TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER LONG TERM 3YR 5000 MILE REVIEW

[@grahamtricker4103]

I agree with you. Straight out of the box there is nothing you need to do on the Speedmaster as it is so well spec'ed and so well made. I also love the beach bars too, which makes for a very comfortable motorcycle.

[@fozbox]

Yea it’s pretty sensational - glad I’m not the only one who things this!

[@karenallen5208]

Thank you for the neat review. I have a 2018 Speedmaster, which has had two oil leaks (while under extended warranty) which necessitated replacing the stator. The other issue I had with the bike is when I first got it, the throttle bodies were out of balance. I explained it to two different dealerships in an attempt to explain how the bike was malfunctioning. It was actually bucking as you slightly eased off the throttle. I learned to manage it by putting it into the friction zone when I released the throttle. However, it finally got my real attention one day as I was going around a tight curved round-a-bout and it nearly jumped out from under me. That's when I said, "Alright, enough is enough," and took it to the Triumph dealer and said, "Fix it!" They finally did diagnose the issue and made the adjustments to the throttle bodies and now it's fine. But for anyone who happens to purchase a Speedmaster and note the severe bucking, it's the throttle bodies out of balance.

[@fozbox]

Sorry you've had such issues!

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It’s always great to get an updated and honest review from someone who has actually put the bike through its paces! Ride on Fozbox!

[@fozbox]

Thanks, will do!

[@topcatvespa1972]

Just found your channel. I like the mix you present with commentary and scenery/sounds. Your SpeedMaster looks great with the black and brown combo you've done. As a new rider, while visiting the Triumph dealer, the first bike I happened upon was a used 2019 Tuxedo striped SM and was blown away, then I went inside and saw the 2022 red and chrome SM and fainted. Such a glorious bike, and I think I will have it some day. I ended up purchasing a used Bonne T100 (2017) and plan to take it slow and learn for now.- Cheers from The USA.

[@fozbox]

The Triumph showroom is a great place to be isn’t it 😍! So many bikes I’d like to have, just have to be grateful I’ve got this one.

[@stevenwatling3160]

Thanks again for all the great info and insights on the Triumph Speedmaster. A lovely bike (a bike to be 'cherished' as one vlogger put it) I'm a shorter rider 5'7" with a 29" inseem and not used to the feet forward riding position. Would that be a deal breaker for owning this bike do you think?

[@fozbox]

Not at all, to be honest I think the shorter you are the better for this bike. I’m 6ft3 and I find my knees get in the way sometimes and I’d love to have my feet further forward so think being a shorter rider would really suit this bike.

[@stevenwatling3160]

Many thanks! I await delivery of my Speedy with greater confidence. Cheers!

[@fozbox]

Best of luck!

[@seanwalsh567]

I'm thinking of buying one of these, and Google recommended your video. I should mention that I live in Finland but I'm originally from the UK, and moved here almost 30 years ago. As I watched, the roads seemed remarkably familiar and I couldn't believe it when I saw you turn to Stourhead. I grew up in Zeals and my parents are buried in Stourhead churchyard. I used to ride the same roads in my teens and early twenties, and it's quite nostalgic watching you riding the same roads now, almost like I'm re-living my youth. 😂 I still come back about once a year to visit my relatives in Mere. Anyway, thanks for the good and interesting information, and keep them coming. 🙂

[@fozbox]

What a crazy coincidence!! I’ll make sure to do a ride through Mere on my next video just for you 👍🏻

[@guyfuller1369]

Motone Customs has an excellent bar riser for the Speedmaster, one inch up and one inch back, I believe. No knee issues thereafter. Thanks for the 5000 mile review.

[@fozbox]

Thanks for the info! One inch up would be good…don’t need it further back I don’t think it’s already quite close

[@haydnward9521]

FozBox, thank you so much for sharing....just like you, started on Vulcan S, which is very good and I heartily recommend post passing test...but I didn't fall in love with it....by some fluke, I happened to be in a Triumph dealership, actually looking at a Tiger Sport 660 initially....also a great bike, but not for me personally, but there was a blinged up speedmaster in the showroom second hand....prev owner: floorboards, panniers, vance & hines exhaust, screen, union jack rad protector, union jack thing on the screen, the hand painted tank paintwork they don't do anymore (or not like this) for some reason....totally in love at first sight....reserved it obvs and took it out for a test ride today....I'm in heaven!!! And they have my money!!!

