Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech New user, looking for information

Hey folks, lurked for a bit when I first decided that there was a Triumph in my future. Now that I've made the decision to look for either an America or a Speedmaster, I'd like to hear some input.

First the history: Let's face it, a Brit bike is almost destiny for me. The die was cast in 1973 when I was 8 years old and my dad came rolling into the driveway on a black and gold Norton 750 Commando, with Dunstall pipes. It was the coolest thing my young brain had ever laid eyes on. Over the next few years his garage held no less than 4 Velocettes, a BSA Goldstar, A Lightning, a Bonneville 650, a couple of Matchless', a Trident, and the crown jewel, a 1951 Vincent Rapide.

Flash forward to now, over the years I've played with a couple of Suzuki GS 1100's a Guzzi and A Kawasaki Concours, but haven't owned a bike for a few years. I'd love to get the Triumph, America or Speedmaster, the difference is academic as far as personal comfort is concerned. Both bikes suit my tall frame (about 6 1/2 feet).

My primary question is regrding the 790 cc vs. the 865 cc motor. How noticeable is the difference in displacement in real world power? The specs give the 790 more horsepower, but the 865 more torque, but don't give you "seat of the pants feel".

How comfortable are they for longer range riding (100 plus miles)? My primary use will be commuting 25 miles each way to work, and some weekend cruising. Haven't really gotten into the loaded touring thing, and probably won't anytime soon.

what are the known issues that will likely have to be dealt with on a low mileage used machine (under 5K miles, and are there better years to look for?

I know i'm asking for a lot, but educated is foreworned. i thank you all in advance for your input.

I ride my bike on fairly long rides,I like to ride 300+ miles on a sat for fun and am very comfortable. I have a 2004 Speedmaster and love it. 790 K&N pods ,rejetted, open stock pipes, AI removed. Bike has been totally trouble free for the 14,500 miles I have ridden it and would recomend it to anyone who asked. I would say 05 or older to avoid the cat if you don't care about the cat then to me any year is fine more of a style issue as far as the minor changes in looks. I don't think the power is much of an issue unless you want to go fast remember these are not sport bikes.

The Motor:
Go with the 790. If you decide to try to make more power, the 790 get bigger gains from the same upgrades. I've had two 790's walk away from me, and our bikes had the same upgrades (I have the 865).

The Ride:
I have no problems with mine for a tank full of petrol (about 130 miles). Common upgrades are springs and shocks and some folks ride after market seats. Lots of us ride stock. Kinda a personal thing. If it doesn't work out for you, the upgrades are easy and relatively cheap enough.

Trouble:
Not really much of anything. Rotors seem to warp on the 05-06 Speedmasters, and there has been a rash of CDI ignitions going out lately, but the dealers and the factory are taking care of most of them. The bikes are pretty solid.


You'll see around here we spend most of our time in debating the finer points of HP, how to make it, and what type of beer to drink whilst doing so- more than complaining about reliability.

Welcome to the clubhouse, friend.

Talk about instant gratification, those had to have been the 2 quickest responses I've ever gotten on a forum!

Good to know that the 790 is a solid performer. They tend to be a bit less expensive on the used market, because of year, though they are still easy to find with low mileage.

As to performance - if i wanted a sport bike, I'd buy a Hayabusa. No thanks, natural selection tends to weed out the fighter pilots by removing them from the gene pool on those missiles. Had a good friend with a heavy right hand leave this earth in a case of poor judgement and too much available power. I just want to relax and enjoy the ride. A light weight cruiser that won't scrape the pegs when i'm taking long sweepers on 2 lane blacktop through the white mountains in NH is more my speed.

BTW, Cowboy, Sam Adams. I'm a New Englander.

at stock height these don't scrape unless you are flying and also are great fun in the twisties. Handle nice excelerate nicely. A big plus is this forum,you have plenty of help and support and most often get a fast answer to any question. I personally vote for the 790 for the reasons Cowboy stated. You get pretty big gains for a relativly small investment. I know other guys would disagree but I wouldn't hesitate to ride mine cross country.

Welcome aboard Karl. You will find this board to be one of the most active around with lots of good advice!

Vincent,
I'm a newbie myself. My 2007 TBA is my first bike and I have been having more fun with it than I think I should be allowed. A few weeks back, when I was trying to get the 600 miles on her for upcoming scheduled service, I did a 280 mile ride from Kent, WA to the Mount Rainier area, on to Yakima (never been there...so why not go?) and then up to I-90 and back home again. I was very comfortable on the bike, no problem with the seat.

The past 5 days, I've been using her to commute to the north Seattle area (about 30 miles each way). Again, seat is good, power/pickup is good, the bike is so much fun to ride. I am averaging about 55-60 mpg.

I'm not interested in crotch rockets, or zooming along at high speeds. I am real happy with my TBA.

Good luck making a choice. Ride safe and have fun.
Steve

Welcome!

I have an '05 Speedy, so I have the 790. Only ridden one with the 865 once, but really didnt notice a huge difference at all. From what I understand you can drop the cams froma 790 into the 865 and get better performance from the 865.

I commute on my bike and take long rides and trips. These bikes are awesome for around town, the twisty back roads or the highway. I have the Touring seat on my bike and have felt comfortable even after several hundered miles.

Soren

Karl,

1st..Welcome...and you've made a fine choice in bikes!
2nd...your in our area...and there is plenty of solid suport near by you...

depending where you are I will HIGHLY recomend (as will anyone who went to the NH rally)SecondWind BMW Triumph for your dealer (no I'm NOT affiliated with them) they are new to the Triumph line (and that sometimes shows) but are truely doing everything in their power to be the best...and they are a great bunch of people to boot!! If you do go there tell them you heard about them here!

Ok commercial over...but let me know if there is anything I can do to help you!

What a great history with those Brit bikes. I have the 790 engine and it does anything a mature adult could ask for in a mid sized cruiser. I see that you are sane and are not looking to set land speed records. I bought mine for the same reasons that you have described and I couldn't be happier. I take that back if only Mustang made a seat for the BA then I would a totally {125%} satisfied old timer.

seems they are good for long ride.......monday 5.30a.m.-tuesday 3.30p.m. 1450 miles done

Welcome Vincent HRD You seem to be looking for a speedy/america for all the right reasons. Once you find the right bike and settle into it you will be rapt. I enjoy my 2003 more everytime I ride it and have had no issues. These bikes have a rock solid feel both on the road and mechanically. Welcome to the club!

First off, thanks for all the replies. They have all just solidified my decision a bit more...just a matter of finding the righ tbike at the right price now.

Rob, What part of NH do you live in? I'm in Townsend MA. I have been to Second Wind and you are right, these guys are riders first, salespeople a distant second. very easy to talk to and genuinely interested in selling you the right thing, not what gives the highest profit margin (my main reason for disliking most of the local dealers of other imported marques. Plus there is the SKY high prices, if you catch my drift.

Litchfield...just the other side (15 min) of Nashua....up 111 out of Groton...