Triumph Speedmaster 1200 - Just Relax

I think the only Bonneville of the current range I haven’t tried was the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. Swept back bars, feet forward and that 1200 high torque engine that on the T120, can be lurchy. Doesn’t sound like a good combination for me. Yet somehow, this bike works just fine. It is possibly the most comfy of the Bonneville range without any doubt. Another great bike from Suffolk Triumph.
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[@gwynnromano5881]

I owned a Thunderbird 1600, put 60K miles on it then traded it in last year for a leftover 2022 Speedmaster. Over the course of the past year I’ve added a Madstad windscreen, Motone bar risers, a Corbin one piece seat with a back rest for the pillion and fitted a pair of Longride soft panniers. Over 8K miles now and I love it. Everywhere I park it people come to tell me how much they like the looks. Even Harley riders. Like any machine you adjust how you ride to the bike itself.

[@TAYM]

Thanks Gwynn 😁

[@jasonbostwick8761]

I’ve owned at least one bike from every major motorcycle brand over the last 35 years of riding and I’ve received more thumbs up at stoplights and compliments at gas stations in the past 2 months I’ve owned my Speedmaster than any other time I’ve been on two wheels. It’s a pure pleasure to ride and a beauty to behold. I think this one is a forever bike.

[@TAYM]

@@jasonbostwick8761 absolutely gorgeous bike 😁 thanks Jason 😁

[@BR549_o7]

Ever owned a Victory?

[@TAYM]

@@BR549_o7 Would love to have a go on one😁 Absolutely outstanding looking bikes 😁 Love the various wheels they do on them, don’t even know what they cost but they cant be cheap😁

[@jasonbostwick8761]

@@BR549_o7 yes a Victory V92C

[@awaledjimahama9134]

i think i'm in love I love the aesthetics of this bike The noise and the ride sound perfect For me! Going to have to try and sit on 1 in a showroom :D

[@TAYM]

Thanks A 😁 so very comfortable 😁

[@Disposalist]

FYI: You can't fit a centre stand on, but you can fit bobbins and use a paddock stand.

[@TAYM]

Interesting 😁 thanks D 😁

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I have never been a fan of the Speedmaster, just based on its looks. I think it’s the looks of the seats. But your ride has converted me. I really enjoyed the view of the cockpit, with the single clock and the wide sweeping handlebars. The exhaust sounded nice too. Now I see why some riders love the Speedmaster. Hope everyone’s weekend is going well. Cheers!

[@BR549_o7]

the handlebars are not intuitive. Your arms go straight front, but the bars grips are at a inward angle. I would need to put different bars on it if the bike was mine.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

@@BR549_o7 I'm a fan of "Beach Bars". Anything but ape hangers or low clip ons and I can adapt. Even the Bullet 500, which has strange handle bars, I've adapted to them.

[@AV-108]

I can assure you that this is the pinnacle of British motorcycle iconic design lines and engineering coming together to turn heads and take your breath away! Just listen to the sound-absolutely bloody great!

[@TAYM]

@@AV-108 thanks A 😁

[@gzk6nk]

I've got a 2023 'chrome' edition Speedmaster and I love it. Feet forward (it's only a bit forward, not like a Harley) is strange at first but once you get used to it it is very comfortable. If you fit the mids instead, the seat to peg distance will be quite short so your legs are going to be a bit cramped. It would be nice if it had a centre stand, but I think the big single clock is rather good - 'Vincentesque' as one reviewer put it. The wire wheels look good but does mean it runs tubed tyres. And it does sound good!

[@TAYM]

Thanks Vince 😁 good to know about the pegs 😁

[@dahi1602]

The best looking triumph currently for sale. Wish I could afford one !

[@TAYM]

Thanks DH 😁 definitely a pretty bike 😁

[@markcole1400]

I have a 2006 Yamaha dragster 650. Screen, leather panniers and top box . Floor boards , passenger floor boards heel toe change Wouldn't change it for anything, most comfortable bike i have ever owned. Only cost me £4.500 pristine condition. Get one of those instead low seat height and great pillion bike 😊👍

[@TAYM]

@@markcole1400 brilliant 😁 thanks Mark 😁

[@markcole1400]

I just think brand new bikes are so expensive. So much joy can be had from a secondhand bike that has been well maintained. Save some money on the bike and it gives you more money for fuel and that next big tour you want to go on 😊👍

[@TAYM]

@@markcole1400 I think that’s the way many are thinking at the moment 😁 some great bikes out there that were over looked in the past. Thanks Mark 😁

[@Cibotx]

This must be one of the most pleasant on the eyes bike ever, especially with that color.

