Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge New rider looking at Triumph America - Opinions?

First off - Hello, Triumph riders.

I've been posting on various forums looking for more info and thoughts on Triumpt bikes.

I just got my learners permit this weekend and am signed up for motorcycle safety courses at the beginning of August. I have been doing research on bikes and shopping around to figure out what I'm going to buy once my courses are complete.

This bike would be my first bike and I would be looking for something to learn on but not get bored with. So far – I have been checking out the Shadow Spirit by Honda, the VStar 650 and the America. I have yet to sit on an America but can say it is the best looking bike of the bunch. I'm just looking for opinions on this bike and if it would be a good starter bike. Is this truly a great bike?? How reliable are the Triumphs??

Would it be a good bike to learn to work on motorcycle engines with? I would ideally like to learn to service the bike myself if possible.

Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Oates

Well Wendys America is her first bike and she loves it. It has a low center of gravity making it easy to balance at a stop. Handles well. Plenty of power so you won't get bored. Easy to work on (in my opinion) I have hear testimonials that these bikes if maintained will go over 100,000 miles with no engine work (aside from the 12,000 mile valve adjustments) and not including any changes you WILL want to make to get more performance as you get to be a better rider. There are quite a few things available to add custom parts and many many more ideas on this site to do customs of your own.

I would definately with no hesitation reccomend this bike as a first bike or 2nd or 22nd.

I'm just nervous about a brand new bike for a first ride. To drop a beauty like a brand new America would be rough.
Any thoughts? Should I be starting on a used bike?

Don't let worries about dropping a scoot influence what you buy. The Triumph is the best handling bike of the three you mentioned and very well built. Get it, you'll be so glad you did. Plus, there's this helpful forum with a bunch of great old coots and yutes to help you out...doesn't get any better than that.

Well you mentioned the motorcycle course and that , atleast here, teaches you on a bike they have. That will help quite a bit. If you are still not comfortable you can pick up a used jap bike for $200 to $500 that is good enough to learn on but not a worry if you drop it a couple times. Wendy simply started on her America. She did drop it a couple times at a dead stop with no damage when she first started to ride. Then after a couple weeks and more confidence she has been fine. Confidence is the key but by the same token don't get over confident and out ride your ability.

Read the " Heart vs Head " thread , will do ya some good .

I've been off bikes for a while so when I bought my America, it almost felt like I was starting from scratch.

The good news is that the bike is very forgiving even to the point of being stupid and trying to get off the bike with no side stand down - that low centre of gravity means you've got a bit more chance of correcting before it becomes a tear jerker - as I found out myself....

I'm also finding that it's very easy NOT to use the power, I'm still running in, and was worried I'd get carried away and end up using it a bit hard. However becuase of the low down torque you can go out riding without ever going into the latter half of the rev range, which means for a newbie you don't suddenly find yourself going faster than you want.

Don't get me wrong they go incredibly well, it's just I've found it's a concoiuos descision to hammer up the rev range so you wont find yourself there without knowing it - if that makes sense?

Obviously we are probably going to be biased on here, but I went out for a ride with my brother in law who rides a Hyabusa, and even though I was taking it steady he remarked how well poised the bike was around corners and was suprised how easily I got around them - and as I say, I'm still finding my feet and running the bike in so was taking it steady.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

JC

Oates,
I was like you. I just, finally, bought my first bike (2007 America).
I was seriously considering a Yamaha until I was asked to reconsider the Triumph and I am glad I did. For one thing, the Vstar requires valve adjustment every 4000 miles plus I've read where a lot of people find it underpowered, after riding a few months.
I never have been impressed by the Honda bikes.
I just picked up my Triumph this past Saturday and rode it all the way home (~27 miles), including a baptism compliments of Mother Nature up here in the Pac. NW. Aside from the MSF course (back in February) and the various mopeds and stuff I rode when I was younger, this was the first time I've ridden the bike. Aside from a couple of stalls at stoplights, I had no problem and enjoyed it very much. Very smooth riding and no concern about not having enough power.
Hopefully, with some drier weather today, I will get her out again today and do some practicing. It's a fun bike.
Conwy

For a first time bike, the America or Speedmaster is a good choice, as already been said low centre of gravity, handles very well, and is smooth. Take one out and you will love the feel of it..

I fell into the trap of thinking of my Bonneville America was a good "starter bike" when I bought it. Now I just think of it as a great "first bike." It's a subtle yet important distinction. Someday the TBA will have some company in the garage (besides the large pile of bamboo flooring and the '65 Fastback ).

P.S. At lunch time I rolled over 33,333.3 miles on the odometer.

I would have to concur with everything that has already been said. My America is my first bike, ever and has been a joy to learn on. I to feared dropping a bike that I am so in love with, but at the same time, wouldn't you want that very personal connection with your first riding experience? Anyway, I have not dropped it once, but have come close a couple of times, including forgetting to put the kickstand down and I have been able to recover every time. I know there will be a day that I will not be able to catch it, but I have nor will ever regret getting an America. Good luck with your decision and welcome to the site, this is the greatest group of people that I have ever met in the world!

my '04 BA was (and is) my first road bike. i was a little nervous when picking it up from the dealership almost 3 years ago and have dropped it a time or two w/ minimal damage. nothing have i regreted, and i have learned a lot along the way: i just finished the 12K valve job in my garage and the fabrication of a homemade backrest thanks to a writeup by member "vwone" (Dean) in the tech vault. the only work that's been done at the dealer was the 600 mile first checkup.

mostly, though, i think you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of the ride.

