Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Speedmaster Vs. America Vs. Kawasaki Custom 900

Hey Folks,

Last year I was set on buying an America, unfortunately I had to move and this put my biking dreams on hold till this year. However, with the recent changes to the '07 line-up I am torn between 3 bikes. This will be my first ever bike and need a little advice.

Firstly, what are the fundamental differences between the new Speedmaster & America and which would you choose? The second question is have you ever ridden a Kawasaki 900 (Classic or Custom) and how would you compare it to a Triumph?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Ceuls

07 triumphs are only different outside have no idea about Kwak 900 but on Triumph you will be different on Kwak another bloke with V twin

I used to own an America, I sold it for a bigger bore bike, (Yamaha 1700 Road Warrior). I have now sold the Warrior and am looking to get a Speedmaster this time. They are essentially the same bike, the Speedmaster has dual front disc brakes and the flatter drag type bars (which I prefer). Can't go wrong with either one................

Well this looks like an original post.
I think there are no 'fundamental differences'. The bikes are essentially duplicates. The America has chrome and longer bars, the Speedmaster has dual disks. Sit on both and take the one you like.
I would suspect the Kawasaki is a more powerful machine and may be a better long-hauler or for 2-up. But there's something to be said for not having to try to pick yours out of a lineup, and you wouldn't have that Triumph personality that generates all the conversations that come from owning a Triumph... I mean really, how many times have you heard of someone running through traffic to catch you and say: "Man, that's a gorgeous bike, I used to own a Kawasaki back in the day!" Don't know if there is anyone here that hasn't had someone ask about their Triumph. That's got to be worth something.

Interesting question: My brother is considering the same bikes along a Honda 1300.

I have an '06 America and love it. It has been trouble free in 5,000 miles and I would buy another one in a heartbeat---except that Kawa is really a neat bike. We went to the dealer to ride one yesterday but he had sold the last one on the floor before we got there. We're going back next week.

The two concerns with the Kawa are the skinny front tire. Lot's of bikes are running them but that is a skinny patch for 70% of your stopping power. The other is there are few aftermarket parts for the Custom right now. But it is an incredible value. Fitted out with winshield, luggage rack, bags etc, it is cheaper than the America and has FI, and belt drive.

I don't think you can go wrong either way but I love my America.

Buy the Kawasaki, they have tons more character then the Triumphs.
The Kawasaki will hold it's value much better.
Everyone will be envious of your Kawasaki.

Ok, NOT NOT NOT!
Buy the Triumph only if you truly like non-standard finely built machines that will give you years of fun and you don't mind getting jaw cramps from days on end of grinning.

Ceuls,
You should sit on each and see what fits you best. The Speedmaster has flat bars and it's a little longer reach from the seat. The America bars pull back more and probably helps if you have shorter arms and torso. I'm 6'2" and I like the fit of the Speedmaster.

The America comes with a two piece seat. You can leave the passenger seat on, or you can remove it for a bare fender look. The Speedmaster has the one-piece gunslinger seat which is unpopular with passengers. The Speedmaster has dual front disk brakes, where the America only has a single front disk. The Speedmaster used to be geared lower, but I don't know if that is still the case. Anyway, that's an easy fix with a different front chain sprocket. Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of cosmetic differences.

Regards,
Cody

Seems its the season to buy bikes,3 people I work with one just picked up a Yammie, One Is looking into a Tiger...but the third was weighing the 900 kwak agaist the America.
And for all the reasons that Redbike mentioned he went with the Kwak.

I told next him spring when I park my America next to His kwak,He will regret his choice.And there may be a "matter of honor" 1/4 miler comming up.

i looked at and was on both bikes in 2005. to be honest, i didn't like the weight and balance if the 900 kwa. the difference for me with the triumphs was the color. i wish my green america had the black engine. chrome is not my thing.. i may go with the 904 bore kit at a later date. america has been a greta bike for 8500 miles. love those corners!!!

