Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Happy with my choice - a testimonial

A couple of years ago I considered getting a motorcycle. I had owned a Kawasaki and Suzuki 450-550, 15-25 years previously, both of which I owned for maybe just over a year combined. Always wanted a Harley but did not have the $ to invest in one.

So back to a couple years ago - I began researching "entry" level cruisers. Something less expensive than a Softail and under 1600 CC due to my inexperience. Further, I did not know if riding would finally catch on for me so did not want to start off paying $10K. I did not like the looks of Sportsters, so considered the more apparent options, Vulcan, Suzuki C50, Shadow or V-Star. The Jap versions modeled after a Harley Softail Heritage.

But then I came across a Triumph America. I remember the exact bike I discovered on Craigslist - 2003 Caspian blue. I thought, this is it! - the CC range and price I want with the nostalgia of a classic brand. My search was over WRT deciding on a make and model. I ended up selecting a 2008 America, blue and white and have modified it to give a classic American cruiser look.

My point with all of this is - had I opted for any of those fore-mentioned cruisers, I know I would be discontent by now looking to upgrade, likely to an American cruiser such as a Victory or Harley. Not that I may not someday do that, but I am really loving the America and am proud of the bike. It is not pretending to be a Harley, still has the vertical twin with enough of the cruiser styling I was looking for.

There are a lot of purists I know on this forum that don't appreciate some of the marketing targets that Triumph has reached out to in recent years; or some of the more recent changes the America and Speedmaster have gone through (fat tanks and such). But it drew me in as a fan and am grateful each day I ride my 08. Thank you for your attention!

I must agree. I've been riding since i was 15. I've had tons of Hondas, some Suzuki's, a few Yamaha's, a Kawasaki, a BMW, and then the 05 America. I will never sell the America. In fact will probably never own anything excpet Triumph. Just picked up a 77 Bonnie, and will probably get a Tiger in the near future. The America is it and now Im hooked on Triumph.

I saw my America across the show room floor and it was love at first sight. My wife, who spoils me rotten, said, "Get it. You deserve it."

I really don't but who am I to argue?

Three years later and I'm still in love...with both of them.

I took my SM out for a 25 mile spin Sunday evening. Just to get a ride in. Just to keep the battery charged. Just to get my Hooligan on.

At 95K miles, and I will say HARD miles, I tell myself every time I get on, it just can't get any better than this. I have ridden a variety of motorcycles, at the International Motorcycle Shows that used to come through Houston, just for the short group rides they allowed,and was always glad to get back on my SM at the end of the day to go home.

Easy to live with, a decade of unquestionable reliability, and more fun than a man has a right to have with his pants on. There is a lot of eye candy out there, but I'm sold on Triumph, too, and probably will never own anything but.

They sold me with the way they marketed the early Speedmasters back in '03-04 - that spoke to me and still does. Sunday, I made a 25 mile loop into downtown Houston on I-10, then out Hwy 59 to the west Loop. The Galleria, they call it, then back up to Hwy 290 and home. I ran 80-90 mph everywhere I could, TOR's in full cry, in modate traffic. They saw us coming, and knew we were there. Everybody we passed by had to acknowledge we were there, if not get out of the way too. Other riders, whether riding or driving, recognized the garden gate tank badges and knew it was a Triumph. Not just another motorcycle, but a quick, hot-rod Triumph. That handles.

Yes, I'm very happy with my choice. It has enriched my life, starting with this forum, and the many friends here, but oh, that motorcycle!

If your going to ride it, ride it right, and the machine will reward you for it.

High Performance Motorcycles. I got it. I didn't get it in 2004, but after the machine taught me what IT wanted in a rider, I got it. That took about 6 years, and 60K miles. I did not think I wanted a "sport bike", but soon realized I owned one!

I could have never done this on that VTX I thought I wanted. Or any other Jap cruiser, I don't believe, save for maybe a Yamaha Warrior. But where's the soul in that? And pound-for-pound, a Rocket III, or Thunderbird 1600 ( or Storm), would have handled better, performed better, and, had the soul of the Triumph.

