Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Second thoughts?????

The more research I do, the more I wonder if the America is going to serve my purpose. Dont get me wrong, I love the bike and if I was just going to be riding solo, the decision to buy would be a no brainer.
My concerns now are around its utilization for the 3 to 6 hour rides to Steamboat, Crested Butte, Sante Fe, etc., with my wife on the back for our regular long weekend-ers? Do I need a tourer as oppossed to a cruizer? (Between my girl and I, we are about 370lbs).
I keep hearing different opinions...
Whilst I do plan on riding quite a bit in the city I will be taking those longer trips as well once a month or so.
Hmmmmm. Can you folks offer your opinions?
Thanks!!

With the right accessories, this bike has made a great "touring" bike for many here. Everybody has their own opinions on what bits are needed, but a corbin seat and floor boards did it for me- 700mi in one day no problem.
And this bike gets along just fine with the wife and I (also 370lbs) and luggage.

One of our Moderators, Moe, recently turned 60k in my driveway. Yes, I have pictures but am habitually lazy about posting. He did many of those miles with his lovely wife, Lynn, on the back. Moe outdid himself by the way, but that is for another time and thread.

In the end, it is all up to what is comfortable for you. Make the best decision you can, and ride safe.

Ryan

I don't think power will be an issue but it's way hard to get the convenience factors of a real tourer on the america. I wouldn't say you'd miss much on a "3 to 6 hour ride" but some of the locales you mention sound like 1500 mile, multi-day trips.

The style and feel of the America are what keep me in the saddle but my advice would be to try out some purpose-built tourers along with the america and see what floats your boat.

Last weekend my Speedmaster passed 12,000 miles (since November 2005) on a 2-up 500-mile trip to Triumph Come Home. A few weeks back we had a 600-mile trip to Butler's Orchard. Most of those miles were on the slab at an indicated 80+ MPH.

We're almost in the same weight class as you two. We were also hauling saddle bags and a sissy bar bag. We were moving right along and loving it. Very few vehicles passed us. And we were very comfortable with a touring saddle with sheepskin butt pads.

I also use my Speedmaster for commuting, around-town errands and Sunday fun rides.

Look, the Speedmaster & America are middleweight cruisers, and they excel in that category. I love my Speedmaster. I LOVE IT!

That being said, I'm looking at also getting a Victory Vegas or Kingpin to add to the Speedmaster, for more heavy duty weekend or weeklong touring trips. Keep in mind those bikes are in the $16,000 range. The America and Speedmaster are around, what, $9,000? That's a huge difference!

Take some demo rides and test rides and compare.
Best of luck & ride safe.

Actually, am in Denver, CO. Sante Fe, probably the furthest ride we would take, is maybe 7 hours. But what you say makes sense; We wont be doing much multi-day touring so maybe will just stick with the America and see where the road takes us fro there.
Thanks for the help...

Power won't be an issue I rode my SM a week after I got it to Laconia NH from Poconos PA with both of us and gear and it rode wonderfully. Plenty of power too. I was about 215 at the time and Wendy wasn't far behind that so we were over 400 lbs just ourselves.I rode pretty much a steady 80 MPH and at times over 100 mph.

Another thing to consider is altitude compensation. Our bikes are carbureated, not fuel injected. If you do lots of large altitude changes out there in the West, that may affect you. Maybe some of the riders on this site from out that way could chime in with better info on this. Also, the new model Americas have the tubeless tires, which would be much easier to repair if on a long trip (rather than the older spoked America's tube type like mine.) Something like the Triumph Tiger might also be something to look at.

Gonna go against the flow here.
For what they are, these are great bikes.
Great around town and for those solo trips maybe up to 300 miles.
I really think that for serious two up riding where both can enjoy it, you need a bike designed for that purpose.

I've always thought that I need at least three or four bikes.

The SM, a (sport) tourer eg., Moto Guzzi Norge; A dirt or dual sport bike eg., KLR 650, and maybe a sport standard like the new Tiger.

I know some have and do enjoy two up on their BAs, SMs.
But there are better ways.

iron44,

Well, in a sense, you're right. Your Triumph has a charm that is very specific. It is a beautiful motorcycle that is highly upgradable. Before I wrecked my Speedy, I was very much into the...

..."British Iron" mystique.

But now, I am into the smooth touring feel of...

... German engineering. And I don't want to modify much.

Long story short = "It's all good."

-BT

After the 4th long distance ride, a week in which we only put on a little over 1000 miles, Robin told me she would never ride on the Triumph again. I removed the touring P-pad, the tall Sissy bar, put the rear pegs back to where they belonged and bought a land yacht, the Yamaha Royal Star Venture! She is more comfortable on the Venture than any of the Harley's I owned. The Triumph is all MINE!!! The problem with the Venture is that she wants to ride every weekend. I just found out today she has made reservations in Mammoth, in 2 weeks, for Friday and Saturday night. Something about wanting to pick up some bread at a bakery,and it would make a nice weekend ride. If I can get back early enough Sunday, I may still be able to make a short run up to Kernville and back on the Triumph.

get a Goldwing.

my ol and i (390 lbs total) rarely ride together but when we do it is for hours and hours. she has no complaints, nor do i.

Guess it depends on the person. Wendy had no issues on rides 1,000 miles plus before we got her her own bike.Only complaint she had was she couldn't change her foot position like I could. I ride my SM all over over 7,000 miles first season and that was with Wendy on the back for every mile!