Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Quick intro and a few questions

57 years old, Yankee from Mass now living in NC (and SC). I got back to riding again 2 years ago, after 30+ years of missing it. Had a Bonnie back in '70-'71. Bought a neighbor's Honda Shadow to get back into it, then decided to get a new bike last year. No close Triumph dealers so went with a H-D Sportster, a 883. Closest thing locally to a Bonnie. Now, I'm looking to finally get a Bonnie (I'm not into the whole Harley thing) and I'm seriously looking at the 2 cruisers.

My riding is basically around town and rural areas, but twice a week there is a 90 mile hike on mostly Interstate. The H-D does it fine, but rides a little rough at 70+mph.

My America vs. Speedmaster questions are:

A) How much difference is there in the ergonomics? (I'm 5' 10", 195 lbs and dropping)
B) Is there any real performance difference?
C) Will either model fit the bill for the my riding needs (per above)?
D) Besides Triumph, are there after market sources for accessories and goodies?

That's enough to start with.

My other dilemma is the '09 colors. Poor choices. I'm also considering a Bonnie T-100 for the color choiceas, but I'll ask for info on the TriumphRat.net forum.

I'm leaning towards a America for the 2 tone blue and the better p seat (only need it occasionally) but like the look of the SM a bit better.

Thanks for any input

A. Very little and easily changed with handle vars and risers.
B. Same engine and trans, frame , etc.. wheels are different and SM has dual disc but no real difference for your application.
C. Yes
D.Yes, I personally would stay away from newspeedmaster since i and a few others had problems with them but there is Fast Eddy , Bella Corse ,and several others that can be found searching the pages here or Google. If you ask you will. There is also Bonneville Performance and Bike Bandit if you don't mind waiting.

Test ride the America , you won't be dissapointed . Not a big difference in power from an 883 .

Consider a pre 2007 version. Great prices for used sickles and you get with the America, at least, wire spoke wheels. For 4 grand or less you can have a ride worthy of staring at too.

The 883 is
smaller than either the America or the Speedmaster.
More top heavy

Yep! After reading your requirements for a bike here Jim, I'd say the America sounds like the perfect bike for you, alright.

With only one caveat here: As long as your lower back is in good working condition(you did say that you're 57 here, right?!), the forward mounted pegs on them and the Speedmaster, which doesn't allow you to use your legs as any "supplemental shock absorber", will sometimes send a few sharp jolts up your spine when riding over rough roads. But of course, that would be the case with any cruiser with forward mounted foot controls.

(bottom line...the only other "problem" you're likely to encounter if you purchase one of these babies would be if you tend to be an introverted person, because all the attention these beauties get could be a mite toublesome to a person so inclined!)

The ergonomics on the SM/BA compared to the 883 are great. You won't feel as cramped up as on the 883, and Triumphs don't have that annoying vibration that Sportys have. The range is greater, too.

There are plenty of aftermarket parts for Triumphs, but not nearly as many as there are for Harleys. I have NEVER had any problems with www.newspeedmaster.com and as far as I am aware neither have the vast majority of the other folks. I would not hesitate to buy anything at all from Newspeedmaster.

In 2004 the sportsters all got rubber motor mounts. And a bunch of other upgrades. The 2003 100th anniversary editions were too important to receive those upgrades. grrr.

Sit on both bikes get a test ride if you can. You will find either bike a big improvment over the 883.It will come down to personal preference. Out of the box the America is more
set up for 2 up riding. If you do any of that...my opinion anyhow.

I agree with everyone above and second the statement that newspeedmaster.com is a good site - they've treated me well.

The colors, engine color, seat and handlebars are the main differences between the two bikes you need to consider.

If you're dead set on one engine color or the other that will dictate the bike you get as everything else can be changed (at a cost).
Some dealers will swap gas tanks between bikes if you want an America's shiny engine with one of the speedmaster color schemes or vice versa.
The seats are interchangeable so if you were to buy a speedmaster you could change to the America setup for some extra bucks. I also highly recommend the sissy bar for pillion riding. Well, my wife does.
Handlebars can also be changed to match your style and there are a million handlebar designs out there.

I guess in summary you're going to get roughly the same performance out of the two bikes so if neither one is quite perfect as is I would use the list above to narrow down.