[@TAYM]

Definitely 😁 thanks C 😁

[@Stefan_trekkie]

TAYM, people with dodgy knees (like myself 🤣 ) and dodgy backs are appreciating that position .. Personally think that the mid pegs are better then the forward ones.

[@TAYM]

Interesting 🤔 thanks Stefan 😁

[@crumblymal8479]

Lovely colour blue TAYM nice bike but don't like those bars thats the first thing to change and forward controls well only tried them once and not keen but maybe with time they would be ok not sure single clock I thought looked a little cheap and no center stand bad news . I think though if I went cruiser style it would have to be a Harley but not with big fairing and boxes 😉 👌👍

[@TAYM]

thanks Crumb 😁

[@billellis6538]

Good morning Mr T, Yes forwards do take a while to instill confidence , once you are fully familiar with them they can be thrown about quite well, took me months to get to that point. Big plus is the comfort, I don't feel like my back is going to fall apart after riding (probably an age thing but sports riding positions are definitely a no go these days). Love the colour of the Speedy 👍

[@TAYM]

Thanks Bill 😁

[@keithrogers2107]

Morning Mr Taym , i had one for a couple of years ,had mid controls fitted and straight bars , toured Spain for three weeks , very comfortable 😉

[@TAYM]

Brilliant 😁 thanks Keith 😁

[@martynhughes8305]

Love my Speedy. Have the mid pegs on mine which are fantastic. Great bike to plod about on but you can open it up and have fun on the twisties as well.

[@uncaring77]

Do the pegs scrape with the mid controls?

[@martynhughes8305]

@uncaring77 hi, not scrapped the pegs and iv really tried 🤣. Ridden rite on the edge of the tyre and no scraping

[@nounoufriend1442]

The Speedy and Bobber look like they would handle awful like most cruisers do but apparently they handle pretty good , will have to get a test ride

[@martynhughes8305]

@nounoufriend1442 all i can tell you is mine handles great

[@TAYM]

Thanks Martyn 😁

[@markstaley5922]

It’s all about the torque and being wafted along lovely who needs lots of ponies or giraffes 🦒👍

[@TAYM]

😂😂😂😂 thanks Marke 😁 absolutely 😁

[@paulwatts905]

Had to have a comment 😚. I imagine that would be a lovely bike to live with and with a 100ftlb + of torque i imagine it will surprise people how it can get along (without to many revs) . Nice 👍

[@TAYM]

Thanks Paul 😁

[@garryclarke-kray4071]

Thanks TAYM , lovely looking bike I think it would suit my style of riding

[@TAYM]

Thanks GCK 😁

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

My Son's partner has a Speedmaster and it is a lovely bike to ride. I would have one but there's not enough room for comfortable two-up riding. There may be some Triumph news coming soon hopefully.🤞

[@TAYM]

That sounds exciting 😁 thanks Mike 😁

[@berryslokker8949]

Thanks for this wonderfull video Taym. Love the bike but for me it needs a centerstand, 2 round clocks and dual shockaborbers. Absolutely loving the seat over the t100 and t120. Tata from Holland

[@TAYM]

Yes, very comfy 😁 thanks Berry 😁

[@tenorbanjoguy]

Great looking color on that one for sure! Mixed feelings on the bike but I daydream about once and awhile! HAHA!!

[@TAYM]

Same as me TBG 😁

[@aussiebikerdude6563]

Marvellous 😊

[@andrew6526]

Lovely looking bike, just wish it had Belt drive.

[@ruahinesrider]

You can get a belt drive kit for all modern Triumphs but it's not cheap but a few people swap to belt drive.

[@alexmorgan3435]

Triumph are more likely to give it twin clocks before belt drive, which they are not going to do.

[@ruahinesrider]

@@alexmorgan3435 Aftermarket belt drive kit $950-$1000nz😲🤯.

[@hermitmonk52]

Well that was something different! Thanks TAYM. I’d quite like to see a 900 Bobber, probably not cost effective to market though. Chain maintenance doesn’t look very convenient on the SM, and even if you could put a centre stand on I doubt it would work with that low chassis, you’d have to roll the back wheel onto a brick to get the geometry to work. Oh and all that chrome and money to part with but you get a plastic speedo off a Street Twin! Super review, I thought it might taste like a blueberry smoothie.

[@TAYM]

Thanks HM 😁 definitely smooth enough for a smoothie 😁

[@VinCent-xy5lg]

Morning Taym, have a nice day.

[@daintree2455]

Well done mate someone's gonna have his face in a knot...RR slow today.