[@fozbox]

I love how you just happened to find yourself in a Triumph dealer!!!! Sounds like you bagged yourself an epic one, hope it's all you imagined it would be. Love mine to bits!

[@malcolmemsley5909]

I have a 22 just a year now and have covered 6000mls. I find the rear shock is fine , I have tightened it up to around 2 clicks left. I am around 15 stone. The front forks bottom out very easily, I cannot find any aftermarket progressive springs so I plan to put a heavier fork oil in. I have the comfort seat but the lumber pad absorbs water which then leaks out for days . I intend therefore to change the seat. Apart from these things I love it. I have never had the knee/bars problem , I am 6 ft 32 inside leg, maybe the bars are tilted up a little more. As for rust I had a T120 for 3 years, just on the onset of winter I wash wax and treat with ACF 50 on all the chrome and engine casing etc. I do not ride when the roads have been salted and when they have I wait until there has been a couple of good rainy days to wash it away. The salt will kill your bike especially the Aluminium no matter what the make of bike and is likely to be the start of the rust. No bikes are chromed these days like they used to be and that is thanks to the Japanese believe it or not as they cut corners with the process and others followed suit so as to compete with prices. You need to protect the chrome in winter. Great vid thanks

[@fozbox]

Yea my mere 13 stone seems to be fine on the rear shock but it's not like a tourer where you can ride all day in comfort, just from the body position I need to stretch after about 90mins. Knee bar issue isn't an issue for sensible sized people but once you're a little over the 6ft region it begins to impact - I'm only 6ft3 with 34 leg so taller people might struggle more. ACF 50 is great - been using it for a couple of years and it does a good job on the rims but the engine cover is well salted and haven't found a way to bring that back to it's original sheen yet.

[@themeansheets1279]

Very nice extended review of a very nice bike.

[@fozbox]

Glad you liked it!

[@stanleylawson9015]

hey missed your vids good to see you are back

[@fozbox]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@itssmehere]

When I first seen the Speedmaster I was over the moon, when I seen it had beachbars I was sold.... I absolutely love the riding style of the bike, those beachbars are so comfortable.... I have mostly ridden cruiser style bikes in my 40 odd years of riding, more to the point a majority of my bikes have had similar bars to the beachbars.... I'm riding a 2020 SM and the motor keeps improving as it wears in, at 19,000 klm's now.

[@fozbox]

Couldn't agree more!

[@DonachaHolland]

Thank you for your videos. I currently own a 2020 Bobber TFC but I would like to add the Speedmaster to the stable. I like the fact that the Speedmaster is more versatile for everyday riding, over the Bobber. I would prefer adding panniers, windscreen and some of the other accessories from your previous videos. I do realize that I could add all of these items to my Bobber but I feel that it would take away from its beauty and what it was designed for ( Like adding a tow hitch to a Porsche 911) I also like the larger fuel tank on the Speedmaster. When I ride with my friends on their larger bikes I'm always the first to need fuel. I own the same Raven 2 jacket and love it. I also have the Raven gloves, but I have to say they are much better now that they have been broken in. Thanks again for your videos and looking forward to the next one! Donacha

[@fozbox]

Yea I mean it’s only a 12 litre tank on the Speedmaster so definitely not huge. Luggage and a screen on the bobber would look a bit weird 😂😂

[@DonachaHolland]

@@fozbox better than 9 litre that I have now

[@fozbox]

That’s true! But you do look super cool 👌🏻

[@jordankelesidis4119]

what a lovely review! Thank you.. next week i am going to pick a used one 2018 model. how you find the service costs / maintenance ?

[@fozbox]

Thanks! Maintenance isn’t bad as it’s a bike that generally doesn’t need much out of the ordinary. Service is pretty expensive but on par with other major brands

[@gwynnromano5881]

I traded in my Thunderbird 1600 for the new Speedmaster three weeks ago and I like it more and more each time I ride it. I loved my T-Bird but as a seasoned citizen it was time for something smaller and lighter.

[@fozbox]

Hahaha, it's funny to think of the Speedmaster being the smaller and lighter option!

[@gwynnromano5881]

@@fozbox The T-Bird weighs in at 740lbs but the Speedmaster is about 530lbs. If I had the money and the garage space I would have kept the Thunderbird and had two Triumphs. With enough money and space, a few more bikes. You can’t have too many right? 😄

[@alichamas63]

Great bike. Would love to know how the wind and weather situation is without a screen? From my experience riding adventure tourers a screen (and heated grips) makes a huge difference to staying comfy and warm. I know you can get a Triumph screen though it does look better without. How essential to highway riding would you find a screen? I image the wind hits hard being a naked bike.

