This channel is dedicated to motorcycles, and riding them. I currently ride a gorgeous 2022 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, but I am passionate about Harley-Davidson. I also love classic Japanese bikes (1970s and 1980s).
Sounds like the dealership didn’t install the crush washer on the oil filter or lubricate the o-ring or both but chose the warranty option instead! 🤷🏻♂️
Morning Ivey - from memory, the (final!) oil leak was caused because the engine case gasket was 'iffy'. (I'm guessing it was damaged when fitting.) Either way, it was leaking from the left side - clutch cover side. Dealer X was horrendous! Cheers, Chris
Sorry to hear about your ordeal with such a magnificent moto. Did you make any recommendations to Triumph so that it can improve its quality control issues?
Interesting video. I have been, correct that, was a Hinckley Triumph owner from 1994 with my first 1200 trophy up until 3 years ago with my beautiful red America. I was looking to trade the America in for a new 1200 speedmaster. Having had a test ride I found the seating position a bit uncomfortable and a bit too forward leaning which my back didn't like. The America being a bit more laid back in riding position. I said I would be happy to do a deal if a set of America handlebars could be fitted to the speedmaster. The dealer said this was not not possible and even had one of its mechanics openly lie to me as to why they could not fit other bars. Not happy I took this up as a complaint with Triumph and received a reply from none other than Nick Bloor himself finally stating that Triumph will under no circumstances fit any part to one of their motorcycles that was not originally designed or made for that particular bike. The reason being fear of litigation should someone have an accident and aftermarket parts were fitted to the bike by Triumph. I also noted the test bikes a year or so old were showing signs of corrosion on the bare aluminium engine cases which did not bode well for the future appearance of the bike. I now own a Kawasaki versus and cannot imagine going back to Triumph sadly.
@@chrisoftheot6272 Good day Chris. I hope you were not offended by my comment. By ' interesting' I actually meant I learnt something from your vid. Regards...
I've tried to go down the Sporty road a number of times,but that big gap of nothingness just behind the Primary drive says very plain to me,besides the ordinary front end,pissy swing arm,oh i could go on but there have always been much better bikes out there.
Morning Les - well, it's true that there are 'much better bikes out there'; it's just a reality. I assume 'nothingness' here means lack of power? 'Ordinary' is not a comment I've ever hear regarding Sportster 'front end'; in my experience, the rake rather spoils the handling though. Never seen, or smelt urine on a swing arm before either - but the Sportster arms are rock-solid. So, yes, Sportsters are not the 'best' bikes - my Speedmaster would qualify as that much better. But I was always happy riding the Sportster and, one day, I'd love to be able to get back on one. You said you 'tried... the Sporty... a number of times'. Why did you put yourself through that ordeal mate? Cheers, Chris
I'm 76 years old and have been a Harley rider for many many years and consider the belt drive to be one of Harleys best improvements. I am one of those people who have put over 100,000 miles on a belt with out ever touching it. I still have a little Triumph blood running through my veins from my early years and the Speedmaster has stirred my interests however I find the chain drive to be a very big turn off. Too many memories of dealing with chains
Morning David - many thanks for the comment. I agree with everything, obviously! The new Speedmasters are superb (even if mine has been trouble) and, coming from a Sportster, I could hardly believe the improvement in ride quality. Every aspect of the Speedmaster is better... yet I still hanker after a Sportster. (I'd have to spend a ridiculous amount of money 'fixing' it though.) If the Speedmaster tickles your 76-year-old fancy, I am certain you'll love it. If you've got the money, you might like to do a belt conversion, but that's your department. I would if I could! What about a test ride at your local Triumph dealer? I am sure the experience will take your breath away! Cheers David, Chris
Thanks, Chris, for all your work on this Sportster series. Being the same age as yourself I can relate to what you said about bikes in the 70's, 80's and onwards. I own a 2007 1200 Sportster Roadster which I sold about 10 years ago, had a 1690 Fat Bob, sold it and bought the same Sportster back again. In my opinion a better bike. Looking forward to seeing more of your vids. Wishing you and your wife all the best. Matt 11:28
I have always tried to respect peoples opinions, but this one is just... irrelevant. While the EVO Sportster is obviously far from perfection and has in no point in time been the best machine in the world, it is still even farther from being the worst American made motorcycle. You would instead have been welcome to say you are not getting the point of such oldschool motorcycle, because that would have been the truth (while also rendering your opinion about the bike irrelevant, but in a mannered way). E.g. - many people do not like sportsbikes - useless crotch rocets, they say, as you're not supposed to go over the speed limit anyway. And a whole lot of people in US hate the Jap bikes just for being Japanese - pointless Kamasuki plastic cr*p, they say. Honda riders do not like Suzukis, even Harley riders have strong opinions between Dyna, Softail, Sportster, Touring and god forbid the V-Rod and that's still just scratching the surface. For every single bike in the world you can find someone who does not like it. Are they all correct? All the bikes in the world are objectively bad? Or are they all just missing the point of the bikes they are talking cr*p about? I personally have never been brand loyal, having had numerous very different motorcycles in my 30+ years of riding and currently owning 8 bikes that I've carefully chosen for their purpose - and one of them is a cheap old rigid mount EVO Sportster. It may be the slowest and least powerful street bike I've owned during this millennium, but just such an simple joy of a ride, reminding me of how far we have come from the ancient technology we as poor kids had to deal with in the '80-s and '90-s - and also that a man's life is supposed to be a lot simpler than it is these days. It is brilliant for what it is for! That's the mental health side of motorbikes - an oldschool HD seems to be a lot better at fixing you up than modern bikes that may be better at getting you where you need to go. For me, the old Sportster is an invaluable piece of kit and I do not plan to get rid of it any time soon.
