Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Considering America/Speedmaster advice appreciated

Hi all,
Im new to the forums but Im looking for a little advice also. (I'm aware opinions are biased here, but I come with a history of Triumph.)
My dad owns a '56 Tiger T110 that we're hoping is worth some money. He has no intentions of selling it, but he'd like to fix it up. But that's besides the point.
Im here because I was a hardcore Harley fanatic until about last week. I came across a Triumph America and Im really into it. Beautiful looking bike. However, Im not crazy about the stock sewing-machine sound.
I'm looking for a first bike, and I've narrowed it down to a Harley Sportster 1200 (has the sound and vibration I want) or a Triumph America/Speedster. What would you say are the pros and cons to each? I've done a ton of research and come up with Triumph has a great look, and the right price, but I've read reviewers said these bikes are uncomfortable on long hauls. That's a big deal to me, being a guy of a larger build. Thanks lots!

Oh, one other question, can you make Triumphs vibrate and sound close to a Harley? If I can get a good, low idle sound, I may be completely converted! (I found a video of an America with Harley exhaust) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAVIAZMpY28
Here's the look I'm trying to achieve:

big seat ,gives loads of comfort...spend a little extra money a buy a set of after market pipes .i ve fitted triumph short slash cuts,bike now sounds as loud as a harley..it will never sound the same or vibrate as much but this isnt a bad thing..if you get a new injected bike you will have to have it remapped when and if you fit new pipes...ride safe......

Hi, Jeff, welcome to the site. Let me address your concerns as they're written:

Yep, the stock exhausts sound terrible. Or, should that be, *don't* sound terrible? This is easily remedied (see below)
There are no pros and cons compared to each other, it's purely cosmetic. The Speedie has twin disks up front and a tach. Seat, bars, wheels and a few other things are the minor differences and can be swapped easily.
Although I've not done vast mileages, I do spend a few hours in the saddle at a time with no issues. I've been riding for the last year with a slipped lumbar disc, too. Others on here have done the miles and, as far as I'm aware, haven't had any problems. Seats are easy enough to change if the stock one doesn't suit. The stock shocks/forks springs aren't great and are easy to upgrade; changing either of these will obviously increase the touring range of the bike. There are a few riders here who are, erm, of more portly dimensions; again, no complaints from them.
Your last little paragraph is a bit concerning. It's a Triumph, not a Harley, and if you want something that shakes and sounds like a Harley, perhaps you should buy..a Harley. This is a Triumph, you buy it because it's a Triumph and you appreciate what makes it a Triumph. It has a distinctive style, ride and sound of it's own. The engine is counter-balanced, although the Triumph engineers actually left a few vibrations in as a nod to bikes of the past. It is possible to remove the balancers but it's not a small job (I wouldn't imagine). Regarding the sound, it's never going to sound like a Hog, but why would you want it to? That's not to say you can't make it sound nice-loud, rumbly, deep, etc.-but nice in its own way. With the right pipes you can get the low tone that you're after.
My post isn't meant to put you off but, if you're after a bike to look, sound or feel like a Harley, this isn't it. As they say in France: "Vive la difference!!"

Audio clips

One of my favourite Youtube clips.

As for other things: it handles great, the engine's willing and reliable, it gets as much attention as you want, they're a doddle to ride, easy to maintain and have a decent aftermarket.

My advice to anyone would be to take a test-ride to get a feel for the bike and maybe try to find someone local with one to have a listen to non-stock pipes.

Ride safe, Neill

1. I don't think an America/Speedy is going to be any less comfortable on a long trip than a Sportster would. Especially if you are a big guy. The main issue with comfort on these bikes is wind blast. Same as with any naked bike. A windscreen should solve that problem. Some complain about the seat. There are many aftermarket seat options to address that should it become an issue.
2. Not sure why you want vibration. That's not going to help your comfort on long hauls. If you are looking for something that vibrates like a Harley, look elsewhere. These twins are very smooth.
3. Sound? Browse the exhaust section of the forum. Tons of information there on choices. Everything from straight pipes to modified stock pipes and everything in between. You can make these bikes sound as loud and raucous as any Harley if that's one of your goals.
4. Handling. You didn't ask but when pushed these bikes will handle better than any Sportster. Even in base form. Change out the shocks and springs and it only gets better. You will be shocked at what these bikes can do in the curves.

In the end it comes down to what you are looking for. You have got to make the decision that is right for you. I think there are lots of people on this forum who considered a Sportster before going with a BA/SM and don't regret it. I chose a Triumph because of the classic look, the build quality and the individuality.

Good luck with your decision and welcome to the board.
-Jim

Thank you to both of you for the judicious replies; it's not that I wanted a Harley for the name, but for the sound. Being that the sound can come close, I'm all about it. I've heard tons of positives and only minors for the newer Triumphs, and they negatives have been addressed above. My biggest con against Harley: I can buy a brand new Triumph for the price of a used Harley. I will own a bike someday soon!

What is the difference between America and Speedmaster? They both look similar.

5150

The differences are minor and mostly cosmetic:

1. Speedmaster has twin front discs re America's single.

2. Speedmaster has narrower, straighter bars.

3. Speedmaster has different wheels.

4. Speedmaster has a rev-counter (Tacho)

Apart from that there's not much in it.

The front fender on the Speedmaster is smaller than the America, also.

Well, here's the thing, Jeff. A Triumph rider is a little different than a HD rider. As a general rule, Triumph guys are kinda independant. We "go our own way". If you wanna be different than the other guys, you're cool. If your friends all ride HDs, and they are real friends, they'll give you a good natured ribbing when you ride with them, and a minute later they'll compliment your bike. If they are not real friends, they'll tease you incessantly, or give you a hard time trying to make you conform. Most of the old school Harley riders give respect to the Triumph riders, cause of the mutual history. So do ya wannna be cool AND be different? Go with the turnip. As far as sound and vibration, I just finished a ride with Oldroadie and his sceptre aftermarket mufflers, and they sounded just the right kind of loud to me. I have toured a lot this year, with plenty of 10 hour days, but on a Triumph accessory seat (gunfighter). And if you want the Triumph to vibrate more, I guess you could bend the front wheel and pull a plug wire off! Ride on!

Jeff , "Astaren" said it well . I have an America as well as an '07 XL 1200 Sporty . My wife is the primary , and she says often if we were to do it all over , we would not have gotten the HD . It's a cool bike , iconic and all , but the Triumph has a better fit and finish , balanced better , lighter , costs less , creates more attention .

Get the Triumph , you won't regret it .

Amen to the above. My handle, XHD, refers to me being finished with H-D's after 12 years on 'em. My 03TBA satisfies all my motorcycling needs including sound (like Old Roadie, I installed Sceptres which even H-D folks say are loud). As to comfort, I recently finished a round trip to Watkins Glen in upstate NY with no problems of comfort. And since I can't afford a Ducati GT1000, I'll remain very happy with my America. Have fun.
SteveB

I'm not sure where you read that these bikes are uncomfortable for the long haul, but it couldn't be further from the truth. I spent a week in the saddle riding over 2000 miles last Spring, and I would do it again in a heart beat. There are plenty of riders here that have spent weeks, months, and thousands of miles traveling the country without their bikes or butts missing a beat.

These bikes are smooth, and they like to run. They have plenty of power for the open road and more than enough agility for the twisty stuff. If you want more power slip in a big bore kit and you will still have spent less money than the sporty...

If you want "sound" then slip on a set of sceptres and you are golden.