Tall Riders & Motorcycle Options : The Speedmaster

Are you too tall for a bike? Are you too tall for the Triumph Speedmaster? Are there better bikes for tall people? This video discusses the issues taller riders might encounter when looking for a motorcycle, and will focus examples based on the Triumph Speedmaster. This video will also discuss the issues or weaknesses presented by the 2023 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, its deficiencies and potential solutions.
Contents
03:24 Taller Bikers & Bike Fit
04:10 Speedmaster Looks vs. Comfort
08:09 Speedmaster Wind Drag
10:28 Speedmaster Suspension
11:38 Speedmaster Handlebars & Full Lock
16:00 Speedmaster Braking
18:26 Speedmaster ABS Tangent
19:30 Speedmaster Weaknesses
24:47 Searching for a New Bike
26:27 In Closing
Peace out from Virginia!

[@michaelpina1858]

Haha!! Great ending Ferris! lol, I’m 6 feet tall , love my Speedmaster, 2022 Gold Line, I love the beach bar , but felt it was a little low , so I loosened it and twisted it up a few inches, it’s even better that how it’s set from Triumph, try it , just loosen those four Allan screws on the clamp , pull it up then retighten, and it’s free, you’ll just have to adjust your mirrors

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

What about the controls on the handle bars, won't that be tilted too? Note: For some reason, I thought the Speedmaster handlebars had pins in them to secure the positioning (unlike the standards tubes) As for the turning radius, I have not seen the video, but from an engineering perspective, I am aware the shorter diameter when tilting - I am just not sure how much extra shortening is to be expected. Like I mentioned in the video, when I duck walk the turning radius, I get about a 17 ft circle, but after a few minutes of practice, I was able to cut it about 16 ft. What I don't know is the limit or max I can drop the circle to - I speculate in the video maybe 15 ft?

[@michaelpina1858]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick no pin, free to move , it’s easy to adjust the controls as well , just loosen the bolt on the base of the grips , I left my grip position as is , feels fine , try it

[@michaelpina1858]

Did you pull up your bars?

[@BlockCylinder]

Regarding turn radius - bikes make tighter turns when they are leaned over. There's a good video on this specific topic from Jerry Palladino. I'm 6'8" and over 350lbs. I'd love to send you a pic of me on my BMW R1250GS Adventure. I add a tall windscreen, handlebar risers, tall seat, and lowered foot pegs to make it fit. It actually feels like a little sport bike before I make the modifications.

[@bobjohnson1633]

Some people need giant bikes. Lol

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

Damn. 6'8" and the adventure bike worked out? Yes, send me the pic of you on the bike. Not sure if/when I will address the height issue again, but if I do, I may use that pic if that is OK.

[@BlockCylinder]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick Let me know how I can share it.

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

@@BlockCylinder So I didn't even realize until your inquiry that you couldn't attach pictures to comments :) For now, you can use my personal email: [e-mail] to send the picture. And if/when you do, maybe you can add how many miles you have ridden on your R1250GS, your overall impression and comfort with he mods you made, and any negatives you encountered due to your height.

[@millinutz]

Omg, what ya done here...? You bought a Speedmaster, called the channel The Speedmaster and now you wanna change it all ! Stick with Triumph and i'll stick with you* Try and look for a Rocket-3, or even better a 1600 Thunderbird, that's the biggest in their range but unfortunately no longer in production. In Europe tho, there are still a few pre-owned ones with low milage, to be had..., i'm in the process of looking for a Thunderbird myself. However, reading between the lines, it sounds like you're thinking of the Tiger 1200, also a very good bike. Whatever...., good luck with the hunting. * - I signed up here for the Triumph content.

[@liberty001]

Yup :) That's basically what I did. Bought the bike and a created a channel :) As for the adventure bike, your Spidey senses are on track. I do like the Triumph Tiger line. As for the 1600 Thunderbird, I have looked into that. I want to be able to whip the bike around with ease. So wheelbase, rake and weight is a biggie. If you get a chance, check out my very first video "Why I hate all cruisers except one: The Speedmaster" - it is subjective, but I lay out the reasons why I like the Speedmaster better than other cruisers - including the Thunderbird 1600. I got nothing against the bike, I am sure its a great bike, but it will not serve my purpose / satisfy my requirements.

[@bobjohnson1633]

I'm ONLY 6 feet, but if I had to get a cruiser, it's the rocket 3

[@Bradthetruckie]

They're almost exact same size as a HD Dyna

[@traeucity6087]

Adventure bikes are the way to go for taller riders. They make great sport tourers, long distance tourers and commuter bikes.

[@thengine7]

Getting really tired of being pigeonholed into adventure bikes. I want a hyper naked that fits 6'5" with a long torso.

[@traeucity6087]

@@thengine7 , The Ducati Streetfighters are taller bikes.