[@TAYM]

You too 😁 thanks Vince 😁

[@Cj-nu7nx]

It's a gentlemen's Cruiser. I love them! I also have no probs with feet forward controls. Have the RE SM 650 and have ridden and owned cruisers Japanese and American. I don't know why, the Triumph T100 seems like my perfect fit next bike. Seems to fit perfect. I don't know why... It just does.

[@TAYM]

Absolutely agree on the T100 😁 thanks CJ 😁

[@iantownsend17]

Nice bike and great review. I'll stick to my T100 though. Just not sure about the feet fwd . Enjoy your Sunday

[@ruahinesrider]

I agree about the forward controls but does look good nice colour.

[@iantownsend17]

Yea, I got a mate who had Super Meteor 650 and hit a pot hole and crushed blue 2 discs in his back because he couldn't lift out of the seat with feet forward. He got an interceptor now after 6 months of recovery

[@ruahinesrider]

@@iantownsend17 Ouch!I sympathize with HIM after hitting gravel & hitting a concrete fence post & breaking 3 discs T3 T6 T7 between shoulder blades & they're all compacted.After 7 months of recovery got back on bike & had to get a carbon fiber helmet cause fiberglass helmet was to heavy & hurting my back after awhile riding. A few hundred grams makes a big difference & can ride for alot longer before I start noticing it but still saw at end of a long day & when I get home,bone on bone.Also broke a heap of other bones as well at same time both ankles that's why I don't want a big heavy bike.With forward controls yes can't stand up,can't or shift weight as well & use hips,legs like on upright bike.You have more control & you can also sit higher up & have better view of road black ice & see over lower profile cars etc on upright bike.I do notice riding with my cruiser mates they corner well from mid corner out but in the tight twisties wheelbase is to long & are slow.I ride through tight twisties on Takapau-Ormondville Rd with Harley mates & take it easy & they still drop way behind I'm only doing 60-70kmh on straights & takes ages for them to catch up cause it tight in places & their wheelbase is long.Also some of our mates driveways are shockers & I stand up🤣 they can't & see their spine taking all the bumps.Going through town in traffic at 40kmh stand up to stretch legs etc they can't.Yeah our roads are about worse up North & some potholes are deep & you can use your legs underneath you to brace & take some of the compression out of spine forward controls😲🤬 shocker literally & that situation.Some put mid controls on their cruisers which is alot better but mid controls on a cruiser are still semi forward.

[@ruahinesrider]

@@iantownsend17 Interceptor with Fork upgrade & slip on's & got a good bike & with upright riding position.

[@aussiebikerdude6563]

Feet forward is a wonderful thing 😊

[@GapBahnDirk]

The 1200 Bonneville does look good👍👍. I think that the torque would be the main attraction, but I wouldn't swap my two for it.... A Mr Kipling cake of a bike😁😁.

[@TAYM]

😂😂😂 thanks GBD 😁

[@itskyb]

I seriously considered a Speedmaster a few years ago, but the local Triumph dealership was charging a $3000 "unboxing" fee and wasn't willing to budge. I really love the looks of the bike and maybe someday I will pick one up.

[@TAYM]

Thanks Itsky 😁 that seems expensive 🤔

[@AV-108]

find another dealer my friend, don't let these dealers deprive you days of riding - life is too short and nobody knows what is going to happen tomorrow - good luck, stay safe, and enjoy the ride :)

[@TAYM]

@@AV-108 great advice 😁 thanks A 😁

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

Great comment, a Speedmaster 900 would do very well I think.

[@TAYM]

Totally agree 😁 thanks Terry 😁

[@Disposalist]

Have had a SM for a few years now (and made a few YT vids). There is some lurchiness at certain speeds when dropping/pulling the throttle, but I've found some freer flowing DNA air filters even out that out some. The suspension a bit short, but then I'm over 100kgs... There are upgrades I might look into. The tank-range a bit short, but I have panniers I will shove a couple of fuel containers into when touring. Overall, it's awesome though. Excellent comfort, character and capability and there is nothing else like it. A British gentleman's cruiser-ish retro-classic. I know what you mean about the T100, though. I would prefer the Speedmaster to have the T100 engine. I used to have T100 and there's definitely some things I preferred. For me, the T100 might be a better all-around bike, but the Speedmaster is more special (though with some limitations).

