Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Speedmaster vs Triumph America

I have my sights on purchasing a Triumph America but last week I was going to buy a Speedmaster. I noticed that the speedmaster has front dual disk brakes. That seems to be an advange but I am not sure. Can anyone give there advice on which bike would be a better purchase.

whichever is more aestheticaly pleasing to you. I like the SM because it isn't as "chromed out", per se. I like the blacked out motor and no spokes to clean. I do like the traditional colors of the BA tank though. I guess I can always costomize it one day with a BRG tank and fenders...but I probably won't. Either way, just go with whichever suits you. If my butt weren't so big, I may have considered a T100

Dual front disks was a factor in my purchase. Our bikes have excellent stopping power, but I can't say how it compares to the America's stopping power. I'm sure others have ridden both and can chime in.

Duh! I forgot the new BA's have solid wheels....(although I think spokes look better, I hate detailing them!)

The Speedmaster is faster, that's why they named it Speedmaster.

As the owner of an '03 Blue America, I can only recommend this bike. If you can't get a blue America, I would suggest going into seclusion or ending it all,
but barring such drastic actions, I guess any other America will have to do, or a Speedmaster (although that would be like settling for an old Ford Pinto...)

Americas are faster (at least the 2006 models are)

2002 Bonneville Americas were much faster than the Speedmasters that year (They didn't make Speedmasters in 2002).
If I had to buy a bike today, it would probably be a Speedmaster.

A RED America would be the better purchase! The Speedmaster is nice and if it fits you, go for it. Just remember you need to use the right oil for the Speedmaster tho...

later, Tom.

I think that the 2004's were the golden age of Triumph!

The America seating position allows my legs to reach the forward controls easier then the more forward leaning position on the speedmaster.

Wendy has an America and I have a Speedmaster so I ride both bikes. The front break really makes no difference in stopping power. You can lock up either one and thats as stopped as you can get. I do think the pads wear slower on the Speedmaster and seems less heat and fewer instances of rotor warpage.

Personally choose the one that will cost less to change to what you want in the end. It costs less to change handle bars than breaks. Never priced them but probably less to change seats than engine covers etc... They are basicly the same bike, engine/frame wise, so sit on them decide what feels better then look at them and see what looks better to you then weigh cost to make you happy.

Don't listen to these guys/girls...they'll only give you their biased opinion...they'll tell you that what ever model/color THEY have is the best...when EVEYONE knows that the 05 Mulberry/Graphite America is the best...

America was more comfortable for me,sit on both,see what you think. America can handle a passenger out of the box better then the speedmaster,and I like shiny things!!!!

They don't call them "SPEEDmasters" for nuthin........

Just get one of each, or a single '02 Bonneville America (first year) and you're set

Speedmaster owners are lucky we even allow them to speak here. This is after all BONNEVILLEAMERICA.COM. Go with the original, it is always the best. I rest my case, your Honor.

Both are beautiful, you should buy one of each. The dual discs have no effect on stopping distance. The only advantage to dual disc on a properly designed bike is that each caliper/pad assembly and rotor does half the work. So when you're pulling a long steep descent you produce half the heat,lessening the likelihood of fade which can occur when any moisture is present in the hydraulic system.
In conclusion...Yeah, get one of each!

Any darn fool knows that chrome makes it go faster! Duh! The America has more chrome, ergo, is more faster! And if you want to reach the pinacle of speed, red is the color for you!

You can't go wrong with either of the bikes, just go with what fits you best and what you think looks the best. I personally liked the America better because of the seating position and the bars. I have long arms and they just fit better for me. Plus, I LOVE chrome.

And to everybody, the 07 Blue/White America if the finest bike out there. Blue rocks!

As most everybody has said here Mitch, there really is little difference in the stopping action between these two models. You'll love either machine here.

(and BTW...say hello to the rest of the Detroit Wheels for me, dude!)

+1

I like the handle bar position on the America better than the Speedy. I like the color choices on the America. What it really comes down to is looks. Which one looks better to you. They're bascially the same bikes. You can always up grade the front breaks on the America if you want dual front brakes.

I believe what my dealer said when I bought my '07 Speedmaster and was over thinking what accesries to add to the package: " Just go ride the ****** thing and then decide!" As others have suggested, sit, feel, buy, RIDE,

Heat and fade ore reasons for dual discs, but you'll never run this bike hard enough to require more than one disk. I bought the SM for the dual brakes, drag bars, and the tach. I got the SM for $250 more than the America, so I figured it was worth it.

In hindsight, I changed the bars (several times) and the dual disc was never pushed.

My experience was the rake on the front and overall clearance of the bike prevents any really aggressive riding that requires really heavy brake work.

It's a great bike. You'll not do better with any other offering on the market. You'll do well with either.

Good luck, congrats, and enjoy...

I almost hate to repeat what's been said a million times, but buy the one that appeals to you the most, period. I've never driven a Speedmaster, but my America has no stopping problem and I just replaced the original front brake pads at almost 12,000 miles.

After 3 plus decades on two wheels, I'd think comfort and looks should be a priority. With todays bikes---all the speed ya need is in your right wrist and left foot--
'07 speedy---black

The Speedmaster is the newer improved version of the America so it must be better, faster and better.
Kinda like an upgrade.

Especially the black ones.

the speedy's dual disc's look great and funtion perfect.. but not needed.. one service tech said: just more to work on.. the B.A. single disc is plenty good enough.. i like the look and love the way she pulls down from higher speed.

wow, dig up dead threads much?

I think the dual disc is not just more to work on I think it is better. The dual discs don't seem to warp but the single do. I think with dual discs they probably stay cooler so do not warp.

I just got my 09 TBA 2 weeks ago. New on the lot and deeply discounted. Love that too! Anyway, I too debated between the SM and BA and found that the single disk is great. I picked the BA because it just felt more comfortable to me and I too like chrome, even polishing it!
My wife loves the pillion too. Most comfortable of any bike I've owned she says.
I test rode both and both felt the same except for sitting position. I'd have gone SM but the the BA had the ergos and right price.

Ive ridden just about everything in my time and to echo alot of others you have to go with your heart as bikes are more than just transport and you have to love it.... get which ever lights your candel