Quote:

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i was a little nervous when picking it up from the dealership

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Me too. First forward control bike I had ever ridden. Rode home in the rain! Will remember that day forever.

Oates: All motorcycles are fun, Repeat: All
Motorcycles Are Fun. Having said that, How do you want to be with your bike? Some will ask you where you want to ride and how you want to ride, but the real question remains; How do you want to "be"? Once answered, you have to ride a Triumph. Seriously, the bones of these bikes will respond to your being, in any scenario. Triumph is true.

Yep. I have just inquired about purchasing another parking space in my condo building. I need room for the future triumph speed triple..., and the Ducati, maybe evrn the Moto-Guzi?

A Speedmaster was my first (and second) bike. Besides the first one getting totaled (not my fault, totally unavoidable,) I did have a couple of semi-slow-motion drops doing u-turns. Just scratched the exhaust a wee bit and scratched my pride. Also just got back from my first road trip (2000 miles there and back,) a couple weeks ago.

Long story short, I would DEFINITELY recommend the Triumph SM/BA as a first bike!

As you are quickly finding out, this forum is a lifeline - something you may not be able to count on with another bike. This is one of the most active motorcycle forums on the internet - why? Because most of us can't stay out of here! We have to check in daily, or at least several times each week. I am curious as to how many responses you are getting on some of the other forums you mentioned....and I know each forum is going to be biased towards that bike, but how many responses, and over how long a period of time to answer your questions? This will tell you something. This forum is a valuable benefit to buying one of these fine motorbikes.

Easy to work on, and you are not likely to feel like you "outgrew" it after you have a few thousand miles on it. I hope the V-Star 650 owners are honest and tell you that they wish they had bought the 1100 instead...I know most do. Most of us think 790cc, or 865cc as the new Triumphs are, is big enough to do all we want them to do.

If you can wait another few months though, there may be other offerings from Triumph that might tilt the table a bit. Rumor has it.

Easy to work on/customize/modify/maintain. Simple basics any rider should be able to learn how to perform.

Congratulations on your permit and for taking the MSF course... you'll learn a lot...
Ok, my opinions.. the 650 V* is underpowered for the size of the bike, the 1100V* is better.
I think my SM is a great bike, and the one that's the most fun to ride.
I've ridden the V*650, with 4 gears, not quite good enuf,
I owned a V* 1100, just could not get comfortable.
The Hondas are nice, but IMHO, they just dont' handle as well as I think they should, and yes, I've ridden a few, my son owned a VTX 1300 for a while (got hit and totalled), but the VTX is BIG!. To me the Hondas just feel heavy.
I also have a Softail Harley which is comfortable for long distances, but the Triumph is way easier to handle in the city. I also have a Suzuki Bandit 1200, and a Yamaha FJR 1300 ( which I'm trying to sell, too many bikes) The Bandit and FJR have way more power than any civilized person needs, but oh well!

Sorry I cant' comment about long rides, the furthest I'm ridden the SM was a couple of short trips, maybe 600-800 miles each over a couple of weekends...

I would suggest getting engine guards and saddlebags for any cruiser, it seems most of the "drops" are in parking lots or some such and speeds ranging for 5mph to 0 mph!
You will learn in the MSF class to "Look where you want to go" because you will go where you look!... Translation... look down, go down.... The engine guard and saddlebags help keep the paint from scratching at slow or no speed drops.

In any case, have fun!
Mary

I am going to hold out for a bit and see what the local dealers say. I will be done training around mid/end August and am going to buy at that point.

I can't wait to go and check them out on Saturday. Somebody on here gave me a tip on a local shop they've dealt w/ and said they have been very helpful.

This forum is great and I look forward to speaking w/ you all in the future. Have a great night!!

OK here's the low down. I have ridden all three bikes. The America is the way to go in this comparo. I currently own an America and am willing to sell it. Only and I repeat only to get the new upsized bonnie cruiser that is in the works.
The honda shadow is a decent bike. It is underpowered though. It felt more like a 500 going down the road. It has good controls and they are easy to modulate.
The yamaha star 650 is not a bike for beginners. I say this because the clutch has no grab until the end of the stroke, the thing is just plain heavy, the steering is vague, it is underpowered worse than the honda ever thought about, and in general it handles like crap.
The america has good ergos, has good front end feel, handles well, makes way more power, and has more street cred. The switchgear in my opinion rival that of harley in their look. The others are square edged and look like they are straight from 1985. The america is the only way to go in a light weight cruiser.....except maybe for the new Kawi Vulcan 900 custom, but I haven't ridden one of those yet.
BTW, I have my America set up like a Speedmaster with risers, drag bars, and an SM seat.