 Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
If you really want a Sporty (I always loved how they look but they're w-a-y too small for me) there are a ton of used ones out there. Used Harleys Here Whatever you decide, good luck! 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
The three main reason why I would never buy a HD:
1. push rods
2. tappett valve
3. chain primary
All 1930 technology still being used at 2012 prices. The engine will not hold up in the comparison and it is even recommend for a tappett change out at 30,000 miles. What part of the engine is Triumph telling you to break down and replace at 30,000 miles?
So Matt, are you talkin' about the hydraulic lifters H-D uses, because I had never heard of this 30,000 mile need to replace those. And so I must ask: Are you absolutely sure about this?
(...btw, the hydraulic lifter setup is one of the things I actually like about H-D pushrod twins because there is supposed never a need to adjust those, unlike our shim-over-bucket modern Triumphs with their 12,000 mile adjustment intervals, which as Ian pointed out above, are a lot more labor-intensive to adjust than were the older Meriden Triumphs with their simple screw-type adjusters)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Those push rods are the reason that the rev limit is set near 5,600 rpms on them there Harley twins. Oh and I got one on the lift now that is locked up because that very weakness. It will only turn until the cam lobe reaches the lifter and stops dead. So I get to take it all apart top and bottom. Its good for me in the shop there but the poor fellow who owns the bike, well, not so much.
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: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 348
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 348 |
Quote:
So Matt, are you talkin' about the hydraulic lifters H-D uses, because I had never heard of this 30,000 mile need to replace those. And so I must ask: Are you absolutely sure about this?
Obviously HD isn't recommending this...it wouldn't help sales too much if you buy a bike at premium prices and have to do changes outs @ 30,000 miles. I got my information off of S&S motors and their recommendations. Granted they are not HD but they certain know a thing or two about the V's. I am also career military and I'm a Triumph owner...I've spent my fair share of being odd man out amongst the sea of HDs to include many friends across many different bases and know certain headaches that always pattern out and rear their ugly heads and the tappets is one of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KvamRqCis&feature=related
@ 17:50 of this video you hear the recommendation to change out the tappets at 30,000 miles or higher. IF I owned a Harley, then I would be more apt to listen to what S&S had to say and would be replacing items with their product. I think the question should be who HASN'T done a tappet change with mileage between 30k-70k.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 490
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 490 |
I ride with two buddies, one has a 2007 Sporty 1200, the other an 883. Most of our riding is mountain roads with lots of twisties...no matter how we start out I always end up in front, usually slowing down to let them catch up. With that said, ride what you think is good for you. One of my favorite bikes I owned was a Suzuki S50, 800cc V twin..no vibration, drive shaft and cornered like the devil but I could not live with the way it looked.
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33 |
Well to let you all know I made a decision. It is based on several reasons. I have chosen to order a 2013 HD Sporster 1200. I had been trying to get my Triumph dealer to give me the drive out price for the replacement America (which he had in stock) that I wanted for almost 3 weeks. I made appointments set up times and every time they played the car dealer tricks of running back and fourth. The final straw, was last Friday, I spoke with the salesman who said he would stop by my house on his way home and we would go over everything. He’d call when he was on his way. Needless to say we changed our plans to accommodate his arrival. Guess what. He never called or showed up. Well yesterday I went back to the HD dealer got a drive out price with all the options I wanted installed with in one hour. For $800 more I got more power and the same add ons at HD that I was going to get at my Triumph dealer. Except I’m getting a 2013 instead of a 2012. Once I lose confidence in someone I won’t deal with them. That is what happened with the Triumph dealership. I know you all are going to have different opinions and I respect that. But you had to go through the things I had to understand the situation. I gave my Triumph dealer every chance to make things right, and he couldn’t or didn’t follow through. Under those circumstances I didn’t want to be bound with that dealer the rest of my life. I am going to miss that bike, but life goes on. Hopefully in about 3-4 weeks I will be just as happy with my HD as I was with the Triumph America.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,382
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,382 |
Good luck with your new bike Skip. I know what it's like to lose confidence in a dealer. Why they behave like that is a mystery to me. In today's economy you would think they would bend over backwards for a sale but, what do I know. 
Tony G
'03 America
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22 |
There really are no good or bad choices in motorcycles. It is all about what you want and feel good on. A dealer that you have no confidence in is a major factor to be sure.
Congrats on the new order. I am glad you went to the 1200, much more bike for a little more money.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,160
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,160 |
What model did you get I am a fan of the style of the sportys just not the size of the bike its self (i'm 6')
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33 |
sporster 1200 custom. I'm 6'1" 
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
i feel your pain with the bad dealer service... its things like that that make me walk away as well.
post pics when you get em.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
I have chosen to order a 2013 HD Sporster 1200.
Excellent choice!!! 
Post a pic when you can!
