Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge First look

I saw my first live America today. My local dealer finally got one in. He asked me what I thought while I sat on it, not running, not moving, just grinning. He said I can take a test drive next week. (What day is today?)

Now, the downside. It's heavy. My last bike was a 1967 Norton Commando that I sold in the late 70's. Compared to the America, it feels like could pick the Commando up and carry it upstairs. The guy I bought it from had stripped it (bobbed fenders and chain guard, one-person saddle, no battery, side panels, small aluminum oil tank, etc.) but even so, the weight of the America surprised me.

The dealer said I would get used to it, and I guess I will as soon as I buy one, because I'm going to.

Standing still, it was just comfortable. Mount a TV in front of the speedo, and I'll never need to get off it.

I dont thing the America is heavy at all...but then again I looked at a slew of bikes before I found it.
When in motion it doesnt feel like much under you at all!
Itll also feel different after the first 500 miles.
We just got back from having my girlfriends America serviced and she said the same thing I did after I got mine back. The motor doesnt feel as loose now and it sounds a little better. I can say for sure after about 1000 miles I dont feel the need to get it through the gears so fast. Turns out five speeds is enough

Heavy....Try lifting one onto a flat bed (ie not a bike) trailer... Then you can say it's heavy! Really we did... And everyone - myself included - was surprised as to how heavy it was. It doesn't feel that heavy on the road. And if I can pick one up from horizontal anyone can...

And you are right. If you test ride one you'll buy it.

That Norton and the America are not that far apart in actual weight. The America does have a bigger feel though ,wider tank, wider bars , fat saddle seat. Stock Norton that is. And that big feel will be gone very soon once you ride it and see how well it handles the road. If you were an old Norton guy the exhaust will probably be way too quiet , can,t hear what the engine is doing.

I too am a guy who was used to the old Brits but with a few changes (exhaust , Freak , AI removed , rejetted , different bars etc..)I love mine

Dry weight of my '73 Commando was 464lbs. Dry weight of the America is 497lbs. Only a little over 30lbs difference. Of course it's hard to tell what the stripped down Commando weighed. Pretty close in their stock form actually.

Maybe I'm just getting old.

While it's heavier than a new Daytona, an America or Speedmaster is anywhere from 50 to 300 pounds lighter than other cruisers. I've never ridden an America, but the wide bars on the Speedy make it steer very light. And, ahem, I have had to pick it up twice (not lift though) and it's pretty easy.

As everyone implied, by cruiser standards, this is as light as they come. If a cruiser is what you want and you're concerned with weight, this is the one for you. Oh, and you can pick it up - I've done it a time or two.

Something has to be said about balance and the way the weight is distributed. I have never owned a bike that is as easy to ride and control than my America.

where in MD do you live?
and Please , if you are buying from Petes Cycle , be
careful.
they are not the most honest dealer.

look in the rides and rallies section, there is a ride next
sunday to Butlers Orchard in Germantown.

Pete

I’m curious also. Where in Maryland are you? There are a lot of us throughout MD cruising around the state. If you want to see all the models go by Clinton Cycles in southern MD. They have them all in stock.