 Re: Decisions, decisions
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Just looked up the retail prices for Speedmaster and America in Thailand... America: $18,000 Speedmaster: $20,000 Yep, that's in US dollars.  Well, so much for that idea.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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Sounds like you really dont want one anyway.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Quote:
Sounds like you really dont want one anyway.
Really? I'm surprised to hear that. Actually, I was seriously considering one. I am very thorough in doing research and I had to balance certain practical consideration against the pure thrill and lust for what seems like a terrific bike.
I understand that no bike is perfect and there is the give and take with anything. Certain things you can live with and certain things you can't. I simply can't spend $20k on a bike. That's completely out of the question. I was also a bit concerned about the cooling aspect, but folks here didn't think it would be much of a problem. To a lesser extent, gas mileage was a bit of a concern because unlike the US, bikes here serve a very utilitarian purpose and any bike that I get will be an utilitarian bike as well as a show/fun/exhilaration piece. So, it's not as simple as having an extra $8k of disposable income and trying to figure out what toy to buy. I was hoping that a Triumph would be as much or less here as it is in the States since the ****** things are made here. I don't know why they jacked up the prices so high and what types of tariffs they're slapping them with.
My other option would be to buy one in the States and import here. I'll have to see what that involves and how much that's going to cost. Frankly, I'm less inclined to do that since that's bound to be a hassle and there may always be some type of a snag where I'd have to go to Bangkok to bribe the custom officials. They always look out for that, anything that they can latch on to in order to pump you for money. So...
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to answer my questions. You guys have been extremely helpful, I really appreciate that.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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I'm really sorry to hear you have to give up on buying a Triumph although I can sure understand why. I sensed all throughout this thread you were keen on the idea of owning one only to find out they are far too expensive in the place where you live.
I really enjoyed this thread and thank you for dropping by to open the discussion. Maybe the import idea will work out, maybe not but either way it was good to 'meet' you and hear all your thoughts and ideas. You truly are a thorough researcher!! Take care Alex!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Thank you. I enjoyed meeting you guys as well. Whereas I will most likely give up on the idea of buying a bike Triumph (at least for the near future), I may still hang out on these forums. There are many things that are common to all bikes and all riders and I'm sure there are many more valuable exchanges ahead. So, if you guys don't mind having a one of "them", you know... them... Honda owners around, then I'll stay in touch. 
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Alex, any chance of picking up a used bike in your area?
Tony G
'03 America
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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I actually looked into that as well. I hit a few of the classified sections on various Thai sites and I haven't seen a single America/Speedmaster anywhere. In fact, the only used Triumph I came across was a Speed Triple.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Banned
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Banned
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There ya go!Get the speed triple.All those questions about power and overheating would be moot!
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Quote:
There ya go!Get the speed triple.All those questions about power and overheating would be moot!
 Yeah, but then there'll be all kinds of other questions regarding comfort and cramping and such. 
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
How hot do they get under normal circumstances, not in hot weather? Did you guys go at highway speeds or in stop and go traffic?
Both, for me. Our oil coolers seem to be pretty effective with synthetic oil.
One Triumph custom shop has been building a custom (Jack Pine Scrambler) in PA and removing the oil cooler with what they say causes no issues. That says something right there. If a Harley that never offers an oil cooler runs OK in Thailand, you'll be better than them on a Trump. My HD buddies are constantly worrying about their rear jug temps during our 90-100 degree temp days sitting in traffic. I just bumped into a Washington DC area guy yesterday. He was on a Heritage and had mounted a thermostat controlled mini-fan in place of the horn on his Heritage. He said it helps riding in the awfully congested DC area traffic. (some of the worst in the States).
Al
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Banned
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Geesh,that 18k pricetag really puts things in perspective in the us.I cant even get 4k for my 06 BA !
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Just looked up the retail prices for Speedmaster and America in Thailand...
America: $18,000
Speedmaster: $20,000
Yep, that's in US dollars. Well, so much for that idea.
While your at it, price a CDI, Igniters, Crankcase halves, and a head (bad casting creating oil leak). They have WAY more problems with these than they should, and often with less then 20K miles. Don't forget to add labor, IF there's a shop in YOUR town.
Follow ALL the threads describing ALL the above issues that WAY to many of us are having.
Am I sour, YOU BET I AM!!! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Aug 2007
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You have done the right thing asking questions here it,s the best place to get good info from those that know
If they are to expensive where you live then that's bad luck
Try again with something else
Good luck
What goes round comes round
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Banned
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Banned
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D@mn Erle,,,,,,,,,if you would have came in with that little gem of a post earlier on you could have saved this guy a bad case of the wants 
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have bought such a beautiful bike.  I'd have another rice burner! (Opps, ...) 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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While your at it, price a CDI, Igniters, Crankcase halves, and a head (bad casting creating oil leak). They have WAY more problems with these than they should, and often with less then 20K miles. Don't forget to add labor, IF there's a shop in YOUR town. Follow ALL the threads describing ALL the above issues that WAY to many of us are having. Am I sour, YOU BET I AM!!!