[@fozbox]

When I do really long journeys where there is lots of highway then I do attach the screen. Up to 60mph the wind really isn’t a problem, anything over that and you start to feel it. You can get heated grips but really this bike isn’t designed as a tourer

[@shannonmurphy5137]

Thank you for a great review !

[@fozbox]

Glad it was helpful!

[@neilyplim]

Dear Sir, Many thanks for your video - I really enjoyed watching it. I'm seriously considering buying a Speedmaster 1200 and, if I do, I'll be using it all-year-round, in all weathers. I was struck at just how good (and relatively rust-free) your bike looked after three years. I'm therefore assuming that you are fastidious in keeping it clean, and maybe using some sort of anti-corrosion protectant spray? Could you please tell me how to keep my bike looking as good as yours if I decide to buy one? Many thanks, Neil.

[@fozbox]

Actually I'm nowhere near as fastidious as I should be, but when you have a bike that looks this good it is nice to have it shiny! I did a cleaning vid once so I'll add that link here... kzbin.info/www/bejne/opO8ZWmOgqt0h5o ACF 50 is good when putting it away for the winter in terms of anti-corrosion.

[@Rob-dk3mr]

can you loosen the handlebars and turn them up an inch.? being 6'2" the handlebar hitting your knee is a concern

[@fozbox]

You can yes, but that would create quite an uncomfortable angle for your wrists. Better option would be to get handlebar raisers to lift by a couple of inches. Being 6ft3 the only time I find my knees a problem really is in car parks

[@davidmitchell7714]

Do you have, can one purchase a rear rack to replace the pillion seat…? Good video. Love the bike.

[@fozbox]

TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER - BEST FOUR ACCESSORIES kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqqohGqlbNCjqMU

[@davidmitchell7714]

@@fozbox lol, so that’s a no then. I’ve seen the rear rack, but I’m looking to replace the pillion seat with a rack. I’ve seen one on a Bobber, but it doesn’t seem to be compatible with the Speedmaster, which, is rather strange…

[@Fernando90054]

Hi, thank you for the nice video. What about six axes IMU, leaning or cornering abs? Does the speed master has it or is it possible to order from the Triumph Dealer? Thank you for your kind answer.

[@fozbox]

You'll need to aim at a Tiger or similar for that sort of tech I think

[@jsern85]

I love to own the Speedmaster! Good to see your vid bout the bike again. ^^)

[@fozbox]

You and me both!

[@denisg4288]

Hi I also had a Vulcan but the clam like riding position killed my lower back. Bike did handle beautifully though. Cornering heaven. Currently got a T120 and Scrambler 900. The Scrambler is on a PCP but when that expires the Speedmaster is now a serious consideration as Triumph now do mid pegs as an option. Regards

[@fozbox]

The current pegs aren’t far forward at all in my opinion but appreciate you may have shorter legs 😂

[@denisg4288]

@@fozbox Hi. You may well be right. I haven’t tried the Speedmaster so might be making a wrong assumption.

[@nigelheapsmbe9246]

I have the mid pegs. Im 6'1'' and they are very comfy

[@jubei6802]

A 650ish version would be a dream to me... nice vid.

[@fozbox]

Have to say I think a 650 would lose some of the character of the engine which makes this bike so good

[@jubei6802]

@FozBox too much engine for me.. I lose feel with a bike if it's too powerfull. That's just me tho 😄👍

[@CaptainRambunctious]

Only 5000 miles??!! Barely run in! 😂 They launched the Speedmaster at the same time as the bobber black. I’ve put the bobber bars on my Speedmaster so that I’m pulled more forwards and my arms have more room. I also have lighter handling due to the straight bars too… Mine’s just passed it’s second MOT! I commute on mine, I tour on mine, I scratch round country lanes with my mates… it’s a superb all rounder… very versatile… Also really easy to customise and change…. I haven’t changed the rear suspension… it’s fine expect that I did have to put it to almost maximum preload to stop it bottoming out on bumps on corners… Love scraping the pegs… just replace the blobs when you need!!! You’re right, it’s great straight out of the box, but then it’s up to use to make it our own… so many custom website, especially British Customs and Motone Customs… I never liked the beach bars… but it was an easy conversion to the straight bars… just need the shorter cable set… Also, the straight bars pull me forwards in to the wind…. I just find the bars too close to myself… it also stops the bumps going straight up my back… The forward controls are perfect for leg room. I found the mid pegs of the bobber too close and my knees were too high… Love the 1200 engine, especially with DNA air filters, decat and British Custkms Sleeper Pros… I’ve managed 0-60 in 4 seconds now… I also have the Fuel Booster Plug which stops the twitchy throttle and any lumpiness at low revs… 2nd gear is great at low speeds but on country roads, 3rd gear is perfect for overtaking from 40-70mph… enjoy!!! Anyway, a very good review… thank you… Tally Bally Ho!