[@karenallen5208]

I'm 5'6" tall, 136 lbs., and my Speedmaster is as close to perfect as I've found. Like I've mentioned before, after removing the "feelers" from the foot pegs, I no longer cringe taking the twisties. That took care of the dragging problem. There are still times when my hip will cramp, but I don't experience that all the time. My Speedmaster is just too great; I can't think of any bike I would trade it for. I do have a small windscreen on mine which I don't think took away from the zen factor at all. It slightly lessened the wind drag, but this is my preference. Thank you for the wonderful review of this great bike. I do so love my Speedie named Liberty II. I have to add this in that I made the mistake of not drinking enough water and passed out on Liberty I. God was with me that day, and I live to ride Liberty II now. Enough said there.

[@liberty001]

Karen, yes you did mention it in one of the previous comments for another video. I actually would have liked to have called you out, actually probably will in some future video :) for alerting me on the removable nature of those feelers to avoid scrapping. BUT you got me curios, any idea of the margin of error after removing the feelers between scrapping the peg and scrapping the muffler? I think that would be my number one concern. Note: I don't really mind scrapping the Speedmaster pegs; compared to some 'scrapping' I have done in the fast, the scrape is smooth as the pegs flex up. Sounds silly, but it is the smoothest 'scrapping' I have encountered on a bike. I have never heard of anyone passing out while riding - thank goodness you survived. And I LOVE the name "Liberty"! I am a big Revolutionary War buff, subscribe to the Enlightenment philosophy and lean Libertarian. IF, and I am not really the kind of person who names my bikes and/or guns, I were to name my bike, it probably would have been "Liberty"!

[@karenallen5208]

@@liberty001 In my opinion, it's a matter of personal preference on the feelers and scraping. It really doesn't bother some people to scrape their bikes. Personally, I find it rather disconcerting. If you make it to North GA., I would show you the ride to Blairsville, GA, which has some steep curves. Since removing the feelers over a year ago, I've not scraped anything on the bike and routinely ride the mountain twisties. I have plenty of clearance now. You can see the feelers; they're about two inches long, so giving me that much more clearance has eliminated all scraping. And, silly as it sounds, I name my motorcycles. Sounds interesting to be involved in the Enlightenment philosophy; I'll check that out. I too lean toward Libertarian.

[@sebs79]

I’m 6.1 quite average guy, but I feel tall with all my bikes what I had, now I ride with BMW RnineT and it feel quite OK. I choosed BMW over to speedmaster, just because in my country it was much better price and BMW brand car I use every day since 2000.

[@robgerety]

In my State the MSF course is encouraged but not required. You can acquire the skills needed to pass the license test any way you want. Just like in the old days.

[@gradbuckie]

why they didn't keep the wheelbase from the previous generation, 865cc, version of the bike I can't figure out. that bike and its sister the "america" for a tall guy are far superior to this version of the speedster.

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

Concur

[@patheally]

One advantage of being an average-sized rider is you look good on all bikes and there's, almost, never a comfort issue you can't easily adjust for

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

Yup :)

[@2tallnegrito7cmn55]

I. 6'10" tall and looking for answers, i only have had expirience on the 85' goldwing.

[@wmclands]

I'm only 5'3" and I ride a street glide. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a speedmaster.

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

You should definitely test ride it at the very least

[@tombryan1]

I used to own a Harley Low Rider, they are similar to the Speedmaster but a bit wider and longer by about 3 or 4 inches. The fatboy is even longer, if you like Harleys, I think the early 2000's are the best series of them, the newer ones look too busy and somewhat sterile with tacky exhausts, too much crap on them.

[@EdmundRobinson]

You can turn traction control off on the Speedmaster. Its done through the info button menu. I think you tap it until "ttc ON" shows and then you long press to switch from ON to OFF.

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

Did not know that. Are you sure?

[@EdmundRobinson]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick Yes. Use the info button as I described above. Have to read your owners manual, mate. 🤓 Take at least this one tip from a short person. 😂

[@rajaakashkumar7099]

the bmw 1200gs or 1250 gs is a great bike the new one got hell of new tech its like driving a car at this point . tc buddy

[@ttrguy9952]

Nice video! As a multiple Triumph motorcycle owner, the best fit for you would be the previous generation 2016-2018 Rocket III Roadster. It's a cruiser kind of like your Speedmaster but much larger. I know because I own a 2017 with the white stripes. I also own a 2017 Thruxton R with the fairing, a 2022 Speed Triple RR and the 2023 1200 Tiger GT Explorer. My Tiger GT Explorer was the first one in the USA for 6 months! I traded a 2020 Tiger 1200 XCX for the new one in March of 2022. I waited almost all summer for it to come in. Once or twice a week I would stop by my dealer to ask if they had any word when it would arrive. The only answer was NOPE every time. Finally in July the answer was still NOPE. All the while I kept walking past the Speed Triple RR and it kept growing on me. After the NOPE of the day I said to my salesman we are loading the RR in my trailer tomorrow morning. As we were tying the RR down in my trailer, a small flatbed truck dropped a crate behind my trailer. It was my GT Explorer! My salesman never got word from Triumph and all the guys almost died laughing. Funny true story! I opted for the GT vs the Rally version because I do long distance road biased touring. Again, if you want a big cruiser look for a previous generation Rocket III Roadster. The new ones lost all of the sinister charm. Click my channel to view them all. Ride SAFE and BE safe! 👍👍

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

Good lord. One day I might have a stable of bikes like you :) As for the 2016-2018 Rocket III Roadster, it definitely looks cool and has the 'sinister charm', but I am not sure I would fit that bike since it has mids. I do like the Tigers, but I think i might start off with the 2023 900 GT Pro (vs. update 2024 GT Pro with enhancements). And then upgrade in the future when the update / enhance their 1200 version.

