The long-standing bond between Pirelli and Triumph is once again renewed with the unveiling of the new Bonneville range, fitted with PHANTOM Sportscomp original equipment tyres. To celebrate their fruitful partnership, and to pay homage to PHANTOM and Bonneville – two brands that have changed the history of motorcycling, each in their own field – Pirelli and Triumph joined forces to devise a one-of-a-kind, custom-built motorcycle, based on the Street Twin model.
Triumph Street Twin by Pirelli features the same livery as the 1977 Triumph Bonneville model, with some elements of customization such as the legendary Pirelli logo ‘Scudetto e Stella' (‘star and badge') on the front fender and the PHANTOM Sportscom tread pattern on the fuel tank. Street Twin is the most modern, fun and accessible bike of the new Bonneville range. Its unique personality, exciting engine, signature soundtrack, minimal style and dynamic riding experience, make the Street Twin a perfect ride for the bikers of today: a perfect mix of vintage style and contemporary technology, enhanced by the excellent features of PHANTOM Sportscomp.
PHANTOM Sportscomp was selected by the Hinckley-based manufacturer as original equipment for new Bonneville family; Pirelli worked closely with Triumph engineers on the new Bonneville range, and specifically on the Street Twin, Bonneville T120 and Bonneville T120 Black models, equipping them with the new 100/90 – 18 M/C 65H TL front and 150/70 R17 M/C TL 69H rear sizes, for an ideal fit.
PHANTOM is one of the few tyres in the international motorcycling world able to boast almost forty years of history and successes: thanks to its constant presence and evolution over the years, it has achieved the status of one of the most important brands of Pirelli's motorcycling range.
In 1977 Pirelli designed and introduced to bikers all over the world a range of supersport tyres carrying the PHANTOM brand, characterized by guaranteed high performance and high mileage. These were revolutionary tyres for their time, and immediately became a global favourite with motorcyclists, to the point that they were chosen for the Formula Laverda 500 Trophy, an Italian single-tyre championship sponsored by FMI that was raced up to 1981. Meanwhile, the popularity of PHANTOM grew exponentially, reaching Australia, where, in the early 80s, it was used several times in the Castrol Six Hour race, a motorcycling competition promoted by the Willoughby District Motorcycle Club and held at Amaroo Park in Annangrove, New South Wales, near Sydney.
Thanks to its qualities on the circuit and to the recognition of the international market, soon PHANTOM came into use as original equipment, as motorcycle manufacturers realised that this product could considerably enhance the rideability of their motorcycles. During the 80s, PHANTOM acted as the flagship brand of the Pirelli production, in all its road bike incarnations, from the Supertouring segment, through Supersport right up to Sportscomp. This last product especially represented a pinnacle of innovation in the history of Pirelli motorcycle tyres, raising the maximum speed limit from 230 to 240 km/h, and enabling top-level performance for the technology in use at the time.
In 2005 Pirelli revisited PHANTOM Sportscom, combining the sporting nature of the original Sportscom with timeless charm and style, devising a Sport Classic line as part of the Supersport segment. Easy handling, precise steering, excellent behaviour both under braking and acceleration, exceptional capacity of power transmission to the ground, regular wear and top mileage performance are only a few of the strengths of the new PHANTOM Sportscomp.
