Triumph Speedmaster reviews

I immediately fell in love with the style of this bike. Was looking for something of a classic, but not so much chrome you get snow blindness looking at it. Easy to care for and clean, very distinctive look. Only issue was slight tail-bone discomfort and right hand gets a little numb. Plenty of torque and speed when you want it! Capable of 70mph at switching to third gear. Bike just loves to go. Does tend to feel like you need a 6th gear at freeway speeds, but not too bad. Would highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a middleweight cruiser. Show less

This is actually my daughter's Speedmaster which she purchased when I bought a 2007 Rocket III Classic Tourer. However, I put some of the break in miles on it for her plus a few hundred more and was most impressed with this machine. It is light handling, quick, comfortable and built for boulevard cruising, Tail of the Dragon twisties and long haul touring. Paint, fit and finish is excellent but some of the chrome bolts suggest early corrosion. We rode to Daytona Bike Week this year from Pensacola via Enterprise, AL, a 500+ mile day trip each way. I had to pull alongside her on the return leg to ask her to slow down from 90 MPH. The Speedmaster turns heads and commands interest wherever we parked. My daughter is a former Harley owner who traveled throughout eastern and western Europe on a 2002 Superglide but she loves her Speedmaster. I told her I'd buy it if she ever got tired of it. I still have my 1967 Triumph 650 TR6C and the Speedmaster would look great in my garage alongside the old girl. Show less

I agree with the upgrade of the sprocket. The 2005 865cc Speedmaster stock is a 16 tooth. I upgraded mine with an 18 tooth. I also had a 904 big bore, fcr 39mm carbuerators, nology hot wires, air box installed and changed out my pipes. My Speedmaster still has great low end and with the sprocket change it balances out the low and high end. Show less

I just bought this bike and took it on a 600 mile trip into south Texas. This bike cruised so nicely and even at 90 mph with a passenger (as I passed a Harley) the bike handled very nicely. This is definitely a very sweet machine. I plan to install an 18 tooth front sprocket to get better gearing and better pipes, jets, etc. I know it will be really incredible with those mods. Show less

I've been riding motorcycles off and on since I was a kid, I'm 56 now. It's been about 15 years since the last one. I looked at several HD, Yamaha, Victory and a few others then I looked at Triumph. Right away I fell in love with the looks and feel of a 2005 Speedmaster 900 (865cc). I demoed several other motorcycles and none gave me the ride this Triumph did for a mid size cruiser. I've got just over 10,000 miles and it's been nothing but fun. As others mentioned, I ride with a mixed group mostly HD's and get nothing but compliments and I never have a problem keeping up with them. The performance is excellent. I changed out the pipes, added an air box and high performance spark plug with a noticable difference in sound and performance. I was looking for another motorcycle, something larger, but decided to keep this one and go with a 904cc big bore kit. It has plenty of power but I want a little more. I don't see any down side to this Speedmaster. Show less

Great bike. Much better than the Sportster we traded. Better headlight, brakes, handling, cornering and ground clearance. More comfortable seat too! don't forget, a reasonable price as well. What more could you want? Well maybe a couple of things. I really hate chain drive, maybe a little better fuel economy, all in all little things that are easily remidied with a little help from the aftermarket. I forgot, tons of fun to ride too! Show less

I just bought my Speedmaster a couple months ago. This is a great motorcycle, I've never even seen one similar while out riding yet. that's why I wanted it in the first place; it is a beautiful looking, unique bike (mine's Yellow + Black), it has plenty of power when you want it (a little more wouldn't hurt though and is readily available with aftermarket parts, pipes, jets, plugs, airbox removal, ignition, etc.), it is put together very well, and most importantly, it's not a H.D. like everybody else has. The bike is very smooth in the corners and during all around riding. Vibrations are almost non-existent compared to a H.D. I love this bike and wouldn't trade it for any other. Even if someone gave me a Sportster 883 or 1200, I'd sell it and get another Triumph Speedmaster. Period. Show less

I purchased a 2k5 SM in October of 2k5 and have not regretted my decision. Overall, the bike makes a very good city commuter and runs great on the highway (after a jump from a 16t to 19t front sprocket). The bike handles VERY well and there is plenty of power to do anything one needs to do in the city and on the highway (remember, an 800cc bike USED to be considered a large displacement cruiser). Pros Handling is great on the highway, twisties, and most importantly city type maneuvers (parking lot and slow speed type maneuvers). You will NOT get this from any large displacement cruiser so do not even bother dreaming about the nimble large cruiser. Great looks. The bike is completely unique and always gets the attention no matter who you ride with. HD and HD clone owners drool over how much attention my stock speedy got compared to their 2k+ chromed accessorized bikes. Overall it is a very fun bike to ride because of the first two points. Cons Every bike has cons and this one is no exception. Some of the bolts are already rusting which is completely un-called for! My bike is kept in the garage and I do not ride in the rain. Charge a few hundred more bucks for the bike and put in the proper screws that will not rust! 16t front sprocket is a joke and the dealership should willingly offer to replace this for free. The bike engine feels like it is going to blow up running 85 with my beemer buddies. A 19t sprocket uprade did the trick, however, and is VERY easy to replace $19.00 plus 20 minutes of labor is all it takes. Now I run 85 without any problems at all. Factory pipes make the bike sound like a ladies sewing machine. I dropped 400.00 on aftermarket pipes and it has a really nice rumble. Overall, I would buy this bike again in a minute! Great bike, simply the best I have EVER owned so don't let my cons discourage you. I would ride the bike over all others in its class with all the cons still in place. Show less

Definitely has the looks, and isn't a Harley wanna be. Great handling and turn of speed. Had no problems at all, and look forward to every trip. For the money, easily beats any competition. Show less

This speedy has great balance, and the DOHC 8 valve gives sparkling performance for the money. The modest weight makes it quick and agile. I would highly recommend this bike. Show less