P102
RIDE REVIEW I 2026 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE RANGE
I
t's a little hard to believe the Speed-
master is 23 years old, having first
seen the light of day back in 2003.
The $14,795 Speedmaster has
always lived at that middle point, clas-
sic British style mixed with a dose of
American cruiser ergonomics, but it's
not a model I've been immediately
drawn to, as I'm not exactly sure what
the bike is supposed to be.
The Speedmaster's low, flowing
profile remains instantly recogniz-
able, but, like the Bobber, you'll see a
revised fuel tank that now holds more
gas and adds visual substance to the
bike's midsection. The added capacity
brings a useful increase in riding range,
making the Speedmaster better suited
to longer days without frequent fuel
stops. New paint options and detail fin-
ishes further modernize the look while
staying true to the Bonneville lineage.
Comfort has been a clear priority for
2026. The seat has been reshaped and
offers more support for both rider and
passenger, while changes to the han-
dlebar position result in a more natural
reach. The riding posture is relaxed but
not overly reclined, but for me, the cur-
vature of the seat and the forward foot
controls put excess pressure on my
lower back in much the same way as
a traditional cruiser seat on a Harley-
Davidson cruiser would. Hence, I found
the Speedmaster the least comfortable
bike on test, which was a surprise, I'll
grant you.
Like the Bobber, new lightweight
wheels reduce unsprung mass, giving
the Speedmaster a lighter feel during
turn-in and making it more responsive
through long, sweeping corners. It's
The Speedmaster
attempts to
blend almost two
different forms
of machine in a
nakedbike and
cruiser. It works,
but only if this type
of bike fits your
tastes.
