Considering the fact the BA/Speedy models were styled and engineered(that whole 270 degree crank thing, ya see) from the get-go to primarily appeal to the American market, yep, your story is perfectly understandable, Dave.
Except the biggest difference of course would be that because H-D evidently has never felt the need to spend the money to re-engineer and modernize the Sporty's motor and add a balance shaft to 'em like all the modern Triumph twins have, the Sporty's engine shakes within its rubber-mounted frame at idle speeds(or the whole bike if it's a pre-rubber mount Sporty), whereas the Triumph's engine is pretty much smooth as silk at all engine speeds.
(...to which I suppose a "REAL" die-hard "Dark Side" fan COULD always just use that old excuse that all that shaking "just adds character", huh!)
