TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER 1200 Bonneville Speedmaster (2018 - on) Review

Overall rating

The Triumph Speedmaster 1200 is a two-seat version of the hugely successful Bobber and is arguably more desirable and practical, plus you have the option of sharing the ride with a (small) pillion. It’s laid-back, smooth and has class-leading handling.

• Latest news: 2021 Triumph Speedmaster revealed as whole Bonneville family unveiled

It's powered by a water-cooled parallel twin. Tucked away is tech such as ABS, traction control, cruise control and even two power modes. Running feet-forward footpegs, swept-back beach bars and the same 16in wheels and twin front discs as the Bobber Black, it is aimed at those looking for a chilled retro with the ability to take a pillion, something the two Bobber models have no provision for. There is a small pad attached above the mudguard and a neat chrome grab rail, but it’s not exactly Gold Wing levels of luxury. As I was to discover, neither is the rider’s seat.

• Related: Best cruisers

After 272 miles I felt like someone wearing army boots had repeatedly kicked me up the bum. In fact, that sounds preferable to a long stint in the seat. Which is a real shame as it ruins what is, seat aside, a fabulous machine. The Speedmaster has the looks, handling and feel to be a brilliant bike for anyone who enjoys relaxed cruising and the addition of pillion provision opens it up to a whole new audience that the Bobber models can’t satisfy.

But it is hampered by its poor shock and that seat, so don’t view it as a mile-muncher and if you want a relaxed two-up tourer, buy the Bonneville T120 instead. Despite the agony, I’d have the Speedmaster over the Bonnie as it is better handling and looks amazing. I’d just ensure I got the comfort seat included in the deal.

Watch: Triumph Speedmaster 1200 video review 

In this film our tester Adam Child takes to the California highways to discover whether the Speedmaster can cruise with the best of 'em. Get his full verdict below...

Ride quality & brakes

The suspension is similar to the Bobber’s and gets that classic hardtail look, but is reworked to compensate for the extra weight of a subframe and potential pillion and luggage. The steering feels fluid, and the Speedmaster rolls into corners with relative ease for a laid-back cruiser. Footpegs eventually scrape the road when you push hard, but ground clearance isn’t bad for this type of bike. Twin Brembo calipers offer decent braking considering they’re stopping 245.5kg (dry) of Bonnie and are backed up by an unobtrusive ABS system.

The biggest problem with the way the Triumph Speedmaster rides is the hard shock and seat, which really made life difficult when tester Jon Urry tackled the MCN250 on this bike. "Once I pass Burford, the discomfort in my lower back and bum transform into real pain. Noises I didn’t know I could make slip through my lips when I hit any pothole. I try sitting on the pillion seat, but can only get my bum as far as midway between the rider’s and pillion seat, which is still marginally more comfortable."

Oh dear. 

Engine

The Speedmaster shares the same high-torque engine as in the highly acclaimed Bobber. The parallel twin will pull strongly from as low as 1800rpm, allowing you to simply short-shift at 2000rpm and surf the torque in the classic cruiser style. If you need a quick escape, this Triumph fires away from the lights too, laying down enough power to activate the traction control.

At 70mph the motor is hardly working, hovering around 3000rpm, which results in impressive fuel economy. Triumph claims 54.7mpg but we’ve averaged 64mpg with spirited riding.

At town speeds the engine can feel a little snatchy due to the sheer amount of torque available at low rpm. However, the changeable riding modes smooth-out the power at low speeds and Rain Mode is perfect for town work and low speed cruising.  

Reliability & build quality

No major issues have been reported on the previous, pre-2018 Bonneville/Bobber range, so the mechanically similar Speedmaster should prove just as reliable. The attention to detail is class leading and the level of finish superb.  

Our 2018-on Triumph Speedmaster 1200 owners' reviews show very happy customers, however both list the brakes as being in need of an upgrade. 

Value vs rivals

The basic Bobber, which the Speedmaster is heavily-based upon is just over £1000 less than this Speedmaster, but only runs a single front disc and a lower spec. The 2018 Bobber Black, which has identical wheels and twin discs, is priced the same as the base Speedmaster.

Equipment

It receives the same engine and brakes as the 2018 Bobber Black, with twin 310mm discs up front and Brembo calipers – Nissin caliper at the rear. 

Like the Bobber, the Speedmaster’s beauty is in the detail, be it the seat piping or stylish and functional single clock, the battery box with heritage styling or carb-styled twin throttle-bodies, the finned exhaust clamps or hand-finished fuel tank. Every time you gaze at it something new catches the eye.

Cruise control comes as standard, unlike the original Bobber. It also features two rider modes, traction control and ABS. The fuel tank has increased from the Bobber’s 9.1-litres to a more practical 12 litres.