Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories need new bike accessory suggestions

I'm looking at buying an America after not riding for 25 yrs. Other than tach, what mods or accessories would you suggest before leaving showroom floor?

And yes, I am new to this forum and Triumph.

I thought about getting a tach, being a newbie myself. But after 3000 miles under my belt, I don't know if it's really necessary or worth the $160 they want. Asking some other more experienced riders recently, it seems they don't really use theirs. So, I'm not going to bother.

I would suggest, as a starting point, forego the tach, get the AI removed, then upgrade the air filter and exhaust. I like my Bubs, but have heard great things about Specialty Spares exhausts. The TORs don't have enough deep tone to them.

I'd also suggest you invest in a bike lift, makes oiling the chain and other work a whole lot easier. You can get a decent, but heavy one from Sears or Harbor Freight for about $60-70.

A tall sissy bar with rack might be helpful as well.
I've seen mixed feeback on the Triumph screens and luggage.

I'm really enjoying the more comfortable feel of my Kuryakyn grips w/throttle boss.

Get good quality riding gear too!!

Hope this helps!

Thanks, that helps. I considered the sissy bar and windsheild also. My last bike had a tach and I used it.

Other than sound, what advantages are there to exhuast/filter mods? Is the aftermarket exhausts too noisy for a quiet neighborhood?

A lot of people like footboards. I do. I like my Windvest too. I'd probably just eliminate the AI and wait on the other intake/exhaust mods. Get the bike broken in and get used to it. Go to the Georgia meet and listen to other bikes with different pipes to get an idea of which ones you like best. Some sort of saddlebags are nice, but the Triumph factory saddlebags are generally considered crap. There's a ton of info on this site, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Oh, and introduce yourself in the Lounge.

If you read the board, you'll find that the upgrades to your filter and exhaust will help the engine "breath" better = more power and you will be better heard by others. The stock exhaust is too quiet, I know I kept stalling because I could never hear the ****** thing I wear earplugs to conserve what's left of my hearing). Have the dealer start the bike and listen for yourself. If you can, either meet up with someone with a louder exhaust or check out some of the sound clips on this board or youtube and you'll notice the difference.

Some people go further and do the Freak upgrade, that allows the engine to suck in even more air and give you more "oomph", but then you'll have to make some carb adjustments (increase the fule flow to better match the increase air flow) and I'm not confident enough, yet, to take that step alone.

My Bubs are loud when I twist the throttle, but you should be ok in a neighborhood as long as you don't gun it all the time. I haven't heard any complaints from my neighbors and I come and go at odd hours, but try to be respectful.

Some people also suggest upgrading the horn (Stebel airhorn fits the existing mount and is supposed to be very loud) and new blue-white lightbulbs (newspeedmaster.com has them).

Another suggestion to consider, get the lightbar. I'm pretty pleased with it, overall. And it looks good and helps you be seen by others trying to own the road.

Just read through the board and see what others have to say.

Be sure to post pics of your new baby when you can too!!

Quote:

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My last bike had a tach and I used it.

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T,
If you used it, you won't want the Triumph unit. You'll rarely see it - and if you look for it, you put yourself in danger. If you really want one I have two suggestions -

1. Lower its importance on your priority list ('cause there's lots of useful stuff as previously mentioned in the preceeding responses.
2. When you get around to a tach - get an after-market unit and mount it where a proper rev counter should be placed - in front of you in a clear line of sight.

Oh, and welcome aboard and enjoy.

I have several mods on mine but I think the lightbar is most important. It REALLY helps others see you-mine is on all the time. After that, it's the BUBS. Hey, it's gotta sound like a bike!

I have to agree about the light bar. Also do the AI removal ASAP. I had mine for several months before I knew about this mod. Wish I have known sooner mabye my headers would be lighter. They are not too bad but it could be better. If the freak mod is to much they are much cheaper air box mods. Do A search and you will find plenty of information.
As for other exterior mods look over the photo post and see what others have done to their rides. I did that a lot and it helped determine which ones I liked and which ones I did not.

It all depends on what you like. I think the AI removal and good pipes offer more throttle and a much better sound ( Go for Sceptres ). I like my tach, but would liek to angle it a bit to see better, but its not awful and is better than not having one.

I like the footboards, a Corbin seat, and flyscreen ( it knocks a good chunk of wind off the chest, yet you get good flow to your face...nice on hot days ). Big screens and lightbars look like old man attachments to me, but, its all a matter of choice.

As for the air box/filters, ask how that affects your warranty and if it really is as clean as stock for the motor.

Enjoy.

If you haven't bought it yet, consider the Speedmaster, because the best accessory is a second front disc, and it already has the tach.

The only mod I had done when I picked up my Speedmaster last year was a set of floorboards. I'm on the tall side and prefer the flexibility to move my feet and legs around a bit. I've done several mods since, but if I had it to do over again, I'd start with a swap to progressive springs in the forks. That mod made the single biggest difference in the fun factor, and it's not expensive. The stock springs take such a dive when braking hard that it made the bike hard to handle and I was always anticipating the next hard stop and what could happen. Swapping out for progressives takes the drama out of the next braking event. Anyway, if I had it to do again, that would be done before it left the dealership. As for most of the other stuff, I'd recommend riding for awhile to see what bugs you, find out what other forum members have done to address the issues, and go from there.
Gary

Most important mod to do first is replace the stock exhaust. I have TORs on mine, which is a little louder than stock (triumph off road) but most guys like the louder exhaust. Also, definately a windshield if you like that kind of ride. The shield make for a more comfortable ride, but the bike is a little cooler looking without.

You will get a lot different opinions on what's important. Personally, I wouldn't do any major airbox/engine mods until you've put some miles on it. I had the dealer change exhausts, re-jet and remove the AI when I bought it. That I would do. If you ride 2-up a lot, the tall sissy bar/rack is a major improvement and the rack is very handy for carrying stuff.

The new Americas don't scream for chrome replacement parts like the older ones. They come stock now with more chrome and the other parts are black. I did get a tach and like having it. Oh, one caveat for sure, don't buy a Triumph windshield if you are 5'9" or taller - they are too short. I bought mine after having the bike awhile, but had to replace the shield with a Clearview taller one.

As a start:

Remove AI
Aftermarket pipes (rejet if required)
Footboards
Tach (I use the tach during carb set up and maintence, riding, not so much) Plus I think it looks good.
Luggage (if required)

I'd go with getting the AI removed, new pipes, I got the TOR's and think they sound just fine, a windshield, I'm 6'3" tall and the Triumph shield works just fine for me too. The other thing I'd get is saddlebags and Easy brackets from Brent.