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Engine is very torquey, picks up pace very quickly
Performance – At the heart, the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster borrows the 1200cc parallel-twin motor from the T120. However, it runs on a slightly different state of tune, making 76 BHP of power at 6100 RPM and a massive 106 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. However, this wasn’t the first time we rode a Bonneville with a 1200cc parallel-twin engine, yet we were impressed with the immense torque pull. The Bobber had no weight at the rear and it used to wheelspin a lot, the Speedmaster on the other hand did not wheelspin as much with its much-sophisticated traction control. Once turned off, without good throttle control, all hell breaks loose! Redlining at 6500 RPM, the powertrain picks up pace very quickly.
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The 1200cc motor in complete flesh, did you notice the key placement?
The twin exhaust rumble from the 1200cc motor is very soothing, it is neither too loud nor too quiet
The 6-speed gearbox has slick shifts but the clutch feels so heavy that getting it into neutral is also a task. The Speedmaster just like other Bonneville motorcycles, has tall gears which means lesser gear shifts are required. Hitting the ton is just as easy and quick as it can be. First gear tops out at 80 km/hr while second gear takes the bike to 120 km/hr. However, the engine runs smoothly even in the sixth gear at 60 km/hr. Unlike the other 1200s, there are no vibrations at all. Even without any aftermarket exhaust, the bike is loud and grabs all the attention once revved hard!
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The Bonneville Speedmaster looks just as alluring as it can be
Riding Dynamics – As the Speedmaster has very comfortable ergonomics, getting used to the riding posture won’t take much time. However, getting used to the beach-bar handlebars will surely take some time. The low saddle height makes it easy for anyone to ride. Unlike the Bobber it has two seats and the seat height cannot be adjusted. The maximum seat height is 705 mm with a ground clearance which is better than the Bobber. The front 41 mm KYB forks are the same as we’ve seen on all Bonneville models and the rear suspension is a tiny KYB monoshock with linkage offering only 72 mm of travel. Overall, the motorcycle is comfortable but not suited as much for riding on Indian roads. The Speedmaster has a raw mass of 245.5 kgs and yet it doesn’t feel heavy once you get going.
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Riding at any speeds, the Speedmaster stays just as comfortable
A regular cruiser to live with and yet the Speedmaster is one hell of a looker
The rake angle is also high making the wheelbase a little longer at 1510 mm. Hence, the Speedmaster requires extra effort and a little more lean angle to tackle corners. Unlike the other Bonnevilles, the Speedmaster has a 16-inch rim at the front as well as the rear. It also gets thicker rubber, a 130 section at the front and 150 section at the rear. The Cobra tyres come from England and are made by Avon. However, these tyres don’t grip as much as you would expect on our Indian roads. In spite of that, the 310 mm dual disc at the front and the 255 mm single disc at the rear provide enough braking feedback.
