Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge comfort

HI, I've been a lurker for some time now. I have a 01 Tiger and a 02 Bonnie. Im thinking about getting an America or Speedmaster. I dont have alot of experience with the "feet forward" riding position. Im looking for advice/comments on the comfort of the America or the Speedmaster

welcome to the site. I love forward contols. it is a lot easier on my knees to have my legs stretched out in front of me, but may be a little harder on the butt than a standard since more weight is there

what about wind blast? I like cruisers around town but have felt like Im going to be blown off the bike at Hwy speeds. Tell me more about your bike. How is it set up.

Here is my set up. I am completely comfortable on the highway when its dressed up, have gone over 1000 miles in a day and wind wasn't a problem. My windshield is a Clearview brand replacement screen for the Triumph Roadster hardware, its 2.5" taller and 1" wider on each side. The seat is a Corbin. Even when I ride it as a solo (pic 2) it's stable in the wind, but like any other bike, the highway is rough with no screen. I also have Progressive 412 rear shocks and Progressive fork springs, so it's a pretty smooth ride now. After I get home from the Arkansas Rally, my bike is getting stripped back down to solo style, I love how it looks without all the touring gear on.

WOW,your bike is really beautiful. I love the paint job, and it does look very cool with that solo seat. As far as ergonomics go the foot pegs look pretty far out there. How would it compare to other cruisers. Ive ridden Sportsters and Kawasaki Vulkans.

Thanks guys
I guess the best way to decide is go sit on one, the America and Speedmaster both have a different feel due to the bars and risers. I also have the pull back risers on mine, it lets me sit way back and relax while I ride. Before I bought mine, I sat on both and knew the America was the right set-up for me. I've ridden other bikes with forward controls, they all seemed similar. I wish I could get another couple inches forward easy, but I'm 6'2. It still suits me just fine as is.

Jeez, Dave, with such a cool lookin bike, I'm gonna be way outclassed riding with ya to the ARK rally. Maybe I'll just trail along in the rear and try and look inconspicuous. But as to the question. I confess that I really hated the forward controls on my BA when I got it. The riding position is great, but it took a loooooong time to get comfortable with the controls. Every day I would look and think about how I could change them to more mid-position. But after a good long while, I totally got used to them and even successfully avoided a couple of cage idiots. Now, I switch back and forth with the "old" Triumph and it's reversed controls. The forward controls are definately an "acquired" taste.

Been riding with forward controls for some 25 years and no problems. Riding position on my '03 America is much like sitting in my favorite chair watching TV. There is a kit available to change over from pegs to footboards that you might find more suitable, but I never felt a need for them myself.

Thank you everyone. Your answers have been very helpful. Iwont be getting the new bike for about 9 or 10 months. All Im sure of now is that its going to be a Triumph('cuz I love em) Thanks again!

you do not want to ride behind sceptres.

Yeah, okay Dave. But just for your information, I have STILL been too lazy to unhook the AI crap, and people who have ridden back there tell me that the "popping" noise drives them crazy!

I'll be ok, I wont be able to hear the popping over my thunder anyway!