Thinking Of Buying A Speedmaster...is It Big Enough For A Big Guy?

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by Al TheWhite, Nov 1, 2017.

  1. Al TheWhite

    Al TheWhite New Member

    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    3
    New Brunswick Canada
    Hi everyone. I tried a 2013 Speedmaster yesterday and loved it. I've had a few other bikes, last one was a Suzuki M109, previous one to that was a Ninja ZX14. Tried of big bikes, want something that's light and fun to drive.

    My wife says the Speedmaster looks too small for me, I'm 5'8" and 260lbs. What are your thoughts on this? I just turned 50, I really don't care what others think of me as I ride my bike, but she keeps insisting...wants me to get a Harley...

    Can you show me riding pictures of you and your Speedmasters, would certainly help my cause...haha

    Thanks guys, and I hope to be a permanent member of this forum!!
     
    • Like Like x 2
  2. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,067
    1,000
    Central France
    Hello Al and welcome in to the Triumph Asylum - nursie will be round soon with your meds.

    In relation to the bike and your fitting it or not. The Triumph Speedmaster is a quality bit of kit with great soul and you should fit it easily. I'm 124KGS and I've ridden a mate's America which is roughly the same bike and I found it a great ride. I wasn't bothered at all what others thought of how I looked, because they're all daft and know nowt !!

    Are you thinking 2nd hand or the new 1200 Speedy ?

    Here are some pics :

    https://www.google.fr/search?q=Triu..._4j53XAhXBnBoKHSDmCHgQ7AkIQA&biw=1536&bih=725
     
    • Love You Love You x 1
  3. Al TheWhite

    Al TheWhite New Member

    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    3
    New Brunswick Canada
    Thanks for the reply. It's a 2013 with 7700kms on it, flat black, looks amazing. Going back to the dealer later today to see how desperate he is to sell it, it is Nov1st afterall..haha. The only negative of I do purchase it is that I will have to wait 5-6 mths to ride it as winter is fast approching here in Canada...
     
    • Like Like x 1
  4. Al TheWhite

    Al TheWhite New Member

    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    3
    New Brunswick Canada
    Forgot to add a photo

    20171025_111005.jpg
     
  5. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,067
    1,000
    Central France
    Al if it makes you happy and you can afford just get the damn bike. All the rest will just fall into place. Young womaen will adore; blokes will respect you - it's a TRIUMPH after all !!!

    You can then set about personalising it to your exact taste.
     
  6. Al TheWhite

    Al TheWhite New Member

    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    3
    New Brunswick Canada
    Will probably do...thanks !
     
  7. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

    Mar 6, 2016
    3,152
    1,000
    south shields
    I think you already had to be honest, its been eating away at ya :p
    if it feels that good then go with it :cool:
     
  8. Al TheWhite

    Al TheWhite New Member

    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    3
    New Brunswick Canada
    Yes it is, haha. Just needed a bit of reassurance...
     
  9. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    5ft10 and a half + a little bit more :p
    13•5st-14•5st depending on the time of year :eek:
    09EFI SPEEDMASTER :cool:
    with cocktail shakers :yum
    Go BLACK
    Go LOUD
    ENJOY :imp::grinning:
    IMG_0304.JPG
     
    • Like Like x 2
  10. Tucker 1963

    Tucker 1963 Elite Member

    Sep 7, 2017
    3,449
    800
    Newmarket
    Go for it mate
    Welcome to the nut house you should fit right in.
    Tucker
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

    Mar 6, 2016
    3,152
    1,000
    south shields
    I was actually about to post his (dilligaf) picture,
    just to say the bike can be very versatile indeed and although Dilligaf aint as big as yourself he's way feckin uglier and it even makes him look presentable,

    [​IMG]
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Love You Love You x 1
  12. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,683
    1,000
    North West England
    Hi and welcome.....
     
