Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Ultimately What Made You Decide...

Ultimately what made you decide on the America or the Speedmaster? For me it was the fact that I wanted a bike with a history and a heritage that wasn't a Harley. It also didn't hurt that the local dealer had one more 05 he had to clear out so he gave me a great deal on the bike. And the $500 in free gear sealed the deal. What was it about the America or the Speedmaster that made you ultimately seal the deal?

I have been riding Triumphs for over 30 years and wouldn't have bought anything else. Until they came back out with the Twin made in England and with a retro look I wouldn't have bought a new one either. I was on my way to Laconia NH with Wendy on the back and we have gained weight over the last few years so we were too heavy for my old chopper and it was getting too hot.So rather than kill that bike we went home got in the truck and went to buy a new one. I had planned on buying a new America off the floor since I went there with chrome and spokes in my head. Herm had a used SM in the basement he wanted me to check out. I didn't like the black engine or mags at the time. I did like the red and black paint. He threw a few things in to sweeten the deal. It only had 700 miles on it and he let me have it for $5,000 with a year warrenty still. So that made my decision. I now actually like the blacked out engine and mags. Oh it already had pipes and the AI had already been removed.

Wendys bike we bought the following year and got a similar deal. $5500 1,500 miles , yr warrenty still,windshield we sold,light bar installed,floorboards in the deal new that I put on, AI kit I installed,few others things tossed in.

In July of 2001, I purchased a 2002 Triumph Thunderbird, like this (except mine was to be Jet Black/Graphite Grey of course):



It was coming from England and was not to be here for a couple of months. While looking for pics of it, I found this:



which I believe was the first pic of the 02 BA on the web. Instant love!! Went up to Palm Beach Triumph a few weeks later (late-ish September) and there she was in all her glory. A few more dollars and I had swapped from the T-Bird to my baby. Rode her home that day.

Never regretted it and never looked back!

I was really looking for a used Road King when I found this Triumph near Atlanta and it was love at first sight. Then the 90 mile ride back home was so joyous I couldn't believe my luck...the fun in cycling was back in my life.

Turns out I'm happier with a higher reving motor and carving sweepers than I was just cruising along on my V-Twin Honda-Davidson. In fact, it became so much fun I talked my sweet wife into letting me buy a standard Bonneville (used of course) as a "Winter project bike"...the Triumph life is sweet...

I was looking for a bike and a friend mentioned there was a Truimph Dealer in town and he had seen the America/Speedmasters.

I had been all set to shop for a Japanese metric cruiser. Took one look at the Speedie in the showroom and it was so much purtier than all those Honders and Yamahammers and Suzuikis and what not. It won on pure looks and the mystique of the Triumph name.

My favorite bikes from my past were '69 Daytona 500 and a '71 Bonneville. I had a number of bikes after that but went 15 years without a bike. Many of my friends were buying Harleys and riding together. I wasn't interested until another friend asked if I'd seen the new Triumphs - they were making the classics again that were made better than the old days.

I actually went to the dealership 40 miles away to see the Bonny and T-100. They also had the Americas in all three colors. I drove the Mulberry/Graphite one home and never had an iota of buyers remorse. I've been riding for over 2 years with all my HD friends and wouldn't have anything else.

After the local Harley dealership told me they were doing me a favor for allowing me to buy a Silver Superglide for $1000 over MSRP. I decided to look at the Triumph's. It was love at first site and I got a leftover 2004 in January 2005 for $1000 off MSRP. I paid $6800 for my 2004 America and I have to say it's the best purchase I've ever made. When I sat on the bike it fit me like a glove and I felt that it wasn't to powerful or heavy for someone who hadn't ridden in a while.

The longer I have this bike the more I like it and she's really never had any problems worth mentioning. She attracts attention and is the ultimate old guy magnet. IMHO you can't buy a bike that will gather more comments or start more conversations for 3 times the money. It's the best value on 2 wheels.

After two hardly ever ride davidsons I new It has bonnieville time! Ever scince the thunderbird sport came out I've been wet at the mouth for years. Then I saw the forward controls, the gunfighter seat, the drag bars, etc. etc. etc.!!!!!!
I had one a couple of months later. At 248 miles and 6,500 bucks it was an easy choice to make.
Scott

It was like my wife-love at first sight. I had looked around and had no idea Triumph was making a cruiser-thought maybe a Bonneville would be nice. When I saw my first America, I said 'That's it.(Said that to my wife first time I met her and that was 33 years ago.) They sold the silver and ??? what ever they call that other color. Next I grabbed the Mulberry and like it better.

