2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster First Ride Review | Ultimate Motorcycling

[@ignebulus]

Thanks for the nice review! I am going to the Back in Black Triumph event here in DC, looking forward to seeing the Speedmaster in person. I completely agree regarding the paint scheme. This two tone is just gorgeous, even in the video.

[@jb1412]

Cobb Ervin could you describe the event, where when, and how one attends.

[@bhaskarnarula5489]

Picking one up today ......after 20 years of not riding any bike ......just fell in love with this Bonnie....at first sight

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Bhaskar, Awesome! Let us know how you like it! Take care! - Nic

[@AV-108]

Thank you for posting this review! I believe (it's just me) this Triumph Speedmaster is a pure British old-school classic, the most beautifully designed and best cruiser out there :)

[@YashTumkur]

I appreciate the comprehensiveness. Thank you nick. Subscribed!

[@scottyule5249]

Great review Nick!

[@nc2466]

Last Triumph I had was a TT. Old school with a brightly polished aluminum tank. It looked so good someone stole it!!. Really like this one. HD needs some competition! .

[@shanea60]

Excellent, well thought out and delivered review, Thank you.

[@dinosabelli8652]

Wonderful machine and beautiful stock sound

[@harrybates5545]

What a beautiful bike. I hope to own that exact model eventually

[@adrenalinamotosgames]

amazing bike. amazing review by the way. I was waiting for a review of this new speedmaster.

[@joeguzman3558]

100% one of the best and most beutiful moticyles today

[@manny75586]

Really gorgeous bike. I went to their launch event in Chicago last fall. They had some really spectacular bikes. I still think the blacked out bobber is my favorite though.

[@rocketman2458]

Got my 2016 Thruxton R last spring on PCP. It's a great bike but when the deal is up I'll be looking for a good second hand Speedmaster, even though it's a totally different animal. My previous bike was an air cooled 865 Bonneville SE, so I went from a roadster to a cafe racer. Roll on the cruiser.

[@jackchristodoulou197]

I love my 2018 Bonnieville T120 but will eventually trade it for one of these I like the cruiser style, hopefully it come in a black version like the T120 blacl

[@Grimexperience62]

Great thorough review! Thanks!

[@tonychuter4830]

Lovely bike come Christmas it's on my list....

[@Stolethemoonlol]

Love this bike. Such an icon

[@Ninja_S1000RR-R]

FIRST BIKE ON THE MOON

[@jairocantillo5678]

Pretty good new bike! I’m waiting to replace my current speedmaster (900cc) for this one..! Very Good information! Thanks for your valuable review

[@bigdavedogdad]

Great review! You've observed stuff that a lot of other reviewers miss, like the not-quite-forward pegs allowing some use of your legs in the ride, which I noticed during my test rides of the 2021 version recently. For me, it's perfect. I love my T100, but I have a damaged knee that doesn't like to bend, so the Speedmaster is letting me stretch that out without the ride being totally alien to someone used to bench seats and mid controls. Different, sure! But not too weird. It's a great 'compromise' bike that 'has it all' to my mind. I know some people think that compromise is a bad thing, but if it manages to do all things well, then why wouldn't you want that?

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey David, Thanks for the kind words and your insight, which is definitely relevant for those that might be dealing with mobility issues. Take care! - Nic

[@mstoker5821]

Nick you do the best reviews hands down

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Thanks, that means a lot! Take care! - Nic

[@jamesnickel4748]

Nice stuff...great bike. Love it, and great review. Safe riding!

[@TotalAmateurMusician]

Late to the show here, but this is the best review I’ve found. Thanks for not being a typical moto-douche and only speaking from the GoPro perspective only. Fuck, that’s lame. You’re in front of the bike, pointing it out and thoroughly too. Well done.

[@joet.plumber3771]

Those mirrors stick out like a sore Pecker! A kick or an offset at the beginning of the hand controls with the mirror finally coming up at the end of them would give it a much more pleasant blend & look. I would prefer the kick giving it a more uniform look about it.

[@MarioFlores-ni3kj]

Great review, thanks.

[@Sureshdonthi]

Test drove bonneville T100 few days back. handling, braking and acceleration are amazing. biggest drawback in these bikes is hot air hitting your legs, which makes it very uncomfortable within city limits due to stop and go traffic. Speedmaster looks big for city, but yes, for highway cruising.

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hi Suresh, That's interesting to hear. I've ridden the T100, T120, Thruxton R and Speedmaster in traffic and didn't experience anything out of the ordinary with heat dissipation. That's something we'll keep an eye on the next time we have some Bonnevilles on test. Take care! - Nic

[@TranslateToEnglish]

I have limited space in my garage. 40" +/-. What is the dimension from outside of mirror to outside of mirror?

