What’s the difference between a cruiser and a tourer? Quite a lot actually. However, for the sake of brevity, we will try and explain it in one sentence. A tourer is used to cross continents, while a cruiser will take you from Pune to Bangalore in armchair comfort. While full-size cruisers fit the bill, they are large and can be unwieldy elsewhere; like backing one out of a parking lot, for example. What about mid-size cruisers then? Scaled down but equally capable, they also exude road presence and may just be the right tool for munching miles on Indian highways.
Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles have been playing this game for a while with the 1200 Custom and Scout, respectively. Now, there’s yet another cruiser vying for your attention - the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. Although it’s based on the Bonneville Bobber, the two couldn’t be more different. To explain it quickly, the Speedmaster gets a rear subframe that’s been beefed up to accommodate a pillion seat, while the rear wheel travel has been reduced. Other changes include twin discs with Brembo calipers at the front, a sharper rake and a fatter 16-inch front wheel. To put it In a nutshell, the Speedmaster is a softened up version of the more focussed Bobber with traits expected of a cruiser. Is this change of character as likeable though?
Design and features:
Retro-modern design. Traditional mechanical elements blend well with modern touches like LED headlamps and digital instrument cluster.
High-quality accessories available in two packages - Highway and Maverick.
Beach-style handlebars look cool.
While the silhouette looks similar to the Bobber, there are a host of design changes to set the two apart.
High levels of fit and finish and attention to detail.