[@TAYM]

Excellent appraisal 😁 very good😁 thank you😁

[@alexmorgan3435]

Needs a slightly larger tank for a greater range, twin clocks, adjustable height of the seat at the back as when I rode it the seat felt like it was pushing me back the whole time making me slouch and I had to keep consciously sitting up again. This became a chore and my lower back started to hurt a bit despite me having a strong core. It needs a better rear mono shock. It also needs more shove. It starts to feel a bit ragged at above 70-75+ mph. TTS do a supercharger kit for the SM and Bobber. It's not cheap but gives it way more power and torque that Triumph should have given it. Also belt drive would be preferable. Very slightly more ground clearance as well as it can be easy to scrape the pegs on roundabouts or tight turns. Apart from this a gorgeous looking and sounding bike. Will always draw an audience.

[@TAYM]

Thanks Alex 😁 a great appraisal 😁

[@greywolf9292]

The Speedmaster is a bike I like the looks of and quite fancied one, then I was surprised by it's lack of grunt compared to it's capacity and the implied performance in its name. I was further surprised by it's size when compared to the Rocket, it really is much smaller than I imagined. My Thunderbird Sport and Rocket 3 GT both eclipse the Speedmaster. Now if only those two could have babies together, then we'd have a real Speedmaster.

[@TAYM]

Absolutely agree 😁 I need to revisit the idea of a Thunderbird 😁 thanks GW 😁

[@greywolf9292]

@@TAYM If your seriously interested in the T-bird mine might be up for grabs, I'm cutting my hours soon and something has to go. It might be the ZZR but I'm sure once I've ridden it again I'll have a change of heart. The ZZR battery went flat over winter despite regular turn overs to try to keep it topped up. The faff of removing side panels to get to it put me off until now, it might get it's first ride of the year this weekend.

[@suesue5694]

Mid pegs are an option when u buy the bike. It rides so much better

[@TAYM]

Thanks Sue 😁 I can imagine 😁

[@MsDenver2]

Looks gorgeous but would not like feet forward, but then again I’ve never rode a feet forward so I don’t know. I think I might feel funny my feet going round a corner first but I don’t know of course, but it is a looker 😊

[@TAYM]

Thanks MsD 😁 that’s it, never thought, I do find it strange and it must be my feet going round the corner first 😂😂😂

[@jaysinhoffner2134]

Morning Mr.Taym 😢sadly Willy sold his T120..... if you want a far better seat for buddy the king queen triumph seat turns the T100 into a bean bag. They make you pay thru your nose for it failing that I know some restuff and recover the stock one.

[@TAYM]

Good idea 😁 thanks Jay 😁

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

Love the look of this bike but would love more rear suspension travel to cope with a greater variety of roads. It’s so short Triumph don’t publish it on their website spec list 😮

[@TAYM]

@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff 😂😂😂😂

[@chrisweeks6973]

I had similar 'bars on the Honda CTX700 that I briefly owned. Ok if that's your thing, but I discovered that it's not really mine. The bike looks pretty, though and I'm sure that it'd be a nice cruiser.

[@TAYM]

Nor mine really Chris 😁

[@Thruxtonrider21]

Wow 😮 this was the amazing ❤

[@TAYM]

Thanks Chris 😁

[@johnfountain8588]

Great review and very honest - I would not take that into the twisted lanes - and I think it’s more suited to the roads where I live - even then I don’t think it would work better than a Harley at a comparable price Also the front end looks like it’s missing something as it’s all downsized with one clock smaller headlight etc Probably dress it up with a screen and spotlights If I was looking for a big boy bike this would not be it I’ll stick with my 2022 Interceptor Thanks for the ride along And as always regards from Florida

[@nounoufriend1442]

Its basically the Bobber and they are reported to handle surprisingly well unlike a Harley

[@TAYM]

Excellent 😁 thanks John 😁

[@TAYM]

Thanks NN😁

[@stevenwatling3160]

Enjoyment

[@TAYM]

Thanks SW 😁

[@hobnob15]

Morning old git ( sorry TAYM 😂) a lovely well made bike with some nice details but as others have said not for me I’m very happy with my two beautiful guzzi’s yeah 😉 carry on that man Caio for now tat ta

[@TAYM]

😂😂 thanks HN 😁

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

Morning taym I had one of them couple years ago bought it new from jake I liked it a lot 2 faults I had was pad in middle of seat pushed into my spine exactly where I have a problem and the beach bars sweep round to much and I found my wrists were at a funny angle so I ended up with sore wrists which I also have trouble with and ended up with more like middle of my palms on the end of the bars I have thought of another one but having more like the rocket bars on it as they are straighter and would allow bar end mirrors which look so much better I went to the shop Friday sat on the 1200 speed twin and that’s to small for me is the T120 bonnie the same set up as the 1200 speed twin I never sat on the T120 bye for now take care

[@ruahinesrider]

T120 about 25hp less but tourqe is similar.T120 is physically bigger too & look great as well.Worth a look.

