Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes New cruiser speculation

I'm just thinking out loud here. The America and the Speedmaster were essentially the same bike until the Speedmaster got the bigger Thruxton mill. Why didn't they upgrade the America at the same time? My first thought was that they would eventually drop the America. Why have 2 similar bikes that appeal to essentially the same market. But the America is so popular, that didn't just make sense. Now I think the Speedmaster is being slotted into a roadster niche, and the America will get a major overhaul in the name of the anticipated and speculated new cruiser coming this fall. That would make a lot of sense. It would do more to differentiate the America and Speedmaster and it would cover a broader market range from light(er)weight roadster to heavy(er)weight cruiser. If they bumped the America up into the 1300cc range, that would rock.

On another note: Has anyone looked custom cafe/roadsters in the April Cycle World. The V-twin on the front cover is very cool. I wish I had about 30 grand to do that to a Thruxton or a Speedmaster. When you think about it, Triumphs are great platforms to customize.

John

YA I'm with you on that bigger cruiser like the America in
say 1000 cc anyway. I'd go for any engine that's a little bigger since I weigh 285 it's like riding 2 up all the time.
Not that mine does run well I'd just like a little more for
our hilly PA terrain.

Todd

I would guess they would create a new name for such a different (larger) bike. Why drop the 790 cc America...it's a perfect bike for some, the SpeedMaster just affords a slightly different look (on the same basic platform). This is not unlike the 4 Bonne variations...the standard, the blacked out, the T100 and the Thruxton. Fairly simple diversification like blacking out the engine, a different seat, wheels, and bars allows T to reach a wider audience. If they lost the America, what would replace it? Speedy variants with different seats and wheels? Nah they'd just keep the America name. Plus historically they haven't minded having different names for bikes on the same platform aimed at different audiences (Bonneville and Thuxton, Speed Triple and Daytona, America and Speedmaster), no need to reuse the America name IMHO.

2007 isn't THAT far off when you think about it, expecially since 07 bikes will probably start coming out a little more than a year from now...

I speculated on this issue a couple of months back.
how about a 1200-1400 America II.

Hi,
In response to all the good ideas and speculation here, I must say that I am excited. Triumph has not only not minded using several names for similar bikes - they don't mind changing names either. I do wish they'd keep the 790 engine.
It is a great intermediate size and a good starter size for some. I want my wife and daughter to ride a Triumph. Neither of them are experienced riders, and all Triumph has to offer is a 600cc bike with 48 more horsepower than mine.
That is not a beginner bike. Not only would I like to see the America become an upper midweight, I'd like to see Triumph revive the 500cc twin, or even a single. I have thought about buying a Royal Enfield for my girls to learn on, but the Rebel250, GZ250 and Virago250 are all too enticing. When they outgrow one of those in 3 months, where do they go? Triumph has got to expand to lesser sizes also.
Keep the America as it is, that's fine. Call them what you will, that's fine. Just get some variety through all sizes.
I know the 250 single wasn't real successful for Triumph or BSA, but the 500 twin was a great size for beginners - ask Fonzi!
Ride Safe,
Dennis

America II...I like it...

I am still fond of the Speed Twin name too...kinda surprised they didn't use that for the Thruxton...with the Speed Twin, Triple, and Four all targeting the hooligan audience.

Me too Greg, speed twin would be sweet. And I agree, they have a HUGE hole to fill between the America and Rocket. But no need to drop the america size!!!

I hope they don't drop the America. I find it's as much bike as I need. I don't need to shave off a few seconds from 1 stop light to the next.

Funny, I have this discussion with a few of the guys at the shop here in Denver and they refuse to believe there is a reason to build a cruiser with a displacement between the America and Rocket. I tell them to logon here and they would find about 1000 guys ready to buy a 1200cc Triumph cruiser. While the local guys may not be wise enough to see this I believe Triumph corporate is.

As far as a beginner bike goes - I don't know if you will ever see a single. Buell/ Harley tried this and it wasn't particularly successful for them. Likewise, I'm not sure a 500cc twin would be much of an advantage over the 790cc. Weight-wise you only shave off maybe 30-50lbs. and with todays higher compression motors it would still be plenty fast to hurt yourself on in a hurry. Outside of the seat height, the standard Bonnie is actually a pretty good beginner bike. It feels like a big heavy bicycle and with less rake than the America or Speedy it has better handling manners at low speed.
You are correct though. Many new riders end up on small but very powerful 600cc sport bikes (620 Monster, SV650, Speed Four) due to their size and weight. Especially those folks who don't care for the "cruiser style".

Keith

I'm thinking 1200 would be great. That would compete with the 1200 Sporty and possibly provide a bolt on 1200 option for our 790's (?) Like they did with the 883 Sportster for several years.

I hear ya matt, I think they need another bike in between tho, or differentiate the america and speedmaster more, or something along those lines, ya know?

