 Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31 |
A guy at work has a Kawasaki Meanstreak for sale. Very nice and clean bike with Mapam forward footcontrols, Vance & Hines Propipe etc. etc. Took it for a testdrive and was very, very disappointed. OK, it sounded great and low speed handling was OK but it felt sluggish and not much power at all.  Before testing it I considered selling the America and the DL 1000 V-Strom and buying a meanstreak but now at least I know that the Meanstreak is not an alternative. Maybe the Triumph Rocket or the VTX 1800? I am not really sure I want to sell the the America, on my way home i drove some real twisty roads and she handled great and performed very very well.  Any thoughts about the Rocket and the VTX 1800? Regards Pikeman59
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1 |
Before I decided and bought my America I considered a Honda VTX1300, I could not get a test ride at the dealers on 1300 but they did have an 1800 demo and I had a go on that, plenty of poke but handling was slow at all speeds I thought. more than I wanted to pay in the end for the 1300 as well.
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284 |
I don't think I'm alone here, I ride my Triumph because it's a Triumph. I may sound like a Harley guy here but Triumph has soul. I can't consider any Japanese bike an alternative, even though it may be a better bike (although I doubt it). 
Strangler
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,954
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I simply bought mine because it was the best ****** looking bike I saw when I was looking. I had no plans to go with Triumph, and really didn't even know they were back in the market until I spotted one at a Honda-Yamaha-Triumph dealer while looking for a Honda Magna (had already ruled out a Sporty), and it was love at first site. The fact that no one else hardly had one (or still does), and that it was also from a classic name like Triumph was just icing on the cake in my eyes!
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
I "hear tell" the older Kawy Concours models are about as bullet proof as you can get That said, if I had to pick one bike for a desert isle, it shore as h3ll would be a Speedmaster.
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 529
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Although I haven't riden a Rocket, talking to those who have, they said it handles pretty darn good for such a big bike. It's Triumph, what can you say. They're bikes are great. One of the reasons I got my America. No matter what crowd you may run with, it's a well respected machine. The only ones that may give grief are the weekend-only HD riders, and that's only because they don't know crap.
2005 America, green/gray, gutted stock pipes, tall sissy bar w/ luggage rack, Saddleman's dual touring seat and Tourmaster saddlebags (and sissybar bag).
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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once you are used to the size the rocket can take those back roads just as fast as the america/speedmaster. power is amazing also but it is big. my father loves it but i find it a bit big for myself, if you want a v twin with power i yamaha warrior or a victory. or you could just to a big bore kit  Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well Sven, I'm sorry but I can't quite figure out why you would even consider selling your America(which as I think we all know is one pretty darn good all-around machine) AND your V-Strom (which from what I've heard is also a pretty darn good touring/fire road machine) for any of those other monsters(and in that I mean any motorcycle which because of their sheer size and weight would most likely not be near as much fun to ride) which you mentioned above????  What?! Have you been eatin' too much again and maybe put all that weight back on which you lost a while back?!  (and you were lookin' sooooo good for a while there, dude!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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If you like those twisty roads, you'll avoid both of those bikes. I've ridden behind a guy on a Rocket whose riding level is about the same as mine(he also has an America). He was really having to muscle that Rocket through the turns, and scraping parts along the way. I was 2 up with my wife and riding 5-6/10ths instead of my usual 7, and had no problem keeping on his tail. I also didn't have to scrape a peg to do it.
I've taken a few trips in the past with a local group of VTX riders. When they couldn't avoid the twisties with alternate routes, which they did on more than one occasion, I was faster than all of them through the tight stuff.
Even though our bikes don't have that much power, you'll be hard pressed to find another cruiser out there that handles as good.
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 Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Just sell the DL1000 and buy a used V-Max.
Keep the America.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
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Thank You all for your thoughts and advice. The more I think about it I am sure that I will keep my America. I love the bike, handles great but here in Sweden everybody is totally fixated with cubic inches. Everything below 1100 cc, especially custom bikes, is considered a small bike ( beginners bike ). I guess I fell into that trap myself.  This years first track day is coming up and I look forward to test the America to the limit.  I have a lot of problem with my left knee and I feel more comfortable with my America than my V-strom on longer rides. This years trip to Norway is coming up and I have to decide what bike to ride. Rode the V-strom last year but........ Regards Sven B
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,416
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
here in Sweden everybody is totally fixated with cubic inches
Well, not quite everybody. Some of us prefer quality and know it when we see it...  
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 738
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 738 |
Quote:
I don't think I'm alone here, I ride my Triumph because it's a Triumph. I may sound like a Harley guy here but Triumph has soul. I can't consider any Japanese bike an alternative, even though it may be a better bike (although I doubt it).
 Totally!
Considering adding a Rocket to the garage - keeping America - perfect bike for me! Rocket is a brute tough - just fancy a wrestle every now and again!
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,954
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
This years trip to Norway is coming up and I have to decide what bike to ride. Rode the V-strom last year but........
Regards
Sven B
Well, considering Beduoin rode 2 up from Greece to Scandinavia and back and all over central Europe, I think the America could handle a little trip to Norway!
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 84
Member
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Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 84 |
Have ridden the RIII several times. Really a very nice ride for such a large bike. Would be great for long distance runs. No so much for around town. Last time I rode one was last summer. That big triple along with the august heat in florida was warm in stop and go traffic. Once out of town, wow.
