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Speedmaster
Updates for 2008:
- New 2008 colour: Pacific Blue/Aluminium Silver
with a gold coach line
- New, larger fuel tank with new chromed badges
MEAN AND MOODY
With its dark, brooding lines and a pared-down hot-rod
essence, the Speedmaster is a standout middleweight
cruiser from every angle.
The heart and soul of any motorcycle is its engine,
and the Speedmaster’s 865cc, DOHC, eight valve,
air-cooled, parallel twin cylinder engine uses a 270° crank
firing interval, giving a throbbing beat and smooth,
torque-laden power delivery. Peak power of 55PS (54bhp)
arrives at 6750rpm, with maximum torque of 69Nm (51ft.lbf)
available at just 4800rpm. Both cylinders vent through
deep-chromed slash-cut silencers while the satin black
engine finish adds a crisp, understated edge to the
handsome lines of what is a very distinctive and evocative
power plant.
The riding position, which is slightly more aggressive
than the usual laid-back cruising stance, supports
and ‘cups’ the rider into the gunslinger
seat ready to launch at the horizon. Upper fork shrouds
add even more style, while high risers mount the flat ‘drag’ handlebars
on the slab-style top yoke and match the chromed forward
set footpegs.
The Speedmaster boasts a pair of cast wheels with
a crisp look all of their own; the 18 inch front wears
a 110/80 tyre, the 15 inch rear a 170/80. The twin
shocks and wide-style telescopic forks straighten the
curves and iron out the bumps, giving a planted and
supple ride. Twin 310mm front discs – gripped
by twin-piston calipers – haul the Speedmaster
up as hard as you want.
As a hot-rodded ‘Factory Custom’, the
Speedmaster proves that less is more, and minimalism
is key to the bike’s harder edge. The rev-counter
is mounted discretely on the fuel tank nacelle, the
large round white-faced speedo perches cleanly in the
rider’s line of sight on its top-yoke mounting.
The tank itself holds 19.3 litres of fuel, giving a
useful range. Three stunning paint options are available
for 2008: Phantom Black, Phantom Black and Tornado
Red with a silver coach line and the brand new Pacific
Blue and Aluminium Silver with a gold coach line.
If the Speedmaster’s bare bones want a little
more flesh on them, the ever-expanding Triumph accessory
range features an array of bolt-ons specifically designed
to lend even more appeal and individuality.
With its punchy engine and mean looks the Speedmaster
is the very essence of an old-school street-rod, packing
performance and style into one very individual motorcycle.
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