Black and gold seems to be a recent topic. Here it has been applied to the Triumph Speed Twin 1200 with excellent reviews by Unikat automobile factory. But the Polish automaker did more than just wrap the Speed Twin in a pretty paint job—this car is truly a fighter.
In its original form, the Speed Twin 1200 was delightfully brutal—a torquey parallel-twin roadster with handling to match. But it looks so good in the showroom that there’s little room for customization. The best approach is to lean on the qualities that make it good in the first place, then build on the whole package.
That’s exactly what Unikat did with this 2019 model Triumph Speed Twin 1200. The owner of this car is a true petrolhead—a four- and two-wheeler enthusiast who currently runs a transmission refurbishment company. The brief called for an agile city bike with sharp looks and plenty of style; an “elegant, shiny, aggressive bastard.”
It was clear that Unikat customers wanted more than just a show pony, so the shop added some suspension upgrades to the already well-prepared Speed Twin. Bitubo parts have done just that; New shocks for the back and new internals for the front to add full adjustability.
Next, Unikat installed a set of handsome 17-inch wheels from Kineo, adorned with gold rims and hubs as well as black spokes. With a width of 3.5 inches at the front and 5.5 inches at the rear, they are equipped with Heidenau K73 supermoto tires. Since the Speed Twin comes with twin Brembo front calipers, there’s no need to upgrade the braking system.
Unikat also decided to leave details such as the engine and airbox alone. However, the original muffler has been removed and replaced with a pair of aggressive manual inverted cone mufflers.
At the top, the handlebars have been replaced with a set of pull bars, creating a more secure riding position. The bars are adorned with leather-wrapped grips and sturdy CNC-machined levers. Turn signals and a Motogadget handlebar-end mirror complete the cockpit.
The OEM tank is still used but is equipped with a knurled aluminum tank cap.
However, the seats are completely new. It features leather seats with unique geometric stitching and custom steel tail panels. In spite of racing cafe-Designed in style, the Speed Twin still has a rear fender.
The three-in-one LED Highsider serves as a taillight and rear turn signal, while a side-mounted bracket holds the license plate.
On the opposite side of the car, a thin aluminum fender sits over the front tire. Down below, Renstall Moto’s belly pan gives the Speed Twin a sportier look. LSL footpegs complete the parts list.
But it’s Unikat’s commitment to Triumph’s black and yellow livery that really stands out. Glossy black adorns the body, with prominent yellow accents on the main wheels. Dig deeper and you’ll discover that this theme extends to even the smallest parts.
The entire exhaust system has been coated with ceramic, the swingarm, brake caliper and throttle body cover have all been redone in black. The bike is also equipped with a set of yellow straps, with black chains keeping things dark and moody.
With just the right amount of contrast to keep things interesting, Unikat’s Speed Twin is easy on the eyes—and it arguably performs as well as it looks. We certainly wouldn’t mind taking it home.
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