 Decisions, decisions
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Hi folks, I've been perusing the net, trying to find reviews of the Speedmaster/America bikes and seem as though the reviews are scarce and inconsistent.
One thing that keeps coming up in various reviews is that the Speedmaster/America are underpowered. I'm not sure what that means: Are these bikes underpowered compared to 800cc sport bikes or are they underpowered compared to other 800cc cruisers?
Question 2: Aside from the dual front breaks on the Speedmaster, what other differences separate it from America? Does the second set of breaks up front make a noticeable difference? If so, why doesn't America have the same setup?
Question 3: Other than looks, are there substantive differences such as performance, comfort, ground clearance, etc. between the Triumph cruisers and the Japanese offerings in the 700-1000cc range?
Thank you in advance.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Check Pants
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Underpowered? The power is there, you have to make a few adjustments and you can have more power than a man can handle. How ****** fast do you want to go? If you want to cruise get a cruiser, if you want to race around, get a crotch rocket, the extra front brake on a Speedy will only keep your disc s a little cooler on a long descent, both bikes will stand up on their front wheels if you pull that lever too hard and as to ques. #3 I'll let someone else go there, Jap. Harley clones are not in the realm of my cognizance or interest
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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compared to a sport bike they are not nearly as fast. however compared to cruisers they are more powerfull than the Jap counterparts. They are also not nearly as plastic. also there are many sizes depending on the year and model for example the Thunderbird is a 1600, the
america is an 865 so on and so forth. My america is a 790 and clearly out performed the Intruder, and the Shadow of its class.
now noone gets one and leaves it alone for long. The Triumphs have huge potental for modification. performance and looks. I drag raced a 1200 sportster and beat him handily with only inexpencive, and simple to do modifications.
Noone at a rally or ride ever walks up to a Jap bike and says hey man nice ride. Unless its a sport bike rally. Triumphs are superior bikes in many ways.
The triumphs will out handle any bike ever "european handling". They are great in the parking lot and many guys on here have made 1000 mile road trip with them. There is no Shadow fan site.
Granted there are not as many models and sizes that the Jap companys have, but the difference is when you have a great product you don't have to throw many varieties out there to confuse the buyer. You only have to do what you do well. I like the fact that rather than engineer a whole new machine they just take what they have and continually improve on it.
Last edited by locopony; 10/27/2010 7:48 PM.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Quote:
compared to a sport bike they are not nearly as fast. however compared to cruisers they are more powerfull than the Jap counterparts. They are also not nearly as plastic. also there are many sizes depending on the year and model for example the Thunderbird is a 1600, the
america is an 865 so on and so forth. My america is a 790 and clearly out performed the Intruder, and the Shadow of its class.
now noone gets one and leaves it alone for long. The Triumphs have huge potental for modification. performance and looks. I drag raced a 1200 sportster and beat him handily with only inexpencive, and simple to do modifications.
Noone at a rally or ride ever walks up to a Jap bike and says hey man nice ride. Unless its a sport bike rally. Triumphs are superior bikes in many ways.
The triumphs will out handle any bike ever "european handling". They are great in the parking lot and many guys on here have made 1000 mile road trip with them. There is no Shadow fan site.
Granted there are not as many models and sizes that the Jap companys have, but the difference is when you have a great product you don't have to throw many varieties out there to confuse the buyer. You only have to do what you do well. I like the fact that rather than engineer a whole new machine they just take what they have and continually improve on it.
plus 1  Rapidly becoming my favorite poster!Loco said it all very well.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Quote:
Underpowered? The power is there, you have to make a few adjustments and you can have more power than a man can handle.
Okay, just a second here. I love my bike and all but I've done A LOT of adjustments and I don't have "more power than a man can handle." For that you need a turbo or a big bore kit or something. The Rocket III scares the he|| out of me (yet I still want one). My Bonneville America never has.
Again, I LOVE my bike. And it handles great. Looks great. Gets lots of attention from crusty old dudes who actually know a little something about real heritage. But it ain't no speed demon in the grand scheme of things. I appreciate your enthusiasm, though. 
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My Tiger has more power then most men can handle but my BA makes it that you FEEL everyone of those mph.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Quote:
There is no Shadow fan site.
  
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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I don't expect a cruiser to be competitive with a sports bike, but I was a bit taken aback by a number of reviewers suggesting that America/Speedmaster is slow. Do you HAVE to modify these bikes to get any kind of semblance of power from them? If not, what do you think prompts a few of the reviewers to suggest that America/Speedmaster lack power?
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Second Wind
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No, as I said they out perform the Jap bikes in their class. the performance mods get them to out perform bigger classes. Ok I was wrong there is a Shadow fan site  . I guess buy a Jap bike if you are bent on it  . you will wish soon you got a Triumph. Triumph is a class to its self . Jap cruisers are harley knock offs. 
