Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Looking for advice

I'm looking for my first bike after passing the Motorcycle Safety foundation basic rider program. I am looking at various cruisers (used harleys, suzukis, yamahas). I recently found a Triumph dealer who had a 2006 America. I must admit it is a great looking bike with a nice price tag ( about what I would pay for a used harley sportster ). I have two concerns 1) my size I am 6'2" 220 lbs. Is the 790cc America going to be too small for me? and 2) the engine size 790cc. The dealer told me the 65 hp it generates is comparable to a harley 1200 cc. Is this accurate? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

I clock in at 250, plus about 20 lbs of leather. Not a problem. I'm 6' with a 32" inseam and I'm ok. You can tweak riding position with bars, pegs, etc. No worries.

Thanks for your advice

Imho, you will probably feel too big for a sportster. The more relaxed position of the america is better suited to people our size. On paper, the power is comparable to a sporty - but if you read the tales here, the america has no problem keeping up with most harleys.

Thank you.. you both are making my choice easier..I keep reading about mechanical problems with the harleys, and I've heard nothing but positive about the newer triumphs.

Explore this site- check out the photopost and all the different forums here. You'll find all kinds of info and ideas from people that have owned many different types of bikes.

As a plus - It is truly a unique ride - I don't think there is any member here that hasn't been apporached by the general public with positive comments and questions. Your 'other brand' riding buddies with get tired of people passing their bike to compliment yours.

6'1" 225 35" inseam here with no problem. Go for it.

Humper, I just passed the MSF course about two months ago and my first bike is a 04 America. I am 6’1” and I am at 225 pounds. I am as happy as I can be with my bike! I have taken the bike to a local parking lot and practice all of the skills that were in the class. Other than the bike not liking to be lugged around a parking lot, everything else was easy to do maybe except the figure 8 things in the box.

Most of the time when I am riding, I use half throttle or less. The only time I am over that is when I am in traffic and I am just keeping up. I have only had it to full throttle a hand full of times and that was just because I was curious. It is fast, recently I was pulling on to an interstate and I opened it up on the entrance ramp. To my surprise, the guy that was tail gating me was way back there. I remember my first thought was oh crap! So it surprised me.

Sines then I have taken two 200+ mile trips to and from the Blue Ridge Parkway and wait until you can actually practice counter steering. I know in class they told us to turn left push left and to turn right push right, but I never really could get the feel of it in the little course we was on. The America does it so well and very predictable, I mean it is a real pleasure. And the front brake is great! You just keep squeezing and it just keeps stopping. The bikes we had in class were a little weak in that department.

Lastly while the MSF course is still fresh, I recommend a book called Proficient Motorcycling. This guy really wrote the book to motorcycle safety and this is where the MSF gets a lot of its info. However the book has 10 times the amount of info and really makes of all that stuff they told you in class more practical.

How a bike fits you is such and individual thing, and what one guy finds comfortable another may not. Best thing to do is try and pull a demo ride from that dealer.

As far as power goes, it's enough to keep up with most bikes as long as the speeds are sane. It'll do 115-120 mph if you push the bike to it's limits and that's more than enough for most people. A stock 1200 puts out around 68hp, so the numbers are close, but the Harley has more torque, and they need it since they weigh about 50 lbs more than our bikes.

It's only when you get to riding 2 up with luggage on a trip going up mountain grades and into headwinds that our bikes show their lack of performance. since you're a solo rider, and you should be until you get some experience in the saddle, the America is a good first bike for you, and for many of us it's all the bike we'll ever need.

Thank you all for your great advice. Vwone I'll check out the book.

Actually no, it has MORE HP than lots of the H-D's..
More HP than my Softail Deuce, but I also have a SpeedMaster... totally different animals...
Neither comapres to my 1200 Bandit (98 hp)or the FJR 1300 (145 HP) ...but those a 4 cyl and totally different...
Go take some rides and see whatcha like! <G>
It aint' all ithe HP or even torque... it's the feeling you get riding... as well and handling and comfort...
Good luck,
Mary

Humper forget the stock hp; most of us have done simple mods to increase the hp and torque. And one of our members(Dinqua) is working on a set of carbs that give better overall response. If you want to go further there is the big bore kit that will increase your hp even more. So don't worry about hp figures.......Angelis

If its a BLACK one, you should fit just fine.

Go with the TBA,,,,I'm 6'2" and 220? (my drivers lic still says 185) and my TBA just hauled me non-stop (except for gas stops) 800 miles at Interstate + speeds.....no problem..the bick is comfortable, fast enough and you will always be able to find your bike in a parked crowd ! and I've just turned 17K on the odometer..many here have many more miles than that... great bike

Im 6ft 190 lbs and do a lot of 2 up riding carring my 125lb
(so she claims wife). have had abouslutly no problems with the New England hills or passing or getting to speed quickly. Weather solo or carry the (125 my a$$) spouse.
and my bike is still completly stock.

Too many american riders still think bigger is better...it dont work that way my friend.

Welcome aboard Humper.

I'm biased but I'd say get the bike!
If more performance is your bag (though I doubt you'll need it) then mods are really cheap compared to the H-D equivalent - MUCH cheaper I believe.

You'll have a good bike that stands out from the usual line of bikes, it will be a genuine rideable bike and you'll have money in your pocket ... that is until you discover Brent's site

Ride safe.

Hey Humper,

My wife has a 1200 sporty and I have an 06 America. I'm also a new rider.

I haven't made any changes from stock yet. Apparently they make a big difference. But I can say with certainty:

--The HD 1200 is much faster if you don't mod the America.
--The America is a much better ride, much better in turns, much more comfortable. And you are not wildly overpaying for a bike.

I'm hoping to learn enough from these other folks to rememdy point number one.

Good luck.