Which is the better cruiser among these two 1,200 cc bikes? The Harley-Davidson Forty Eight or the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. We ride out on the highway to find out. Video: The Quint Music: Big Bang Fuzz
I owned two early 60's Bonnivilles They were light nimble fast and a blast to ride. They broke down constantly. I have owned four Harleys, even a chopped hardtail. Thet never bothered me in my 20's and 30's, my last one was a forty eight and with arthritis I sold it in two months. Definitely for a fresh spine and skeletal system.
Both Harley and Triumph have improved their quality by light years. The HD you have to build it to get to your liking. The Triumph is ready out of the box.
@@geneahart5607 I don't know man, I really don't, but I've been watching Freddie Dobbs on you tube. It's a never-ending thing with his Bonniville. Is that really how some of them are, or did he just get a lemon. I just don't know and I'm looking for a new bike.
Love your honest review. I have 2 friends who have both had Harley 48s and both had sold them because they were so uncomfortable. I have ridden the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster and I love it. I want 1
I find this review very accurate. If you just want to go for looks and showoff get HD but that won't last more than a year. In terms of performance Triumph is the best and more importantly when you are riding any bike above 600cc comfortably riding position is very important which is why Triumph is doing so well in all their bikes category.
But what if I am looking for the low-down grunt performance at low rpm, and what if I like the sound of the Harley as long as it has quiet mufflers? No other motor sounds like a Sportster to me. All the rest sound like lawnmowers, whether they are loud or quiet. However, the Triumph is a bit different. Maybe it's something to do with the 260-degree motor or whatever. Even so, there is nothing that sounds like a Sportster. What's the deal with people wanting their bikes to be so loud? I don't get it. It doesn't make them sound better, unless music sounds better when it's loud. Maybe that's it. I always thought music sounded the same regardless of the volume, for the most part. Maybe I'm just getting old. If somebody thinks riding a Harley is about show off, I don't think they get it. It's the whole character of a long stroke, low rpm motor, and I suppose still having some of that old style automotive valve train with some of its sounds that it makes as it makes its appointed rounds.
I've had two forty eights and lived them until my back got problems , I think the speed master will be on my list in the not so distant future , looks like a game changer👍
Very good video! I own a 2015 Bonneville and a 2018 Street Bob. Both bikes are excellent and fun to ride. Each one has its own advantages, but if anyone is considering buying a 2018 Street Bob, have in mind that you will have to change the seat and maybe also the handlebar.
I love my HD Roadster but both bikes are beauties. My first ride off the floor was 300 miles. No support for a Triumph in my area is why I bought the Roadster. It is amazingly flick-able in city traffic. I did swap out the seat for something I could move around on for long trips. If both had networks near that supported them it would have been a very hard choice between the Speedmaster, the Bobber, Bonnie, Street Twin, Kawasaki Z900RS, and the HD Roadster - all in the same price ranges. Notice there are a lot of Triumphs in my dream list.
Thank you so much for posting this review! I believe this Triumph Speedmaster is a pure British old-school classic, the most "beautifully" designed and best cruiser out there :
Very funny review 😂 Sat on a speedmaster the other day at a Triumph store, and for me was the most comfortable seat and riding position of all the bikes I tried.
Very funny but accurate about both bikes. Believe or not this Harley is more sophisticated than my 1987 Sportster. I spent a lot of money and years trying to improve it. The fact is my 1996 Triumph Thunderbird was a much better off the show room floor than the Harley was after years of improvement. Today's Triumphs are much better than my 1996 while the Harley Sportster is about the same as my 1987. Harley's great to look and listen to but not so good to ride. I not to sure my 2017 Royal Enfield is not a better value motorcycle than the Sportster.
Nice review guys! Good conclusion too. Both bikes are cool but the Speedmaster will definitely be easier to live with and a lot more useful! Safe riding!
Finally someone spoken the long lasting myth of Harley Davidson... in Terms of every aspect. either a Triumph or a Indian bike ( American Indian) are far more better and Better VFM
Indian lol 😂 should call it Polaris Indian which Woke up from the Dead in 2011 & Triumph not a British bike anymore now Triumph is managed by the Japanese lol 😂, Coming to 🦅 Harley Davidson this is a pure American Cruiser Brand which Stood Time & again ever since its Inception in 1903, Dare any half knowledge person knows not to bad mouth a God of Motorcycle Brands 🦅 Harley Davidson 💣🔥
Pound for pound and Inch for Inch- A Triumph is a far superiorly designed product. Very few super bikes come closer. Its a fact. But HD has more brand appeal and customization flexibility which can't be ignored. But better Product? It was and is a 'Triumph'. Do your research. Ride the bikes and you will see Speed master is a superior product .
Nice and honest review. Of those 2 i would also choose the Triumph over the HD. I also know HD make comfy cruisers but they cost a lot of money and as always nowadays there are better alternatives (rationally) then HD. But then again it is all a matter of preference and the size of your wallet.
