 Road a New Speedmaster Today..
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
I rode over to British USA this afternoon to say hello, and to see what they had on the sales floor. I took a short ride on a New Speedmaster, and found it very easy to ride. Triumph has definitely moved the new Speedy more into the "entry-level" territory than it was before. It hardly leans when on the side stand. I'd be afraid it would fall over to the right in a stiff wind, or if parked anywhere but on perfectly level ground (hard to find when rallying and parking off in a field). That to make it easier for the newbie or ladies to lift off the side stand. It is. On the road, I liked the EFI, and no question there is plenty of power present. The footpegs are closer and lower, but it is still a comfortable fit. I wonder how it may affect lean angle, but I really did not have a good opportunity to check that out this afternoon. I did try putting my feet up on the rear pegs as I often do on the highway, and you most definitely can not do this on the new bike. My knees were up under my chin. That leaves only the front pegs unless you add on highway bars... The new lower seat is that, at expense of much needed padding. I could never ride cross-country on that like I could have my stock Gunfighter. My take? Triumph has most certainly positioned this bike to bolster more Thunderbird sales. It's a shame, I think, as I know how much we all love these fine machines. I don't know how the New America might feel, but I do know that if I had to replace my Speedmaster today, it could not be with a New Speedmaster. Last year, it probably would have been. I guess there are a few around on the pre-owned market if the need ever arises... I did sit on a nice Tiger 1050 with the lower Gel seat, and it fit a lot better than the last 1050 I sat upon with the standard seat. 
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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 Re: Road a New Speedmaster Today..
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2 |
tigers are the cat's meow
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Road a New Speedmaster Today..
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
Quote:
I rode over to British USA this afternoon to say hello, and to see what they had on the sales floor.
I took a short ride on a New Speedmaster, and found it very easy to ride. Triumph has definitely moved the new Speedy more into the "entry-level" territory than it was before. It hardly leans when on the side stand. I'd be afraid it would fall over to the right in a stiff wind, or if parked anywhere but on perfectly level ground (hard to find when rallying and parking off in a field). That to make it easier for the newbie or ladies to lift off the side stand. It is.
On the road, I liked the EFI, and no question there is plenty of power present. The footpegs are closer and lower, but it is still a comfortable fit. I wonder how it may affect lean angle, but I really did not have a good opportunity to check that out this afternoon. I did try putting my feet up on the rear pegs as I often do on the highway, and you most definitely can not do this on the new bike. My knees were up under my chin. That leaves only the front pegs unless you add on highway bars...
The new lower seat is that, at expense of much needed padding. I could never ride cross-country on that like I could have my stock Gunfighter.
My take? Triumph has most certainly positioned this bike to bolster more Thunderbird sales. It's a shame, I think, as I know how much we all love these fine machines. I don't know how the New America might feel, but I do know that if I had to replace my Speedmaster today, it could not be with a New Speedmaster. Last year, it probably would have been. I guess there are a few around on the pre-owned market if the need ever arises...
I did sit on a nice Tiger 1050 with the lower Gel seat, and it fit a lot better than the last 1050 I sat upon with the standard seat.
I belive both the america and the speedy were both change to go after the female rider market....nothing to do with trying to sell more t-birds
ED 
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Re: Road a New Speedmaster Today..
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
It's going to sell more T-birds. I doubt that the increase in sales of the Speedmaster will even register. The America? Who knows? I doubt they can get away with marketing the New Speedmaster now the same way they were back in 2003-2005..it's not that kind of bike, anymore. 
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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