Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge T100 to Speedmaster?

Hey guys, I have a couple questions...

I've been riding a T100 for a year now. Love it for the most part. But it's not the most comfortable bike for hwy riding (hard to avoid around Houston) or for two-up. I was wondering if the speedmaster would be a good way to go. I really want to stay with Triumph, I just need something that makes a tad more sense for the riding I'm doing. I know I could look at the America too but there is something about the speedy that is just a bit more attractive too me... it's more sporty looking or something. I thought I could quickly swap out the seat for a nice dual seat with backrest for two-up riding and go back to a nice single with grab rail when i'm out with the boyz. My pillion wants to go out riding, but after 200 miles with frequent stops (6 hours from the time we left the house till the time we got home) she was in pain and couldn't wait to get off. And that was with my corbin gunfighter/lady with backrest! And the wind didn't help matters. I could put a windscreen on the bonnie but it seems out of place so i just have a flyscreen which takes the buffeting away but not the wind.
So what do you guys think? Speedy does well in the twisties? Opinions from pillions? Suggestions for seats in that respect? What about around town?
If I decide to trade (and unfortunately i can only have one)I want to go all black with just a little chrome. I love this pic... it makes me soil myself.
http://www.hermys.com/downloads/Spm_004.jpg
But maybe do even more black like black powdercoated fork tubes. And probably the sceptre exhaust or staintunes. And i'll have to find some good saddlebags. And of course a good windscreen. And maybe a light bar for the front. And....

And I have to find a 2005 or below to get all black, right?
When did the Speedy switch from 790cc to 865cc?

Anything else I should think about?

Thanks!

speedy 865 is 2005 model and...... I know what are you talking about got bonnevile for two weeks coz my america needed some service and it was a pain to ride it. Made on it 500 miles I was so HAPPY when got my america back its so comfortable even without corbin seat
Go for speeddy !!!!!
I know that Adey had T 100 few months and swaped for america coz its better for riding.

Hey Dennis
I had a T100 before the America.
Do the swap!

You have a Bonny and you're concerned about sporty looks???

After riding the America, the Bonny bars will feel like you're getting onto a kid's bike!

If you can, try 'em both out (Speedy and America).

Good luck.

i got a 04 tba and ride 2 up quite a bit,im a pretty big lad 6'4"and pushing 280lbs and the OL well mmmm anyway the bike holds up really good (insert rude joke here). i,ll be replacing them shocks soon (irjh)with some 412s or 440s from progressive. the OL hasnt complained about the pillion pad yet but we rarely ride for more than 200km or a couple of hours on a day out .

Buddy, my wife has the same issue, I have put two differnt pads in the back, changed shocks. I think wasting money on air shocks is still not going to get it right. Actually the only bike I have ever had that does two up correctly is a new HD glide, The back seats are like an inch smaller then the drivers ..

Hey Dennis...

Sounds like you're on the right track. Triumph do a "king and queen" seat for these bikes - you don't see it often but I had one in my hands for a while that I sold off. Looks really good for two-up riding. The dealers call it a "dual touring seat" or some such thing.

And yes, even tho I'm a chrome-aholic, that pic makes me soil myself too Wonder if I can afford the tba AND a speedy.

Matt

Thanks guys.
Sandmann, is this the seat you are talking about?


Does anyone besides corbin make a good aftermarket touring seat?

Yep, that's the one I meant. The front looks identical to an america seat. Never sat on it so I've no idea how comfy the back is but anything's gotta be better for a pillion than one of those gunfighters. Add a backrest (tall's better for pillions) and maybe some footboards for you, and you're all set for touring.

You're going to notice the difference between the T100 and a tba/sm on the corners for sure... the Bonne's are a lot more manoeverable than the speedy (it IS a cruiser after all). But given that the speedy's nearly a foot longer than the bonne it handles twisties well - better than any other cruiser I've been on - and you'll notice a lot more comfort on the not-so-twisties than the T100 offers with it's plank-like seating. Had a loan Bonne loan bike for 24 hours when mine was getting serviced, enjoyed it for the first 5 minnutes, but after that my rear was crying out for my comfortable cruiser.

Matt

Dennis, that is the seat I have. It is the Triumph Touring Seat. I have hauled around passengers on it and havent had any complaints from anyone. As a rider, I really like it as well. I can ride all day without any problems.

Soren

I am not at all biased...much.. But you cant go wrong with a Black speedy.

I would suggest upping the size of the front sprocket if you are going to be doing much highway riding on a speedmaster.

If you like the look better, get the Speedmaster, but take a test ride on an America to see if you like the feel better. It isn't hard to swap the America bars, seat and sprocket to the Speedmaster so you can have the S/M look and America comfort.

I you are going to cut, chop, lower, bob, slam or otherwise remove every stock item off the bike then get the cheapest.
With the exception of the color you couldn't tell if my bike was a Speedy or an America when it was new. Which reminds me...I went down to the old Triumph dealer the other day and they had some Americas and Spreedmasters sitting in the showroom. Its hard to believe I rode one of these things in stock trim.
However...If you don't plan in changing anything, with the exception of removing the AI and restrictive intake system and replacing the pipes and jets, then I suggest a black Speedmaster with some chrome accents. You will be way happy.

Dennis,

Know what you mean about the Speedy having the edge on the America, black an all that - go for it.

Seat wise I've got a single with seat pad - no complaints from the pillions. The stock double is not good for longer journeys, but the touring seat will do the trick.

I've also put on a full Triumph screen which takes out the majority of wind buffeting, makes all the difference on the motorway.

Get a Bonny swap out when mine's in for service and after I've extracated my legs from up my backside, can't wait to get back on the Speedmaster.

Ya, i'd be doing just the basic mods. Exhaust, AI removal, maybe airbox, saddlebags, seats, lights, windscreen, maybe some powdercoating...

I may have to go have a chat with the dealer today.

I've never seen a speedy with a sissy bar and that's what you need. You can get an all black TBA, just add the tall sissy bar. My girlfriend goes on all our rides and she's very comfortable on my bike. She rode on the back of a Vulcan Nomad recently and found our TBA to be more comfortable. Of course I'm sure the Electra Glide or Goldwing would be more comfortable than my TBA...but I'm not going there. The T100 corners beautifully but the Speedy and TBA are more comfortable and they are the best handling cruisers on the market. But there is something to be said for having your pegs under you. As for pipes, I LOVE my Bub Slash Cuts. Beautiful, with great sound. They have not changed color AT ALL. Good luck with your decision.
2003 Red America
130 mains, AI removed, chrome valve cover, Bubs, tall sissy bar