Just did a long reply to this and the bloody page shut down, so I am going to be breif. I also have a 2022 Speedmaster its a great bike.Seems most of the problem is a poor complacent dealer. Oil leak is just one of those things and should have been easily fixed. The solenoid I had the same issue, my Triumph dealer sorted it while I waited, but I could have had a loan bike if needed. Corrosion will happen on any bike ridden in winter and where there is salt. Aluminium in its natural finish as on this bike will not resist that salt solution that is getting sprayed all over the bike, either dont ride in those conditions or prepare the bike for winter with ACF 50 waxes etc, and rinse after riding in salt. I was in engineering, unless the bike is made entirely of stainless steel it will tarnish and corrode. Chroming is not done like it used to be thanks to the Japenese and all the rest following suit at cutting corners, so a good Carnauba wax will help. Hope you have no more problems, its a great bike but as always with everything there are exceptions and it seems you have copped for it.
Morning Malcolm - thanks for taking the time to re-post; it's a real pain when a long post gets lost, so I appreciate your efforts. You are correct saying that 'most of the problem is a poor, complacent dealer'. And that's putting it mildly! Dealer X were truly awful, where Carl at Triumph did his best to help and sort it all out. Thus, I'm happy enough with Hinkley, but disgusted with the local dealer. I was very surprised to read that you had the same solenoid issue: that is a poor precedent. Still, I've had no trouble since so maybe Triumph have better solenoids now? As for corrosion, I continue to be sickened (!) by the problem, but I shan't rant here as I have a whole video about it: specifically, we drive a 2007 Ford Fiesta outside all day and night. It does not suffer corrosion like a motorcycle... As for the oil leak, it was not 'easily fixed' as it required an engine top-end rebuild (see the next video). It turns out that the left (I think) piston was the problem as one of the rings was not seated properly. A small problem that took many hours of warranty work to fix - by a MUCH better dealer (Bridge, in Exeter)! I've done over 23,000 miles now with no problems since about 10,000. Looking good! Cheers mate, Chris
Morning Chris - thank you for another kind post. As for the 'chirping': I have to use hearing aids so I can't hear it! I'll get Anna to listen later. (As it happens, Anna can hear high sounds and I can hear low sounds - what a team!) Cheers, Chris
Ima n older guy now and will come back to motorcycling after 30 years. Thank You for your programs, with minutious analysis and much of personal touch. You teaching me to start loving sportsters... Thank You.
