I don’t think this has been posted yet, I’m usually on here all the time and I haven’t seen it, I did a search for it and couldn’t find it but if this is a repost, sorry, if not please enjoy.
I thought about simply typing out the entire article but decided against it for a couple of reasons, one I didn’t want to spend that much time and two, since I don’t have permission to reprint the article I thought it would be best to just give you the highlights.
But without further ado, from the December 2007 issue of Motorcycle cruiser magazine…
Sportster Vs. Bonneville
The Harley Sportster versus the Triumph Bonneville – which is the better bike? Back in the day, that was a question best answered with an impromptu stop-light drag race or a spur of the moment TT chase (that’s tavern to tavern for you youngsters). It was winner take all and loser takes off.
Today the Sportster is considered an entry-level bike, and the Bonneville perhaps a modern rendition of an old tug that appeals primarily to ripe old farts like me who wish all bikes still came with kick starters.
Frankly I think both views are a little shortsighted.
In the engine category, things are about equal, with a slight performance edge going to the Bonneville. The HD’s engine makes lots of torque at the bottom, but its two-valve head design hurts high RPM breathing, and the venerable V-twin design that gives it so much character really doesn’t like to spin, which hurts horsepower. He Triumph’s four valve per cylinder and overhead cam layout let it breathe deeper at high RPM, so it makes the bulk of its power further up the scale. And yes, the higher compression ratio and willingness to rev means it’ll make more horsepower…
The Sportster gets a few points for EFI, while the Trumpet has to make do with an increasingly dated twin-carb setup.
One of the great truths about motorcycles is that almost nothing is decided on paper…
you might think the Sportster would be left in the Bonneville’s dust at every bend in the lane. Far from it. Although the Bonneville does enjoy certain advantages when ridden briskly down racer roads, they’re not nearly as pronounced as the spec sheet makes them appear…
the Triumph turns easier and is more nimble than the Sportster, but many Bonneville pilots complain of poor front-end feedback…
I think the HD has a slightly more planted feel and provides slightly better feedback. Both bikes will wallow when pushed hard, but that’s what keep aftermarket suspension manufacturer’s kids fed.
When it’s whoa time , the Sportster loses a little ground, literally, by virtue of it’s heavier weight and less powerful breaks. So while I wouldn’t call the Sportster a poor stopper, the Bonneville just works a little better when you’re hard on the binders.
In every performance category, the Bonneville holds a slight edge. It’s a little quicker, a little better handling and a little better at stopping- a little are the key words here. The big differences are slight and, frankly, barely noticeable unless you hop off one bike and directly on to the other. So weather the Triumph is worth an extra $524 in color, or $304 in basic black is something you’ll have to decide for yourself.
The article also had descriptions of Bonneville and Sportster variations, here’s what they said about the America and the Speedmaster…
America- The America was designed specifically for the cruiser market, with tweaks like a lower seat (2 inches less than standard), straight-slash-cut pipes, tank mounted instruments and forward controls. It stretches the standard Bonneville wheelbase out to 65.2 inches, increases the rake to 33 degrees and add a beefier rear brake (285mm). It also gets stubbier wheels and tires: an 18-incher up front and a 15-inch rear (as opposed to the standard’s 19-inch and 17-inch hoops).
Speedmaster- The Speedmaster continues the cruiserization of the Bonneville with a satin black finish on the 270-degree 865cc parallel twin, as well as a harder-edge riding position thanks to a gunslinger seat and forward-set foot pegs. Upper fork shrouds pump up the style, while high risers mount the flat, drag handlebars on the slab-style top yoke. The Speedmaster gets a pair of cast wheels, with the 18-inch front supporting 110/80 tire and the 15-inch rear wearing a 170/80. It’s the sole Bonnie-based bike with twin front disc brakes.