[@HepcatHarley]

I would have liked to see some on-board footage but nevertheless that is a beautiful bike.

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Hepcat, We had some issues with our GoPro during this event. We got it worked out, and we'll be sure to have on-board footage on the next one! Take care! - Nic

[@jerrysmith9315]

Compared to the earlier Speedmasters, like in the 2007 2014 style Triumphs, I think this new one is almost ugly...FRONT TIRE TO LARGE, FRONT BRAKE DISC DIAMETER IS TOO LARGE, HARD TO SEE THE WIRE WHEELS, THE RAKE ANGLE IS TOO STRAIGHT, A few other minor things I would classify as customizing. Just my opinion...I had a 2007 for three years, great bike, many favorable comments from others. The Bobber is also not for me, same comments on the front, it gets worse at the seat and the rear fender.

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hi Jerry, The new Speedmaster is a definite change from the previous generation, that's for sure. Outside of aesthetics, such as the look of the front tire, and the brake disc covering too much of the wire-spoke wheels, these changes improve the performance of the package. Stopping power is far better than Bonneville's of the previous generation and the handling is quite stable as well, thanks to to the updated geometry. While styling will always come down to personal tastes, raising the bar in terms of functionality is something that we all can benefit from. Take care! - Nic

[@jerrysmith9315]

Ultimate Motorcycling Nic, I did not expect a reply, but thanks ......Other comments I could have made....Cruiser Comfort...?...not as much in the new models...no drag bars.... a totally different feeling than previous Speed Masters, I guess is my point. I have no argument with your comments on the new ones....they are a lot different to me. Thanks for the great info on your vids

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Jerry, No worries! We're happy to foster the discussion, especially when it comes to models with such big changes. As far as comfort goes, the Speedmaster is a comfortable machine. It's has a relaxed and neutral position, probably more so than the original Speedmaster. You are correct that it's a different Speedmaster than previous generations - as for that being a good or bad thing, that's not for me to decide as I think that both bikes are great. The previous model was good in its time and the updated Speedmaster is wonderful. At that point, it comes down to personal tastes. Take care! - Nic

[@aribahombre2942]

Very nice review , thank you . Have had two air - cooled Speedmasters , and think they're a great bike . Could easily be tempted onto a water - cooled 1200 Speedy' , anytime . Test ride overdue ? LOL .

[@amitkumarprusty4790]

When it will launch in India and what would be the price ?

[@johnDukemaster]

Very well done! :-)

[@sbsb4995]

Perfection

[@claudtalkz2194]

Oh no. I want this.

[@jb1412]

Do you have additional riding video, walk around, exhaust audio? Bike looks amazing this is actually the first live review I have located. More time riding and listening please

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Jeff, During this event we spent a lot more time riding the canyons than collecting footage. The upshot to that is it makes for a more confident review, the downside is that we have less action video to work with. Normally we would have incorporated onboard video that would have captured some of the Speedmaster's tone, but I had some issues with our GoPro. Things are getting sorted out, so we'll have things in order on the next go around. Take care! - Nic

[@joeguzman3558]

I'm changing the seat to like the Harley of the 1950s and 60s (bigger and whit a spring pipe that comes fron the center of frame and bigger handle bars like the roadking ) it's beutiful .

[@greggusan]

One of the nicest cruisers I've ever seen. And way more practical looking than the bobber. Does the suspension set-up/new peg position give it any more turning clearance than the bobber? One of my main issues with the bobber is how quickly it touches parts in a turn. I know they aint sports bikes, but with the nice power delivery and handling this platform is capable of, nice to have the clearance to lean it over some in the twisties.

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Greg, Although Triumph didn't provide numbers, the ground clearance is probably similar, if not a little less than the Bobber and Bobber Black. Take care! - Nic

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

Good looking bike

[@saschavokamp8605]

What about a driver of 190 cm height. Does the bike have enough space to ride it well?

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hi Sascha, That's a tough question for me to answer because I'm 5'10'' or 177 cm. I can tell you that the Speedmaster is relatively spacious and not cramped at all for someone of my size. On this same trip, there were a few other journalists that were closer to your height, and they didn't seem to have any issues. The best way to test this is to walk into a dealership and simply sit on the bike. Take care! - Nic

[@elviareyes9317]

What’s the seat height?

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Elvira68, The seat height is just shy of 28 inches. Take care!

[@genius-no5sl]

Sweet bike

[@rucksterman]

Nice review. All the hand waving is a bit distracting, though.

[@TheAbhinav1001]

This should launch in India.

[@slamdunk118]

I'm 5ft7, is that good enough to ride this motorcycle ?

