 2 up
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10 |
Hi all im thinking of getting an america 865,but will it have enough grunt for 2 up touring with luggage,at the moment i have a Tbird 1600 but with the missus and all the gear its so heavy,so im just a bit worried about the 865 not being up to the job,any info would be great.Cheers
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
Yes, it will.
And you just confirmed what I was afraid of, regarding the T-Bird, and Rocket III, for that matter, as well.
My experience two up on my 790 Speedmaster is that I generally can't tell anyone else is along, other than I can't use the rear pegs!
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Dan, Welcome to the forums. I'm sure a number for the gang here would be willing to swap bikes with you for a season so you could check out your hypothesis.  Hint hint!!! I haven't driven 2 up for a while. With the wife on the back though, there is no problem on the highway. In town driving's no problem so long as the passenger doesn't try to compensate on turns (inexperience). I find that the bike feels a bit more tippy at real slow speeds when loaded up with a squirming passenger (Probably true of any bike).
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Yes you can, but with limits. We put a lot of 2-up miles on a Speedmaster until we moved up to a bigger cc machine. Once you're rolling you'll be fine but let's be honest - the 865 doesn't have the oomph that your 1600 has. As far as weight, the America is a much lighter machine than the TBird, so you'll appreciate that. In the last 2 years we've put over 50,000 2-up miles on 800 pound Visions and I'll be the first to admit it's a lot of weight at stop. You'll either get used to it, or you won't. Whatever you decide, good luck and ride safe. 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 203
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 203 |
I do most riding solo, so I appreciate the lighter weight of the Speedmaster. When he missus rides along, she tends to fidget a bit, so again, the lighter weight in slower or stopped situations is a plus. You can always tweak the Speedmaster to give you a little more oomph if you want. True it's no replacement for displacement but it'll get along just fine. Just a gear swap can make a noticeable difference.
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
Quote:
Hi all im thinking of getting an america 865,but will it have enough grunt for 2 up touring with luggage,at the moment i have a Tbird 1600 but with the missus and all the gear its so heavy,so im just a bit worried about the 865 not being up to the job,any info would be great.Cheers
it will do the job.. 'but' and this will be a big one...you will have to make some changes to the 865..to get right for 2up touring and you will find it very under powered..to the T-bird... and you already have the upgrades with the T-bird...better brakes,shocks,belt drive,liquid cooled
6 speed tran's ...you say the t-bird is so heavy ..you don't say how much time you have on the bird.. riding to up you just may need more time getting use to it and the weight..
the the speedy or the America can be set up for 2up touring and both are fun great bikes but both will be needed to be changed for that ...as for the weight I like the heavy bikes I have found in windy days they are much more stable on the road ...and there is nothing like cc.. I ride a rocket 3 tour 2300cc and love this bike ..
as for my America we have many 2up miles on that bike and lots of fun!!!as did my son and his wife!!! and now my youngest son rides it..
but would i go back to it after having my Rocket... NO WAY
the wife LOVES the Rocket and so do I ..now there my come a day but its a long way off..
Ed 
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10 |
Thanks people,gonna take one out and see what happens
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10 |
Well took one out got it for 4 days then they going to lend me a speedmaster dont think much differenceSo the America seems ok certainly doesnt have the torque of the Tbird but it seems quite capable very quick for what they are and i thought more comfy and better riding position than the Tbird,the missus didnt like it (but im trying to get her to do her test)a lot of people say tuning them makes a big difference,still not sure the Tbird is better quality but then it costs lots more and i have to weigh up long term which am i gonna be happier with,swinging towards the america comfort wise and more agile.lighter to handle,i keep you all posted.
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
you would definitely be the first one to upgrade from a T-Bird to an America on this forum
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,174 Likes: 15
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,174 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
you would definitely be the first one to upgrade from a T-Bird to an America on this forum
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
Quote:
Well took one out got it for 4 days then they going to lend me a speedmaster dont think much differenceSo the America seems ok certainly doesnt have the torque of the Tbird but it seems quite capable very quick for what they are and i thought more comfy and better riding position than the Tbird,the missus didnt like it (but im trying to get her to do her test)a lot of people say tuning them makes a big difference,still not sure the Tbird is better quality but then it costs lots more and i have to weigh up long term which am i gonna be happier with,swinging towards the america comfort wise and more agile.lighter to handle,i keep you all posted.
I am going to give years of riding 2up advise for free and it was the best and out of the top 10 I got this was the best one....
IF THE PERSON ON BACK IS NOT HAPPY YOUR NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY
words to live by when 2 up riding..before I get any bike the wife sets on the back and give the final say ...
good luck ..
Ed
Last edited by biker; 09/17/2012 11:42 AM.
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
I am going to give years of riding 2up advise for free and it was the best and out of the top 10 I got this was the best one....
IF THE PERSON ON BACK IS NOT HAPPY YOUR NOT GOING TO HAPPY
words to live by when 2 up riding..before I get any bike the wife sets on the back and give the final say ...
good luck ..
Ed
Well put Ed!
This is why we have TWO Visions in the stable.  
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10 |
Nice one,but shes not my wife 
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
Nice one,but shes not my wife
then roll it your way 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
but with the missus and all the gear
You call your girlfriend "the missus"? 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62 |
I have to disagree on the quality statement.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 2 up
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,286 Likes: 65
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,286 Likes: 65 |
Get off angle with a Speedmaster two up with luggage and it ain't a picnic. Given the low centre of gravity of a Thunderbird I don't think the daily will be much different.
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