Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Prospective Buyer (long, sorry)

Hey everyone, I feel like I know most of you already having trolled this site for over 4 years. That being said, I am finally in the market for a new bike and can swing the cost of the Triumph I've wanted all along. I just sold my first bike, a V Star 650 custom after a little over a year of ownership and a lot of wrenching. The bike in its stock form is a dog, but after progressive front springs, vance and hines pipes, the v star take on the "freak" (which is put together by a member with emgo pod filters and only costs $80 with jets) and a lot of jetting perfection,the bike became much more friendly and peppy at least up to 70mph.

Regarding the V Star, no matter the tune or carb balancing, the bike is winding over 4500rpm and breathing heavy at 70 mph and the pipes are absolutely barking because of it. Also at this speed there is a high pitched engine vibration that can't be tuned out through balancing and it gets tiresome. Now, after tuning the bike did reach an indicated 98mph before my butt puckered and I slowed down, so it had some beans... but the engine left a lot to be desired with a dynoed 39hp and 40tq.

This first experience has left me with some real concerns about the next bike I buy because while I have a 5 min commute of city driving to work every day, the majority of my time is on back roads or some slab riding. I want a bike that will settle into a smooth and happy 60-75mph and feel like it's just purring along waiting for the chance to pass something. I sat on my first speedmaster yesterday and the bike fits like a glove. Definitely a good substantial feel and well balanced. I'm not going to buy that one because the guy wants way too much for a 42k bike with some really cheesy customization that would cost a lot to reverse (avoid the black/baby blue one on ebay for 3500, it's crap in person). Because of the vstar always feeling like it needed a 6th gear, i'm a little concerned that i'll have the same issues with another somewhat high strung bike with the triumph, please give me an honest opinion.

So, with my concerns and having not ridden either a sm/america, does it sound like this would suit me? I know what you are all going to say, but don't want to waste another 2 years on a bike i'll soon replace. On paper, the bikes seem like something that I would keep for a lifetime, but what do you think?

Based on your description of the V star, I think that you will be very happy with the America or Speedmaster. Plenty of power in stock form, and if you do the same mods to it that you did to the V Star, then there's even more. I had a loaner bike once, it was an 1100 V Star, and it wasn't much better than you described, it vibrated a ton. I thought it sat too low to the ground also. And it was uncomfortable.

I think my bike is one I will own for a lifetime.

I agree but stock gearing you might still looks for 6th, not that you actually need it. I cruise between 65 and 80 all the time and it will do it all day long if you want with plenty of power to pass when you want. Now I weight about 210 lbs. so if you are very heavy it may not want to pass as well as it does for me but that being said my bike still feels the same to me with a passenger. It handles the twisties like a dream and will out run pretty much any bike in it's class on the twisties too. It will also out run many bikes with much larger engines. It does all this with very little vibration at any RPM. I have no problem at all hitting triple digits when I want to. Never had any mechanical problems in the 20,000 miles I've owned the bike.

these things are exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm 6'2" and weigh somewhere between 180 and 195 depending on how much I'm liking cheeseburgers that particular month... so my weight shouldn't be an issue. I couldn't believe that after seeing and wanting one of these Triumphs before I had ever ridden a street bike that i get some experience on something cheap, come back to it, and it just seems such a natural fit. I've ridden dirt bikes for years, and in reality the vstar wasn't too bad, but it's not an over-the-road bike. (insert buyers remorse smiley here)

My buddies ride 883 and 1200 sportsters, 750 shadow, and a road king. I've ridden both sportsters, and even with the '06 1200 custom, it just doesn't give me the right feel. it shakes like ****** at idle and although it's got a lot of snort, it's thin and roughly suspended on the road, so that's out of the picture. It'll probably be a bit of a wait for me as I'm hoping to find an america or speedy used with around 10k or so and want to keep the cost in the 5k range. Rest assured though, i'll be joining the fold soon... and all the tinkering starts back from square one. should have followed my gut in the first place Thanks fellas.

The real reason that it seems like the Triumph twins should have another gear is that it just doesn't seem right for it to be able to pull so well in top gear.
I have seen 115 MPH on my America with more throttle to go, so they will deliver the power you are looking for. They also handle much better than a Vstar. The mechanical design is great, as is the build quality. The styling will have people stopping you on the street with compliments.

You should be able to pull away from any of those bikes. (not sure about the Shadow, never rode one) I have ridden or ridden with the rest and none of them will out run a good running BA or SM given your weight. The SM or BA will do either back road or slab easily. Plent of ground clearance for cornering if not lowered. If you want carbs in the US you need one 08 or older and for the much sexier old style tank with knee indents you need 06 or older.10,000 miles in a drop in the bucket for one of these bikes and $5,000 or less is a reasonable expectation although a little more is no big deal to me if you like the bike.It will give you many miles of trouble free riding.

My Speedy came with the 16T front sprocket so it's geared very low.
6k rpm is right about 100mph, and it will motor happily along at this
speed for as long as you care to.
I'm 6' and 220 so weight is not a problem.
As far as vibration, the mirrors on this bike are the most
blur-free of anything I've ever ridden.
Getcha one! You'll never regret it.

