Triumph has unveiled another member of its popular Bonneville family called the Speedmaster, and this motorcycle is a laid back cruiser compared to the rest of the range. It has a stance similar to the standard Bonnevilles but is set up to have great long distance and touring ability. It has the same underpinnings as the Triumph Bobber, including the chassis and engine and has been customised slightly to make it more suited for the task it was built for.
It gets the same engine that features in the Bobber, in the same state of tune as well — 77PS and 106Nm, that is 10 per cent higher than the standard T120’s outputs. The engine is mated to a six speed gearbox. The chassis is straight off the Bobber as well — it has a tubular steel cradle frame with 41mm cartridge front forks with 90mm of travel, and a mono shock in the rear with 73mm of travel. The fact that it is based on the Bobber means it gets that distinctive cage swingarm with the hidden monoshock that gives it its distinctive hard tail look. Where it differs from the Bobber is on the setup, as well as the brakes and tyres front. The Speedmaster has a rake of 25.3 degrees (the Bobber’s is 25.8) and a trail of 91.4mm (while the Bobber’s is 87.9mm) — nevertheless, wheelbase remains the same at 1510mm. Also, while the Bobber gets a single 310mm disc up front, the Speedmaster gets twin front discs. The single 255mm disc at the rear remains the same. The Bobber and Speedmaster share the same rear tyre size, the front tyre on the Speedmaster is fatter.
It has a lot of features that lend to its touring ability as well. It has swept back handlebars and forward footpegs, for a comfortable riding position, a twin seat set up with a massive chrome grab rail though the rear seat and grabrail can be removed easily for solo rides. It also gets a 12-litre fuel tank —larger than the Bobber’s, again contributing to its touring ability. Like the other Bonnies, this one too gets ride-by-wire throttle and two riding modes (road and rain). The single clock has an analogue speedometer, and digital odo, rev counter and all other essential information. You also get ABS, switchable traction control and cruise control — which points to its touring ability as well. All this does increase the weight of the motorcycle marginally over the Bobber, as it weighs in at 245.5kg dry. The bike will make it to India by 2018, and going by Triumph’s current pricing strategy in the country, you can expect it to be competitively priced. The Speedmaster will take on the likes of the Indian Scout and the Harley-Davidson Roadster.