Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech America and Speedmaster question from a New Member

Hello all,

I have been doing a few months research on buying a new bike I havent owned one in 17 years.It was between a VTX,Vstar and Suzuki until I saw the Triumph 2 weeks ago and After today my only choice is a Triumph. My question is this I finally found a local Triumph dealer that actually has them in stock. I was going to buy a speedmaster because all the info I can find says the speedy has a bigger engine than the america, But then the dealer tells me that they both have the exact same engine is this correct or does this guy not know?
If they are the same I want an america with the speedmasters bars.
Any info would be great because if this is true every website have been to is wrong.

Thanks in advance

2005 Speedmaster has the 865. America is still the 790. Keep in mind, prior to 2005 the Speedmaster was also 790. So ..... your dealer is correct if the bike was built prior to 2005. But shouldn't be dealing if the bike is a 2005 as the speedmaster's engine is larger. The larger 2005 Speedmaster engine generates more torque than the 790, but the 790 generates more horsepower at a higher RPM. See Triumph's web site for full specs:

Speedmaster
America

Regards,

Before someone corrects me, I guess I should say "displacement" instead of "size".

you get alot of extra's with the speedy...tach, alloy wheels, twin front discs, much cheaper to get a speedy than to add all those later...I do like the front fender on the America more than the speedys....you might wanna change the front sprocket to something taller than the 16 the speedy comes with...the speedy's pipes look better....my opinion...

The Speedmaster is simply better in every aspect than the America. Studies have shown that Speedmaster riders are found to be more atractive to members of the opposite sex. It is faster, cooler and reduces your cholesterol level. The adrenaline ruch it causes does unfortunately have a negative impact on ones blood pressure. All of the above comments are based on proven scientific evidence. Why would I lie?

hhahaha hey nuthin everyone knows the america riders are better looking. thats why we have all the chrome. u guys are all blacked out so nobody looks at you

Frank

The advantages you get with the SM are

1)-alloy wheels
2)-better tires (metzler)
3)-twin discs up front
4)-tachometer

The cost to upgrade an americ to these specs if it was even possible to get alloys for it would be far far more than the $600 difference (street price) between them. the question is whether these things are desirable to you. After owning a speedmaster i can say that each of those 4 things is important to me, and far more than i thought they'd be. You apparently prefer the america's looks tho, so you'll just have to weight the disadvantages and advantages. But unless you have seen them in person so far, don't count on finding the america better looking in person. Not that you necassarily will find the same thing i did, but i went in to buy an america but when i sat them side by side the SM looked much nicer to my eye. That probably would have been enough to change my mind, but then thinking about the things i listed above it became a no brainer for me.

As for the engine, it's bigger but not necassarily any better. Just different because it's got a different cam that is tuned for torque and a 16 tooth counter sprocket for even more low end grunt. I find it cruises great at 85 tho, so no compromise there. But if you like torque the SM has it. Whether the america's engine has any advantages performance wise over the SM i don't know not having ridden an america.

But either way you made a much wiser choice than going Japanese !

just base it on which one u visually like better, and feels more comfortable to be on. try riding bother and pick from that. the brakes on the america do the job just fine and as far as tires g the stock ones arent great but i have been able to drag the boards with them. you can always get avons or metzlers for it. i would go by visial and more importantly which ones feels beter when your on it

Frank

Welcome John,
I hope you get a Triumph - Everyone here love's 'em. I am now locked in to the quality that Triumph offers. So, if I buy another motorcycle - it will be a Triumph.
I agree with everything posted here, especially the America riders being better looking. I've got 39,208 miles on my '02 America - the only things I've done to it are the things I've wanted to do to it. I've done the usual consumable stuff of course, tires, brake pads and replaced the chain at 28,000 miles. These are excellent bikes, and handle better than any other cruiser.
The advice I give on the Triumph line is:
It's like buying a handgun (or camera) - if it feels good in your hands - buy it.
Ride Safe,
Dennis

Thanks for all the great replies.
Both bikes are 2005 models
the america is $6800.00
the speedy is $7500.00
those are not out the door prices either
Like I said I wasnt sold on the Triumph until I saw it and after seeing it there is no other alternative for me.
I just cant figure out which one I like more. I like the ergonomics of the speedy but i like the classic look of the america better. And as for which riders look better, thats gonna change after I pick my bike.

This is going to drive me crazy trying to figure it out.

Hey Madman,

If its any help. It is universally known that the red ones go faster. Of course there are some on here that will in fact debate that. But there wrong so there you go.

And i read on here quite recently that that it seems the Speedmaster is getting quite the reputation as a Girlie Bike.

Either way, what ever you get you are going to end up with a very nice motorcycle that will give you loads and loads of enjoyable riding.

Red America.....trust me, would this face lie?

mark

PS...welcome to the club.

The age old question to chrome or not...
After having 5 Harleys (yes I am slow learner) in the past I really liked the look of the Speedy with the engine blacked out.

Speedy riders are also better looking, if you want a second opinion just ask me again.

Duck

another vote for america rider being MUCH better looking

Frank

The differences that really count are the seat and handlebars, which are relatively inexpensive to swap. Prior to '05, the performance difference was all in the gearing, with the Speedmaster geared to accelerate a bit better through the gears and the America having an edge at the top end of the speedometer. In '05, the Speedmaster got more displacement and milder cams, giving it noticably more low end torque, but the peak power is listed as less and at a lower engine speed. The end result is that the performance differences are similar, but more so.

