TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER 1200 Bonneville Speedmaster (2018 - on) Review

Overall rating

The Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster is based on the proven and hugely successful Bobber and is arguably more desirable, comfortable 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.

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.

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.  

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.