Is this stuff that went wrong with your speedmaster
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Or, factor in the cost of a starter relay ($5) and a front sprocket seal ($7). That was the $12 total of items that broke on my bike with 40k on the clock. YRMV! Quote:
While your at it, price a CDI, Igniters, Crankcase halves, and a head (bad casting creating oil leak). They have WAY more problems with these than they should, and often with less then 20K miles.....
Al
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Quote:
You have done the right thing asking questions here it,s the best place to get good info from those that know
If they are to expensive where you live then that's bad luck
Try again with something else
Good luck
I know, man. People on these forums are really helpful and seem like a fantastic bunch. It almost makes me want to flop down the 20k just so I could belong to these forums.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
People on these forums are really helpful and seem like a fantastic bunch. It almost makes me want to flop down the 20k just so I could belong to these forums.
Hey man, stick around as much as you like! Even if ya end up not getting a Triumph, we know you love 'em. And besides, I wanna know what you end up with!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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I don't really know... I was looking at a Honda Magna a while ago. It seemed ok, but didn't really "speak" to me. Honda Shadow Slasher is much better balanced than what I have now, but it's a bit small. I looked at various Star bikes and for some reason, Star bikes don't do anything for me. They seem too unwieldy. I'll have to look around to see what's out there and what's affordable. The prices here are very skewed. It seems as though the Japanese have the Thai market cornered and they seem to be getting preferential treatment. I don't know why that's the case.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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I have never had a bike that didn't have some problems, minor stuff like relays and seals. Even Jap bikes. You can get a lemon from any manufacturer. I think thats what you got erle. I don't have these problems with mine. Mine has been a really great bike even compared to the honda shadow I have. Yes I have an 02 honda shadow its a good bike but I did $900.00 worth of repairs on it and then in ywo more years had to workon it for a week to get it running. I work on my trumpet but its all my own doing, mods and such. No mods on the honda.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Speaking of heat. my buddy that ran mine on his dyno commented about how cool the head on our bikes stays.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Quote:
Speaking of heat. my buddy that ran mine on his dyno commented about how cool the head on our bikes stays.
Interesting! That reminds me... I gotta get one of those Infrared thermometers.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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How would you know the bike is overheating before it's completely done in? Even if you have a thermometer, what's the temperature threshold?
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
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it's gotta be over well 250º since I've had mine that high and it still runs great and ran perfectly fine while that hot also
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Quote:
How would you know the bike is overheating before it's completely done in? Even if you have a thermometer, what's the temperature threshold?
It's not so much that I want a thermometer to check running temps... I'll get an oil temp gauge for that. But I'd love to know things like, if one pipe is hotter than the other, or the temp of the head compared to down below, etc. Plus there are so many 'household' uses for such a device.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
Quote:
Speaking of heat. my buddy that ran mine on his dyno commented about how cool the head on our bikes stays.
Interesting! That reminds me... I gotta get one of those Infrared thermometers.
I have one, remind me NEXT summer to test out some engine temps. Sadly, those opportunities are over here in Maryland.
Al
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Taylor makes one for about $55. (infared and bi-metallic stem) Try: webrestaurant.com, or just google Taylor infared thermometer. Quote:
Quote:
How would you know the bike is overheating before it's completely done in? Even if you have a thermometer, what's the temperature threshold?
It's not so much that I want a thermometer to check running temps... I'll get an oil temp gauge for that. But I'd love to know things like, if one pipe is hotter than the other, or the temp of the head compared to down below, etc. Plus there are so many 'household' uses for such a device.
Al
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Banned
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Banned
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Aluminum starts to weaken at around 350 deg f.I would assume that would be the top limit for head temp.
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
While your at it, price a CDI, Igniters, Crankcase halves, and a head (bad casting creating oil leak). They have WAY more problems with these than they should, and often with less then 20K miles. Don't forget to add labor, IF there's a shop in YOUR town.
Follow ALL the threads describing ALL the above issues that WAY to many of us are having.
Am I sour, YOU BET I AM!!!
Is this stuff that went wrong with your speedmaster
No, But two out of four ain't bad, is it!? 
The others are just some of the "most common", according to others threads/posts.
(Except for a few.  )
And my son's is an America.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Decisions, decisions
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Quote:
Aluminum starts to weaken at around 350 deg f.I would assume that would be the top limit for head temp.
After doing some preliminary research, I'm beginning to think that it really makes no difference whether an engine is air or liquid cooled as long as it's designed properly.
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