Morning Data - many thanks for the positive comment (in marked contrast to your other comment which was horrible). I, too, am an 'older guy' (61, in a minute). I rode my last real motorcycle in about 1984 and didn't touch one again for twenty years, when I hired a Wide Glide for the weekend. Then, in 2016, I bought a Suzuki VX800: my first bike for 32 years. It was a disastrous choice of bike, but it did help me learn what my motorcycling needs were - and how those needs had changed (so much!!) over 30 years. And it showed me that I still loved riding. Back in 2016 Anna & I were going through tough times as her physical health has been bad for nearly 20 years now. My own mental health has always been 'iffy' and it took a serious nose-dive then. Anna recognised my need for an avenue of 'escape' (even in her own suffering: Bless her indeed) and suggested the bike. Although I was devastated when I had to sell the VX, in 2018 we arranged a new mortgage and I was able to buy the wonderful XL1200 Custom. I never realised how powerfully the Sportster passion would engulf me - but it has (!) and I'm glad. :-) If I have been able to 'teach you to start loving Sportsters', then I have succeeded. Thank you for saying so! Cheers Data, Chris
Morning Bob - yes, dealers can be a real pain. I would never have left Harley if the Sportster had some electric gizzmos (especially traction control & cruise) but, alas, no. Also, my local dealer - Riders in Bridgwater - is not a Harley dealer anymore: Tragedy! Cheers, Chris
Thank you for your kind wishes for Anna & I Rider. :-) And thanks too for your constructive comments on the other videos. I really feel like my efforts are appreciated: thank you again! Cheers, Chris
7:47 I disagree; a non-biker bean counter like Seitz will kill the Motor Company (for example, recent woke nonsense, moving manufacturing to Thailand, etc)
Another well-done episode. I appreciate the British perspective, and how you acknowledge national bias while leaving your reporting unbiased. Seems to add to the credibility somehow, without the hyperbole which might come from an American talking about iconically American bikes.
I don't know whether to buy a Speedmaster or run away from it. I've owned many bikes over the years and none had issues like you have experienced. Do the pro's out way the cons. Would you buy again if you had to go through the same roller coaster of emotions?
Morning John - in short, yes, I think the 'pros out-weigh the cons' so I'm happy with the Speedmaster. Would I buy one again? Yes, but not from Dealer X! Cheers, Chris
I used to ride my '73 XLCH to work in the winter time in sub-freezing temperatures. When I would first try to start it in the morning, I could stand on the kicker pedal, and it would slowly go down. After many kicks, the engine would loosen up and finally start. I was a young (and very dumb) lad at the time. 😃
Morning Ephraim - great to look back on the stuff we did when we were 'young & dumb', ain't it? At least you had a wonderful XLCH... When I was young & dumb, I rode to work in the snow on a Fizzy . NOT something I'd do today! (But starting it was always dead easy...) Cheers mate, Chris
As a US serviceman, I arrived in the UK in 1981 and spent the next six years in east anglia. It was a very unique perspective living in the UK. You might say I was on the front line as much as anyone in the UK. I very much enjoyed my 1985 XLCH and it lasted until 2023 when in suffered a catastrophic unscheduled disassembly from a broken connecting rod at 87,000 miles.
Morning Mark - many thanks for your post (and service to both out countries). I remember that F-111s were posted to Norfolk, back in the day. Was that your commute vehicle? Or did you bolt on the bits? Good to hear that your XLCH offered such great service... until that conrod situation. Did you keep it? It'd still be a great project. Cheers, Chris
I thought the "cafe racer" looked incredible when it came out, I wanted one but I was a Yamaha 50cc rider at the time, so it was a dream bike. It looks just as good today in my eyes. Great video thanks.
Morning Robert - ah, the ubiquitous Yamaha Fizzies. Wonderful! It should be a law that every rider starts their motorcycle life on a Fizzy. Even today. Interestingly, I thought I'd get stick for criticising the XLCR as ugly, but not so. (Mentioning president Biden? Not such a smooth run!) Cheers, Chris
Morning Chas - good pair of bikes you have there. I've always thought it sad that the Thunderbird ended production... nearly as much as I hate that the Sportster went out of production. But it does mean that the 'British Road King' can be bought very cheaply nowadays. Cheers, Chris
First, that bike doesn't sound like any Speedmaster I've heard. I have the same 1200HT engine in my Bonne and my bike sounds different. Second, you are a patient man...I would have lost it long ago and traded her in! I do agree they look amazing, but I count myself lucky I didn't get a Friday afternoon special. Cheers
Morning David - the sound you mention (I'm guessing it's the start & end of my videos) is not a Speedmaster, it's my old Sportster. And, just about the most beautiful sound there is! Friday afternoon stuff really can be a problem - but not so much as dreadful dealerships! Cheers, Chris
I remember two places in Sydney selling Harleys in the mid 1970s and there could've been others and I was told about another place that was selling them new in the 1960s and I imagine they would've been sold in other states at these times
Morning Hodaka - it sounds like Australia was doing okay for Harley dealers back in the day. I wish there was more information available (from Harley!) but, alas, they're not forthcoming at all. Cheers, Chris
Its mid 2024 & am planning to go for a used Roadster 1200. Mainly for the hassel free Belt drive. Many Ducatis Triumphs Kawasakis in that range but the smile is exactly what am looking for. Just a simple raw proven basic engine and no fancy electronic frills apart from the now mandatory ABS. Data Specs can be ao deceptive😅. All in all you nailed it from the word go when you said 'specs tell a different story'. 👌 Cheers and Love from ❤ India
Morning Striker - thank you for your kind comments & appreciation 'from India'. I think everyone agrees that it's 'happy' that the important thing, not numbers. I'm with you on that Bro'! Cheers, Chris
Im so glad i watched your review. They are probably overwhelmed with repairs. Made in India and. What a nightmare for you and the dealership. Seem like there in survival mode. Thornton custom parts could make you happier .