You can't bottle that stuff. It's just there, in the DNA.

I keep beating myself up over what my next Triumph ought to be. A Tiger? Which one? A Trophy? Sprint GT? That in itself speaks volumes about how much riding the SM has taught me about riding. Better sense tells me a 2010 Fuel-Injected Speedmaster would be the ticket, if I could find one still mostly stock, with low miles... I'm sure a low-mileage 2010 is out there....

But until or unless catastrophe strikes, or one of my boys decides to take up riding, the 2004 still suites me just fine.

Now where am I heading off to next?

I was hooked on triumph since I was a kid. Never owned one till I bought my 05BA. But dare I say this, When Richard Geer rolls up to a stop for OCS and they pan in on the Tank and then the rest, I was hooked. Then I saw Steve MacQueen and the rest, Then I married into a family with bikes. Mom-in-Law had a 79 Bonnie 750. Man I loved that bike just sitting still.
When I went looking for my first bike, Triumph had just re-emerged. I was druling over the Thunderbird triple, couldnt afford it at the time. I also saw a Kawasaki W650. Still a closer replica to a vintage triumph than our bonnies. Two bikes Later, I finally brought home my TBA. 10 yrs, a few stupid things on my part, and she is still bullet proof! Yep Ill always be hoooked. (would'nt mind the new T-bird either)
As it happens, the local indie shop has a W650 and a orange and white T-100 on the lot. Would really like to take the T-100 and make a Rocker out of it!

I have been riding Triumphs for a very long time and love my speedy but love the rest of the Triumphs I have too though. Would really like to get a 37 Speedting but probably not going to happen in my lifetime. Also want to build a new chopper like my 66 but using the new 360º engine out of a modern Bonnie. I would like to add an R3T too.

I've owned 3 british bikes A 72 BSA, 79 Bonnie and a 02 Bonnie america. They have a look, that can.t be matched.Header pipes comming out from each side of Frame.
Looks like a beast.My bike has been through alot in 11 years and I keep working with ins. co. to stay her owner.
I feel next time might be the end of my ownership of a great. well built motorcycle.

I don't see me ever getting rid of mine. I got tired of riding my Gold Wing, sold it and thought I was done. Bought a convertible to compensate . Couple of years later and the America/Speedmaster caught my eye. Spent almost a year trying to talk myself out of buying one, but finally gave in to the temptation in '06.

Now that I've stopped working, I'm not using it as much. Since I don't really need to be anyplace, I'm putting a couple hundred miles a week on the bicycle running errands. But I did move the Triumph out of the garage today, so I could get to the wife's scooter, and it still brought a smile to my face. I didn't sit on it making motorcycle noises, but it was close. I left it closest to the door, so I will be taking it out for a spin soon.

Owned bikes in the past starting with Suzuki then two in Europe BSA and Montessa. No motorcycles for many years then rented a couple in Arizona and was hooked again. Friend had a new Bonneville took it for one ride and said this is right. Visited local Triumph dealer and liked the Speedmaster so much I bought it although not before showing Jane what I wanted. She said lets do it and what kind of jacket to I get to wear.

Ive owned more than 40 bikes in my time....almost all european or american...this is my second tba and Ive put the grand total of 500 miles on it.....in the 7 days since I picked it up.
This is my favourite of all my bikes so far.
Im sitting in our holiday caravan (trailer to some of you) at the foot of the Sussex Downs,enjoying the beautiful view-its blue and white with a gold coachline on the tank!
Al

...adding to this great thread....only riding 2+ years, and owned a 250 Virago, a Star 650, and then the America....but had my eyes on the Triumph from the beginning. My better half fell in love with the America when she started riding a few months before me, and I sat on a Daytona and starting thinking..."I'm going to do this too..." ...was looking for an America from the start and ran into the 2009 with low mileage and haven't looked back since. Enough power and enough moxie to make it great. ...and nothing against the folks that love 'em, but I have no interest in the "Harley" thing and what it represents... I'll just keep on dressing up the America!

Ernie