2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster - the touring Bobber

With 42% more peak torque and 25% more peak power than the previous (28% smaller) 865cc Speedmaster, the new Triumph is pretty much a Bobber with a pillion seat that promises a ‘laid-back British custom style’.

With much more versatility than the single-seat Bobber, the Bonneville Speedmaster uses the same 1200cc ‘High Torque’motor with light pull torque-assist clutch and six-speed gearbox. It shares the Road and Rain riding modes, ABS, switchable traction control and single-button cruise control that’s the new Bobber Black has as standard.

The Speedmaster carries the feet-forward controls that are an option on the two Bobber models (mid-set pegs are available as an option), and has a longer-travel rear suspension set-up, still with the hard-tail design.

As a more touring-capable machine, the Speedmaster has a larger, 12 litre tank. Given Triumph’s claims of 65.4mpg, the bike has a theoretical range to empty of 173miles, so we’d expect 140-150miles to be fairly achievable.

The ‘Fusion White and Phantom Black’ paint scheme has twin coach lines hand-painted on the tank, which is signed by the ‘artist’. There are also ‘Jet Black’ and ‘Cranberry Red’ colour schemes available.

While the engine is the same as the Bobber, the exhaust note has been retuned for the Speedmaster, keeping the clever twin-skin design to the down-pipes that hides the gas flow to the underslung catalytic converter.

The single clock has an analogue speedo, with an inset LCD that shows a choice of odometer, revs, gear, fuel-range, fuel level, average and current fuel consumption, clock, two trips, service indicator, traction control settings and cruise control.

The bike will be on sale around early to mid 2018 (we’ll be riding it towards the end of February), and will of course have a host of accessories available, including luggage, back rest and comfort seats. The pillion seat and grab rail can be easily removed, and option parts will allow you to further clean up the rear. Or you could add the ape-hanger bars …

Specification: 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black