Last edited by locopony; 10/27/2010 8:46 PM.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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I get 5.5 sec 0-60 from my slightly modded ba and a top speed of 105 mph.I weigh 245 lbs.The ba and speedy are no more underpowered then the 883 sportser hd is .I ride with a good friend who has a 1200 nightster and we routinely open them up,I have no problems whipping him up to 75 mph,then his bigger motor takes over but thats only for a bit.His top speed is no better then mine.I saw a review 2 months ago between the std bonny and the sportster 883 in a bike mag.The bonny won out on all counts.Apples to apples the trumps are as powerful in a usable sense as similar size cruiser,jap or american.Could you post a link to some of these reviews?
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Second Wind
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I dont know much about reviews. All I know is what I have done, and seen for myself. Been riding many years and had some Jap bikes. I prefer my triumph to any of the many bikes I have riden. I also smoked a 1200 sportster. I read a review once that compared an America to a Dyno glide. The writer seemed to be a Harley fan, but had to admit the america was a comparable bike. Even said in top gear the America has a better roll on response. Thats from 55 in top gear.
So don't listen to me or any of the guys here who clearly prefer the Triumph with no vested interest. trust a mag editor who has adverts to sell. Triumph don't buy many adverts. hmmm I wonder why?
I read the top speed one very objective. Still said the Triumph has more power, but power is not everything. comfort and style matter.
Last edited by locopony; 10/27/2010 9:41 PM.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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My stock America has enough power for me, and me is the only person I'm trying to please.
'08 America, AI removed, National Cycle windscreen, bags, tach, dresser bars
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Quote:
I dont know much about reviews. All I know is what I have done, and seen for myself. Been riding many years and had some Jap bikes. I prefer my triumph to any of the many bikes I have riden. I also smoked a 1200 sportster. I read a review once that compared an America to a Dyno glide. The writer seemed to be a Harley fan, but had to admit the america was a comparable bike. Even said in top gear the America has a better roll on response. Thats from 55 in top gear.
So don't listen to me or any of the guys here who clearly prefer the Triumph with no vested interest. trust a mag editor who has adverts to sell. Triumph don't buy many adverts. hmmm I wonder why?
I value your opinions precisely because you guys are the owners and have ridden these bikes for quite some time. I wonder how your experiences differ from those of the reviewers and why you love your bikes the way you do. This is valuable information. You know all the kinks and the good points of the bike pretty well, I assume since you guys have ridden them for many miles. I wonder what you think of the differing opinions and why you think the reviewers said what they said.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Stickman Yogi
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I suppose you could say these bikes are not as spirited as a sport bike of near same ccs, but underpowered? Nah... but as others have suggested they are quite tweakable if ya want a bit more oomph. Either the America or Speedmaster are gems in the motorcycle world. They have more charm, character and well... 'soul' than any other bike I can think of. I can EASILY say you won't be disappointed. Oh, and ditto on the handling... it's stellar!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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I know that 8gs is alot of mula, and you want to make a good decision. Go test ride one, Triumph will let you
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Second Wind
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The top speed one was very objective. He said Triumph has more power than the others mentioned. Still power is not everything. Style matters. Handling matters more.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Still power is not everything. Style matters. Handling matters more.
I agree with you. I currently ride a Honda Shadow VLX, a 400cc bike 30hp. It has enough power for 95% of the time. Sometimes I wish I had more when riding two up with someone who weighs over 200lbs (I'm 285). That's why I was rather taken aback by the suggestion of the reviewers that a bike with twice as much HP and 1.5x as much torque as what I have isn't powerful enough. That's why I began to wonder if perhaps the specs were off or if there's something inherently wrong with the bike's engine to give an impression of being sluggish.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Learned Hand
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I now have a touring bike that is ideal for a couple of bigger folks (me and the miss us) for 2 up touring with loads of top end power and plenty of torque. But I also have an 07 America that, seat of the pants is torquier, quicker, and a whole lot more fun to ride. For shorter hauls (< 300 miles) or smaller folks, cross country, the America is great two up all the way to the load limit and a little beyond 
Thom
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Fe Butt
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Never had a problem with either my 04 SM or Wendy's 04 BA and I used to ride with a friend who had a HD Night Train with a BB kit 6 spd trans and a tune slider for his injection. I could just pull away from him. Mot run off but as we excellerated side by side I could slowly pull ahead. I love my bike is all I can say, it has all the power I want and goes as fast as I want it to. It is very dependable. Just rode to Fl. from PA this summer and planning to ride from PA to Wyoming next summer if I have the money. Dependable enough that I think nothing of taking these trips.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
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Well, I agree that I love my bike but I will disagree with a couple of other points. I've ridden my buddy's 1200 nightster(pipes, chips with a few other minor mods) and the thing screams. Pulls harder then my speedy. Now, don't get me wrong, the speedy isn't lame. I can keep up with him for the most part and I've had my bike up to 112 or so.
