Triumph Speedmaster review

With its dark, brooding lines and a pared down hot-rod essence, the Triumph Speedmaster is a standout middleweight cruiser from every angle. Punchy 865ccm engine, mean looks and soupedup chassis - the Speedmaster is the very essence of an street-rod, packing performance and style into one very individual motorcycle. The Triumph Speedmaster is aimed at being a bit more brutish than the Bonneville while retaining the good looks. The newest rendition of Triumph twin is a variant of the Bonneville America, Triumphs bestselling bike in the USA for 02. All the Bonnevilles have 790cc air-cooled DOHC vertical-twin engines, but the America was cruiserized for the Yankee market. Like the America, the Triumph Speed master has the extended 65.2-inch wheelbase and the crankshaft is configured with its pins 270 degrees apart.

However, the Speedmaster diverges from the Bonneville America in its blacked-out finish on the engine with polished fins on the eight-valve cylinder head, shortened gearing, a flat handlebar on risers, performance-style saddle, cast wheels replacing the Americas wire-spoke items, and the addition of a tachometer. The styling is cleaner, more aggressive and somehow more true to the Triumph tradition than the America. The lines of the saddle and the flat handlebar set on tall risers give the Speedmaster a profile to match its name, and the lower gearing allows it to leave a stop a bit more vigorously than the America. The disc rear wheel, which mounts a 170/80-15 tire, and the twin discs on the 18-inch cast front wheel reinforce the performance image. However, the front brake still has a nice gentle engagement, making the added braking power quite controllable, matching the rear brake.

The 33inch wide bars height and bend made it comfortable on the highway and provided comfortable leverage for winding roads. Vibration is not an issue, even when the tach needle is nudging the 7500rpm redline. The only real comfort shortcoming is the suspensions limited ability to soak up bumps; sharp bumps and potholes hit you pretty hard. More specs and user manual of Triumph Speedmaster you can see in next overview.

Triumph SpeedMaster specifications

General information
Model: Triumph Speed Master
Category: cruiser

Engine and transmission
Displacement: 865ccm
Engine type: In-line 3
Stroke: 4
Power: 54hp (39.4 kW) @ 6750RPM
Torque: 51 Nm (5.2 kgf-m or 37.6 ft.lbs) @ 4800RPM
Compression: 9.2:1
Bore x stroke: 90x68mm (3.5 x 2.7 inches)
Fuel system: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with forced air induction
Fuel control: DOHC
Ignition: Digital-inductive type
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 5-speed

Transmission type
final drive: Chain
Dry weight: 228.6 kg
Seat height: 719mm (28.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Overall height: 1161mm
Overall length: 2421mm
Overall width: 831mm
Wheelbase: 1656mm

Chassis and dimensions
Frame type: Tubular steel cradle
Trail: 153mm (6.0 inches)
Front suspension: 41mm forks
Rear suspension: Chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload
Front tyre dimensions: 110/80-18
Rear tyre dimensions: 170/80-15
Front brakes: Double disc
Front brakes diameter: 310 mm (12.2 inches)
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 285 mm (11.2 inches)
Power/weight ratio: 0.2362 HP/kg
Fuel capacity: 16.65 litres