I would like better shocks and front springs and tires(original Birdgestones) but it's a good bike.

it all started in 2000, i had just had some carb work done to my 72 Triumph and a friend came over to the house on a new T-bird style bike, i sat on it and took it for a ride. seemed top heavy and tall, but fast, very fast. thought ok maybe?? i was happy with my 72 but was thinkin she is starting to show her age and miles (112000) so slowly i started lookin at what was out there. i rented a h.d. and was so sore after 24hrs i knew that i wouldnt be happy with that. i started lookin at the jap wannabes and hated that idea so was thinkin about that T-bird and could i live with the weight and all that new technology, didnt like watercooled and computer and all that, but it was a Triumph. then like Phil, i saw that same picture in a mag. well i went to the local dealer and ask when he would have one, then went to orlando to see one but the guy wouldnt make a deal but i was able to sat on it. i knew then, that was the bike for me. when i got back home and went to my local dealer a couple times he finally got a red one and a black one, i sat on the black one and havent gotten off of her since, it was love. the way i sit in the saddle, the spoke wheels, the speedo, the gas tank with the famous trademark dents for the knee squeeze, all the things that make Triumph what it has always been. first ride was to my Dads house and after owning a couple dozen bikes in my life he finally gave his seal of approval to this one and i knew i had done good.

Only a year ago did I decide to get another bike. I really did not know what to get. I looked at some BMWs (dualsports) but could not justify the bike for the kind of riding I was going to do here in SoFla. Then I was looking to get a jap cruiser, but after a couple of visits to the dealerships they all started to look the same.
I even looked at some Guzzis just because it's something different and I always loved the sound.
Then my wife dragged me into the Triunph dealership and the rest is history.

2 months and 900 miles later (remember, it's rainy season here in Florida right now) I truly enjoy the bike. It has enough power to giddy-up and plenty of comfort for me. Best of all I like the looks and the fact that it's not a v-twin.
Looks, p/w ratio, reliability, versatilty and my wife's encouragement were all the factors I needed to get her brand new out of the crate. Waiting for her to be assembled was the longest week in my life.

Always itching to ride.

Hmm....

I was in the middle of my access course (the course that allows me to ride a big bike) and all the way through I was adamant over two things
1 - I wasn't getting a new bike straight away.

2 - When I did it was gonna be a Bonnie Black.

The course was held in a portacabin next to the dealer. No loo. But loo in dealer. Went to loo and went to look at the Trumps. There was this used 03 in the corner. That was it. I wanted that bike, but showing some restraint I walked away. However I took one last longing look back....and someone else was looking at her!!!! So out came the debit card and a deposit placed.
Bank was visited next day and a loan sourced. Money in the bank 3 days later and paid for.
Then I failed my test...and she languished at the dealer for another 2 weeks.

I'd never heard of the America till that point.....nor the Speedmaster.

But I like spokes. That's why I wouldn't have a Speedie, or a new America. OK a PITA to keep clean, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Well I had decided I could no longer handle the sportbike riding position, and wanted to get a cruiser. I new I didn't want a H**ley.
After looking at everything, the two that were in the lead were the Moto Guzzi Jackal and the Speedmaster.
I searched cycletrader.com for both and found one of each within 30min of home. The Jackal was already sold, but the Speedy was just waiting for me! I only needed a short ride to know this was it. I liked the blacked-out engine, the wide bars and the twin discs.
Plus it was in Steelers colors!

It was the voices...

Honestly it was a combination of style,weight,ablity to carry pillion, the Triumph name wanted somthing differnt.

Wanted a shortrange cruiser, and under no curcumstances was I going to get a hardly.

It came down to America or Mid sized Kawi..then read a review of the bike, The final decideding factor was a comment by the writer.."It's not trying to pretend to be anything".