Have you seen the colors available for the 2009s or just the current 2008s? I know the '09s will have new colors including a matte finish but don't know what the colors are. I've also heard rumor that there will be some new quick-release windshields and possibly a quick-release sissy bar in the 2009 range (which will hopefully fit older models as well).

If you are thinking to buy new you might wait until nearer the first of January when the new bikes begin shipping and see what the other updates are and whether the 09 or 08 strikes your fancy more. If you choose the 08 you'll probably get the better price but might as well have the wider selection to choose from, as well as the possibility of new accessories!

Best of luck! Oh, and where are you from?!

I had a similiar experience to yours. I sold my 79 bonneville special 750 twin in '83 and I have regretted it ever since. This spring I bit the bullet and with the current gas prices and my truck getting only 9 MPG I sprang for the new Speedmaster. I got a left over 07 model and I love it.

I am told that it is a mite fast out of the hole than the America but I could care less. I use it for hiway and crusing around town. With a good windshield it is great for crusing at 80 mph but you must get a good windshield with lowers to fully enjoy it. It is not too friendly on dirt and gravel roads. Good on gas and very comfortable. I am 5'10 and 220 lbs and the ride is great. The forward controls give me a bit of room to stretch which I would not have on the mid control bonny. This bike is also lower to the ground than a bonny and is about 50 lbs heavier. This makes for greater stability and a better high speed ride. I agree with the other posters, there are some good values on a used bike and the America with the Goodwood green and white would be my choice. The America appeals to me with the higher and swept back handlebars and the two up seating pillion which is better than mine on the speedy. the xtra brake disc on the front is a plus for the speedy but I also like the spoke wheels on some of the americas. I am torn if I was to be buying another one now but since I have committed to the Speedmaster I have been very happy with it and content. It has more speed and power than I need but I can depend on it to accelerate onto a hiway and I can get away from those nasty cagers who want to play tag at hiway speeds. Gets 45 to 50 MPG if you ride easy. ride hard and your mileage will drop to less than 45 mpg but ride it and enjoy it. I have ridden the harley 883 and I was less than impressed with the handling and vibration. The speedy gives up nothing in performance and the smoothness and ease of maintenance is to be appreciated down the road.
http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/dancorrigan/?action=view&current=IMG_0072-1.jpg

http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/dancorrigan/?action=view&current=Bonnya.jpg

http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/dancorrigan/?action=view&current=IMG_0065.jpg

Grateful thanks to everyone for the input.

Quote:

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Have you seen the colors available for the 2009s or just the current 2008s? I know the '09s will have new colors including a matte finish but don't know what the colors are.

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I was at a dealer this past Friday, they had just gotten in the dealer book for the '09s. Color choices for the Speedmaster for this year are all Black and Black/White (side of tank). For the America it's Black, Black/Blue and 2 tone Blue. Black is not my favorite bike color, so it might just end up with the 2 tone Blue America.

The matte color (khaki green) is only offered on the Scrambler.

Going to try and get over to the dealer with my Sporty later this week, see what they'll give me for it towards a Triumph. I won't get what I owe if I sell it myself.

I'm live in Salisbury NC but spend the week in York SC.

I didn't mean to suggest BP was slow on delivery just Bike Bandit.

D@mn Ian, it looks like I'm just bustin your balls around here... A couple different posts today... I'm not trying to, I just want to make sure newbies know the difference
Sorry Bro

They are both outstanding sickles.
Like moe says, try to find an earlier one, many $$ less, just as fine though.
Resist the urge, buy Brit Iron!

What everyone said. I have an 07 America.

I'm 52 and 6' with a marginal back. You have to be careful of the bumps as it is hard on the back. I recently got caught on a dip by surprise and jammed my SI joint. Trip to the Chiro and good as new.

I found Footboards work well because you can move feet to the back of the boards, lean forward and ride it like a Bonnie on a rough patch of road.

I'm taller with short arms and long legs so the risers worked well for me as they brought the bars back a few inches.

Overall, love the bike and wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Hey Jim, welcome to the site.
Let me put in my vote for the Speedmaster.
Two big reasons. Twin front discs.
If and when a moron in a cage pulls in front of you at the last minute, they're your best friend.
Changing the bars on a Speedy is EZ.
Adding a second disc to an America is not.