SInce when was the gearing changed for the Speedmaster and the America? I have not seen anything stating a change, so why assume?

The Kaw is a nice bike, but more of the same. Pick what lights you up. If you cant get a feel good for any of them, then you havent found the right bike yet.

That's funny. I don't think you're going to find anyone here who will recommend the kawasaki. That's like going into a Ford forum and asking if it would be better to buy a Ford truck or a Chevy truck.

So eliminating the Kawi from consideration, deciding between the two Triumphs is strictly a matter of personal preferences and no one can really help you with that.

The Kwak is almost 100 pounds heavier.
Buy the Speedmaster.
The America has only one front brake.
Buy the Speedmaster.
The flat bars are better over 100mph.
Buy the Speedmaster.

As everyone else has said the america and speedy are essentially the same so the choice there is a personal one. While I've not seen the Kwaka 900, a friend of mine purchased a kwaka 800 vulcan (basically the same bike you're looking at) about 12 months after I bought my america (despite my attempts to change his mind). I've had my nose stuck into his bike when I installed an alarm, and have ridden it several times.

It's a nice enough bike to ride, nothing stuck out as being particularly bad, then again nothing stuck out as being particularly good either. It's got more low-end torque than the 790cc america, tho the newer 865 engine probably fixes that. However when I started pulling it apart to put the alarm in it became obvious that it wasn't as well built as the triumphs. The plastic bodywork is thinner and flimsier, nothing fits together quite as well, and electrically I'd call it sub-standard with minimum gauge wires, none of the waterproofing grease on the electrical connectors that the triumphs have, and design oddities like having to completely remove the battery (which is buried beneath the seat) to change a fuse. Overall I'd say the small price difference is simply the price for quality.

If you're interested in catching the admiring gaze of others, forget the kwaka. His bike was less than 24 hours old and mine was a year old and I rode into the city centre with him so he could take it for a spin. We parked the bikes and went for coffee. Upon returning to the bikes we had 3 separate people come and admire my bike and despite my attempts to divert them to his brand new machine (to sooth his wounded ego) they all wanted to talk about my Triumph, rather than his japanese, rice-burner, V-twin clone.

I was very interested in this post. If I buy new, it will be between a Speedmaster and the Vulcan 900 custom. I've sat on both bikes and as far as that goes, the Speedmaster feels more comfortable. I would guess the Kaw. will be faster. Belt drive is also nice. But, the Speedmaster just seems to "speak" to me more.
Let us know what you decide.

The last issue of Motorcycles Consumer News had a write up on the kwak. I took it to work so don't have it here for reference, but I do recall that it weighs 600lbs (wet) and has about 47 hp.

Kaw faster? Thats a stretch. Its heavier, not as balanced ( nothing to do with speed, but it does with feel ), and the design, the look isnt as pure, of course it me too looking bike.

my two cents.. I prefer British Steel than Japanese tin or American Iron.. but that's just my two cents

Wow!, Seems like the same 3 Bikes I was looking at only I was also looking at the Suzuki C50T also. I really liked the C50T untill I rode the America. The Suzuki and the Kawasaki to me both felt a little top heavy and had really Wide Tanks that were not comfortable for me, they both rode ok and had some nice features Then I rode the Speedmaster and Loved everything except the seating position a little aggressive for me. Than The America well all I can say is I took it home that day and never regretted for an instant!! What I guess I'm trying to say is Ride them all, than make your choice I love my Triumph the most IMPORTANT thing is Ride Safe and Enjoy!!

Well, I had the Kawasaki 800A (now they are 900cc) and it was a fine machine BUT in all honesty it does not compare in quality or fit to my Bonnie America. The price for them is comparable but the build quality (in my opinion) is in the Bonnie. Also, I think the ride comfort and performance is better on the Triumph....That being said, Kawasaki makes a good machine but I just think the Trumps are better from my own personal experience.