WOW....it was interesting to read all the stories and think about mine as well.....here goes:
Karen calls me asking what I think about her getting endorsed (that’s what they call it here in Wa). I agreed and a few weeks later I took my class, she took hers about a month later. So...now we can ride me legally but we still don’t own any...
After a few months of looking at Hondas, Kawasaki’s, Yamahas, HDs, etc...There was still nothing really grabbing me. I had us both convinced we needed to get Hondas, she would get the Shadow 750 and I would get the VTX1300. Went to look at em both a lot and each time I saw something else I didn’t like. After a while I was sure I would not buy a Honda.
Then came the used Victory at a HD dealer. Man I was so close to buying that bike! It was a black 8 ball and felt great with its forward controls and just sounded great.
Tax time came around and the refund made it my way...now I had the cash...still no bike that was really pulling at me.
Cruiser magazine had a 07 Cruisers issue. I was flipping pages and saw tiny picture of the Speedy at the bottom of the page. Huh! That looks interesting. Next step was looking the bike up on the interweb...looked nice. Small motor though. Everyone was telling me I needed an 1100. I wanted to see one so I found a local dealer and started the process of staring at the America and Speedy sitting next to each other on the sales floor.
I took Karen down to sit on it and she liked it. I knew I liked it and it felt great. Reach was good, foot position was good, bike sounded good for stock. Construction was by far superior to other bikes in the showroom and the sales people weren’t as snooty as the HD dealer. That Sportster felt like sitting on a 2x4 and all the other bikes didn’t feel good except for the Victory which was way over my budget for a first bike.
A few arguments later (about spending the money not the bike choice) I made the decision to go down and buy the bikes. It was snowing so there was no test ride. I got jerked around for a few hours and went to the other Triumph dealer the next day. 45 minutes later and I was now making payments on two brand new 07 Americas. The black one was mine and the black and red was Karens. Two days later they were delivered and after a quick spin through the parking lot I was on my way to the airport on a business trip. I got back a week later and it rained for the next three weeks….
4800 miles, five months later, some goodies and I have not a single regret! As a matter of fact what I have is excitement and joy, pride and prejudice (against everything else on the road) and a bike I can’t imagine not having!

I started looking into purchasing a bike last year. I had not even been on a motorcycle since I was 20 and that was 40 years ago when I had owned a Honda. I knew I had the bug though.
I looked at dual sports, naked standards, sport touring, and all the japanese metric cruisers. I never considered even looking at a Harley.
We had moved to Oklahoma City from Tulsa in March of 2007 and in April I happend to stop by Performance Cycles, our local Triumph/ Suzuki dealer.

There she was, sitting outside in front, flanked by a couple of Sportsters and a line of various jap cruisers. Upon seeing that spotless 2003 Black and Yellow Speedster, I think I actually said "wow" out loud.
It was kinda like the Speedmaster looked like Miss Universe and all the other bikes looked like old Bar flies.

I sat on it and it just fit me to a tee. I knew this was the bike I had been looking for. I loved the fact that it didn't have the standard v-twin and that it wasn't from the far east. When I found out that it had more horses than most 1100 cc v-twin metric cruisers I was amazed. I got the salesman to get the key and I fired her up. The after market BUB pipes that had been added gave off a mellow thumpy- thump and that sealed the deal for me.

I bought the bike that day and I smile every time I take off on a new ride. I will admit the first ride I took on her was a little touchy for me in the turns but it was just as pleasing to me as all the rest.



Bob

I was looking for a bike (after 15 years of not riding, and going through a divorce, it was time). Had looked at just about everything. I didn't want a bike that looked like a HD, if I wanted a HD, I would buy a HD. I could never in good conscience buy a Honda (just can't do it, it would be like ordering Pepsi on purpose).

I was actually keeping my eye out for a "real bike", a standard motorcycle, but nobody had one. Then one weekend while I was taking my son back to his mom's I decided to stop by a HD shop that was near my son's place... Except... it was no longer a HD shop, it was a Triumph shop (the HD shop moved several years before). There was a bunch of Bonnies and a couple Thunderbird sports parked outside.

Holy smokes!! Real Bikes!! Just what I was looking for (I have to be honest and say that I was one of the ones that did not know that Triumph was still around). However, the real treasure was inside the shop. Once inside, I sat on just about everything they had (they sell Triumphs and Guzzis). When I sat on the Speedmaster and the America, I knew that John Bloor had me in mind when they designed them both. Took me a while to decide on which one would suit me the best. Almost every weekend I was at the shop for some drool therapy to finally decide which one to get. Thanks to a little help from Speedracer and Nobby (He was on his U.S. Tour and I just happened to be at the shop when he pulled in) I finally decided on the Speedy.