[@fozbox]

Haha, yea it is only barely run in! Sadly haven't used it much this year which is a shame as it gives me so much joy. The customisation options are huge - I'm just waiting until the weight of my wallet can keep up with the changes I'd like to make!

[@CaptainRambunctious]

@@fozbox yes, cost is key. I think I’ve spent an extra £3.5K? Nuts really…

[@fozbox]

@@CaptainRambunctious haha, completely nuts but at the same time so worth it!

[@CaptainRambunctious]

@@fozbox so worth it!! Found an Ohlins rear shock for £600… 🙈

[@matthewmoore3806]

such a beautiful relaxed bike. Have you done a decat and put D N A filter in?. I DID ON MY SPEED TWIN and it gave another ten miles per gallon!. MATT

[@fozbox]

Nope - mine is stock. X-pipe is definitely on the cards though. But it's so good how it is anyway.

[@anthonydunn7043]

actually 76 horses and 1200cc. Love the bike 2019.

[@fozbox]

76 of those merry little ponies 👌🏻

[@alexmorgan3435]

If Jaguar had made motorcycles they would have made the Speedmaster. Did you buy it new? How do you find the low ground clearance if pushing on along twisty roads or riding around roundabouts? The one I rode from a dealer I managed to get to scrape the pegs quite a lot riding around roundabouts which is unnerving. Have you had to replace the tyres in 5k miles, if so, how much are they and did you simply replace with what you have previously? What make are the tyres? Are you pretty limited in what tyres are available? As you say a lovely looking bike.

[@fozbox]

Yes I bought it new…first vehicle I’ve ever bought new, rather a treat! The low clearance isn’t a massive issue for me, I’ve scraped twice in 3yrs but then I don’t ride that aggressively. Tyres are still the ones it came with which are python off the top of my head…clearly decent as they’re still in excellent condition after 5k miles

[@alexmorgan3435]

@@fozbox Thank you for your reply. I am too looking at buying one new. I would like to get one shortly for this season, but previously have never bought a new vehicle car or bike and it scares me owing to depreciation having ridden it out of the showroom or taken delivery.. I am looking at it being a keeper too, to try to mitigate the depreciation which means it must have 95% ticked boxes. Scraping the pegs on roundabouts was my only real gripe. I am not an aggressive rider, just not used to riding such a low bike. Aside from this it is all pretty much a big tick. It certainly put a smile on my face when I sat on a used one at a dealer a couple of days ago. Also I had such a bad experience last year buying my Speed Triple RS from a Triumph dealer I don't really want to risk a repeat certainly not handing over another huge chunk of cash.

[@fozbox]

Depreciation is obviously a factor but with a bike you can almost offset that against the knowledge that no one else has absolutely hammered the engine or fiddled with it in any way. It's a bit different to a car in that regard. Also these bikes seem to be holding their value fairly well compared to some. I really wouldn't worry about scraping the pegs, you soon get used to how low it is in the corners and the pegs themselves have grinders on the end which can be replaced if you happen to wear them down! Fingers massively crossed you have a better Triumph experience this time.

[@chrisswimm4948]

I just got my used 2018 Speedmaster, question, is your fuel tank jet black and the rest of your Speedmaster Phantom Black? My tank is shiny black and the rest is shiny black flake.

[@fozbox]

It all seems pretty black to me 😂

[@shannonmurphy5137]

Is it good choice for a first cruiser ?

[@fozbox]

For a first bike a 1200 engine is quite a lot! But if you’ve ridden before and this is just your first cruiser then absolutely. It’s incredibly user friendly!

[@Danilo_Koi]

Hey, sir! I've been suffering from back pain on my bonnie T100 after a couple hours of ridind, do you think a beach bar like yours would help me?

