Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge I'm a lurker!!!

Hello everyone. I've been a lurker on this site since November. That's when I started looking for a motorcycle. I wanted something cheap to learn on and found an 85 Honda Shadow VT700 in December, then took the MSF course in January. From that time to this week I have put 10,000 miles on the bike.
This bike now has almost 53,000 miles on it. When I save more money I will be looking for something new. Right now I have my mind on either a Sportster or an America.
I've never been on any other bike but mine and the 250cc MSF bikes. My riding consists of commuting to work 50 miles round trip and two-up riding on the weekend. I like riding in the canyons here in California.
Does anyone have experience with a few different bikes? If I am comfortable on my shadow riding two-up how would it be with an America? Would it be a good bike for long trips?
When I've read posts on this board I see some people are concerned with what Harley riders think, and when I go into a Sportster forum, they are concerned about people calling their bikes "Girly Bikes". Does anyone actually have experience with people making fun of their bikes? Usually it seems to be non-riders that make negative comments like "you can't park your bike next to a Harley".
So far while I've been riding my Shadow I've never heard any comments. Me and my girlfriend rode to the Laughlin river Run and no one made fun of us like people said they would. One time we stopped at a Denny's on a rainy night nearby and there were dozens of Harleys in the lot. I rode around the lot a couple of times and I had no choice but to park within a group of these bikes. As we walked away I saw a group of guys staring at us in front of the restaurant wearing black and white patches. Oh no I thought, did I just park with a group of Mongols's bikes? We realized they were having a private party at a bar inside Denny's. As we walked inside a full patch Mongol looks at us with our helmets and our wet clothes and asks how the roads are. Then he says what are you riding, a sports bike(we have full face helmets)? I say,(my girlfriend says I said it shyly) "no I have an older Shadow". He just says "thats cool".
A few weeks ago we went to a local bar that we frequent and as I'm parking the bike, I hear the roar of Harley's pulling into the lot. They all park next to my bike and I realize they are Vagos. They just nod at us and walk inside.
The point is, if I ride a Shadow and havn't been laughed at yet, I wonder how I can be laughed at for riding a Triumph or a Sportster.
Well, I hope this post hasn't been too long. I appreciate any comments or advice. I'm sure I will have more questions.

If you would like to see any pictures of us and our rides {including Laughlin}, go to www.vidasalsera.com and click on the link to the left that says "Motorcycle Stuff"

You won't get laughed at on a Triumph, you'll draw a crowd.
At least that's what I've experienced.

Any questions, ask away.

Have a look at the pics in the member's galleries, under the
photo post section, you'll like what you see!

Uncle Charlie
(start with my gallery)

Hi Uncle Charlie. I'm originally from New Haven, CT. I moved to CA in December 2004.

David, very cool info on the treatment you got from the Mongols and the Vagos...I don't have a whole lot of experience with those clubs, but I hang with a few of the HA guys here and I get nothing but respect and positive comments...they know and respect the Triumph name. They will welcome all bikes in their shows and poker runs, but they don't like the Japanese bikes, especially sport bikes. they don't like the sound, and they don't like the sport biker mentality. Just an observation on my part...

There are bigger engine bikes out there, and faster bikes than the SM or BA....but classier? Nada...these bikes aren't Harley's...nor do they want to be...they're different, and vive la difference! I LOVE my BA and I absolutely THRIVE on the uniqueness of it. I love the sound, I love the looks, I love the attention it gets from people, I love the way it handles and how I can leave most bikes behind in the curves...I love how I can ride with the big boys, and get told after "That Triumph keeps up real good" ...yeah, she does...and I'm not just another V-twin rider...I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride, (wanted dead or alive)...and my steed is a Triumph America! 'nuff said...

I don't know how old you are, but I used to work at
the Agora Ballroom, on Whalley Ave in the 80's.
My mom(now 89)is from NH.
Shari(Mert)is from NH.

See, you have all kinds of connections already.

Look at the pics, and post, post, post.
Uncle Charlie

P.S. see my post in the lounge "Vintage Bike Show Today".

Quote:

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My riding consists of commuting to work 50 miles round trip and two-up riding on the weekend. I like riding in the canyons here in California.
Does anyone have experience with a few different bikes? If I am comfortable on my shadow riding two-up how would it be with an America? Would it be a good bike for long trips?

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No problem at all for two-up touring on the America/Speedmaster! There are members (like Moe) who routinely make big rides two-up. I put close to 40,000 mi. on my 2002 America with at least 50% with 2 riders aboard. Heck I can't even tell she's back there most of the time. I did put the Corbin passenger pillion on though which is quite a bit wider than the stock pillion.

All the best with whatever decision you make.

Welcome aboard!

Hmmm.. Mongols and Vagos. I don't like either. Both steal Harleys to feed their habits...therefore if you own the Sportster and those clowns roll into a Denny's most likely you won't be rolling out on your Sportster.
Goes something like this..create a diversion by hassling your girlfriend. You, of course defend her honor. Your bike has been scoped out. While you get your ****** beat your bike has been hopped and disappears.
Triumph. Like your Honda, the Mongols don't see it. It might as well be a Vespa.
Oh..the Sportster is a girls bike. The America(and Speedmaster)is not.
And..the girls who ride Americas are generally hot.
The America is just cooler than a Shadow. Has more power too. You will enjoy the bike as upgrades are plentiful.
You are in SoCal so you are going to see the good and bad in motorcycling. PM me if you want to see the good. Its all Triumph.

david,

ride what suits you best. if you worry about being laughed at for the ride you choose; seems like you could miss out on a lot of saddle time.

just ride...

mert

David,

First I love my America. Do I have experience on anything else? Not enough to give any advice. I would suggest if you can to take out the bikes that you are thinking of buying for test rides. Bring your passenger along so as to get an idea of how it will ride. I've never had any problems riding two up, these bikes are very versatile.

Now on the point of being laughed at....who cares what another person thinks? I ride with an older crowd, I've been given the nickname "the kid" and I'm 36. There is no one marquee that everyone rides. Every motorcycle manufacturer is represented. Each one of us ribs the others but it is all done in fun. From what I've seen the only people that ask why aren't I riding a Harley are a) people who don't ride and b) new Harley riders that mostly trailer their rides to events. Bottom line, get what you want and make sure it does what you want it to do. If it's an America great! We love the bikes here but bottom line I'm not going to tell you to buy something that you don't feel is right for you.

Enjoy whatever you get.

Hi Mert. Where in New Haven do you live? Can you ship me some Pepe's or Sally's pizza? I lived in Wooster Square for almost 7 years before I moved to CA. I can't find any pizza here that's as good. Does anyone one here in SoCal know of any good pizza places ?
Uncle Charlie, I'm 34. I know the name Agora Ballroom, but had never been there.