I recently sold both my bikes and for the first time since 1974, l’m bikeless. I really thought my biking days were done, but l’m already getting a bit of an itch. Plus the tax bill l sold up for appears not to be an issue any longer.
So, l think it’s a big twin for me, Bonneville T120 or Speedmaster. . There must be folk on here who’ve had both, so l’m interested in their views. I like the centre stand and lower price on the Bonneville, but Speedmaster does look a bit cool, and l hadn’t realised how similar tank capacities were. I want a relaxed bimbler and sometime tourer, largely one up, but decent passenger provision would be a bonus. Fire away gang! ![]()
I get 140 miles out of a tank on the Speedmater (12 litre tank) the new one is a bit larger. The main problem I find is the lack if suspension travel, I have an after market shock which helps. Not rode the T120 so don’t know how things compare on that front. Ground clearance is occasion a problem, but being able to flat foot when stationary with several inches of height to spare is very confidence inspiring on rough single track roads. I’ve done 80,000 miles on mine and would probably buy the same bike if I had to replace it for some reason. It all depends on how bad your back is. (Suspension travel wise.) I suggest test riding both on the sort of roads you like to travel.
Edit: You are near me so I would offer to let you test ride mine but I guess you no longer have insurance to make you legal on the road. I wouldn’t want to let you have a go without insurance because of the legal penalties for me should an accident happen. (Knowing lettting someone ride uninsured is like riding insured yourself.)
I would definitely test ride the speedmaster before buying one I bought one blind and couldn’t get on with the forward controls even though there not that extreme ending up selling it and buying a speed twin
I had the speedmaster and really enjoyed the bike. I didn’t have any problems with the stock suspension. The bike did sometimes scrape the footboards on tight roundabouts and corners if pushing on, but under normal riding didn’t find it a problem.
The beach bars do take a little getting used too, but once you have ridden the bike for while you settle into a comfortable riding position.
Not had a T120, but did have a speed twin. Again a cracking bike a very different riding experience to the speedmaster, more aggressive riding position to the relaxed speedmaster.
PS: the stock passenger seat looks a little small and I know other owners who have changed it for bigger one.
@BrownMouse very kind offer but as you say, not feasible, également you are, as you observe, pretty close so a ride down to pick your brain over a few things is perfectly possible. Thanks
@Bob my thoughts/concerns exactly. Even my chop in the 80s had “normal” footpegs and controls. I did fit highway pegs across the frame front though.
@Wessa yes mate pillion pad looks a bit limited even for a little squirt like my wife, although our two up outings are far more limited than previously, so not necessarily a deal breaker.
Anyway, not in a rush. With work, other holidays and the need to prob nurse the wife after her op in a couple of weeks, there may be little point even buying a bike this year-another factor which prompted last month’s sales. Thanks all ![]()
Deposit paid, more info later. Take a guess if you wish, but l’m far too tight to offer a prize. Not an obvious choice, in the end.![]()