 Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47
Greenhorn
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47 |
Is it worth it to buy the newer Speedmaster with the bigger engine? I am hooked on the black and yellow one. I also like the newer black and blue. I know, I know, just have it painted. But, the fact is, the older ones are cheaper. Would it be worth it to spend more and get an '05 or newer??
Thanks everyone. This is a great site, and yet another reason to buy a Triumph!
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I don't think the Speedmaster ever changed engine sizes, only the America.
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610 |
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47
Greenhorn
|
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47 |
Sorry, you are right about the engine size. Are there any other design changes between those years that are significant?
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
I don't think the Speedmaster ever changed engine sizes, only the America.
'03 & '04 had the 790 'screamin' small block'
Post '04 (05'6,7) got the 865 high torque 'truck' engine
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Also as to color - just FYI
Yellow / Black available - 03 and 04
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47
Greenhorn
|
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47 |
So I take it, based on that comment, that the newer version is probably a little more powerful feeling, BUT is it worth the extra money?
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Edited in next post
Last edited by pipedr; 02/03/2007 8:47 PM.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
I joke about the big/small differences. I am lead to believe there is no substantial 'seat of the pants' difference. The 790 has the edge on HP. The 865 has the edge on torque. I would be inclined to thing that the solo rider with a zest for zipping at a healthy rate would best enjoy the HP, while the high gear lugger, the 2-up rider, and those riding with a lot of gear would appriciate the added torque. I have nothing bad to say for the 790 and there are those that can attest I'm far from light weight. If you can get a good buy on a used 03 from someone reputable, I don't think you'll err. Conversely, if the 865 is your chosing, I don't think you'd be sorry either.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753 |
go for the 790, you cana lways big bore later, plus the 790 has better cams
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 31
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 31 |
I have had both.
I rode the 790cc model for 4-5 months prior to getting the 865cc model.
The way I felt it, there IS a distinct 'seat of the pants' difference.
Perhaps it is because not only is the torque increased in the 865cc model, it also comes in at a lower rev level and it therefore doesn't need to be revved as much.
Top end roll-ons etc. etc. ... who cares? In my case, this bike is used for speeds up to 80mph 99 per cent of the time anyway.
For anything over and above that I have an Italian crotch rocket and a tourer built for significantly higher speeds.
From my own experience with both and for reasons that have already been expressed by others, I don't really think you will be disappointed by either.
I would personally go for the 865cc, if I were to do it again (however, since I always buy with the heart, I am not taking cost into consideration).
Just my 2 drachma. 
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179 |
Knowing what I know now, I'd go used. At the time of purchase the two-year warranty meant a lot to me being a previous Notron and Meriden owner. I was really concerned about the quality of the namesake due to past experience. The 2-year warranty may give you some peace of mind, but I've had zero problems and I believe most others can say the same.
I see your looking into the Speedy just listed in the classifieds. If possible talk him down a little more and go right for the Wiseco big bore kit, ditch the TOR's on ebay, replace with better flowing pipes, ditch the airbox mod, and pick up a Freak or do the Ghetto Freak. Once rejetted, your infrastructure is in-place and "most" everything after that is simple bolt on stuff.
That's what I'd do knowing what I do now.
Regards,
Tom
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,320
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,320 |
And the yellow and black is such a beautiful motorcycle!
Michael D. Rodriguez
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
If you can get your hands on that '04 with the 790, go for it!
Soren
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Wow, I must be getting old. I thought the speedy was always 865. I don't know why. 
|
|
|
 Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
I bought my '03 Speedmaster (yellow/black) last june with 1800mi on it. Saved $3K. Very responsive, great holeshots, the only cruiser that has outrun me was a VMax. (But I got him off the line).
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
|
|
|
Re: Old Vs. New Speedmaster
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
So I take it, based on that comment, that the newer version is probably a little more powerful feeling, BUT is it worth the extra money?
Uh... yeah... sort of, maybe... The bigger engine has a bit more low end torque but, because of being detuned for lower emissions, the ones with the smaller engines will walk away from them at the top end. The good news is that replacing the cams and maybe the ignition module to older factory or aftermarket bits will wake up the bigger engine, but it is expensive.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
|
|