[@ttrguy9952]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick If you want to go the ADV route, you will not go wrong with the GT Pro. Personally I would opt for the 2024 for not much more money than a leftover 2023. Once you experience the "T Plane" engine it is game over. If you want to upgrade to the 1200, it will have a better resale/trade down the road. The 1200 series will probably not change in the next decade or so just like the last generation. A 1200 GT Explorer like mine with panniers, upper guards and the bigger lower skid plate is pushing 30K out the door. The new 900 GT Pro is a fantastic bargain! Just bite the bullet and get the 2024! Ride SAFE and BE safe Sir! 👍👍

[@PatrickJWenzel]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick You can get foot forward controls for the Rocket

[@garyshpak4266]

If you’re tall, look into the Dart Marlin for a windscreen for your Speedmaster. I’m 6’1” and it makes a HUGE difference for any riding over 50mph - 100mph + without any wind head buffeting. When I first got it I thought that it was going to be a waste of money since it’s only 8” higher from the center of the handlebars. With the dark tint, it looks amazing on my goldline. Wish I could send a pic

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

I THINK I may have captured it in the latest video I just released today, as I included a 'minimalist' windscreen recommended by one of the viewers, but I am not sure if it is 8" tall.

[@antonvandermerwe9852]

If you would consider Adventure Type Bikes, test ride the Honda Transalp. Something between the VFR and the Speedmaster would be the Triumph Speed Twin

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

Honda does make good bikes, but after trying out a few, a went with the Triumph Tiger

[@antonvandermerwe9852]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick Rick that is an awesome choice in that category.

[@robertwake8412]

Thunderbird storm mate👍

[@Nightmareloh]

Check out the triumph rocket 3 gt

[@benbianchi3074]

Sounds as though you might be suffering from Chris Farley Syndrome aka “fat man in a little coat”, although, in your case, it’s more akin to “big dude on a dinky bike”. I have much appreciated your commentary-past & present. In a previous comment that I’d shared with you, I had suggested either the Triumph Tiger 900GT or 1200GT-I own the 900, as well as the Speedmaster…with numerous modifications to meet my ergonomic needs, & more. I have had a slew of bikes (and of all types)& at this stage of life, I have whittled it down to these two ‘cicles. That said, and given your size to bike concerns/issues(dimensions-with an emphasis on comfort), as well as the other “necessary” accouterments-you may want to take a-look at the HD Pan America…I owned 1 for about a year & loved it❗️ And particularly given your size, that bike could literally be “just the right fit”…but obviously, that’s a very personal preference/decision for you to decide…I will add that the Pan America is powerful enough(150 horses)& offers many adaptable ride preferences, nimble too…I am done riding 2-wheel Winnebagos, yet love them too…the adventure/sport/tourer seems to be the best beast for me at 67 years of age(next month). Enjoy the purchasing process-I will be curious to hear what you pick-up👍

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

Ben, thanks for the feedback. I think I will check out the Pan America, however, unless it is much better than the others, I am not sure I want to deal with Harley Davidson.

[@benbianchi3074]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick I feel-ya in reference to HD…as we know, life seems to be chock full of trade offs…and there are numerous factors to consider here…I have found some manufacturers & dealerships to be better than others-and even that can be “seasonal”. Best going forward. -Ben

[@ttrguy9952]

@@TheSpeedmasterRick I had a deposit on the Pan Am before Triumph announced the new Tiger lineup. The rest is history.

[@benbianchi3074]

They’re tough to beat🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@HashimBeny]

I’m 6’8. Currently eying a 2008 HD Fatboy

[@BlockCylinder]

I was told by a Harley dealer that all models are designed for the same riding position. This is assuming all stock parts, and FWIW this was before the Pan America came out. Does that seem accurate to you? Or are some models more suitable for a tall rider?

[@TheSpeedmasterRick]

If you are amenable, would you mind sending me a picture of yourself on your bike? Along with BlockCylinder who is also 6'8" tall, if I get enough tall riders images / feedback, I might create a follow up video to this one including images and opinions from tall riders like you. For now, you can use my personal email: [e-mail] to send the picture. And if/when you do, maybe you can add how many miles you have ridden on your 2008 HD Fatboy, your overall impression and comfort, and modifications you have made, and any negatives you encountered due to your height.