[@TAYM]

The T120 is a little more upright and exactly the same as the T100 but with more torque and bhp😁 both have a lover seat height than the speed twin 1200 because of the suspension set up 😁 thanks Nick 😁

[@henryhartley9993]

Morning TAYM, beautiful bike but just a couple of things put me off, mid controls would be better although some in the comments say you can change those, no centre stand and small tank capacity for a bike thats built for getting some miles under your belt when touring..,...

[@alexmorgan3435]

The ground cleanse is already limited. No way you could install a centre stand.

[@TAYM]

Can’t argue with any of that 😁 thanks H 😁

[@TAYM]

Interesting 🤔

[@stevenwatling3160]

I'm older and short and currently ride a Speedtwin 900 and love it, but a bit more power would be nice for longer trips with a pillion. I had heard the Speedmaster was available with mid controls as opposed to the ' feet forward' position and would seriously consider one if that were the case. You have talked about the 1200 engine not being quite as smooth as the 900, would that be a deal breaker do you think? I am aware that many riders prefer the Vstrom 650 over the 1000, and back in the day of the R80 and R100 beemers, it was said that the R80 was sweeter. Is the 900 engine sweeter than the 1200 do you think? Thanks for your channel and taking the time to ride many different bikes for our( and your!) 😉

[@TAYM]

Thanks SW 😁 definitely think the T100 is sweeter 😁 but not a complete deal breaker. 😁 I also agree with the majority on the Vstrom 😁 odd isn’t it🤔

[@henrysmith5604]

I wont be selling my T100 or my speed Twin 1200 for it 😂

[@TAYM]

Thanks HS 😁 I wouldn’t either 😁

[@paulwatts905]

👍👍🏍

[@TAYM]

Thanks PW 😁

[@iggyzorro2406]

a beautiful looking bike, but for 12,000 pounds they could have hidden those cables that are over the handlebars. They look like the brake cables on a bicycle.

[@TAYM]

Yes, for me though the tiger 660 is worse for the cables 😁 thanks Iggy 😁

[@reverendhoover]

That's a lot of stickers on the petrol tank! Do you remove the manufacturer warning stickers from your motorcycles? I spent a long time cleaning the sticker residue from my Honda.

[@gzk6nk]

They peel off easily with a heat gun.

[@TAYM]

Thanks Rev, yes I do as soon as possible 😁

[@gvinrad]

I'm surprised they've not fitted a belt drive ? I just can't deal those fake oversized Monobloc carb thingies though, I mean whats that all about ?

[@TAYM]

😂😂😂😂 thanks Gerry 😁

[@310765]

Lovely looking machine, I wish it was physically bigger, it just looks small…

[@TAYM]

Thanks Andrew 😁

[@henrysmith5604]

Lovely looking bike but a Heavy old girl

[@TAYM]

Thanks HS 😁 can’t disagree with both those points 😁

[@ruahinesrider]

10th😂

[@TAYM]

😂😂

[@petersheppard6085]

Nice...but....your hands feel like they are slipping off the bars at higher speeds, and your lower back starts to hurt after a days ride....and watch out going around roundabouts......scrape !

[@TAYM]

Interesting 😁 thanks Peter 😁

[@ruahinesrider]

Hahaha 😂😂🤣 Guess what ABD.

[@daintree2455]

...did u organise that RR?

[@daviddavies5347]

👏👏👏👏

[@aussiebikerdude6563]

Hahaha 😂

[@aussiebikerdude6563]

I was just looking at those lol😂

[@aussiebikerdude6563]

$21,500 in Australia at the moment on sale 😊

[@daviddavies5347]

🙄 Don’t really like the ‘bobber’ look or the styling and like you, although I’ve never ridden one, I just don’t fancy my feet hanging out front! 🙄🤣

[@alexmorgan3435]

How can you say if you've NEVER even ridden a bike like the SM with feet out front? Bonkers.

[@daviddavies5347]

@@alexmorgan3435 🤪There you go, that’s me!

[@suesue5694]

​@@daviddavies5347you can have it with mid controls....much better to ride in my opinion

[@TAYM]

Me neither 😁 thanks Dave 😁

[@TAYM]

😂😂

[@Ainsworth-Rider]

Evening Taym 😊 Marvellous, well that's what Aussiebikerdude says and he's right, I thought that you would have been riding home on Buddy 🤭🤭🥲

[@TAYM]

Thanks AR 😁 😂😂😂😂