Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Help me please. Valkyrie or Speedmaster?

I've posted this on the Valkyrie board and on this triumph board so help me!

I am a 300 pound man with a decision to make: buy a second hand Valkyrie or a brand new Speedmaster.

I have ridden both and like them both. My first bike is A yamaha XS650 twin cilinder bike. Love the engine concept. Still own it

so help me deicide. VAlkyrie or Speedmaster.
and tell me why I should choose either way.
Thanx

I too weigh in at 300 lbs., am perfectly satisfied with my TBA with it pulling this weight with no problem. I just put a 19 tooth sprocket on mine and am anxious to try it out when the darned rain stops here.

And me !!!!

No probs with the TBA. I had a Yammy TDM850 - (parallel twin) so I love the TBA.

Speedy V Valk ?? two completely different machines - What about a Rocket III ?

Hey Meks
I was 310 and have an America.
Don't worry about your weight - as long as the bike feels comfortable, the bike will more than handle you

We're obviously biased but I would go for the America .. sorry, I mean Speedmaster

The Triumph should be okay IF you don't plan on riding two up. If you have plans to take a passenger now and again, then I would recommend the Valkyrie over the smaller bike in consideration of your size/weight plus the passenger.

Its all in what you really like. Power is a Valkyrie plus, agility and looks go to the Speedmaster ( power is fine, it just comes in second in this equation ).

Just get the Speedmaster. You won't regret it.

Soren

The really big difference is that, unless you just decide that you want something different, you will probably still be riding the Triumph 10 or 20 years from now. If you get the Valkyrie, you probably wouldn't even remember it by then.

300 pounds. I am gonna commit heresy and say if you are that big ya need some extra ju ju juice.

My wife and I on my speedmaster weigh in together at 325 pounds.

Once again the bike will handle the 325 pounds but if you weight in that range alone .....you need more juice than the speedmaster will give you at that rate.

The valkyrie will barely breathe hard with 300 pounds on it.

Add your body weight and a possible passenger and perhaps some luggage and the speedie is breathing way to hard IMHO.

I'm about 250lbs my wife is 130lbs, we have done lots of miles both dressed in leathers, with the bike full laden (you know how much stuff a woman needs for a few dyas away)

I wouldn't say it was fantasic handling but the thing did pull and track well round the twisties.

Oh the America and Speedie will handle the weight but not with the same degree of aplomb the much more powerful Valkyrie would.

In all honesty I weigh in at a very lean 185 at just under six foot two. My wife adds the rest of course and with a little luggage I still feel ideally that... for a really optimal two up bike the America, Speedie is dying for the whole big bore, cam upgrade for added ju ju juice with a big load.

A Valkyrie or another larger Metric cruiser is a better fit for a major over the road tourer when compared to a stock America or Speedmaster.

well i,m 6'4" 300 lbs and ive had no problems with two up ridin on the tba(between us we're over the 440lbs rating ) ,i wouldnt want to go on a long long trip, but for your general messin around ,day trips etc its ok (solo no problems at all ) ,if you plan on lots of long touring trips two up , maybe a bigger bike may suit you better . good luck

I'd have to look at fuel economy. I have 4 friends on Valkyries, and they love them. Super motorcycles! But they get 33-35 mpg. Most of us here get 48-50 mpg. If I had a Valkyrie, I'd be replacing the rear tire about every 3 months. There are a few hefty members here that will assure you, the Speedmaster should be more than enough to haul you through Europe. I weigh 230 pounds, and I am happy AND satisfied.
Yamaha 650: I had a 1974 TX650A (XS) and put 37,000 miles on it in 2 years. I rode that thing everyhere on the west coast of America from Mexico to British Columbia. My only complaint as it numbed my crotch in 30 minutes. Other than that, it as bullet proof. That was the first bike that I considered "cheating on Triumph".

Me and my wife are around the same as Grip and have had no problems.Dont forget the Valkyrie is one ugly bike with no soul,style or street cred.

Nick

You won't find anyone here suggesting the Valk...

Thanx for all the comments so far, fun stuff to read
ride safe,

Wouter.

P.S. I am so close to making a choice. Next weekend I'm hiring a speedmaster an taking it for a trip....

If you plan on large amounts of time in the saddle I'd go with the Valk. They are bigger & I think better suited for long distance riding. If you don't plan on going coast to coast get the Speedy. You won't be disappointed.

I've met this Yota and I would tend to believe
his point of view.
Hey Yota!!!
BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!

Get the Highway Blaster so you can honk!

They’re not really comparable. It’s like trying to decide between a sport sedan and a conversion van. Other than having the same number of wheels they don’t have much in common. The Speedmaster is a great all around bike, not as good as an America but pretty good. The Valk is really at home on the highway where sporty handling and tight quarters maneuvering is not an issue.

Yeah,
what Larry said. Just let us know what you decide on. we won't hate you either way, but if you come to our rallies on a Valk, your lady better be on a Speedy/America.

If the Valk is even a consideration, then why would you NOT consider the Rocket III? There are some "pre-owned" Rockets available in some parts of the world, but maybe not where you are?

The Speedy will do anything you want, and I think you have enough references here to attest to that.

Rocket III or a big Honda is my vote if you only have one bike, and I am only 230.

Actually, I would jump to the Rocket III over a Valkyrie, if you want a big bike, that one feels real good, balanced and all,....and it has a LOT of power.

I've ridden both the Rocket III and the Valkerie and for the ergos alone (especially foot placement and also for shifting) I would choose the Rocket III every time. Also better balance/handling and when you open up that Rocket throttle the Valkerie will seem anemic by comparision.

I do have to admit however that the Honda motor is extremely smooth to the point where you sometimes wonder whether or not you've turned the key and fired it up.

On the subject of the Rocket III: I can fall in love with it's performance but the looks.......the footpegs are one a tube along the engine, the intake side is one big lump of Chrome and not to forget Butt ugly IMHO.

Plus It's way to expensive for my taste. I'm stretching as it is. these babies sell here for 25k euro. I live in holland. So lets wait for this weekend......

I am 285 and the America suits me just fine... When 2-up, the bike is still fine for short runs and even for longer days. I still have stock shocks, so I think an upgrade will be a big help