My First Bike was a 1992 Honda VT1100C, and this bike has a little more power than mine has. 1100cc used to be a large bike, but now it seems like large does not begin until you hit 1400cc's. There were a lot of big guys who did cross country rides on Honda CB500's, so this is a full size bike in my book. If anybody gets one, don't let anyone put you down or tell you that you should have bought brand X. Enjoy the ride, and be safe.
I do not appreciate his comment about the bike being a turd or a beginners bike. You do not haft to ride a 1500 cc Harley to call yourself a "Biker." This bike is perfect for cruising across the country. It is a excellent combination of power and " fuel efficiency' getting 60 miles to the gallon highway, with a 5.1 gallon tank you can almost ride for 300 miles before refueling. As with the noise making Harleys you need to pull a fuel tanker behind you. This bike is for cruising; not for going from bar to bar riding noise makers.
I own the bike... it's a turd. I bought it for my girlfriend who got scared and now doesn't ride it. It's a 2014 with LESS than 1500 miles on it. It does take corners VERY well and has 'potential'. I'll get back to you once I get rid of the EPA restrictive stuff and actually get the throttle to respond when I want it to respond. You can stall it very easy if you're coming from a bike like a low compression Harley... you have to remember that there IS NO low end on this bike and needs more gas than clutch at near standstill traffic. Ride safe everybody.
I have the 2015 Speedmaster. I've owned larger bikes and this 865 is definately no 'turd'. It has plenty of power for its weight and so fun to ride. No regrets buying this bike!
Had one, loved it. Great sound with pipes and such a beauty. It was too slow and not too good with 2 up. Braking was problem when a car jumped out in front of me. A few close calls and lack of acceleration when needed (405 freeway) you go right back to the dealer and pick up something else, which is what I did (1700). Your review is spot on, again.
Well triumph has there head up their ass. The bike looks great with the bigger front wheel, but why did they get rid of the 2nd disk brake in the front? Have they had complaints the bike stops to fast? duh..no....it was great. I have a 2005 speedmaster. What is all the rhetoric about, "Oh, its a great 1st bike", what bullshit. I've had a honda 1100 v4 (best bike in the world), a kawasuckie concors 1000, and a yamaha royal dog 1298, and this bike is 300 pounds lighter, just as fast, easy to and FUN to ride. You don't have to be a first time rider to like it. I did put uni filters on it, rejetted the carbs and modified harly bomber muflers to mine, and it is nice. The saddle bags are way to small and suck. But the bike is fun, add a fairing, driving lights, and bigger bags and I have me Mexico commuter!
I've never understood the beginner bike thing with bikes under 1100cc's. I have a 2007 model, which I bought new and from Oregon have travelled to Eastern British Columbia, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and 101 from So Cal back to the PNW. I've done countless rides in Washington and Eastern Oregon. It has proved itself to be a great bike and reliable as can be. I've had larger and heavier bikes but this one fits me quite well. Truthfully, I wish there would be an option to put a larger motor in the bike (like HD has with it's Sportsters) I'm a 250lb guy and I can hit a ton without any effort. Maybe not as fast as others would like, but seriously, I cruise all day at 70+ miles an hour, how much faster do I need to go? For the weight and effort it takes to ride you can not go wrong if you like a cruiser. I found it corned way better than a new Thunderbird. The countryside you are riding in sure looks nice. Thanks for the review. It's interesting to hear other peoples thoughts on different bikes. Cheers.
I went from a 2010 Victory Vegas 100 Cubic Inch to a 2007 America. "Carburated" My Vic was faster, but this is without question more refined. Braking is marginal, as is horse power, What it is, is fun, and super reliable. Definitely one of my favorite bikes I've owned.
This Triumph is much better than any (turd...) Harley on the roads, sure ! I got one for many years and its a excellent bike, for a custom bike, never any Harley "Biker" overtake me on curves...
I bought a 2016 with .2 miles on it. This bike falls between a 883 and 1200 sportster in power and torque. I have heard nothing but good things about reliability. It handles really well. Suspension is the only negative. I upgraded my suspension with Hagon Nitro shocks. Race tech fork springs with an intiminator valve and 7 wt maxima oil. All I have done to the motor is trident shorty pipes, a booster plug, ttp air intake and 19 tooth front sprocket. I did remove the air injection. Did the ecu relearn and it runs great. It’s not meant to be fast. If you get a good deal on one, you can make it what you want and it is a damn good bike.
The Speedmaster engine is not de-tuned at all. The America, Speedmaster and Scrambler bikes have a 270' crank. The Bonneville range and Thruxton have a 360' crank.
I have a 2015 Speedmaster and I love it. It is the first bike I ever bought. It has enough power to take me to the store or drive it all around Calif. I am a cruiser rider but I dont need to do 100 mph to have fun with this great bike.
I think that bike looks best in the 2014 colour of Matt Grey. Having said that, this wasn't the best review I've ever seen. I test rode one myself recently and although it was in many ways it is a great bike the ergos didn't fit me that well.
Why do they de-tune the engine. Triumphs vertical twin is already fairly anemic. I don't know why in this day and age they can't manage to squeeze 75 horsepower out of 865cc and still keep it reliable and long lived.
Cal Moto I would love to...but they don't listen. I would buy the thruxton and still may one day, but honestly...it should be doing quarter mile times in the high twelves at least and should have two discs up front. I don't care if the original didn't...ties to tradition are great, just don't be bound by them.
Other companies should follow TRIUMPH and KAWASAKI and put 5 gallon tanks on their bikes, even the smaller cc ones. I have a 1300 Yamaha and get tired of stopping for gas because of the 3.8 gallon tank. And the weight of my bike doesn't help either.
he in fact air-cooled engine! tell it heats? how it behaves in a traffic jam at +35. I'm probably what - you do not understand, but it seems to me that it is not reliable. EXPLAIN! it is very beautiful. simply stunning.
Come on, it's a cruiser and a beautiful bike. Bikes like the freakin' goofy Honda Furbie (Fury) only put out 57.8 HP out of a 1300cc and weighs 650+lbs.
i really like the Thunderbird Storm (and the regular T-bird) but i'm considering getting this bike as my first bike due to the power and sheer girth of the Thunderbird Storm
+John Hudson I bought a Yamaha Royal Star Venture, the bike rode like a Cadillac but it was so top heavy, I pulled up to a light and lost my balance . Well you can figure out the rest, I could not pick it up someone had to help to lift it. My point is ride what you can handle and the rest of the yo yo's out there K.M.A.
