I just picked up my 2022 Speedmaster on Friday (today is Sunday) and I thought I would pass on my first impressions. I would be out riding now but it just rained, and everything is a bit dirty. I am writing this since I am so impressed with the bike, and I feel a need to share. First off I am not a bike expert, more like a newbie. I owned a 64 Triumph Trophy (650 single carb) when I was 16, rode it for several years. My next bike was when I was late 20’s I had a 1200cc dressed up Goldwing, drove this for a few years, then sold it to fund my pilots license. I had a Kawasaki dirt bike about 20 years ago and that was the last time I owned a bike. I have since rode friends Harleys but have not ridden anything for the last 10 years. Having said all of this I consider myself a novice rider, I retired 4 years ago and spend 5 month a year at the cottage and thought a bike would be good way to see our area which was classified in 1990 as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Anyways about the bike. I have put 120km on the bike since Friday and have these first impressions: The ride is firm, I am not sure how far I could go without getting off for a rest, a couple hours may be the limit. The seat looks great but may be a bit stiff being new and some break-in of the seat (or firming of my butt) may make it more comfortable. My right hand got numb after about a half an hour on the first ride, I think this may have been me since I was probably a bit tense. The second and third rides were better, I tried to lighten up on my grip. The bike has tremendous pull at 2,000 rpm plus, making it really easy to ride not requiring a lot of gear changes to get going, pulling away from a stop is very easy no revving of engines required, let go the clutch and go. The acceleration is incredible in a large part due to the low-end torque, it feels really nice. I have found the turn signals tricky to turn off without switching on the opposite side, a gentle touch is required. The riding position is great, on my very first ride I could not find the footrests but once found no problem and very comfortable when riding. The bike feels very stable on the road, yesterday was very windy, 30km/hr probably gusting 50km/hr winds and when riding with a cross wind it was very stable, no problem for even a novice. I have an inexpensive helmet with lots of wind noise, but what I can hear of the bike sounds really nice. I asked my wife what it sounded like from her vantage point (watching from the house) and she said it sounded nice but not loud, which is what I want, loud pipes where to my liking 50 years ago. In my opinion the Speedmaster is the best-looking cruiser on the market, excellent fit and finish, the tank paint is flawless. The engine and mechanics are excellent, riding position is perfect, after 120km and many years away from riding I am getting my groove back and am looking forward to taking on some winding roads. Enough said time for another ride
Just checking that you know to cancel indicators by pushing the button in? At least that's how it is on my 2018 Speedmaster. Enjoy your new bike! I love mine, done 30,000 miles in 3 years and off Scotland soon for another 2,000
I have now put about 250km on the bike and am finding I am need of a better helmet (currently an open face), so I ordered a modular helmet as well a face shield for my existing, these will be a few days in the mail so before they come in I will not do any higher speed runs on the highway of any distance. I have thought about ordering the wind shield Triumph offers but have read a few poor reviews, its not cheap but if it works I will order from my dealer... any feed back from experienced users is appreciated. Roads around here are for the most part 80 - 90 km/h so speeds are typically 90 - 100 km/h. (56-62mph).
I find a flyscreen sufficient, but I ride with a full face helmet. Great to hear you’re loving the bike, as like brown mouse, I have 30,000 km on mine.
Awesome write up the excitement is well communicated I can understand as I'm also a new triumph rider, a Tiger in my case
wkevinm so glad to read that your return to biking after a short brake has been great for you. Enjoy it, and by the time summer comes around next year, you'll be able to show us more of the beautiful province of Ontario. I was up your way ( Sounds rude that ) many moons ago now, on my way to Tobermory then Manitoulin Island.
Interesting isn’t it, because you hadn’t ridden for so long you didn’t know that modern indicators are cancelled by pushing the button inwards, that’s the fault of the seller, they should have taken you through the controls in detail and not assumed that you would know.
I ride with a full face helmet and no windshield of any kind. I find 60mph comfortable all day and 70mph doable for an hour or so. This assumes no significant headwind. I've tried a couple of sizes of the Dart flyscreens but found the sound of the turbulence too noisy and tiring.
Welcome to the forum! I have also returned to riding again after a long period of not riding...my last motorcycle was a 1973 Bonneville 650. It was the Canada colour scheme for that model which came with a red and white tank. In 2019, I purchased a 2018 Bonneville Speedmaster ( red tank like yours) and have not looked back. Every moment on the bike is like a breath of life re-lived over again. I had not been on a motorcycle for 4 decades so the first time I rode the new Bonnie ( home from dealership) I was surprised at the power and then the wind....and to hold on was a little concerning. I soon decided that a windshield was best for me. I got the Triumph long haul windscreen and find it very good at reducing wind fatigue on long rides. IMHO it is not that bad looking and it suits the bike. Also...it takes 5 minutes to remove it if you want to ride with out it. 4 bolts and thats it. So, one could use it for long trips or take it off for slower rides around town. I have done long 400 mile trips with the Triumph windscreen and at my age I appreciate not having to hold on for dear life for 6 hrs. It makes the bike more enjoyable. Having a good full face helmet, and using hearing protection, the wind noise is minimal. Also, I find the windscreen keeps the rain from pelting you like bullets when riding at speed. Getting flying insects in the helmet are also not a problem when using this screen. Hope you enjoy your new Bonneville like I do! Definitely the quintessential motorcycle. Not perfect, but very close. Ride safe, Sandra
Congratulations on your new bike, kevin, and on your return to riding! Your bike is a beauty. Thanks for sharing a photo of the two of you. And also for sharing your excitement as well as your thoughts and opinions so far. I'm in agreement with many of the responses regarding windscreens and helmets. And, as Sandra indicated, hearing protection. I like having a windscreen that has a quick disconnect option that provides an easy way to ride with or without it. Over the years I've been riding (not all that many, about 10) I slowly moved from wearing an open face 3/4 helmet quite a bit and a full-face sometimes to pretty much always wearing a full-face. There are great reviews out there and most do talk about the quietness factor. I also started out only wearing ear plugs on long trips but now wear them on every ride (yes, even with a full face helmet) after reading up on the damage that wind noise does to one's hearing. I do regret that I didn't start wearing ear plugs from the get go. I have multiple pair but the ones I like the best are called Ear Peace. They make different ones for different applications. I have their Motor Sports ear plugs as well as their Music ones for when we're at a motorcycle rally and go to a concert. Please continue to ride safe, enjoy yourself and your new bike, and post more ride reports and photos!
Hi @wkevinm welcome back to riding. The speedmaster is a great looking and very capable motorcycle. As you have already discovered you will get many really enjoyable miles on your new bike. Ride safe mate
Welcome, great bike in a great color. "The ride is firm, I am not sure how far I could go without getting off for a rest, a couple hours may be the limit." You can adjust the preload to soften it up. Just pull the seat off and the drop the shock adjuster down a couple of notches. When the shock is new it the adjuster is stiff but once you move it a couple of times it gets easy. The adjustment tool is stored under the seat.
Hi Sandra, Thanks for sharing your experience, I have put in an enquiry with my dealer to add the windscreen to the backorder of accessories for the bike.
Hi Traveller, turns out mine was set from the factory at the lowest spring tension. I now have over 600km on the bike and I believe the seat has relaxed a bit or my butt is more seasoned. My wife took her first ride yesterday and I could feel the softer ride with the extra weight, not saying anything about her weight, just saying
