Since June of 2004, no problems on my '04 Speedmaster, and well over 30k miles now. I do my own maintenance, including checking the valve clearances, but so far mine have been within spec so no adjustment needed.
These bikes are easy to work on, and I enjoy doing on the bike what I uased to enjoy doing with my old 1965 Rambler Classic. Modern cars just do not allow most of us to work on them anymore, unless you are into NOPI Tunervision crap....
I have replaced both tires twice now, and changed out the chain and sprocket set once. The chain would have lasted longer had I maintained it better early on. As for the chain drive - get a Scott Oiler. Well worth the small expense, and easy to install. Once a new chain has been "rode in", it will not require a lot of adjustment afterwards as long as it is periodically cleaned and kept properly lubricated.
I made a $20 bike lift when I bought the bike, and it gets the rear wheel off the ground for easy working on a level bike (not leaned over on the side stand). I found the $20 bike lift link right here on this forum. Easy to build.
This forum is the best tool we could ever hope for. Everyone here seems genuinely interested in the other member's well being, and there are tons of useful information already archived for the do-it-yourselfers and troubleshooters. Something happens to one of us, and yes, we usually are going to post it here to get an opinion, and/or a solution. I doubt that you could find another similar forum for any other bike, that remains as active and healthy as this one is. This forum is a refuge for most of us that have been on here for any length of time, and hope it will be to the new owners as well. If I can't check in 2-3 times a week or more, I feel like I have missed something. The Photopost is also something I think we all look forward to checking frequently as well.
I never rode anything before, and this forum sold me on the Speedmaster (on TRIUMPH) when I was convinced that what I had to have was a HONDA VTX. There is a soul in these machines you will not find in most others. I have no regrets about my decision to buy the SM, and though I can appreciate other types of motorcycles now, and look forward to owning more, I could not conceive of parting with the SM ever. In fact, when considering most other motorcycles, other than off-road bikes, I can not justify buying another that would not do much better at anything than the SM already does.
Like the latest CYCLE WORLD article says:
"Aproachability and ease of use". That means you will do a lot more riding than you would on a heavy cruiser, and can have a heck of a lot more fun doing it.
