Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge My thoughts on the America at 1K Miles....

Just wanted to really give my thoughts on my 07 America after 1000 Miles, and hopefully a newbie to the TBA world may find this helpful.

So, half of my miles so far have been done locally with nothing more than 30 - 60 mins worth of riding, all in the dry. I think the America is THE perfect bike for this. It handles so well on long sweeping roads and just loves to be out in the countryside. It's this type of riding that all potential bikers have in their minds when thinking about getting a bike - the open roads, sunny afternoons and a cup of tea overlooking a lake or river somewhere.... well maybe not all, but you get the picture...

I found the bike was like a different bike after the first 500 mile first service especially as I've now started to open her up a bit. The bike runs more freely and seemed to be a lot quicker on acceleration too.

Last week I decided to do my weekly commute on the bike. The weather forcast was good for the whole week, so I imagined a nice leisurely cruise for the full 252 miles.... I left at 5:30AM and the roads were quiet (well as quiet as they can be with TOR pipes on And for the first 45 mins everything was going well. Then the heavens opened, and the wind got up. So there I am now on one of the busiest Motorways in the country soaking wet and being buffeted by the wind....

I was cold and miserable, and this is DEFINATELY not the picture I had in my head when I bought the bike. My hands had fixed into what can oly be described as a permanent "claw" around the bars. The bike however was fairing a lot better. It was rock steady and performed faultlessly the whole journey. Then, the sun came out. I was still freezing cold and was desperate to pull into a service station for the biggest bowl of Coffee I could get.

The service station was just 8 miles away when the engine started spluttering. At around 150 Miles I ran out of petrol. Not sure how that fairs with everyone else? I switched to reserve and completed the run to the services. I sat in a seat where I could see the bike and even though it was covered in road grime and dirt it still looked so striking - and I wasn't the only one who thought so. I think I could count on 1 hand the amount of people that DIDN'T take a second look or got closer to have a look around it. Young and old, male and female. Warmed up I filled up the bike and head off again for the next and last 100 miles.

I finally did the whole journey including stop in 5 hours 15 mins. I'd been through wind, rain, sunshine the lot in that time and only had one stop.

The bike was comfortable although I did find my back aching a bit, although I think this was more to do with the wind and I ended up leaning forward a lot to minimise the buffeting effect. All in all she did the job perfectly.

For the following week I then used the bike for commuting to and from work locally - around 8 miles each way. It was fine, although being as I stay at someone elses house during the week, it was a pain having to move their cars to get the bike in and out. Still the highlight of the week was meeting up with a member from here - "paulfromthenorth". He took me up the cost one evening and saw some beautiful sights. Eventually we ended up a little seaside town and sat down for fish and chips - which Paul bought too!! - I'd like to publicly say Thank you again to Paul for showing me around and getting the chips. It was really good to chat about all things TBA with a like minded chap. I owe you one!!

Finally it was time for the trip back - a better journey, which stayed dry and I also had the benefit of knowing when I was going to run out of fuel so I stopped at around 120 miles to fill up - and to pop my gloves on the block so they were lovely and warm when I got them back on.

On the way back I did my first bit of filtering through staionary and slow moving traffic. This is something I've not done in years and I think it takes a lot more skill to drive slowly with just a few inches between the bike and the cars either side of you. Again, the bike performed well as its so true and well balanced at slow speed.

I think in all honesty a proper tourer would have been better for the long journey if I was doing it on a regular basis, however as a one off or if you were doing it at a leisurely pace and not trying to get to work, then it does just fine thanks!

So my experience has shown me that it's perfect for the use in which I bought the bike, which is for sunny afternoons around the contryside, and it's bloody good at everything else too!

Thanks again to Paul, it's my round for the fish and chips next time!

I did vowe never to bring the bike up here again, but after Paul's northern hospitality I think it may be a vowe that I break.

So after a thousand miles, the bike is as good as new and the appeal still there. Anyone considering a TBA will not be dissapointed. I know I'm not.

Thanks

JC

I've had my BA since they first hit the market back in late 2001, John, and I have to say your first impressions here are STILL pretty much mine also.



Enjoy!

John you have embarrassed me

But you are very welcome and as I told you there is so much available for you to see in Northumberland on the bike it would be a tragedy if you let the opportunity pass.

Let me know when you have the bike up again and we can do it again!

I would agree with everything you've said. All in all the bike performs well across many uses but it really excels on those lazy back roads. It's just a pleasure to ride America's. My brother's occasionally offer to let me ride their Harley's and once in a while I take them up on the offer. I always wonder why I keep trying the Harley's because I can't wait to get back on the America. The Harley's seem to be a chore to ride and the vibration drives me nuts.

Uhh' Never bought me Fish n Chips, John we have the best roads in the UK Oop North ask anybody from Down South...

Glad you had a great ride out mate..

1000 miles , bit of rain .......maybe you want do do a 1500 in one go???

Quote:

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Uhh' Never bought me Fish n Chips,

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Obviously everyone feels the need to attempt to embarrass me today?

Ray I will buy you lunch when I next have the pleasure of your company is that ok?

JC, excellent write-up!!

Soren

I guess you're hooked on this bike too?!?
I love everything except the forward controls. They make me wish for a T100. I love my America!!!

Love mine. ..headed to a meeting in Iowa today, 700 miles (~1400miles round trip)carries the gear, carries me (6'1" 200lbs) and does it all day long at 80mph...would rather ride my TBA than my Sprint and dont even mention a cage.

Thanks for the writeup JC. I can say the same after 16,600 miles.

Dave

Love mine too, just over 6500 miles in 15 months, nothing like a ride out, I get around 130 - 150 miles before going on reserve. I guess depends on how I fill her up!

Wow! How nice to read your (and all the other posts) thoughts about your TBA. I have an 07 also which I have had since the start of the summer. It's my first bike since my youth some 30 odd years ago so its all been quite a novelty (and expense) getting back in the saddle, but "Oh boy" how enjoyable. The America is a great bike in all conditions as you say. I took mine down to the south of France and covered 1700 miles in both heat and torrential rain on motorways and mountain passes, and she took me their safely and effortlessly. I must admit I have thought about getting a proper touring bike for exploring Europe, but I cant figure out a way to tow the America - cos I wouldn't want to leave it behind - so I think I'll stick with blue and white (fastest) TBA.
Another thought - I would like to do some touring in the USA on my bike. Has anyone any experience of shipping bikes over the pond?

Ride on brothers

Hi John nice write up. Next time you bring your bike u give me a shout, there are great rides in Northumberland, a round the Roman Wall, Hartside Cafe, etc.

Tom.

Will be hitting 15000 real soon. I still can't see my self on another bike.

Thanks all.

It's good to know I'm not just in the honeymoon period still either - that it's going to stay this way.

Looking forward to the next thousand and beyond.

Cheers,

JC

the more I read about the america the more I like mine, so many america riders have famillier stories, I also have rode my bike in the rain, other riders have to slow way down to control their bike I just keep on,I can stay with the big boys sort of speak the only thing that sucks is the big rigs passing at a high rate of speed, I have 18+ miles on mine,I will never get rid of my tba.this is my first triumph and will not be my last,I have been messing around with my bike trying to get more out of her and she just responds as I twist the throttel. great story hope you have more as your tba takes you in new adventures.

Jeeze, all this talk about fish n chips is making me crave for some.

Good write up though, keep riding her and she'll teach you something new everyday.