    • Like Like x 1
  13. Tal

    Tal Active Member

    Jul 3, 2017
    147
    43
    Milton Keynes
    [​IMG]Al,go for it you know you want to.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  14. MrOrange

    MrOrange Guest

    245lbs & 6" 1"", compared to riding a GSXR750, the America is plenty big enough. Probably be getting another, that's if I am not tempted onto a Rocket, now there is a bike you'll not look big on:eek:

    Al, for a wee shorty like yourself, Speedmaster will be fine !!!!;):p
     
    • Like Like x 1
  15. Al TheWhite

    Al TheWhite New Member

    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    3
    New Brunswick Canada
    Thanks Mr Orange. I'm wider than tall...haha. My last bike was a Suzuki M109, so I've had big bikes. Jad a ZX14 previous to that one. Im at a point in my life where I just want a fun, light bike to play with... Rocket is beautiful thought that's for sure. But my pockets don't like it as much lol.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  16. Not so Speedy

    Not so Speedy New Member

    Nov 21, 2016
    0
    1
    Burton on Trent
    Hi
    I'm about the same size as you and I find it a very comfortable and relaxed ride. You might find it a bit underpowered after your other bikes, I previously had a V Max. But you easily get used to taking it easy. It's a lot lighter than a Harley, which for me was important. Had mine a yeat, love it.
    Good luck
     
  17. Alisdair

    Alisdair Member

    Apr 29, 2017
    30
    18
    Richmond, London, UK
    Hey Al,

    Did you get it? I'm just over 6 foot and stocky, and I think my Speedmaster fits fine. The bike isn't that big, but with the low seat and forward controls it doesn't look small on whether you're tall or wide or both! It's wider than a Harley.

    I knew I was going to be covering 10,000 miles or so touring this year and I wanted to do it on a Bonneville, but I felt that was too small for me. I was so close to going for a Thunderbird and seriously considered being a traitor and switching to the Harley camp for a Dyna. But I decided a Speedmaster was the one because it's so customisable and you can make it your own. It's versatile for loading up and touring or just for blasting around town, and it's lighter and smaller than the Thunderbird or Dyna so windy mountain roads are nowhere near as hairy! It's also got great fuel consumption. However when I first started riding it, I was crapping myself because I kept scraping the pegs on corners and it felt way unsafe in the wet! On paper it's not the fastest bike around but once you get used to riding it, you'll find that it definitely doesn't hang around.

    Also, you can't deny it looks badass – I can't go anywhere without people commenting on how much they love my Speedmaster. And with the right pipes it sounds mean.

    All that said, I'll probably switch to a Thunderbird in a year or two!

    That's my little summary, hope it helps.

    Here's a photo of mine for size. Loads of photos of my bike on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisdair_mac/

    Screen Shot 2017-11-06 at 09.33.35.png
     
    • Like Like x 2
  18. John Estill

    John Estill New Member

    Oct 20, 2017
    1
    3
    Florida
    It’s a terrific ride you should get it!
    The trend for the latest models is actually a smaller footprint than the Speedy. The design of the Speedy is I believe one of the most beautiful. Look at how every curve flows into the next , it’s a fantastic design.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. Toddy

    Toddy Member

    Sep 14, 2014
    21
    8
    Near Gatwick, in Surrey.
    The Speedmaster is a great bike and, at 5'8", it should fit you perfectly. The only downside is that it touches down quite easily, as the footpegs are too long and bulky. I fitted some aftermarket pegs that could be rotated through 360° and lifted the rear suspension to its highest point to maximise ground clearance. The last time mine went in for a service the mechanics raved about the bikes handling and, obviously, those guys ride all sorts of hardware. Also [and don't tell Mrs Al TheWhite this] the Speedmaster gets more positive comments from the fairer sex than any other bike I've owned. Perhaps it looks particularly "dangerous" in black and being low-slung. However, I've just traded mine for a Street Scrambler. The salesman at my local dealer talked me into a test ride on one and I loved it so much I almost didn't take it back. It reminds me of the bikes I used to ride in the 60's and it handles brilliantly.

    Good luck with your decision.

    Cheers, Steve

    P1000167 (2).jpg
     
  20. John Estill

    John Estill New Member

    Oct 20, 2017
    1
    3
    Florida
    Ps...Also the Speedy has one of the best sounds possible from a set of a performance exhausts eg TORs
     
    • Like Like x 1

Share This Page