So, ride both bikes. If you find one more comfortable, make yourself a note that you want to end up with that seat and/or handlebars. If you like the look of one, but the performance range of the other, you will have to decide which is most important to you. You can put chrome on the Speedmaster or powdercoat on the America. You can get a lot more torque from the America or more topend from the Speedmaster, but you are going to spend some time and money to get there.

Check out my 02, creme & green, http://www.califex.com/maurice/ a cruising classic,me thinks !

Hey Larry, been awhile since I've seen you around the forums. I hope all is well with you and your family, and that pretty green & cream Bonneville America.

Cool website you've put together. On your riders page I see what looks like a Triumph 100th anniversary patch. Sure would like to have one of those. Are they available anywhere?

Bedouin,

Quote:

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Don't let Arsenalfan mislead you, if you check the "Road to a Triumph" thread in the lounge, you will find that he rides an America which was originally bought for his WIFE!

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ssssh That was a secret. I told you that in the strictest confidence.

This face would never lie and I'll let you know that I have been told by many people that I have the perfect face for radio.

mark

the modesty of both speedmaster and america riders is utterly overwhelming....some people just dont ride hard enough to justify dual discs....

My good man, your appology is accepted.

Now please dont mention to any one that I am infact a secret MI5 agent working undercover as a Double Agent for the CIA. If the wrong people were to find out lives would be at risk.

Oh bugger

... and those payments you were telling me about, that you are receiving from Mossad?

Ooops!

Quote:

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some people just dont ride hard enough to justify dual discs....

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But once you get used to having them... I have really grown to appreciate them. Especially after riding a few Buds bikes with single discs, after being on this one a couple years. Funny to watch them the first time they GRAB the front brake on this bike.

Was a bit under the weather early in the year, a little stroke here, five stents there, a blocked artery yonder, doctors and tests etc. but I'm up and running again with a radical new perspective. The patch was passed out by the Triumph road rep. at a RAT meeting two years ago. The fellow was very parsimonious with them, as I did try to score a second, but was unsuccessful. Thanks for the compliment on my site. I've got lots more photos and ideas, but little time or talent ! I'll snoop around and see if I can scare you up a patch one from one of the guys.

Check out the Speedmaster....study its curves, the powerful and great looking engine, talk to people that own one, they'll tell you what an awsome ride it is. The power, handling, the way it attracts looks wherever you go....then.....GO BUY AN AMERICAN Yeah baby Yeah

Nice website, I've heard about the Slimy Crud run. Glad to hear you're back on the road. Yep, it's ALL about perspective. As one who first started on a Bonneville in the Madison/SW WI country, enjoy the ride.

I bought the America for its looks/style but also the handlebar/sitting comfort.

I did add the tach ($300) and the Avon Venoms ($350?) and chrome stuff. I'll admit the only thing I wish I had is the extra rotor, but I just added new pads and braking is really good.

As much as I respect it I would not have bought the Speedmaster if there was no America.

Prior to the America, I used to ride older HD's, so I'm used to riding as if I have hardly any brakes at all. Even at that, the America has been a bad influence because I have problems with the lack of stopping power on the new Lowrider.

Do I even want to know what joke you're attempting to make regarding payments from the Mossad?

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

Bear with me on this one Derek. My thirty mile errand turned into a not unusual 85 mile ride, with a stop at the shop on the return leg. Whose there ,but my old pal Dick, who used to ride a BA, but now rides a Vulcan. The shop sells both.
So I says to Dick, "Were you at the RAT meeting a couple of years ago, when that squirrelly road rep passed out anniversary patches?" Dicks and older fellow, as is myself, and after a moments ponder he relies, "Ya, I was." Did you get a patch ? Yep, I did. What did you do with it ? I think it's still in my jacket ! " So we mosey out to his bike and he pulls a pristine "Triumph Anniversary" patch out of the inside pocket and hands it to me. " Whadda ya want for it Richard? it's for a guy I know from an on-line BA site ? Ah nothin, do whatever you want with it."
So there's the story. You must be living right! Get your address to me and I'll pop it in the mail, or brown truck or whatever your little ole heart desires.

Hey Larry,

Sounds like you've been through quite a medical ordeal. Good to hear you made it through and are back on the bike again. I've sent you a PM about the patch with an offer of a fairly unique one I can throw back at you in trade.

I had to just make the same decision. The looks of the American won over the larger engine of the Speedmaster. I really didn't like the mags. The seat didn't look like i could ever have a lady on the back with the gun fighter seat for more than one ride, and we all know a girls @ss on the back of a bike is the best looking accesory. With the money saved I could also add a few things i really wanted such as the performance up grades i have read about here.

The green and cream is very cool. Was that stock a few years ago or was that custom?

It was an option for 02 only. Just so happened that my dealer bought my bike and another machine from Triumph. Both bikes were featured in the accessory catalog that year and rode around in the Triumph truck going to shows and being demo'd.

I'll add my 2 cents. I just bought a 02 america Red. I love it. I live in State College Pa. and bought mine in Mass. I hadn't had a bike in 20 years. We drove 8 hrs. to get it. I did a few figure 8's and hit the road. Drove it for 6 hours I was dead tried but my butt didn't hurt. We left Pa. at 5:30 am and stopped at 9:30 pm. I just love this bike.

Scott, That's quite a ride for your first one on your BA. Glad you made it home safe and like the bike. Oh, and welcome to the forum.

And thanks Maurice/Larry for the patch. I know we e-mailed our thanks to each other earlier today, but I wanted to publicly thank you for sending me that outstanding 100th anniversary patch. It's just another example of why this is such a great site and a great brotherhood.