Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge buying a speedmaster and need help

Ok here it goes I have been hanging around for about 2 years dreaming about getting a speedmaster, well now I have my chance. I can get a new 08 in blue and silver or a 09 in black. I will find out about prices tomarow. What kind of price should I be looking at for a 08 and the 09? MY big concern is mantiance and repairs the closest dealer is 1 hour away. The 08 being a carb it seems like I could work on it or at least trouble shoot it if I had a problem. The 09 with EFI I can not do much of anything is that corect should the be a buying factor? My father keeps telling me to buy a Harley because the dealer is 20mins away. But I am to big for a sporster and a dyna is out of my price range. Inless I go used HD is out And I so want a brand new bike. The other 3 just dont do it for me ganeric plastic. I guess I am just asking for some guidenss, thoughts and opions. Thank you for your time.

Chuck

Either one of the Triumphs would be a better choice than a Harley. It'll get more attention, is a pleasure to ride, handles superbly, and is not likely to require any repairs or maintenance that would require a dealer to perform. They are truly ultra reliable. Buy whichever one floats your boat. You'll love it either way.

blue and silver is a pretty color combo

I bought my '05 used with 5000 miles on it. I paid $5000 for it. I was/is my first bike. I LOVE IT! It came with the Triumph Off-Road (TOR) pipes that I put on it when I got home. There is plenty of Triumph and aftermarket extras to throw on it. Before I changed the gearing, I was getting around 52MPG at 60MPH. Go fo it!!!

Here's mine:

Yeah, do what makes you feel good. Do ya wanna RIDE a Triumph, or do ya wanna be a Harley owner? If you're into disctinctive, original styling, go with the Triumph. Sure, Harley has it's own look too. (And lots of copycats) And, c'mon, you know you really wanna stick it to the ol man a little, and be you're own man!

Others can chime in and correct me but the '08's are EFI too (unless the US get's models a year later).
As for reliability, what the others said above. You can take the bike anywhere without being concerned about reliability.

Yeah, Thanassis. The US models still had carburators in '08. We Yanks didn't get the EFI models until the 2009 models.

(we's a mite bee-hind the times now and then, ya knows)

And Chucky, here's the deal kid...You ain't gonna NEVER regret gettin' that there Triumph that y'all knows ya REALLY want!!! That sucker'll serve just about EVERY ol' need y'all is EVER gonna have!

Ya see kid, them there Harleys are nice and all, BUT just like it seems you've figured out here, their Sporties are a mite small and uncomfortable, AND their Big Twins cost way too much for the all around performance and style that y'all is lookin' for! Uh huh...WAY TOO MUCH!!! And so...don't you hesitate none now. You go buy that there TRIUMPH, BOY!!!

(I figured I'd put it as PLAIN and FOLKSY as I could here folks, so's this kid would have a good chance of "SEEIN' THE LIGHT"...which is somethin' I've learned from watchin' that there DR.PHIL SHOW on that there TV set o' mine!!!)

EFI, carb. Doesn't matter.
What really matters is that you can get a black one

I wouldn't worry about the Triumph dealer being over an hour away. You will so rarely need to visit you won't care.

Nothing wrong with a Harley if you want to be part of the herd. Or you can get a Triumph and be different.

From what I've read in these forums, Chuck, being an hour away from a dealer is good going. Don't worry about it and just choose the colour that speaks to you. The FI engine is slightly more powerful and if you just want to ride, rather than tinker, is probably the better bet. The same applies if your riding will see you changing elevations a lot.

Also, there may be a difference in tank shape between the 2 years. I may be wrong, however.

Oh, and regarding the title of the thread, if you're thinking about buying a Speedmaster, then you certainly don't need help!! An America, on the other hand...

:P :P :P

I came from a sporty 1200 to a new 06 speedmaster and from both sides of the fence here we go.

speedy was alot more comfy than the sporty
sporty was alot more fun to drive, feeling the motor work was pretty cool.
my speedy has never broke down--> and its parked out side right now its covered in snow with the battery still in it.
harley same it sat outside with a cover through 4 new england seasons and started every spring, it did blow an electronic ignition but there was a re-call I did not know about (harley does not offer roadside assitance to sportys and AAA won't help bikers)
harley's top speed with me at #195 was 105mph which I attempted on about 20 occasions--honestly at that high of a speed it handled better than the speedmaster going lane to lane even though it was so top heavy when going slow into the corners.

the speedy's top speed was about 110mph on the same road but it didn't want to shift lanes because the suspension was too mushy--> easily fixed I know but I bjuy them and ride them.

people seemed to check the harley out and admire it more than the triumph "on a daily basis"
the speedy gets the occasional recent triumph owner checking it out--> alot here in Boston that looked at mine said the used to own one along time ago and didn't know they where making them again (I got that alot)

sporty would pop wheelys but the speedy wouldn't, speedy lays a nice slab same as the speedy.

speedy sound sweet with the SS pipes at high revs going through the back bay, Ha ha. harley sound like a harley.

so I don't know which one but the triumph carb model is very reliable and nothing like the old triumphs, harley is harley you never know what to expect AND the repair shop can have it for a month!

at about 115 miles on nmy speedy I almost crashed when cut-off because I hit the front brakes in a panic and they actually stopped the bike unlike the harley's brakes (harley now uses brembo italian brakes-go figure) which took alot more pull--> front tire locked on me and why I didn't go down I don't know.

