Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Performance Question - America vs. Speedmaster

Hello all,
I'm on the cusp of buying a new motorcycle and have zeroed in on Triumph, either the 2005 America or the 2005 Speedmaster. The plan is for my wife and I to ride two-up until she gets her own bike in a year or so. We'll do some day-cruising and short overnights in north Georgia and the Carolinas (twisty country roads, mountain roads, etc.). Concerned with performance, especially when two-up, my question is this: should I buy the America and re-jet the carbs, pull the emission-control stuff, and change out the exhaust, or should I go with the Speedmaster with its higher torque engine? In the stock versions from the factory, how do these two bikes compare in top-end speed and in climbing ability? Anyone riding them two-up?

Hiya Mike
Welcom aboard ..

In answer to your question .. yes!

Glad to be of some help.




Just kidding ..

Either bike will do what you want.
There are many guys here that ride two-up over decent distances with no problems.

I don't think the extra torque of the '05 Speedy makes a great deal of difference.
Many guys here with '04 and earlier Speedys have treid the '05 and not really noticed the difference ..

I'm totally biased but I prefer the America.
Comfy riding position straight out of the box.

I had other bikes as loaners during servicing etc and couldn't wait to get back to my wide bars ...

Good luck whichever you choose - you won't be dissapointed

the speedys 16t front sprocket helps 2 up...

Speedmaster.
Buy it, get off the friggin cusp, get on a gunslinger!
Real bikers ride Speedmasters, red ones by the way, the yellow ones go "Bzzzzzzz" like bumblebees.

I would go speedy as well but that is just my bias. You will be happy with which ever one you pick but if you are going to ride two up for any distance the biggest deal will be the seat. My wife can only go so long on the back with the stock seat, we are working on that as I write this. Hope it all works out for you and enjoy your ride what ever your choice may be.

Sebastian

Don't listen to Dinqua, he's a drunken sot who rides a speedmaster and a red one for God's sake. Jeez, might as get advice from a four year old!
CRUNCH!!

There are lots of people who ride either bike two up and one of them is Chy who is from Dahlonega which I suspect is pretty close to your neck of the woods? Hopefully, he will chime in here and tell you about his BLACK 02 Bonneville America and that almost all of his miles are two up and in that region....

Quote:

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Don't listen to Dinqua, he's a drunken sot

---

Excuuuuuuuuuuuse Me?
he's a drunken sot?
Izzat some sort of hillbilly, envious, southern Floridian insult?
Son of a Toad?
Son of a Triumph?
Son of a....ah screw it, he can't type cause he is so friggin envious (not jealous: jealousy is between people, envy is the desire you feel for another's pocessions. English 102 is dismissed)

Yo, Fill, byte me dood!
Can you tell eye don't have my fancy degree yet?
We'll have a big cardboard (or Photoshop, much cheaper, like you) cutout of you in the yard this week, so we can at least have the same intelligent conversations as if you were actually here.

Na, miss ya bud, too bad you won't make it. Really, we won't have any fun, really! I mean it, It's gonna huricanne, rain, sleet, blow, every road will be flat forever, no hills, no turns, ....oh wait, that's FLORIDA!

Buy a Speedmaster, Dinqua is right. Oh and the red ones are faster.

america is better looking and more comfortable i do agree with the red ones but the malbury red ones are the best. but seriously performance wise they are close. do the basic mods and you should be fine with either. i have done 350 mle days 2 up with no problems through mass, vermont, and NH. so pick which you think looks better and feels better

Frank

Hi Mike,
Whichever one you like the looks and feel of, buy it. The Speedmaster has the 16T front sprocket, but there's really not that much difference. I prefer the shiny bike, I have an America and replaced my 17T with an 18T front sprocket, hauling my 230 pounds plus my bride of 30 years weighing in at a mere ............ pounds (she's actually very attractive, although I can't reveal her weight again, ever, not ever). My bike is an '02 model and has 39,700 miles with about a third of those miles riding two up. The America will be a good choice, especially if it will be her bike in a year or two, and you'll be riding the bigger version or a triple. If you buy aftermarket chrome bits, be sure to keep the old parts and offer them here for sale or on ebay. Get your pipes from Brent, or Specialty Spares, Thunderbike, or JCWhitney. The Triumph off roads are still a bit mild for my taste.
Like I said, either bike will serve you well. The only problem I've had with mine is, I have to stop for gas every 150-170 miles when we ride together. I tend to stop more often when I am alone since I go into the "twisted throttle" mode.
Where do ya'll live? Your elevation above sea level may play a factor in your choice - but you'll have to ask the "more learned" or should I say "more seasoned" riders here. You can tell us where you live, we ain't coming to visit unless we're invited. Of course, if you're in Florida, don't be surprized to come home from work to find a few of us in your pool this winter, we're a pretty social lot.
Now, if you think this will be your bride's bike in a year or so, have her get in touch with Mert, Amy or Becky here. They are all super classy girls with super classy bikes. And!?! They look great on them.
Whatever Ya'll Get - Ride It Safe,
Dennis
Florence, Alabama

Hey everybody!
Thanks for all your input! I've gotten a lot of info over the past few days, more than I can digest at the moment. I'm leaning toward the America - there are so many options for modifications that there's no reason I shouldn't be happy with this bike. I can even put a 904 kit on it if I want to boost the power. Anyway, I'll keep you posted on what I end up with. By the way, for those of you who were wondering, we live in Woodstock, GA. I'm looking forward to riding in the north Georgia "mountains" and Tennessee and NC soon!
Thanks again!
Mike

If you are planning on carrying the little lady around with you mschwaig, you might want to consider the Speedmaster because of its higher torque rating. Some of my fellow America riders may not totally agree with me on this, but that is something worth considering. I love my America, but I wish it had a little more low end pulling power. That's the main reason I have recently had an interest in the 904 Big Bore kit. Regardless, either way you decide to go, I'm sure you will be glad you picked Triumph.
Have fun,
Stan

Hi Mike
I have an 02 America and ride 2 up a lot. She pulls just fine. I live in NC piedmont and go up to the mountans a lot. Have riden with HD and other bikes up the hills. She hangs with all the others and keeps on going. I have never riden a Speedy. Just like my America all that chrome only problem is the passenger seat which I am going to get a Corbin for the wife. Check the lounge I posted Question about Corbin Seats, everone says that is the way to go if you want to ride more than 20 miles before stopping.
Good luck with your choice you can't go wrong either way.
good riding John

none get a rocket III

Most of my 20,000 plus miles have been two up and in the mountains and I have no power or handling issues whatsoever. These bikes have plenty of torque and braking and are comfy enough for the long rides. The America and the Speedies are both fine machines and I'm sure you'll be pleased with which ever one you choose.
We're up in Dahlonega so if you ever want a guided tour of some primo rides, just drop us a line. Weather permitting, we are usually up for a ride. We take a couple of trips a year up to the Cherohala Parkway also so keep an eye on the upcoming rides section.. it's a great day ride and we'd love to have ya'll along.

Bzzzzzz

america all the way!!

God Bless America!

America the beautiful!!!!!!

We did 1300 miles in 4 days this fall two up on our '04 America, in relative comfort-with the triumph touring seat mounted. Eventually, though we hope to add progressive shocks and corbin seat and pillion.