Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge NEW 2018 Speedmaster!

I'm surprised not to see a conversation about this yet on this forum!

Can't wait to see and learn more about it!

What might that mean for owners of the older 1st-New-Gen Speedys?
Will we benefit any for having one? I really was surprised they're calling the new bike a Speedmaster. I figured they'd shelve the name again and call this something else.

I am pleased!

Personally, I'm not getting my hopes up.....the spy photos have left me uninspired....looking like a bobber with a dual seat......but, I guess, wait and see.

I'm hoping for the best,but we will see.

You asked!

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

Amy and I have registered for the Sacramento, CA Back to Black on January 4th 2018. I think Amy is interested in updating from the '02 TBA, plus as a bike for the older retirement years may be time to down size from my '10 Tbird.

There are a few things that can be done to it, like bars and such and some other options I ahve mulling around in my brain...

I am not sure if the tank is the same as the Bobber, if it is...not so good, only will get about 90 miles or so on a tank full. Waiting to see a spec sheet.

Bobber specs are very impressive, except for gas tank capacity of 2.4 gallons again this is the Bobbers tank capacity, sure hope they changed the tank size. They are similar in appearance...so I couldn't tell a crowd away from each other.

The Speedy tank is suppose to be a gallon larger than the Bobber. They do look exactly the same. Still smaller looking than the Bonneville.

The tanks are different

Bobber Tank 2.4 gallon
New Speedy Tank 3.2 gallon
T100/T120 Tank 3.8 gallon

Why Triumph saw the necessity to design a third tank size for the Speedmaster is rather bizzare, but they did. I mean why not just slap the T120 tank on it. Oh well it's really not the big issue people are talking about. It's suppose to get fantastic mileage 65 mpg, so the range will be very similar on the earlier Speedmaster.
175-180 miles you'll need gas, okay

I had read that the Bobber has a larger tunnel to hide all of the wiring and such. The Speedmaster would be the same. The Bonneville does not have that problem, because of the bench seat.

Probably not for me then.I like the engine and some of the paint schemes, new electronics including ride by wire, cruise control etc. but at over 6’ and 260 lbs Even my ‘02 America looked a little small for me in some of my old pictures.

Looked at some of the online pictures and stuff. Looks good to me! Could be my next bike. I was leaning towards the T120, but I like the cruiser looks of this a little better. And the descriptions of the engines power sounds great! Would have to seriously think about what to do with the Indian.(Love it but never did like the 835 pound weight) Give it to my middle boy? Can't wait to see it on the dealer floor!

One thing is certain, Higher bars and pull backs would be in the mix. Scoping it out, will be much easier to do that other bikes.

Edddy, As I mentioned to you earlier I've been toying with the idea of risers, or bar replacements on the New Speedmaster.
Riser's look simple enough if there's enough play in the wiring harness and brake line.
Replacing the bars might be a bit more involved. Here's a link to a chap replacing the bars on s new t120. I imagine the New Speedmaster could have similar challenges.
Let us know what you come up with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4gRNaGJS4c

I like the Bobber nad I like the new Speedmaster.

On the other hand between the America and the Rocket I think I have all my bases covered.

Someone has to preserve the classics.

What size tank is on the original TBA and Speedie? 3.7 or something like that. I am always in favor of bigger tanks on bikes. More touring miles and that extra measure of fuel if you find yourself in the boonies exploring.

4.1 on the BA/SM, I believe.

16.5 litres which is about 4 US gallons so that'd be correct Justin.

Fasteddy and all,

keep us in touch with any news of the new Speedmaster. I'm surprised that Triumph have not provided any riding for reviewers/retailers/etc yet, given that many of the major bike manufactures have had their 2018 models on YouTube for some time. The 2018 Speedmaster looks really cool in all the official footage, so I'm keen to hear more about it, including the price!

HNY to all.

The truck was just in town for the new dealership we are getting here and I had the opportunity to see and set on the new bikes iI liked them . The new T120 is beautiful but that new bobber? Sweeeet!! Bobbers are bar hoppers to me so the tank size really doesn't matter all that much . All in all I liked them

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.

I put this in "other bikes" section