Ride the one that speaks to you. Since the Triumph is English you'll be able to understand it.

Okay Ceuls,

I gots one question for ya buddy:
When ya see those ads on TV and/or in the newspapers about some high(or at least middle)-brow movie that's just hit the theaters(or is about to), do they say..."The critics agree! It's a Kawasaki!"?...OR...do they say, "It's a TRIUMPH!"???

I mean, those two german gents who moved to England over a hundred years ago and started this legendary concern evidently knew something about picking the "right name" for their motorcycle business, wouldn't ya say?!

Disregarding the relative merits of your choices here(and admittedly there are considerable pluses on the Kawasaki's side of the ledger too)....Doesn't just the name TRIUMPH "sound" a little more enticing to you?

(I rest my case)

Triumph is a tougher bike meaning it is built better but Triumph did not give you a radiator,belt drive,floor boards, bags, windshield or dealer network. If you want a belt drive on your triumph you need to spend another 800 bucks. If you want bags and a good windshield you will be about another 800 bucks out. Floor boards, 200 bucks.

Kawasaki LT I think, is the dressed one with floor boards, bags and windshield for about 8500. Triumph cant tough that.

The Kawasaki is much more mechanical bang for the buck. Then again Japan Inc. always has been.

Now if you are a banker, the Kawasaki will also depreciate as fast as the Triumph so the Kawasaki is the clearly the first choice.

(Only one problem, you are not a banker)

You don't ride a Triumph, you arrive on one and people are humbled in its presence. You don't own a Triumph, you are its proud caretaker.

I have a Triumph. My Triumph is not for sale.

Your question is a no-brainer.

I thank you all for your input, it was greatly appreciated! You will all be glad to hear that I purchased (put a deposit to reserve one that is not yet in) a new black Speedmaster today!!! Fillo, hopefully I will have a chance to ride with you this summer.

Ceuls

Look forward to seeing you at the Kootenay Raid in Nelson this July.

The two Triumphs we love so much on this site are really two good parallel twin sportbikes with raked out front forks and cruiser styling. Crotch rockets, no, but light and nimble for great handling, and well-built to withstand what mother nature throws at you.

For a first bike, (it was mine), I can't think of anything better to learn on. Big enough to do it all, and sporting enough to enjoy doing it. A heavier bike you would not drag out and ride as often.

Depending on where you ride, you may ride for days or weeks, and never see another Triumph!

The one difference that really matters between the America and Speedmaster is the seating position due to the different handlebars. So, sit on both and let your back decide. Now, if you like the feel of one, but just have to have the look of the other, it is possible to change the bars for a lot less money than you can change the look.

As for the cow, the Triumph is the only motorcycle of this size that I would recommend for a first bike because they are exceptionally well behaved. Far eastern built bikes are mostly made too instable because that makes them more nimble in the hands of a very experienced rider. I wouldn't recommend anything larger than a 400 class commuter bike from Japan or China to start out on.

The 2007 model of the America I feel has lost the classic design of a head turning head turning cruiser that the 2006 model had. It was equal to any Harley in looks and sounds (if straight through pipes fitted) especially when the sun sparkled off the chrome wheel spokes. Although I like Triumphs idea of a slightly larger engine, I think it has lost that something with the alloy wheels. And with fuel injection to be used on 2008 models will further lose that link with the past.
I have a 2006 model America and a 2006 model Daytona (all black) last production run. To suit my bike mood.

In closing if you want a bike with that something special and history that will turn heads look no further than the America

Cancel the third and flip a coin between the first two (speedmaster or america)either will do you fine

"A heavier bike you would not drag out and ride as often."

I agree with this statement. My Mean Streak is about 700lbs. "wet." Sometimes I just don't want to have to roll it out of the garage. My Magna (500lbs.) I rode about 7,000mi. per year, my Mean Streak about 3,500mi. last year. That is why I am thinking Speedmaster.

Triumph has among the lowest of the Sheeple factors