Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Big Decision

I've been offered 2 different Triumphs for my DL650
V-Strom. First offer: 2004 Bonneville Black 5500 miles, solo seat, tach, braded lines, center stand. Second offer: 2003 Speedmaster 4400 miles, pipes, saddle bags. Could really use some help here. Both look like great bikes. Don't hold anything back.

Thanks,
T4

You're on a speedmaster/america site, so you can guess what the bias of opinions will be. Obviously they're both great bikes and mechanically they're almost identical, so it comes down to a preference of style. The immediate thing that comes to mind is that the speedmasters are more comfortable on long distance rides. People on here who've ridden a bonneville (including myself) invariably love immediatley their nippy handling for the first fifteen minutes. Then their butts start complaining about the plank-like seat and they can't wait to get back on their own bike.

I'd suggest you take both for a decent ride and see how you feel about them.

Matt

Thanks Matt, I figured folks here would be a bit bias, but I also figured most had spent some time with both bikes. Now the Suzuki is nearly maintenance free, is this the same for Triumphs?

Thanks again
T4

come on fellas help me out here. I need your input. The magazine reviews are totally one sided. I want the real deal.

I don't believe there is any such thing as a maintenance free motorcycle.

It's like buying a new pistol or camera. If it feels good in your hand - buy it. Both bikes are great. I would love a standard Bonny or T100 - I love them, they're in my blood. Maybe when I can afford a second or third bike, I'll have another.

It's a totally different riding position between the two bikes, and that's the main difference between the 2. Really this is a decision you should be making on your own. Go on a sport bike board and you'll hear most say they don't know how we ride bikes with forward controls. Go to a cruiser site and it's the opposite. If you can't test ride those bikes if they're not local, at least find a Triumph dealer and amaybe they'll let you ride them.

There is going to be more frequent maintenance on these Triumphs than the VStrom, but the difference isn't much. IIRC, the Vstrom says to adjust the valves every 15,000 miles, on our bikes it's every 12,000 miles. Oil changes and chain/sprocket maintenace and longevity are going to be about the same. Vstrom also has fuel injection which CAN be more durable than carbs and easier to maintain.

The styling is very different, but the mechanicals are similar. The seat and riding position are the differences you should be most concerned with. What it boils down to, would you rather ride like Marlon Brando or Peter Fonda?
The Speedmaster is slightly heavier and is geared lower. This means the Bonneville will be marginally faster, but the Speedmaster noticably quicker. Also, the Bonneville will have a very slight edge on a twisty road but the Speedmaster will do better in traffic and is a little more stable, which makes it a better choice for long highway runs.
Most people who have never ridden with forward controls find the Speedmaster and America a little awkward at first, but usually get used to the bike in a few miles and love it.
If you decide on the Speedmaster, then find the low handlebars are less than comfortable, it is easy to change to the America ones.

My totally unbiased opinion says to get the Seeedmaster.
But then again, the Bonnie is a year newer, but it's not as cool as the SM. but it has cooler retro looks.
Ah heck, either way you can't go wrong. You're still welcome even if you do buy the "other" bike.

The Speedmaster is a cooler looking bike but the seat height and riding position are closer to what you are used to with your current ride.

If you want a cruiser get the Speedmaster, sporty upright position get the Bonneville.

As Dinqua said, the mechanicals are all the same.

Having owned a Bonneville and now an America the America/Speedmaster is much more comfy for longer rides and has a lower CG...if you plan on quick hops here and there then either will do, but I might lean toward the Bonny...if you plan on long cruises...Speedy will get you there in more comfort...but either way you really can't lose...and ultimately...well it's your bike...and your call!

there are guys on this site with 40-50k on their odometers that have done nothing but chains/sprokets and tires, i have almost 20k and have done nothing. i have a 1972 Triumph that has 112000mi that still has original pistons rings and complete bottom end i am looking forward to achieving that with my 2002 America. The diff. between the America/Speedmaster and the Bonnie is sitting position. so whichever you are more comfortable with is the answer to that question. with a few easy minor and inexpensive mods either will be fast enough for you.

I vote for the Speedy, but I am not biased. Not.

Dave

halo,
Go here, he wants to trade a Speedy for a Vstrom Link to Speedmaster trade

We are talking, but Colorado is a long way from home. His bike looks great, but so does the Bonnie.

Tony,
Make the trade and some of us will meet you for your ride to Colorado and back home. I'll even venture from my home in Alabama to meet you somewhere (if funds are available - not asking for support, just declaring an excuse).
BTW - Michigan ain't that far from Colorado. Man, there's folks here that ride from New York and Canada all the way to Georgia to show everyone how they can't drink like they used to. Go get your new SpeedMaster!

If you are into unique, yeah, trade ...

These bikes are going to be known ...

For ? cost, unique, yesterday brought back ...

I put another 462 miles on my Speedmaster Saturday. Just can't get enough...

I can't even figure out why everyone disses the stock seat!

I would love a Rocket III for the really long days, but these machines are certainly up to the task. Big enough to take it without wearing you out, and stable enough to make you want to go do it again tomorrow. I still can't get the grin off my face after a 400 mile day! Incredible.