So good and such value for money it makes me wonder why would you want anything bigger and more expensive? Unless you are a dedicated big custom fan, of course.
The 60bhp Bonneville parallel twin engine does not sound so exiting, but when it is backed up by 53ftlb of torque it isn’t to be sniffed at, with enough punch to show similar size custom bikes a clean pair of heels. Cleverly styled fuel injection units look like carbs and provide near faultless fuelling.
The odd combination of 19 inch front and 16 inch rear wheels, with non-adjustable front forks, twin shocks on the rear and a total weight of 250kg is never going to be the perfect recipe for sweet handling, but the Speedmaster isn’t half bad. The problem is when you hit any imperfections in the road as the twin shocks on the rear really struggle, jolting your spine continuously. Ride the Speedmaster two up and you’ll soon have a very unhappy pillion.
As you might expect from a relatively small capacity custom it’s rather basic, but it is also honest and reliable. The twin rear shocks have pre-load adjustment and there’s a rev counter incorporated into the fuel tank, which is a nice touch and unusual for a custom.
There’s no real reason to question the reliability of the Bonneville derived fuel injected motor - it’s not stressed in the Speedmaster and should plod along forever. In places the quality of the components are indicative of being built to achieve the Triumphs low on sale price. The wheels appear a little budget and the finish around the headstock isn’t top class, but you have to appreciate it’s under £7000.
For 2011, the Speedmaster (and its brother the America, which is even a bit “cruisier” than the Speedmaster) received a host of revisions to make it even more appealing to beginning riders. The seat has been lowered from 28.3 inches to a way-low 27.1. The foot controls have been moved rearward about 1.5 inches and lowered an inch, which puts them in not such a bad place for riders on the shorter side. And a new handlebar and risers move the grips 3.5 inches closer to the rider, as well. They even revised the kickstand to make it easier to lift the bike off of it.
http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/range/cruisers/speedmaster
http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bikes/8104628/Triumph-Speedmaster-born-to-be-mild
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