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Justin, That shouldn't be an issue at all. With the "beach-cruiser" style bars, the reach isn't long at all. The only concern you might have is with the forward controls, but I found them to be completely amicable and certainly not the longest reach I've ever experienced. One of the great aspects of the Bonneville's and all the of the variants is the lower seat heights. You'll be able to reach the ground easily and due to the Speedmaster's lower center of gravity, it won't feel cumbersome either. I think you'll be in good shape. Take care! - Nic

[@johnnykumar448]

great video, what is the top speed of this beauty.

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Johnny, The top speed listed on the speedometer is 130 mph. Though, with a bike like the Speedmaster, I don't think you would be inclined to drag down the highway at 130 mph.

[@michaelpolissky]

Nice review Nick, do you know when these Speedmaster will be in showrooms?

[@brent1041]

Nice bike

[@jromero12392]

Is the Speedmaster good for beginners?

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Jean, That's a frequent question we get with this category of bike, and the honest answer is that it depends on you as a rider. The powerplant found in the Speedmaster is virtually the same as the T120, Bobber, Thruxton and Thruxton R, which we appreciate quite a bit due to its tractable power and great torque. It's an incredibly easy engine to explore, but has a decent amount of power on tap - so beginner riders could get into trouble quite easily, if they're not careful. To ere on the side of caution, we'd always suggest that riders with no motorcycling experience begin on something of smaller displacement/lower power output. If you'd like to stay in the Triumph Bonneville family, the T100 is a great platform to get your feet wet. If your heart is truly set on the Speedmaster, we'd strongly suggest you get a some advanced training. Hope this helps! - Nic

[@chrisoldland]

does it have heated grips like the T120?

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Chris, The Speedmaster doesn't have heated grips as a standard feature, that's available as an option. Although it does come with cruise control.

[@brandonkeller6493]

Heated grips are an option but it does come standard with cruise control.

[@nizzmo100]

Heated gripes are over rated....your better off with heated gloves .

[@sathishasam2257]

this bike how much price in India

[@joet.plumber3771]

Look at the 2012 Honda Fury. That’s the kind of mirrors that belong on this bike. The shape of that tank man. The shape of the whole bike! Build something like that and you’ll get a huge waiting list. Guaranteed. I’d call it “The Big Easy” from the movie classic “Easy Rider” Better yet, do a play on words and call it the “Triumph Elefant” sort of like crossing an elephant with a rhino. You get an “Elif-Ino?” 😳 Or crossing an elephant with a rabbit 🐰. No, you don’t get a “wabbe-phant” or an “ele-wabbit” You get a dead rabbit with an ass the size of “Simon Cowell’s” head! 😂

[@balsara675]

Good

[@ruddyteck]

dude, nice review... Can you hear me now?, How about now?.... you look just like the guy from the cell phone commercial.

[@don.richard8823]

Nice bike good price

[@averagehummer1213]

This seems like too much for a beginner, I love how the Bonneville looks and I want something like this bike

[@76CzarekP]

speedmaster over bobber every time

[@sleazyrider4966]

for a motorcylce called speedmaster, 80hp out of a 1200cc engine is not impressive...other than that I fkin love this bike... What is the top speed of it?

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

Hey Sleazy, The naming for the bike is supposed to be something of a throw back to the 60's era, as I understand it. It has great power for the street and given the platform, you're not going to get bored of it. It indicates 130 mph and while I believe that the 1200cc p-twin has more than enough gumption to do it, given the styling of bike, I'm not sure how rewarding that would be. For this type of machine, it's definitely aimed more at comfort and soaking in the scenery, but that doesn't make it a slouch in the canyons. Take care! - Nic

[@giantslug6969]

Just needs a bigger tank. 4+ gal and .5 reserve.

[@kevinvoeks7422]

Nice bike very small gas tank. Nothing like filling up every other block

[@joeguzman3558]

Im getting one ,

[@petermoll7839]

Joe Guzman Did you get one and are you happy with it? Thinking about getting one and a little worrying about the ground clearance in corners.

[@tsmgguy]

Looks like the same 3.8 gallon as the T120.

[@ultimatemotorcycling]

It does look similar in appearance but Triumph has stated that it's a 3.2 gallon fuel tank. With a claimed 50 mpg, the Speedmaster has a potential range of 160 miles.

[@graemewilliams1308]

"Passenger seat " ? How about pillion seat ?

[@hogsandsooners]

Graeme Williams Just semantics. By the way, the word pillion refers to the passenger seat, so no need to say pillion “seat”; pillion will suffice.

[@larryhouse2767]

It's a seat for a passenger. Ugh... passenger seat.

[@e.g.5806]

First thing's first is let's talk about how you look like Seth Mcfalane!

[@jaystrauss2269]

Too much hand movement from the reviewer, makes me dizzy!

[@YingYangStang]

Is this basically a Womans bike ...?

[@renatow1976]

too much talk