Soren

I got rid of my 600 Suzuki Bandit and was really looking for a Kawazaki VN800, until I saw the america in the showroom, thats when me national pride kicked in and the wallet slapped out! Best buy I've ever made.

My wife told me to , really , gotta love dat woman .

I loved my old Triumphs, and found the dealer 45 miles away. I ordered a black one and when I went to pick it up, I saw a red one already assembled, unspoken for. I decided to go my own way, and avoided the black one.

Well I'd been toying with the idea of buying a bike for a couple decades now, and finally this February I decided it was time to put up or get off the pot, so to speak. I'd had a vague idea of something Italian and fast, but I'm the type to ride it like it's meant to be, so I realized I'd probably end up as a squishy spot on the road. So when I walked into the dealer that I have to pass every day on the way to work, I knew 3 things; 1) no Harleys (didn't want the image), 2) no crotchrockets, 3) nothing Japanese. Dad rode a BMW and a Husquvarna back in his misspent youth, so that's where I started in my thought process. Husky only makes dirtbikes so that was out, so off to the BMW place. Great bikes, but none of them said "hey buy me". However, that same dealer happened to have a couple Bonnevilles, a Speedmaster, and an America. The Bonnie grabbed the Steve McQueen fan in me (yeah I bought a Mustang with my Iraq money too), so I started seriously pondering Triumphs. Looked at Victory, went blah. Even got dragged by my coworker to the dark side and actually kind of liked the Springer. But that America was sitting there quietly calling my name. I thought about the Speedie - cause I like fast things - but that America just gave off that "cool guy" look, and sitting on it was like that favorite recliner or an old pair of cowboy boots. And how can an Army guy not get a bike that says "America" on the side?
The funny part is that a big reason for me getting a bike was an old photo of my dad in his twenties with his bike and a motorcycle jacket, easily pulling off a Brando thing. Didn't know til after I'd bought a Triumph that Brando rode one. Add to it that Dad's favorite movie was "The Great Escape". There's a symmetry to it somehow.

I already had a crotch rocket and a bigger tourer in my stable but I needed a bike just to get around locally as neither one was really suitable.
I had a 750 Bonnie for a few months as a first bike while still a teenager so I decided to look at the new generation twins.
I looked at the Speedmaster and thought it would be great for messing around and short distances.

I had been considerating doing the direct access course for some time but really couldn't justify it what with the day to day family thing but my wife did me a favour and gave me an excuse to divorce her (not bitter honest). This in turn released the money. Had no idea what sort of bike to go for and then a mate brought his 06 America to work to show me and that was it!

He showed me the reason to ride a bike.

I loved the look of the 07 blue and white and passed my full direct access in three weeks without ever having ridden a motorcycle before. Two hours after passing the test I was at the dealers putting a deposit down on an 07 blue and white America. I'm not impulsive just conscioius that time waits for no man.

This bike (I really do need to christen her) has opened up a fantastic world to me and my only regret is that I didn't discover it earlier.

With no previous point of reference I can't compare other machines but it does feel good to ride a Triumph and the America just ticks all the boxes for me.

My father used to ride Triumphs, my older brother also, I also had a T140E,


but it never kept up with the boys so I eventually went out and bought a Triumph TT600. This love lasted a few months when I smashed it up in North Yorkshire.

My wife said no more sports bikes, so I traded in old faithful and bought the America.

Harley = Clydesdale

Triumph = Arabian

I don't ride Clydesdales... Too many off them out there, and I couldn't afford all the branded clothing that one apparrently has to wear in order to ride a Harley and fit into the 'crowd.'

Also, Harley, et al dosen't have nearly a rockin' forum site as BA.com!

Was looking for a Honda Magna, and considering a few V-twins as well like the Sportster, VTX1300, and similar, when I stumbled on Triumph purely by accident. I knew of the old Triumphs, and knew they were still in business from some magazine articles, but knew NOTHING of the America/Speedmaster (TRIUMPH of Marketing, NOT!) Well, while searching out a Magna, I stopped by the local Honda dealer in Greenville, SC, and saw a Black/Silver America, which just knocked my socks off, even though I only saw it through the showroom window. Well, I started doing online searches and found the website, and saw the pics of the Blue/Silver America, and the Speedmaster, and that was pretty much it, love at first site! Of course, I did more research, read ride reports, what little info there was about reliability and such, and bought one sight unseen and no test ride (since I didn't have my license at the time) I have never regretted that decision, and in fact, my only regret is that I can't have a T100 in the garage next to her to double the pleasure!!! Truly a combination of good quality, good performance, and stunning styling straight out of the box for a very reasonable price!!

