Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge HELLO !

GREETINGS from S. Florida !

I haven't ridden a bike in 20 years & have recently gotten bitten by the bike bug.

I still need to take the Safety Course so I can get my license endorsement, but I think I'm looking at either a Bonneville America or a Speedmaster (haven't figured out the difference just yet !) & thought this would be a great place to learn.

Anyway, just a quick HELLO & hope to hear from any local bikers !

HELLO TERRY!

Welcome! You are not alone. I went 15 years without a bike until I bought my Speedmaster. Several others around here have similar stories.

Here are the differences between the Speedy and America:
Speeedmaster comes with front dual disc brakes, a tach, has the black motor and drag style bars.
The America has more chrome and more relaxed style handlebars.

Before deciding which one to get, make sure you sit on both. Because of the difference in handlbars, the eronomics are completely different. However, if the America is more comfortable and you like the Speedmaster better (or vice versa), you can always have your dealer swap the handlebars for you.

Soren

hello and welcome, where are you in S.Fl. east coast/west coast or somewhere in between??? hahahahaha i am on the w. coast near naples. and when it comes to the difference between the 2 bikes it is a matter of choice, they are virtually the same bike with just a few comfort changes, for instance the Speedmaster has more of a forward seating position with the drag bars and one piece seat, the America has a more relaxed position with the pullback, cruiser type bars and a 2 piece seat. if you have a spouse and you will be rideing 2up you may find a need to have the America as it is more comfy for the passenger but it also is a little easier to modify for single rideing as the pillion seat comes off and then it has a more hot rod apperance. the Speedmaster is geared a little different it is a little quicker out of the hole whereas the America is geared for a little more relaxed style of rideing and cruiseing weather it be on the boulavard or open road. you cant find a better bike on the mkt today then one of these and the people on this site are the best. dont be afraid to ask a question, these people have the answers. go get your license and get rideing hahahahahaha (between the raindrops) hahahahahahaha

Thanks fellas! Just in that little bit, it sounds like the America is more for me.

Newt, I'm in the West Palm Beach area...east coast. Yeah, the rain can be a pain, but I s'pose it beats the alternative

Welcome to the club,

The difference? The speedmaster has a few extra parts, and weighs in 50lbs heavier, yet has the same motor spec's as the America. So, I bought the America because nothing hurts performance (all things being equal) more than weight.

"Fifty pounds HEAVIER", Chris?!

OH!!! I guess you must be talkin' about that short run of Speedies I heard about where Triumph inadvertedly bolted on those 50lb second front brake rotors and calipers then, huh?!

(not to worry though, I heard they found a new supplier for those brakes and now the Speedies are just 7lbs heavier than the Americas are nowdays!)

Triumph says that the dry weight of the '09 Speedy is 504 lbs vs the America at 497 lbs.

Speedmaster engines are painted Black, that probably adds a bunch of pounds. Black leather pants adds a bunch of pounds to womens butts so it goes without saying black engines would be heavier, wouldnt it

I'll get me coat.

Geez Mark! Have you NO "fashion sense" AT ALL?

Black is "slimming"!!!

(and here wasn't it you just the other day talkin' about enjoyin' that lousy "Mamma Mia" musical???)

BTW Terry[Puckboy], welcome to the site.

You can't go wrong with either the Speedie or the America. Both are GREAT all around machines.

(and BTW...don't worry, you'll soon get used to my not adherein' to Numbers 16 and 21 on that other thread 'round here)

Greetings Puckboy99
Just like you I recently started to ride again and living in S. Florida thought it best to take the riding course. I went with MSF who operate classes out of HD dealerships. I went to the store just off I-95 in Pompano. The class was over three day and was great, had my license the following day. I would strongly recommend this it's good fun excellent teachers and you meet interesting people. I now ride a 06 speedmaster and enjoy every minute.

Riding Ft. Lauderdale

Brinky

Thanks again EVERYONE !!!

Brinky: Hey man, very cool....

I'll probably be taking the course in Sept. as Aug was all booked ! Once I get on the road, I'll have to get in touch with ya'.

What made ya' settle on the Speedie?

There's a guy in Boca selling one on Craigslist that looks pretty sweet....might stop down & see it over the weekend.

hi matey, yep for me over 30 years, when i went for the insurance they asked how long i had a bike licence 30 years didnt ask when i last rode a bike so that was great
went with a tba looks better than my boyhood dream a bonnie plus no oil leaks. hope you soon get sorted soon welcome

geoff

to me it was a comfort issue..I like to sit back and the america bars allow that..therefore one front brake is fine for me..as I am cruising..Personal taste..now pricing would make me adapt if I found a deal on a used speedy/america!!

Did I say 50! I obviously meant 7. Oops.



I must have been drinking when I read the specs. Still, at Ford, we live and or die by 7 lbs these days. Every ounce counts now, when dealing with performance and fuel economy.

Welcome Puckboy.
If you're going to dance with the WPB traffic, you need the Speedmaster's brakes.
It's easier to change seats or bars than it is to add a second front disc.

Good tip Brian...THANKS !

I'm off on Friday & plan on going to the dealership to check them out.

Welcome to the club Puckboy. You can't go wrong with either bike, they both have tons of character. Like you I returned after a twenty year absence. At first I bought a couple of bikes from the era of my youth but after the nostalgia wore off I found myself wishing for something new. The Triumphs manage to capture the essence of cool and simplicity of the older bikes but without the headaches of maintaining old iron. Good luck and hope to see some pictures when you get your bike. Bob