Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech New guy alert!

Thought Id pop in and say howdy since I have lurking around and reading everything I can. My name is Gary and I live in Houston Texas. I have been away from riding for many years and 99% of that was racing MX, flat track, TT etc in So. Cal.

I got "The Fever". I want a bike. Please dont punish me for saying this, but I was looking at Harleys. But several things like, the cost, poor representation after the sale, and other factors that I am sure yall are aware of have driven me away from idea of the HD.

Some of my friends have Hondas, and Yamahas and have been trying to talk me into the "Cookie Cutter" class, but they just dont do it for me. I picked up a Cycle Trader rag the other day, and was shocked at what I saw. I had no idea that Triumph was making the Bonnys again. (Like I said, I have been out of the loop for awhile). I think I found love! I want a bike thats light, has plenty of power, and can handle like an old school dirt bike. (Cant belive I was thinking of a Sportster).

But anyhoo, the Speedmaster caught my eye. Except I dont like the cast wheels. I REALLY like the America, but the smaller engine (790) sorta had me looking away. Im sorta on the big side, 6'2" 210 pounds. But then a coworker told me today that the 2006 model will have the 865. Is that true?

Any suggestions, input, or advice on helping through the initial learning curve of the Triumphs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Welcome to the boards! I ride an '02 America with a 790, am an inch shorter and weigh a good 30 pounds more than you. My America hauls me around just fine, just make sure to get some good aftermarket pipes and get rid of the airbox with a FREAK kit from newspeedmaster.com. It will wake your bike up and you will still be waaaaayyyyy below the price tag for a Hardly. The new Speedmaster has the 865 but I believe the America will still have a 790. Get to someplace you can test ride both and see what you think. If you want a Bonnie, look at the T100. It also has the 865cc powerplant. Just be sure to ride one of those too and see if you fit as it has mid-mount controls. I like my America for the forward controls which let me stretch out a bit. Good luck, and you won't ever be sorry you bought one. Be an individual, not a cookie cutter.

Welcome aboard Gary. Hopefully, bigbill will chime in here. He's got an America and is a BIG dude, rides two up for cripes sake. Looks like a bear on one of those little bicycles!! (don't hit me next year in GA, Bill)

Definitely find a dealer and ride them all. You will not be sorry...

Hi Gary,
If you end up with a Master, let me know and I might swap wheels with you. I'd have to ride out there so we could do the swap. Maybe one of the closer Texas America owners will swap with you. Remember the Master has dual front discs - shouldn't pose too much of a problem.
Ride Safe, And let Us Know!
Dennis

Take one of them nice new purdy Jefferson nickels, flip it in the air, call it, and buy one or the other. You will be a winner either way.
Just do it! You can't go wrong.
it is obvious you have made up your mind, now the only difference is color (red is WAY faster).
{except for maybe the black "Raven" we hear so much about, that usually requires waiting at stoplights for her to catch up.

Welcome. (At least I think I have been around here long enough now to welcome someone.) I don't think you will be disappointed with any of the Triumph line. I've been riding HD's for the last 15 years and forgot what it is like to ride a bike that is truely fun to ride. Ride 'em and decide but rest assured that whatever you decide on will be in the barn for years to come.

grrrrrrr

Don't let the engine size fool you; these bikes have plenty of power for us big boys. I weigh 225 (OK.. 230) and am justunder 6 feet tall. I have an 03 Speedmaster that has the 790. It has plenty of power and goes much faster than I need will ever need it to. I've never been embarassed when the light turns green, and she has plenty of power on the highway. One thing to keep in mind is that although the new 865 has more torque, the 790 has more HP. They are both great engines.

Look at the power ratings. The Speedmaster has the advantage of low end torque, but the America has it at the top end. I outweigh you, but I have seen my speedometer point at 115 on a hot day heading into the wind on the CA desert. My OL has a new HD Lowrider with a huge 88 inch engine. My America is faster, rides nicer and handles much better.

Hey Biff
Welcome aboard.

I'm around 6'1" and *cough* a bit heavier than you, and the America is great.

As Greybeard has said, unfortunately the extra cubes of the 2006 Speedmaster doesn't translate into mph.

790cc will keep up with pretty much anything out there (obviously only up to insane speeds).
On RAT ride-outs I keep up with all the sports/sports tourers there and we don't hang around!!

Off road pipes will give you more bhp (Triumh=10bhp) and the freak will help you breath more easily.
All at a fraction of the cost of the 'cookie cutters' who spend $$$$$$ getting less than you'll have
Don't laugh too much, it's not their fault. Ok then

Go for the America mate, you know it makes sense .. !!