The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome. ~Author Unknown
06 Tiger
06 Bonneville T-100 (RIP)
07 America
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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I'm just resurrecting this one cos I missed it last time. I'm the same as Paul (chopperpaul) on this. That is, when I was out there looking and considering what bike I was after, I just couldn't consider a jap bike as a possibility. I don't know what it is but to me it's like they are second rate in comparison to anything else except harleys of course. BTW, my missus said she would leave me if I bought a Harley   . So there wasn't any other choice than a speedie cos my main criteria at the time was, 1. Wanted An 865cc model (not 790), 2. Prefered second hand to save a couple of bucks, (saved about $4k). 3. Wanted low k's (6000 kilometres), 4. And finally, in as new condition. Anyway, that's what I ended up with and I have been happy ever since. Mind you, I shudder to think how much it's cost me since. The other factor that was huge for me was this website. I have met (not personally) some of the nicest people I can talk of here and, I have also learnt enough so that I now do (and love doing it too) all my own servicing. So there you go, I'm now a dedicated Triumph owner and groupie and for me whilst I appreciate Jap bike technology etc, they just weren't up to it.
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
I don't think I'm alone here, I ride my Triumph because it's a Triumph. I may sound like a Harley guy here but Triumph has soul. I can't consider any Japanese bike an alternative, even though it may be a better bike (although I doubt it).
+1
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
The Rocket touring version is a decent looking bike and has enough power that you could use it for a tractor if you needed one. Hold the front brake and give it a lot of throttle and it will even make a passable back hoe. The handling is better than anything else that comes near it in size, the ride will make you think of a torsion bar Packard and, even at the Bonneville salt flats, you can break the speed limit.  The only vice it has is that you have to be careful with managing the throttle. Riding at idle in second gear, more than half throttle will spin the wheel until you let off. As for the toy plastic Harley copies, forget about it. 
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Don't let them kid you, Sven. Some are just as jazzed about cubic inches in the states. The first thing people ask (after they ask...didn't know they still made Triumphs?) is how many cc's. You can see the dissappointment in some faces when you say 790 (Why else would they call a Sportster 883 or 1200 a girls Harley?). It's all about bigger is better here. I've got an idea. Keep the America, Sell the V-strom and get a slightly used Rocket III or Rocket Tourer... 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 467
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I considered the Kaw Meanstreak when I was looking.Then I looked at the stock specs.The Kaw was slower,weighed more.Way bigger engine ment higher insureance.The bennifets of the America/Speedmaster far outweighed the Meanstreak.As far as the RIII.Cool bike.I can usually pass them on my Speedmaster through the turns,but then they just blow by me in the straights.
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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I had a 1300 retro before the TBA. Having since ridden all versions of the Rocket, there is really not much in common. I suggest riding them all and then deciding.
I didn't care much for the handling of the Retro.
Good luck.
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I've been riding the America since 03 and I gotta tell you its the best bike I've ever had. By best, I mean the most fun, every day, just hop on and ride bike I've ever had. I have other bikes in the garage, for long distance touring with Robin, but they stay in the garage most days. You're right about the cubic inches, most newbies and wannabes are mainly concerned with the size of their motors, or the chrome, or the image they present when pulling up at a rally. All you, or anybody riding a bike like this can do is smile and nod your head at em. It makes them feel like a real biker...You will also run into the old time bikers that have been so branded by Harley that anything else is a beginners bike, and you are just learning how to ride and are looking forward to upgrading. I really try not to laugh at em, they really take themselves seriously, and are offended easily. I guess, what I'm saying is ride the ride you like, and who gives a ****** what others think! Is this being politically correct? I hope not!
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 380
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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My Speedy "best bike ever"
Scott
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
...Is this being politically correct? I hope not!
Well leonard, let's just take a look-see here and then let's decide if you're bein' "Politically Correct" or not, dude...
Quote:
...You're right about the cubic inches, most newbies and wannabes are mainly concerned with the size of their motors, or the chrome, or the image they present when pulling up at a rally. All you, or anybody riding a bike like this can do is smile and nod your head at em. It makes them feel like a real biker...You will also run into the old time bikers that have been so branded by Harley that anything else is a beginners bike, and you are just learning how to ride and are looking forward to upgrading. I really try not to laugh at em, they really take themselves seriously, and are offended easily.
Well, offhand here I'd say you're being "correct" alright there, but not neccesarily "politically" so. 'Cause if you were bein' "politically correct" then you wouldn't have stated this obvious FACT about some of our clueless fellow american motorcycle riders out there, which if they would have read your opinion of them would have hurt their little feelings, which is supposedly always "politically incorrect", right dude?! Or at the very least it would have challenged their thought processes, which I ALSO understand is very "politically incorrect" nowdays too, ya know?!
And so don't worry, you're safe! You were just being correct in the above, that's all!
Oh and BTW...I bought my BA because of it's smooooooooth linear powerband, it's extreme good looks(we're talkin' "proper proportions" here, you see), AND the fact that it's the BEST DARN HANDLING "CRUISER" in the twisties, with the MOST LEAN-ANGLE AVAILABLE before any of it's hard parts start dragin' on the friggin' tarmac out there(which reminds me...WHY EXACTLY do some folks with a friggin' 33in inseam want to LOWER THEIR BA so it'll GROUND more EASILY AGAIN???...What?! To make it "look cooler" or somethin'????!!!!) that's available on the market FOR THE PRICE! PERIOD!!!
(okay, okay...I DO have to admit that the name "Triumph" DOES carry a certain cachet with the motorcycle cognoscenti out there too...I'm not totally immune to that stuff either, ya know?!)
Last edited by Dwight; 05/23/2008 1:39 AM.
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Re: Bonneville America vs Kawasaki Mean Streak.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819 |
Quote:
(okay, okay...I DO have to admit that the name "Triumph" DOES carry a certain cachet with the motorcycle cognoscenti out there too...I'm not totally immune to that stuff either, ya know?!)
Elitist!
I would be unstoppable if not for law enforcement and physics.
2002, Cardinal Red & Silver
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