VOLUME ISSUE JANUARY , P103
SPEEDMASTER
What's to like?
• Relaxed ride position
• New ride modes and
safety features
• A nice mix of British and
American retro style
still no canyon carver, but its mid-cor-
ner stability is excellent, and the bike
tracks predictably even when the pace
picks up, to a point. This is not a bike
for riding quickly, but more one for tak-
ing it easy and checking out the views.
To that end, the suspension tuning fa-
vors comfort, soaking up imperfect pave-
ment without excessive wallow, which
creeps in quickly if you get too greedy
with your sports-riding ambitions.
The 1200cc parallel-twin engine car-
ries over, and it's genuinely difficult to
fault. With its broad torque spread and
distinctive 270-degree firing order, the
motor delivers strong pull from low rpm
and a smooth, unhurried character that
suits the Speedmaster's demeanor.
The throttle response is clean and
manageable, making the bike easy to
ride in traffic or at a steady cruise. The
exhaust note adds just enough person-
ality without becoming intrusive, and it
looks superb with the muffler finishing
almost in line with the rear axle.
Technology has taken a step for-
ward, with lean-sensitive ABS and trac-
tion control now operating quietly in
the background, and there are multiple
ride modes to adjust throttle response.
Standard cruise control and a USB-C
charging port improve everyday usabil-
ity. LED lighting rounds out the updates,
improving visibility while maintaining a
classic aesthetic.
The ergos didn't suit the kind of bike
I like to ride, but that's a personal trait.
There's no denying the Speedmaster
has a stately look, similar to what we
saw from Triumph half a century ago.
It's not my jam, but I can appreciate it
all the same.