Triumph made in Thailand....now harley follow...and have plan to build plant in Thailand too... Triumph should made more of lower level and price model just like around 300- 650 cc too...
I've rode Harley Davidson for 20 plus years and had everything from sportster to street glide special and they are nice motorcycles, I own a 2019 bobber, a 2020 speedmaster and a 2020 street tripple. The harleys are uncomfortable unless you spend 20k + then they are heavy as hell. The 2019 fatbob is a nice motorcycle, easy handling, good looking and doesnt ride bad either. I have both triumphs and Harleys and both are nice motorcycles, lately I ride the triumphs more .
English man owning riding and racing bikes all my life I find myself entering the cruiser market looking around doing my homework I come across the the Indian opinion ! Mad but of course ! Where have I been ?😁 Boom !
Thats the wrong Triumph for this test! They should have compared the Forty Eight with the Triumph Bobber, small tank, hard seatposition... Then both guys would need a masseur! :D
Nah- the bobber is way ahead in each department. As an ex HD and storm owner, and Having rode both new bobber and 48 bikes several times I can tell you the 48 is just hopelessly outgunned ( horrible ride%$#$) except the looks department maybe. Speed master is design wise similar to the 48- not the bobber. The Customs 1200 would get some HD pride in place but won't out do the speed master either- Its proven by other experts.
I think a better comparison would be the Speedmaster vs the Softail Slim. I am looking at the Slim and the Speedmaster as my second bike! I love the retro look of both.
Great review lads from here in the UK. I'm 6'4" and yes did own a 48 and all I have to say about the bike is....absolutely ridiculous machine. The day I sold it I celebrated with a drink or two. The triumph I will be buying come summer. Nice 1 lads great informative and humourous review.
I have had four harleys and two triumphs. My last Harley at 65 yrs. of age is murder and I sold it and sat on a triumph sprrdmaster. It does not look as good as a triumph IMO, but it sure is a better ride . Hey I am an old guy, I have to give up some cool for some riding time.
Sarang Kulkarni Triumph is a Rotten पुदी 😂😂😂🤣 🦅 Harley Davidson💣 is a Legend, which has Put to Sleep Motorcycle brands like Indian, Triumph, Norton, Bsa etc... only in recent times brands like Triumph & Indian started its Motorcycle Production & are really Struggling to Sustain & settle down Comfortably in the Motorcycle World & Competition with a Legend like 🦅 Harley Davidson will only be a Dream, Agree or not 🦅 Harley Davidson’s presence is enough to make Insecure to other Motorcycles in Respective Segments let it be Cruisers or Tourers which is a Fact & not an Opinion & It also Tops the List of Top 10 Motorcycle Brands On Google.....
YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE COMPARED THE 1200 CUSTOM WITH THE SPEEDMASTER , would have been a better comparison, forty-eight is a different league of its own, i really appreciate you guys doing this kind of comparison which no other vloggers or reviewers have tried , but next time do a review with the right bikes, Thanks.
Yes they maybe same theres a difference in comfort level and it has 17 litres fuel tank its big daddy of all sportster(1200custom) i m owner and it can beat it in these level but no comparison with technology of triumph i wanted one but its pricey in that range and fact for all you guys the speedmaster is rival to the 1200custom just make a review on that i m sure like it s since 1957
This one has the better seat, rear suspension, license plate bracket, speedometer (because it doesn't go up to 220 mph. Anybody want an oil pressure gauge that goes up to 180 psi or a temp gauge that goes up to 400 degrees?) larger tank, (than the 48) water cooling, Hp and torque, (than the 48) and I don't know what else, even though there are things about it I don't like. It has a lot going for it, and it is a very good looking motorcycle.
There’re absolutely no surprises here.. It’s time people realized that Harley makes good looking and expensive bikes which lack in performance, Technology and Ride quality.. This realization is slowly but surely happening in America, but not yet in India..
We have the 2019 speedmaster and I think it sounds better than the sportster has plenty of power too my wife picked it out and loves riding it they are a beautiful bike
Will choose 48 anyday this bike oozes character 48 is by far one of the hottest looking bike a total badass it isnt a tourer as it has only 8 ltr of tank but 48 is so addorable man
I have Harley Davidson-48 (2017 model) with ABS with better suspension & it's not that back issue problem.. & not a long touring bike, but u can enjoy rides within 150-200 kilometre on highways. But if you r average fat person & unfit, then this HD-48 model not fits you, Its a very stylish Super bike in Sportster Series segment.. because of its slim look & elegant Peanut fuel tank, comparing to other HD bikes within 15 lakhs.
No surprise at all here...Sportsters have always been great around town bikes and make a good second bike but they aren't touring bikes. Had both when I was younger no surprise here either the Triumph handles much better and was more fun to ride but I wouldn't want to go to Sturgis on one...