Morning Rodney - the bike certainly had problems, but Dealer X were truly awful! Thornton Hundred are incredible - but soooooo expensive! Too much for me, alas. Cheers, Chris
Morning - thanks for the reply. I'm not sure how these consumer protection laws apply, but in this situation, I think the dealer in Exeter (Bridge Motorcycles) did fulfil the requirements 'cos they fixed it in the end, i.e. 'after a reasonable number of attempts'. Cheers, Chris
I am really sorry to hear all about this machine, but then again why do you think they went out of business?? I think some people are in love with the idea of having a british machine but lets face it they are absolutely unreliable , I am at a loss as to why to put up with all this messing about and being blamed for so much , let alone love the bike .... I would get rid of it asap . Appauling service
True enough Gray, 'appalling service': but it was Dealer X who were appalling, not Triumph. These days, the brand is generally excellent. Cheers, Chris
I own a 77 shovel sportster that I built in my living room ground up….love it.. really enjoyed the video always thought a good move would be to put the VRod motor in the sportster …. make one version a V4 now you got a sportster it would eat up everything on the road…lol
Morning Jerry - interesting idea about the V-Rod engine, but isn't that the RevMax? (And, since this is derived from the Porsche Nova concepts, a V4 might work!) Still, it wouldn't be a Sportster to me... Cheers, Chris
I guess it really comes down to how you define sportster.. i’ve always personally seen it as a flat track dirtbike…. if you see it as a sport bike designed by Harley Davidson I think that’s totally different…. just my thought but then again the sportster is a multi platform that’s one of the things that made it great….. I think that’s gone….. reliability is the lurking question on the new sportster motor? Harley Davidson‘s been working on a V4 for years in the background…..
Chris, I rewatched this episode today and then glancing at my previous comment, realized I had said nothing about your losing your father, let alone in such a tragic manner. Please do forgive this thoughtless and insensitive oversight on my part! And please do accept my most sincere sympathy for your loss. May our Covenant Keeping Lord continue to bless, use, and keep you always! Henry +
This must have been so frustrating.. i bought a brand new ducati which was clearly a friday bike. Within weeks it was cutting out while riding at speed too! Countless times it just wouldnt start.. painful to have a sunny weekend and some free time only for a bike not to start on you... 1000 miles and id had enough ... back to a honda.. never had an issue .. starting to think of a T120 but this puts me right off
Morning JH - yes, frustrating, to say the least! (And there's another video of dreadfulness...) But things have been fine this year and I'm at 20,000+ miles. Getting the 'Friday bike' is always going to be awful, but it is rare. My experience is not typical - and I wouldn't worry about buying a Triumph again. BUT, I would be careful about the dealership, they make all the difference! Cheers, Chris
All kinds of folks out there capable of cutting your screen down to exactly where you want it. Good carpenter, for example. Tape, cut, sand. Right on the bike!
Afternoon Yoso - I thought cutting Perspex was potentially difficult, especially if it's a curve? I had thought about plasma cutting - and maybe will, one day - but there are so many things! We'll see... Cheers, Chris
Hi, my Speedmaster is a 2019 with 42000 km on it (26250 miles) A very beutiful and reliable bike that has NEVER given one problem, and is incredibly economical Maybe your bike was built on a Friday!
Afternoon Doug - yes, it seems that I got a 'Friday bike'. But, although the first year/10,000 miles were horrible, this year has been much better. Cheers, Chris
Morning Spike - I saw your other reply and am guessing the shop are talking about Softail bars. I did a huge amount of research when getting the bars and the Khrome Werks were the nearest to what I needed: maximum pullback, zero lift. I was advised that getting bars custom-made would be best but I couldn't find anyone locally who was... reliable... I'll put some of my findings on OneDrive, or whatever, in the week, if it'd help. I even have some helpful jpegs! Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris, I went back in time to view your blog and look at your bike. Are your hsndlebars of the Heritage Classic style? I need more ride and pullback on my 2013 1200C. Thanks.