So it all depends what you want. Speedy out handles hands down and you don't see one everyday. I love my motorcycle and my buddy's bike is nice but I see at least one or two everytime I ride(oh, and his bike is louder then mine which I do love a loud bike within reason).
2008 Speedy, AI removed, DIY airbox destruction with K&N filters, spectres, re-jetted and "custom" rattle can paint job.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Must be a tough life, reviewing motorcycles for a living. On the one hand you have Hayabusas and Rocket IIIs and big bore custom choppers, and Ninja ZX-11s, and 1800cc big jap cruisers. Then one day your editor throws you the keys to a stock 790 or 865cc America or Speedmaster. Gotta feel like a total pig compared to those other bikes.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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I can't even fathom why anyone would need anything bigger than an 800-900cc. As I mentioned before, doing most of my riding on a 400cc cruiser, it's fine 95% of the time in terms of power, although it's not easy to handle.
Are there substantive differences between America and Speedmaster or are they mostly cosmetic?
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
I can't even fathom why anyone would need anything bigger than an 800-900cc. As I mentioned before, doing most of my riding on a 400cc cruiser, it's fine 95% of the time in terms of power, although it's not easy to handle.
Are there substantive differences between America and Speedmaster or are they mostly cosmetic?
Mostly just outside appearances.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
I can't even fathom why anyone would need anything bigger than an 800-900cc. As I mentioned before, doing most of my riding on a 400cc cruiser, it's fine 95% of the time in terms of power, although it's not easy to handle.
Towing? Not the bike, but WITH the bike.
Thom
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Quote:
Quote:
Are there substantive differences between America and Speedmaster or are they mostly cosmetic?
Mostly just outside appearances.
Triumph's ads seem to suggest that America's engine mapping is different in that they accentuate the "laid back" ride, whereas the Speedmaster is supposedly "aggressive".
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Quote:
I can't even fathom why anyone would need anything bigger than an 800-900cc.
It's not about need.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Ha! You know, I live in Thailand, which like most of SE Asia is motorcycle country. The way people view bikes here is with a much more practical eye on things. You'd be hard pressed to find a bike bigger than 1100cc. Most big bikes are in the 400cc range and most people ride 100-125cc scooters around town, which are extremely practical.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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I would also have to mention the ergonomics and dimensions of these bikes. The sportsters and some of the jap cruisers are physically smaller bikes. At 6 feet tall I've found the sportsters and clones small and a bit cramped where as the America/Speedmaster is full size motorcylce with dimensions comparable to other bikes like the softails and dynas.
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That's really good to know. I'm 6'3", so leg room is very, very important. How's the seat? Does it need replacement as a matter of course or is it good enough for extended rides?
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Check Pants
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Sawadee, then you would definitely be the "Ultimate of Cool" in your biker community riding a Triumph 
Last edited by Ryk; 10/28/2010 11:28 AM.
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Sawadee, then you would definitely be the "Ultimate of Cool" in your biker community riding a Triumph
Oh, without a doubt! I will have to take into consideration the availability of parts and service though. I'll have to do some research on that.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Greenhorn
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If I may-
I currently own a Honda Magna. I like the power, H-D crushing capability (hildago complex maybe)-dislike that its a tad cramped, and 90 miles on a tank
Went looking at the T-bird (in milwaukee seriouis bikes are big bikes) Test rode a speedmaster loved the similarities to my bike all the things that I like about the Magna are there with the Speedmaster. Power maybe not so much but it is a different character to the engine
The Magna will go but gets Buzzy-70 mph and you know that the engine is working-the Speedmaster semmed a little better with that
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That's another thing, it seems that the America/Speedmaster get really schitty gas mileage. Wassup with that?
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The stock seat is okay, I upgraded to a Corbin. And the gas mileage ain't that bad I get between 42-45mpg in the city.
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The stock seat is okay, I upgraded to a Corbin. And the gas mileage ain't that bad I get between 42-45mpg in the city.
That's pretty good mileage. Some of the reviewers said it was 35mpg on the highway and they only got 130 miles on a tank.
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My bike is a 2003 and they have a 4.4 gal capacity, I usually hit reserve at about 145 -150 miles. If I go a lot of highway or open country cruising I don't hit reserve until about 165 miles. The carbed bikes have a lot of variance it seems in mpgs because a lot of us use different jets, needles, etc. The new models are fuel injected and also have a 5.1 gallon tank. You should try to schedule a test ride or hit a demo day. And if $8,000 is a bit steep these bikes used go for about half of that and there are some low mileage deals out there if you look.
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These bikes may be $16k in Thailand. The taxes on imports are horrendous! It's not easy finding used bikes unless you're looking for a Honda or a Harley. I'll see if I can schedule a test ride and then I'll look into importing one myself to see what types of fees I'm hit with.
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