Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes New Speedmaster perhaps?

I've been waiting for this bike for so long.Now it's coming I'm disappointed .Looking at a lot of the road testers videos they all say it scrapes the pegs and I saw one where the guy wasn't impressed with the seat comfort.The beach bar angle had a few complaining of sore wrists .But the main complaint for me was one I saw the tester dragging pegs too easily and unintentionally done with quite a few "Oops!" at a lot less lean and than I can with my America.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%...g2TkDkKTP34HQXk

Here's what I took from his ride review. The reviewer is not a great rider. He seems to be struggling to do two things at once. Ride the bike and record the audio.
He is all over the road and cannot hold a straight line. The first "oops" he had the bars cut to deep into the turn. The chap in front of him seems to be rolling along smoothly.

I agree about this guy Mike but a lot of them mention dragging the footpegs unintentionally and being a model launch for MC writers they wont bag anything outright when there's advertising dollars at stake.I saw one Italian revue with subtitles saying the same stuff.Bars[no big thing] but the pegs do worry me.Especially with the roads around my place.I'm in Thailand ATM and the local dealer invited me for a test ride when they arrive next week{Thai Time could be next month] but there's no twisties around here to try .

It sounds to me like the new Speedmaster has fallen victim to Triumph's and the motorcycle industry in general's desire to appeal to smaller riders, especially women. It started with the 865s in 2011 when they lowered the seat heights and moved the pegs back a bit. The Indian Scout has the same problem, for a guy like me who is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds the bikes are just getting too small frame wise. That is one of the things that I love most about my 2006, and previous 03, Speedy is that it is full size bike that a guy my size can fit on. I was really looking forward to this new 1200 but am disappointed as well. After the accident that left my 03 Speedy totaled I really struggled with whether to replace it with the 2006 or hold out and wait for this model. Now I'm glad that I got the 2006, which only had 6970 miles on it and was in pristine condition last March when I got it and now sits at a little over 12K. So with a practically new carb Speedy and a parts bike I can't see myself ever going the direction of the 1200.

In my mind I keep going back to the new Speedmaster as my next bike. Some of my concerns are going back to chain maintenance after enjoying having a belt for almost 8 years,the smaller size of the frame and less power than my Commander even though the power/weight ratio will probably make the SM faster even though the 1700 probably has more torque. I was reading this article and the guy on the test bike is 6'4" and probably weighs close to 200 lbs. he doesn't look too big for the bike. With all this talk about bikes getting smaller I was looking at some of the Japanese makers at the large cruisers. Every one has newish large cruiser/tourer with bags and fairings except Suzuki. And with Honda bringing out the new "sportier " Gold Wing which still, by the way, weighs 850 lbs. plus, down from 940 or so, I don't think the big bikes are going away anytime soon. But the new Speedmaster keeps floating around in my mind.

https://www.cycleworld.com/2018-triumph-speedmaster-is-wolf-in-sheeps-clothing

Here's a video of someone 6'5 who owns a Bobber
https://youtu.be/SJqBIg184Zg

When do you pick up the new Speedie, Mike?

Interesting you ask, Tuesday I received an email from Triumph telling me my Speedmaster has completed production, crossed the pond and has arrived stateside. So I suspect a couple of weeks.
No one in the US has taken delivery that I'm aware of. I know of one that has delivered to the owner in Singapore

That would be cool if you were the first in the U.S. I can’t wait to see it and hear your reviews.

Good to see someone is getting notifications from Triumph, AmyLee (wife) put $500.00 down on a Speedmaster order from Modesto, California Cycle Specialties on January 26, so we should hear something by March, Maybe.

I went to the local Triumph shop and had a quick ride on the Speedmaster.The test track at the back of their shop was very small. I couldn't get out of 1st gear so it wasn't a test ride by any means. My first impressions are.It's small.I felt a bit like Yogi bear on a bicycle but 1200cc in a small package should be potent.It seemed willing enough on take off. I didn't like the bars much and I'd definitely need the touring seat for my big backside.I didn't ground the pegs on a small track with sharp turns so that's good.It looks good .I will be keeping my America and leaving my options open on the NSM.I wouldn't be buying it here in Thailand anyway .It's about A$5,000 more than Australia.

Well gentlemen I'm out. My bike came in Tuesday, I visited the dealer today and took her for a ride. She is beautiful, suspension is good, brakes are as well. Power band is good but not a wow factor. I don't really think scrapping pegs will be much different than on most cruisers. The bike is smallish, but sitting beside the Bobber it seems larger with a grander presence. I liked the bike. The bottom line is we just could not agree on terms. I was trading a 2014 low mileage Commander and was offered in the ballpark of what I needed last October when I placed a deposit on the Speedmaster. As most know the Commander/Thunderbird line has been discontinued which killed the value, 4 months later and the value has dropped again. Yesterday Triumph sent the dealers an email to offer an additional $2500.00 rebate on any remaining Thunderbird's. I was shown the email by the dealer today. The Tbirds are already heavily discounted. I could have purchased today a beautiful Red 2017 Thunderbird Storm for $8900.00. That puts used bikes at a ridiculous low value. Hell yes I'm disappointed, I dont know if anyone put more time in learning about the Speedmaster, read every article, watched every video. Downloaded part of the Service manual etc. At the end of the day I still have a low mileage 2014 Big Ole comfortable Commander with 4 1/2 years of remaining extended warranty.

Sorry it didn’t work out Mike. Maybe you’ll get another opportunity in the future. In the meantime you still got a beautiful big red Commander waiting for the next trip. Of course I could be prejudiced.

I finally went to my local dealer today and checked out the Speedmaster, I loved it. It looks just right to me, much better than the Bobber IMHO. If I was buying a new bike today this is the one I would buy.

Has anyone taken delivery of one yet?

The wife's Speedmaster is in at the dealer, cycle specialties, awaiting add ons that we ordered, to be received & installed before taking delivery.

You are Right On! Color is the two tone classic look.