I'd take the speedy over the sporty anyday dealer or no dealer- remember to check the harley shops back-log before you drop it off there,, the real reason for independent HD shops!

Being an hour from a dealer is really not a problem. Its an hour is all. I actually worried about that too. Then I started thinking. You can own a really cool bike you like and want or you cannot.

The only barrier to you buying that bike is you. Stop throwing up reasons not to buy it. You don't need it, you won't die without it. There is a greater reason for it. You want it. You only go around once, do it on your terms.

The 08, by the way should be about a grand less at this time of year. Carbs or EFI don't matter, it won't break.

I had the same issue with the Harley line. Sportsters were really not that comfortable and the Dyna's were too expensive. Bought an America which is very comfortable and reliable. The America powerband is a nice compromise as it has decent low end torque but still gives you revs when you need them. Definitely test ride one and then realize that rejetting or re-mapping along with an aftermarket pipe (or even TORs) will greatly improve the power. Good luck.

My nearest dealer is 240 miles, and I had some concerns about that when I got my '04 America. No worries. The only time the bike has been at the dealer is when I go see my grandkids and stop in for a t-shirt and a quick drool on a Tiger.

Thanks everyone, I think I am going to go with the 08 because of the $750 in accessories. Inless they give me a great deal on a 09. The blue is kinda growing on me as well. Thanks for the thoughts I wasent really torn between more then justifying my decision. So as soon as the guy comes and pays for my old bike I will be calling the dealer to setup something. Does any one do any buisness with ED's Service in Hyde Park NY. They arnt the closest to me but have the 08. I am closer to Destiny Motorsports in Syracuse NY.

So does the '08 have the new or old style tank? They changed the tank before they changed to EFI, didn't they? What bike are you selling? Congrats on the new, and welcome to the site!

And then there's the NEW TANK issue . Is it '08 or '09 when they messed up the tank ?

I am selling/sold a 1990 Katana for $1500. I really like it but I am having problems putting weight on the ball of my foot so a rocket is out of the question.

I have a carburated HD and a EFI BMW. The BMW always start on a click, even after sitting for a long time. The HD start easy in warm weather, but starts and runs rough when it is cold or has sat a while. I prefer EFI.

I've been to Ed's good guy know's his feces about the bikes Old Triumph racer. Not everyone gets along with him. If your gonna buy & go no worries. When are you thinking of picking it up?

The straight black would be the best looking by far, especially with that new tank design, it looks much sleeker in one colour.

They're great bikes hands down. Once you ride them you will soon join the ranks of passionate Triumph owners. The Speedmaster/America have a good balance of speed, power, comfort, and agileness. Plus they are bike that gets looked at which is a cool feeling when your riding around. The new tank bothered me at first until I actualy looked at one for myself. It does look better in the two tone than the solid however. All the bonnies however are great looking fun to ride motorcycles. I bought my Speedmaster used and got a great deal so the so issue was pretty much settled. If I was buying new I was going to have a real hard time trying to decide which one to get.

Im not sure when I will becomeing down from utica. I have to talk price first, then get finacent, then I can pick up. I would love to catch the train down and ride it home but the weather is not quaperating right now. I will let you know it would be fun to meet someone there.

Chuck

Get the Carb Speedmaster - you will not be sorry - I ride with HD's and they all talk about my bike. Cant keep their eye's of it. Go to a bar and park and people comment about the Triumph never the HD's.
Buy the shop manual and a couple of tools and before long you will be doing your own valve adjustments- easy to work on-you will be hooked for life and you will have enough money left over from not buying the HD that you can customize it any way you like and still have $'s left over.
Go for it!

yeah blue 05 has a point about the carb model,, I changed my jets myself and with this forum and the helpful people in it you cannot do wrong,,, someone here even gave me a jet tool.

The Speedmaster is a fine machine. Check out how comfortable you are with the handlebars. The America's bars are closer to the rider and much more comfortable. Some Speedmater owners change the bars out. I do like the notion of no sensors on a carb bike. Check out the O2 sensors sticking out the exhaust pipes on an EFI bike. I don't like computer chips also. The EFI bikes do perform better I am told. I don't know how a motorcycle could perform better than my BA.(Carb Bike)It is smooth, idles well and great even power band. Handling is everything on a bike. These bikes out perform all the cruisers re handling. It is stupid to buy a bike that will drag floorboards. Triumph is not only different;it is better period. I ditto the reliability factor. Fit and finish is superb, great build quality. I think I'll apply as a salesman for Triumph.

I would say go for the EFI on the '09 model, but you can't go wrong either way.

Most of us don't like change, but change is usually good, or for the better. Depending on your state's emissions laws and the state inspection requirements, changing pipes and re-jetting the carbed model may be an issue....but they are easy to work on - quite fun actually, and with all the help here on this forum you can soon find yourself doing things you may not have felt comfortable with before. There is a lot of help and information here, besides the uncanny comraderie you will not find on other message boards or forums.

Buy an America to "cruise", buy a Speedmaster to ride hard.

ok guys, he got the speedmaster
http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...ge=0#Post373420