Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge speedmaster vs America

Hey, now for the dumb questions....gonna finally go look at the Triumphs tom. Just noticed the 'speedmaster' I'm finding it difficult to see many major differences from the America. It is a cruiser also, right? Should I be checking one out more than the other? At first, I thought the America was the only cruiser....Opinions? Rob

hey, ride just google up "triumph motorcycles" & click on bikes- cruisers & you will see the differences.in my humble opinion if you ride silo choose a speedmaster but if you often carry a pillion choose an america.i chose the america & the pillion in a million luvs it.she dosn't mind riding pillion either

Post deleted by Grump

go off which is more comfortable, all other differences you would probably not notice when out on the road

Frank

I'm gonna stick an oar in...

I have 2 Americas. Love them to bits. (But then the 03 will be started to be stripped down in 2 weeks..)

I've just done around 2000 miles on a Speedmaster in Australia. It didn't have the orginal seat on, the hire company had bought a K&Q seat for it. But it was comfy.

And as much as I liked the SM it wasn't an America. I spent my time wishing it was an America. The bars were too narrow and I didn't like the lack of chrome. (But did like the way it stopped on a sixpence in traffic...so maybe th 03 will get twin discs on the front..... )

What am I trying to say...
If you are buying new, then there will be no real performance difference between the America and the SM. Except the twin brake discs on the front. It's all just how you find the riding position. See if you can try both. One will talk to you straight away. The other - probably about half hour later. If neither of them talk to you, get a Thruxton. They just don't shut up!!!

If you've got a regular pillion you'll either want the america, or the america's seats on a speedmaster.

If you do a reasonable amount of long distance you'll want an america, or at least the america's handlebars on a speedy.

If you love chrome you'll want an america, or at least all the shiny bits from an america on a speedy.

You saying he wants an America then...?

The biggest difference is how you sit. Ride both and pick the one that is most comfortable. The next biggest difference is that Speedmasters are geared lower, giving them a bit better acceleration and less top speed. Also the look is different, but that doesn't matter much if you pick the one you like to ride because you can't see much of the bike from the seat. Oh yeah, the Speedmaster comes with a tach and it is an option on the America.

Excellent feedback. DaveM, thanks for the link to previous thread. I'll check it all out at the dealer. Driving out to San Jose this am. (really love the 'old' spokes. If they have slightly used, may jump on that. thanks, Rob

The 07 no longer has the spokes. I think that is too bad. Even though I have a speedmaster I did like the spoke wheels on the America. In PA too many potholes spoke wheels get out of true too fast mags never do unless you really slam them then the wheel isn't the only thing needing to be fixed.
Like was said above get what fits you. I would say weigh your options get the one that is going to cost less to make what you want.Like I have a Speedmaster but I have America bars on the SM risers to give me the riding position I want and was a cheaper change than if I wanted to change wheels or side covers on the engine. The frame , foot pegs , tank , engine , rear fender and such are all the same.

Adding risers or new handlebars to change the riding position is much cheaper than trying to add dual front brakes. America seats can be had cheaply either here or on ebay. So don't let just the riding position determine your choice. Wheel choice though is expensive. On my Speedmaster I spent $50 for risers, another $40 for a solo seat, and $25 for a pillion pad.

My dealer will swap out seats for nothing when you buy a bike. so ask what they are willing to do to make the sale. Sal you said what I was trying to in a much more simple mannor and probably more understandable! LOL

I put speedy bars, with Brent's 4" risers on my BA. Now I've
also added 1" spacers(from Brent). I'm comfortable with the
set-up. To each, his own. After 7k miles, I still like the
stock seat, but I have an Air-Hawk pad for long rides. It was
worth every penny. Adding the footboards made a big difference.

If you come right down to it no matter what you do to your bike if it makes you happy then its money well spent.

That's what it's all about, isn't it?

Got such a good deal on my 2004 Speedmaster that my decision was easy. If I really had to chose between the two I might have had to flip a coin. Love both bikes and both are drop dead gorgeous.