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My First Eyes On Assessment of the New Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster.On 11/30 I attended the "Triumph Back In Black" unveiling of the New and updated 2018 Triumphs. Though the Thruxton, Scrambler and Bonneville's have some great looking things about them, I was focused on the Bobber and it's new "brother" the Bonneville Speedmaster.
The show I attended was held in Minneapolis, MN and the mystery was heightened by the new bikes being hidden under black covers. Only their tires and upper protrusions could be seen under the covers. Folks mulled around speculating about the mysterious shape and size that was clearly the Speedmaster, everyone, walking up to it and making the same sizing considerations... this bike is really low. Not just in ground clearance but it's height.
The unveiling yielded what all suspected, this bike has a VERY low profile, notably lower than it's namesake and predecessor. The bike has very cool lines, and a a clear, "tip of the hat" to retro looks.
Now for those who do not know, the Bonneville Speedmaster is a re-wrap of the Bobber platform (but lower) with the ability to be two up or solo, and has amenities like passenger backrests and luggage racks as well as saddlebags and solo fender racks. With the same hard tail look, the Speedys mono shock suspension is totally hidden compared to it's brother the Bobber.
Seating is different and feels very comfortable first sit and you can, if you desire put the Bobber style "pan" seat on it as well.
Sitting on it, as the sawed off little booger I am, it is a great fit for shorter riders. With footpegs brought back slightly from it's America and Speedy older brothers, it will be a better ergonomic fit for shorter riders in the cruiser style.
The seat, is well designed and likely will be a great seat for knocking out the miles. The front of the seat is tapered very narrow where it meets the tank allowing for optimal sure, flat footed foot plants for the shorter riders...no tippy toeing on this one, even if you are 5'4"!
A universal opinion from the larger stature folks was...it's pretty "small". Now I have no doubt that this bike with it's impressive power plant can can and will haul any bloke that has owned a prior year Speedy or America and give them a thrill as the engine is a tank hauler! Not sure though how the bigger riders will respond to it. Prior years are definitely a taller bike in height and appearance. Now Keep in mind, there are some big boys riding Harleys that looks small with them on them, so that is not a deal killer for those who fall in love with this bike.
OK, the power plant. Impressive look... no, brilliant. This new engine on the entire line introduced last year has so much charter in appearance, really stands out with the bits and bling you can change to suite your personal tastes. Triumph stomps Harley and other Metric bikes in this area.
Overall, a very tight and interesting package and I can't wait to fire one up and tear up a little asphalt. I do have concerns of the low profile on a visual aspect which I encountered when I lowered my own America a few years ago, It is a very nice look, but again tall guys and tall windscreeens MAY look out of sorts. The bike is a new direction and it does part from it's predecessors but I have no doubt it is going to be a popular addition to the Triumph line up.
Current owners of America, Speedys and Thunderbirds are not happy with loosing their favored line as they are, but just as the early America and Speedy owners, we balked at the tank changes in post 07 bikes and the look of the new Thunderbirds..., new things eventually grow on you.
Just my humble opinion.
Fast Eddy
