtf leaving the same non-adjustable forks on there?? Can you trade the “B” on the seat for a decent front suspension???
Maybe the extra $4,500 gives you the privilege of marketing the Breitling brand for them. After all, they don’t want just “anybody” representing them..
No, most of us are not in this price bracket but it’s still a cool-looking Bonnie. I’m still not much of a fan of the black tips on the mufflers.
Still, $18K is not bad for a bespoke Bonnie of only 270.
I’ll wait for the Limited-Edition Speed Twin Timex.
Will that be a digital Timex with a calculator?
Hopefully, and also with a backlight.
My wife bought a new 2017 Street Cup for $8K otd and I think her bike looks just as nice. Of course it would not perform like the Speed Twin.
I have always loved the Speed Twin as a great alternative to the Thruxton. If I were buying, I’d look for a gently used non-Breitling version. I would save plenty of money for a new watch and rear shock upgrades.
I like the design, but can’t help thinking they’ve hiked the rear suspension excessively, just to make what is a standard bike look like an out-and-out sports machine. You know: going 60mph at a standstill! Phoney, as is this puffed-up venture with the watch firm.
Nick
$18 1/2 and first thing I see in the pictures are tank seams? No.
My 1954 Big Ben pocket watch still works. This is unbelievable. $
I have always liked the look of the Triumph twins. Those exhaust pipes are a great look. And the cooling system doesn’t hurt the appearance at all. I don’t care for the fancy decorations. She’s a beauty without all the make up.
I completely agree. These retro classics don’t need designer touches.
I had a 2018 Bonnie T120. The look of the bike worked because it was simple.
Nice bike. Not worth the premium but nice.
I don’t wear a watch, over-priced or not. And if I’m wealthy, I care even less what time it is.