[@fozbox]

Not necessarily. It’s a cruiser issue generally because you sit upright on your tailbone. That’s why touring/adventure bikes like the Tiger are so much more comfortable

[@malcolmemsley5909]

I know a bit about backs and it depends on the nature of your problem or if you have a disc issue. I have the comfort seat on the Speedmaster and my back is OK with it, but it depends if I have been overdoing things and my back will hurt anyway so these things are difficult. I don't feel any pressure on my tailbone but I would think your physique will play a part as well which will effect position as we are all different. I had a massive Sciatica blow out in 2018 C5 Perforated disc and I haven't been the same since. So I live with it. Bit of Arthritis in my right hip as well so forward pegs are great for me, they are not ridiculous forward, I cant do rear sets at all. When I had my T120 I put the Motone viper seat on and it was way better than stock. The Bonnie irritated my back from time to time where I have had no problems with the speedmaster.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

5,000 miles in 3 years? Don't ride much do you?

[@fozbox]

Sadly not, but hopefully that will be changing

[@georgefirth09]

this could be the way forward away from my 2022 Indian Scout

[@fozbox]

Are you not enjoying the Scout?

[@georgefirth09]

@@fozbox great bike but came down from an Indian Roadmaster which had everything But now local deal is changing the scout battery FOC as it’s blown But battery warranty was only 6 months

[@gzk6nk]

I think the Speedmaster is a far better looking bike than the Bobber. The Bobber looks very odd with that seat hanging off the back like a tractor or a plough or some other form of farm machinery. And it's less practical - no pillion or luggage as the back end jerks up and down with the back wheel.

[@fozbox]

The bobber is a classic ‘look’ but I agree…Speedmaster 100%

[@tasteapiana]

What I have noticed, in watching KZbin videos, about the difference between the Speedmaster and Speedmaster Bobber is the audio is always horribly shaky on the Bobber as long as it is in motion, at any speed. Voices of Bobber riders resemble that of someone riding atop an out of round washing machine during a spin cycle, ridiculously shaky and exasperated. The Bobber's seat situation is terrible, at best. It looks good from an aesthetic perspective but it being hard fastened to only the engine side of the frame, away from the side of that which has any dampening, and not the rear, to be blunt, is just dumb. I enjoy the rumble of a raspy motor, I do NOT enjoy the rumble of a road full of potholes and other non-flat things. The road vibrations on a bike only take away from any enjoyment of the vibrations coming from the engine. Triumph needs to get over itself, drop the pretense of being on the cutting edge/trendy, and revisit some of its total head slapping decisions, such as the seat situation on that Bobber. If it doesn't, then its future is bleak. The Boomers are over, they ain't buying bikes now, and we Gen Xers are kinda fed up with solid time-tested products being labeled ''retro'' just to keep them in the lineup, as that sounds cool to imbecile kids and company CEOs alike. If they lose us by stroking off the 20 somethings then they will fail completely.

[@tasteapiana]

Again, and on that whole ''retro'' thing, is a mail/postal truck retro? Is a plane that uses actual props retro? Is a plane with a jet engine, which was developed pre WWII, ''retro''? There are millions of products in this world which work, like, ummm, scissors, that haven't been updated in 100s, if not 1,000s, of years which not even one of us refers to as ''retro''. If it works, just works, doesn't need any re-designing, only safety features added as they come along, then what is the big deal about it and why do they believe they have to make excuses for it still being around? That's like saying ''We are so sorry that this perfected thing, which has zero problems, is still available to you''. The only people who want a product line that is in constant development and testing (by the buyers) are the people in the design department who consider that aspect as job security. THOSE are idiots responsible for the Bobber seat situation, which is why its sales are flat after the fanboys jumped in.

[@fozbox]

I’m sure the audio and visual isn’t to do with the different bikes…much more likely to be the camera and mic setup I’d have thought.

[@stoundingresults]

Get the speedmaster over bobber and have a spare helmet ready for picking up a lady. Solo seat riders cannot give rides.

[@fozbox]

That’s what the pillion seat is for 😂

[@RoamingWithRoss]

1200 cc, not horses. 😊

[@fozbox]

Quite correct of course, but you know what i mean

[@bensatterwhite5694]

The bobber looks terrible. The seat floating in the air. Like a half ass bike.

[@fozbox]

It’s definitely a ‘look’, like you it wasn’t for me but the Speedmaster with no rear seat works better aesthetically for me 👌🏻

[@bensatterwhite5694]

@@fozbox yeah for the last year I’ve been riding a VTX 1300R with out the rear seat. It gives the bike a kind of classic look. I don’t ride with a passenger so it’s fine for me.