At least you won't have to look forward to the $1.000.00 +
cost for the dealer to replace the coils & CDI, AFTER the two year warrenty expires. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
Hope you enjoy the new bike. I don't like the sportys internal design, over complicated and has weak points. I know plenty of guys that love the ones they have though.
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: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33 |
Won't be in for 3 weeks. Then prep etc. Looking forwards to posting a pix. But will be sadden to leave BonnevilleAmerica.com
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Man, going from a Triumph to a balogna sandwich, err Harley, it's gonna be a whole lot harder to pick out in the parking lot.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Quote:
Won't be in for 3 weeks. Then prep etc. Looking forwards to posting a pix. But will be sadden to leave BonnevilleAmerica.com
Don't feel like you gotta leave cause you got one of them other bikes. stay around awhile, always welcome here. You may decide after a while you NEED another Triumph.
As far as the dealer thing goes, I understand but I really don't let it bother me, I don't need them anyway. When I was in SD there was a dealer about 10 minutes from my house but I drove and 1 1/2 hours to go get my bike at a diffrent dealer.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Stick around, some body has to be the whipping boy. You'll be able to collect every Harley joke available and think of them while you ride your bike. The 1200 sportster motors are excellent candidates for building hot rods. They have some great features like gear to gear 4 cam system. The push rods go straight from the cam lobes to the rockers (they are not at a wierd angle like the big twins, in other words). The right side belt drive makes for simple change when it comes time. Really the only thing I don't like about them is the plastic oil tank and filler cap after a while that cap starts to give some sticky issues, and the air clean attachment bolts are inside the air cleaner. I have one torn down now that one of the bolts came lose and got sucked into the rear cylinder and damaged the head bent the valves and push rods, but that nothing a little loctite couldn't have prevented. All in all they are the most fun of the Harleys. If you ever have trouble with it you can contact me here and I will do my best to help ya out.
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: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,160
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,160 |
Oh ya invest in loctite the nightster i maintain of my friends if we dont loctite every bolt it WILL back out we learned the hard way and lost a few parts LOL
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,160
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,160 |
Quote:
sporster 1200 custom. I'm 6'1"
I had money down on a custom but when I took it for a test ride It was to low to the ground for my riding style. When ever i go to demo days I make it a point to scrap up the feelers on any bike i ride. Usely the people behind me are laffing so hard when we get back to the dealer because of the sparks on ever corner.
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33 |
Quote:
Stick around, some body has to be the whipping boy. You'll be able to collect every Harley joke available and think of them while you ride your bike. The 1200 sportster motors are excellent candidates for building hot rods. They have some great features like gear to gear 4 cam system. The push rods go straight from the cam lobes to the rockers (they are not at a wierd angle like the big twins, in other words). The right side belt drive makes for simple change when it comes time. Really the only thing I don't like about them is the plastic oil tank and filler cap after a while that cap starts to give some sticky issues, and the air clean attachment bolts are inside the air cleaner. I have one torn down now that one of the bolts came lose and got sucked into the rear cylinder and damaged the head bent the valves and push rods, but that nothing a little loctite couldn't have prevented. All in all they are the most fun of the Harleys. If you ever have trouble with it you can contact me here and I will do my best to help ya out.
What part of Houston? I lived in Hockley for 30 years.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33 |
Quote:
Buy the XR1200, get lots more twist and shout out it over the America and you won't have to have the dealership you don't like. Then again its 2-3k more money. But is more bike.
The America and the 883 are almost a dead heat in quality, ride and performance. Its a matter of what you like to look at. Both are good motorcycles. If you are looking for image the 883 is the Harley starter bike. It has no image. The Triumph is baby starter to the T-brd. I think it is way cooler. Toss a coin.
IMHO the 1300 Honda Stateline is superior to both of them. But is in a different class too with about a $2500 increase in money.
For the smaller cruisers you have the two isolated pretty well.
With all the hype out there and the different opinions. What’s the bottom line? To me it’s just to have a bike I like and am comfortable with. I just want to “ride” I don’t want to race. I’m 6’1” 215lbs. I totaled a 2012 Triumph America 7/6/12 that was 4 months. I loved that bike. The only reason I am not buying another is because of the dealer. He took me for granted, poor customer service. I’ve been riding for 43 years, I’ve had 8 different bikes and a sportster back in the 70’s. My new 2013 XL1200C will be in the 18th of September. And all I want to do is enjoy the ride, no matter what bike I’m on. I am sure you (at least most of you) will agree it doesn’t really matter what you are riding, but that we are all out riding and having a great time enjoying it.
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Re: 2012 Triumph America or 2012 HarleyXL883L?
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Just came across a classified add for a 2012 Harley XL883L. The guy is selling it after putting a whopping 84 miles on it. Here was my favorite line in the ad...
"Harley Co. designed this model and year of bike as a starter bike with the ladies in mind but it has alot of power and can be comfortably driven by an average sized rider."
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