Dude, I would have to lose a whole person's worth of weight to weigh as much as you and my bike carries me just fine loaded up (and I mean LOADED-there are pictures...) with gear and luggage (no passengers, though). No worries on performance.

Sweet spot between 65 and 80 and perfect for long tours.

Done 7,000 miles in 12 months and no problems just pleasure. When you get one (and you will) you must invest in aftermarket pipes as stock pipes are restrictive.

Speedmaster/America are modern classics - go on you deserve one!

From a current 650 V Star owner. I test rode both the
America and Speedmaster. The gearing is so much taller
than the Star that I wanted to stay in 4th at 45mph.
I was impressed. With a trip to a dealer for a test ride
I'm confidant that you will be too.

What everyone else said. The Americal/Speedmaster is a great all around bike. You can trick it out for cruising, carving mountain roads, or touring. When I changed my chain at 24,000 miles I put a 18 tooth sprocket in and now I don't search for that 6th gear you were talking about. There are bikes for sale in the classifed from time to time. I don't know what your price range is but there is a Red/silver 02 TBA on E-bay with just 6,100 miles that will probably go for around $3,000 in Birmingham, Al.,and some newer ones. You could do a fly and ride

Like you I always wanted the Triumph cruiser but couldn't afford it. Like you I have been lurking on this site since '05 (see my membership date) and like you I got the 650 V-star instead (an '04) - which I really liked (gutted pipes, rejetted & K&N pods). It had enough power and handled well and has a great reputation.

This year I could finally justify the extra cash for the America. 60% more power - handles better - less vibration - better build quality - and apparently a longer lasting motor which is saying something cos the V-Star is legendary for it's rock solid reliable motor.

With the V-Star I would often go for a 6th gear on the slab - the high revs of cruising at that speed were tiring. In comparison the America/Speedmaster has that gear available. And you can easily switch from the 18 tooth to a 19 tooth front sprocket to drop your cruising revs about 3-400 for the same cruising speed. The drive shaft of the V-Star was great for low maintenance but you were stuck with the gearing.

The only downside in comparison that I have found is the V-Star has a lower center of gravity and coupled with the gearing and drive shaft it makes for easier very slow speed tight turning. I am still a little awkward at very slow speed on the America. I imagine that it is mostly a case of getting used to the gearing, riding the clutch more and feathering the rear brake.

Even with that slight negative I am still utterly sold on the Triumph.
As a reference I commute daily on suburban roads and cruise the slab and twisties for recreation. I weigh about 180lbs and am fairly aggressive in my riding style.

I am an old fart and I am very happy to tool along at 60 to 65 MPH on my 07 Speedmaster. At that speed it is turning 3,500 to 4,000 RPW and is velvet smooth and a pleasure to enjoy. I like to enjoy the scenery and at 70 MPH or above I must spend too much time paying attention to the roadway and the bike than the scenery so I enjoy going slower.

I took a trip recently from LV to Alamo Nevada along Rt 93. It was over 230 miles each way and although long and tiring I enjoyed it completely. I opened it up on some of those lonely stretches of highway to over 100 MPH and the bike was still solid and vibration free.

The bike is pretty much easy to take care of as it only requires a cleaning and oiling of the chain every couple of weeks and I change my oil at 4K. The big expense will be to adjust the valves at 12K but I have a buddy with all the tools and knowhow to get the job done and save the expense of going to the dealer for that service.

It's cheap to keep and run and a pleasure to ride. Plus all these old people keep coming up to me and telling me their stories of the Triumphs they used to have etc.

I just finished a 45 mile cruise at 60 mph around and love my America. When I got my bike last year I looked at the v-stars too and finally decided I liked the look of the Triumph better. And 900cc seemed like a good first bike for me. It's a unique bike that not everybody has and when people pull up next to you, they will always look to see what it is. You've got a few opinions here, and I'm sure you're not surprised to find them all in favor of the SM/AM...but I'd say we're all pretty passionate about them, becuase they really are sweet bikes.

I was looking for 6th gear on the expy with the stock 17t front sprocket. Recently changed to a 18t front from the stock 17. Much better than before, may consider going to 19t but not sure I want to give up the bottom end. I think the newer America's (07up) have the 18 tooth stock. I love everything else about the bike.

I almost signed the sales papers on a 1300 v star tourer. I am so glad I did not. I run in 4th for the 55-65 back road speeds. My bike will do 75 all day long at 4200 rpm. This is a very comfortable great handling bike. I have yet to drag anything. The reviewers constantly critique the other cruisers for this. ( Floor boards, pegs). The air cooling saves weight. Mine fully loaded with accessories weighs 618. Friends don't let friends buy Jap or Harley. They need our help.This is an iconic origional with the performance and reliability right out of the box. I have no reason to do mods and cause trouble with my performance. Quiet is cool especially at dawn on Sunday in my neighborhood.

I like setting car alarms off when I crack my pipes.