The 790cc will easily outdo an 883cc Sportster. I had a Sportster and was looking to "upgrade". I bought the America and dont regret it. I put on 7000 miles in one year with no problems. The America is a good compromise in price/performance. Its also slick looking and a headturner. And the Harley tax you save can be spent on accessories

Guys, I really appreciate the input. I had printed out the specs on the T100, the Speedy and the America at work last week but really never got past the 790 thing. This morning I picked it up and was surprised to see the American had MORE hp than the Speedy. That was before I got to read yalls responses. I guess the bike will have plenty of power for me. But, Im the sort of guy who never leaves anything stock. Not just for a performance gain, but to add my own personality to my toys. I keep hearing about the "Freak" thing. I gather its something to do with the air cleaners and re-jetting. Is there somewhere where I can learn more about it, hopefully with pics plus instructions? And what do the offroad pipes look like, where to get them, costs for everything, things that I can drool over while Im waiting for that 401k loan to be paid off? I plan to do all my own wrenchin, cept any warranty issues that arise. Im one of those above average mechanically inclined tech nut that might spend hours looking over a part to see if I can take some weight off of it. Comes from my MX days, and racing RC cars.

I really like the looks of the America. I sure am glad yall settled down my worries about it. Saturday after work, Im off to the dealership. Shops love me! LOL

Thanks guys. Yall rock!

I am the resident "Freak"....just ask anyone.

Oh yea, btw. While Im bothering yall. LOL I know how much of a pain it is for a newbie to ask alot of questions. I have been looking, and searching around, but its hard to put everything into focus and get all the info I would like to ask for. Most of the topics are for those that have been around for years and it would take about that long to learn whats going on. I was also wondering about suspension upgrades and set ups. Braking systems, The basics at least.

Thanks so much!

newbonnieville.com

Don't worry about asking newb questions. The guys on this site (most of them anyway) enjoying sharing the collective wisdom of the group with new folks.

As Yota said Newbonneville.com has suspension upgrades for our bikes. Brent (Mr. Newbonneville.com) is a regular here, and is always willing to answer our questions about his wares. Just remember: if you order from Brent don't thank him for the prompt service and quick turnaround. That's his wife's handywork. Brent sits around all day eating Jaffa Cakes.

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Hopefully, bigbill will chime in here. He's got an America and is a BIG dude

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Actually Phil, I think that's another Bill. I live in Vegas. ride a Speedmaster, and have never been to GA.
That said, I am a big dude. 6'4" 260 lbs.
My Speedmaster is an '04 with the 790, BUBs and jets, and it hauls me around with power to spare. And I've ridden 2 up with my son, but he's just a tad at 140 lbs.

Here's a link to the site of our resident Master Tweaker and Nad Buster....

Pat's site

This will give you some of the info you are looking for. The info is the same for an America, even though Pat has a Speedmaster....

And even though I've never met Yota, I've been told to be leery......

only when I'm sober!

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Here's a link to the site of our resident Master Tweaker and Nad Buster....

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Tweaker??? I thought he was just into beer.

Test ride either the Speedmaster or the America. Either way you can't go wrong. I like the laced wheels on the America myself.

Biff,

Hello and welcome!

I have an SM with the 865cc engine. I also had the previous SM model with the 790cc engine for 4 months last year (loaner from the Triumph dealers until my bike arrived).

Here is an excerpt from a post made neutral source i.e. by Graeme Lawson (RCV on here) on the "thunderbike pipes & airbox tweaks/removal/jett" thread in the "Exhausts" section.
Graeme's company make the Thunderbike exhausts for our bikes (but unfortunately they don't give a big performance boost on the 865cc motors as they do on the 790cc one - but the sound is great).

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The 865 has a flatter torque curve than the 790 and this will show in a stronger "in gear roll on" response in the higher gears, whereas the 790 likes a downshift or 2 and some revs to really rock, the 865 will grunt.
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I am able to confirm this.

I believe you're talking about Big Jack Wilson(heckuvva nice guy).. blue America. Only guy I've ever met who can manhandle an America.... literally muscles the sucker off and on his trailer.

That's the guy!

I could not believe it either and I think everyone who was there just stopped and watched as Jack pulled his BA off the trailer like it was a 125cc dirt bike!!!

Push the boat out and get a Rocket 111, whoa baby, the uk is just too small!!!!

I sure appreciate the help yall. When I get a little more time, like this weekend, Ill check out the sites yall have suggested and start my list.

I have a story I would like to share with yall. I got the itch not too long ago for a bike when my ex brother inlaw, who I work with, bought a new Ultra Glide. Thats one sweet looking bike. I had allways wanted a Harley and that itch just grew stronger. He paid 25k for the bike. Couple weeks ago, the steering lock broke in the locked position. He had to call a flatbed wrecker to haul it to the nearest dealership. Last week the MoCo tried to tell him it was operator error and it wasnt covered in the warranty. After much arguing, they agreed to cover it. But there were none in stock. He finds out last night that the vendor that makes that part is having issues making delivery and the MoCo has not decided yet whether to ship the parts to the dealers for replacements for thousands of other guys with the same problem, or use them on the production line. I bet they ship them to the line. Pitifull.

Glad I did some homework and asked other guys like yall questions before I made up my mind. My mind is made up BTW. Itll be a Triumph and most likely the America.

Thanks again guys.

Hi, I too am new here. I just bought a 2002 Red TBA. I had to go to Mass. from Pa. to get it. It was a 400 mile trip one way. I hadn't been on a bike for 20 years. After I picked up the bike I went into the parking lot and did a few figure 8's and headed down the road. That 400 mile trip went by really fast. Note that my butt didn't even get sore. I just love the TBA. TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!