I had no history to look back on. I had never owned a bike. I was 62 years old. I don't care for Japaneese names although they are very good machines. I went to a Harley dealer and they were a bit snutty and would not even talk to me. I went to another dealer and sat on a Bonny and a Daytona. I really liked the Daytona, but my old knees didn't like being bent like that. I sat on the Speedy and called my banker. He said that normally they did not loan money for bikes for old farts like me, but they would make an exception. That afternoon I had to have the saleman ride it home for me. I got a learner permit and practice, practice, practice, and went to the school. That was Sept 2004. It was and is the best first bike to learn on. I love it and now have 16,600 miles on her. I also like the idea of riding a bike from a country that has kids over in the war with our kids.

Dave

I am so rich, I needed something to put on the debit card that would not trigger a currency transaction report.

Actually it was the forward controls and little 270 motor for smooth cruising. It was different from anything else and was not trying to be anything else. It was Triumph

With the exception of Victory, everything else wishes it was a Harley. The America/Speedmaster is a Victory with a $8,000 rebate.

Now if they would just learn that replication of Lucas issues is not cute or retro! :-)

I considered The following
VTX 1300 Honda.
1200 Sportster Custom and low.
Speedmaster and America.

Been riding for 26 years on road bikes and trailies, no outright sports bikes, nearest was 1200 bandit. and fancied a cruiser.
I had a test ride on a VTX 1800 at a Honda open day ( No 1300 avalible) Nice big bike but a bit of a handful in B roads.
Tried the 1200 sportsters, nice enough not impressed as much as I thought I would be with handling, finish PRICE.
Tried out a second hand Speedmaster at my Triumph dealer and was very impressed. I was a bit concerned coming of a 1200 Bandit to the 865cc but need not have worried. when they put 865cc and alloy wheels on the America that sealed it.
Very pleased with it still.

I already owned a Tbird sport(still have it) and so the classic lines of the America/Speedy just felt natural. The more relaxed riding position and alloy wheels did it for me.

I was tired of V-twins. I thought of buying an old 650 Yamaha and fix it up. They have a parallel twin, chain drive, exhaust coming out the front and going down each side, and spoked wheels. That is the look I was wanting. Somebody at work said something about an old Triumph. Got me to thinking. Went on-line and saw an America and it was over. The perfect bike!!. Had to have one. Three years later and there is still nothing out there that comes close to me, and I have rode just about all the bikes out there. Except sports bikes, they don't do anything for me. I am forever hooked on Triumphs.

Triumph twin, raked front, stainless spokes, 15" rear, big tank.
About the only disappointing thing was the 18" (vs. 19") front.

It's a short ride because he cheated and took ferrys.

ARRR!!! He not be takin' no ferry 'cross ye sea, Matey!!!

He be takin' that spanish galleon full o' pieces of eight!

(if you didn't catch it Mark, that was my contribution to 'you know what day')

I'd never even considered a Triumph, and please forgive me but was considering a HD at the time.... Went to the Triumph dealers on the way to the pub. I was looking around and my wife and I noticed the America. - Threw my leg over and she said "you look good on that one" - it felt right, looked right and the price was right. Took a test drive and loved it.

Before I bought I went to a second hand bike dealer who have hundreds of bikes in stock, and had a look at some HD's up close and not a single one inspired me in the same way. Also they were £****'s more second hand than a new America and most were "tatty". Read some reviews on the net which confirmed the America was for me.

As my last post says, it was certainly the right descission.

It's madness really as I love British vehicles with heritage.... the last sports car I had was a Lotus, so why I didn't think Triumph earlier on I don't know! - They need to get out in the press more!

I'm glad to have found a forum with like minded folk on it too, it all adds to the experience...

Cheers,

JC

The long ride he was planning to ride to your house Dwight. No boats either!

That's why I hold on to my snorkels still, just in case I have to do any transoceanic rides...

Well Ian, when our greek Marco.......POLO!!!(you HAD to know I would do that, didn't ya Greg?!) does decide to show up here in California, I wouldn't be surprised if you're right about that "no boat" thing.

I've always gotten the impression that he IS a rather resourceful individual!

(and you've got me visualizing some kind of a pontoon arrangement attached to his Speedie right now, dude!)