I have an O2 guys and am seriously looking at the Rocket to allow for further, more comfortable rides with the wife...I am also 6'6" tall, 235...BA has all the power I need for the mountains here in VA (Blueridge Pkwy) but larger powerplant would be a nice additon for the longer ride...If a 1200 version of the BA was coming, I would put off getting the Rocket...

George In Virginia

George,
I agree with your assessment. If I had my lady on the back of my Speedmaster, saddlebags full of gear, and I was pulling the grade west out of Denver on I-70 I think I'd be sweating it a little with the semis on my tail and big SUVs zooming by in the left lane. I think that calls for a few more cc's than the 790 in the BA and older Speedmaster.

On the other hand, I don't need the Biggest Bike In All The Land. The Rocket III is way up there on the ego-meter. It's front view profile is a little Boss Hoss-like so it's looks aren't for everyone.

I like my Speedmaster a lot, and I'm sure if I had bought a BA I'd like that bike equally as well. I'm 6'2" and I weigh about 230 and I do almost all my riding solo, so my bike works great for me. It puts a big grin on my face every time I ride it.

BUT, if I were doing heavy touring with a rider on the back, or even if I were riding solo with lots of gear, I'd have to consider alternatives. R1150RT, K1200GT, Kawasaki Concours, Road King, Road Star, ST-1300, or a good used ST-1100, FJR-1300, and all the other souless YamaSukiKawaHonda metrics in the 1000 to 1400 cc range.

BTW, I sat on a Trophy (dealer demo) the other day. The ergs felt good but the seat felt funny. It had a weird forward slant. I also sat on a new Sprint which fit me good, but put too much weight on my arms. Tiger? Maybe.

John

Ya why would you drop a Bike that started the Triumph craze and this site,I think the America model will be around for along time ,but it would be great to have a mid size bike to pick from thats what im waiting on...............

I'm afraid that my second choice bike is about to become a reality for me. I have been fighting the discomforts of the feet-forward position for quite a while now, but my worn out ole' back just won't take it anymore. This is a heartbreaking realization, since my SM is the bike I've always thought somebody needed to make. I guess too many years of abuse, work, motocross wrecks, horse buck-offs, etc. have taken their toll. I've said before that a 1200 Trophy might be the ticket...so I'm looking for a deal on one.

Maybe you just need to adjust things a bit. For the same reasons, I have a hard time tucking my feet under.

Hey Mouse,

My back was kind of hurting too. I am only 5'9" and my arms are kind of short. I got aftermarket risers 5 1/2" up and back and it has really helped. I can now sit up if I want to and don't have to reach as far forward. I did have to drill out the mounting holes as they use 1/2" bolts instead of Triumph's captured bolts with nuts. Also, the solo seat moves you a bit more forward than the stock speedie seat. My hands don't fall asleep anymore either. Hope this helps.

Dan

Hmm, DanB forgot to tell about his "tummy", which hangs forward enough to counterbalance him. Some say he takes after his dad. Hey! I resemble that remark! <chuckle>

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Personally I'd love to see an America version 1400 with
an optional staged carb package to take it on up
to 1500. Full center console with speedo, tach, fuel, oil pressure, and battery indicators. Pullback risers, chopped
fenders, duel front disc brakes on your choice of alloy or spoked wheels, and oh yeah, an optional belt drive.
How 'bout the Triumph "Rogue?"

Mouse, Lonestar H-D in tyler had 3 Trophy 1200's when i was over there around christmas. I don't believe they were asking a bad price for them.

Now that my Speedmaster is totaled, I am thinking about replacing it with a Tiger. Lots more power. And very different, should stand out just as much or more that the speedmaster.

bad406...
I've been looking @ those Trophys at Lone Star for quite a while now. They even have an '02 still in stock. Considering the service (or lack thereof) I've gotten from them, I doubt I would ever buy a bike there. They're still trying to figure out how to get the $500 from Triumph for some stuff I bought w/ my voucher. I'm waiting to see the new Sprint ST.

I rode & loved the Tiger. Unfortunately, most folks tend to think they aren't very attractive, doubt it would be the attention-getter the Speedy was for you. If I can score a 2nd bike, the Tiger or Speed Triple would be perfect. Maybe when I retire!

Just one question on the bigger engine in TBA. Is there room enough to do that and keep the same look? Or will they have to resort in some other configuration. 1200cc engine is 50% bigger.

Considering that the engine is offset about an inch so the drivechain can clear the fat rear tire, a considerable size increase would serve to expand it back to the left to where it would have been with a skinny tire. If the gearbox is expanded to match, there would be room for another gear.

I dont think triumph is finacally strong enough to introduce a completely new engine so soon after the rocket. But then what do I know.

I heard this from a customer today;

"By the way I had confirmed by ****** that Triumph will be coming out with a 1600 cc cruiser using the Rocket Block with two cylinders mounted laterally in a Bonnie frame."

True? Don't know, but interesting.......

-brent

Are you saying a 1600cc Bonnie America or Bonnie? I would think cruiser style. If so where do I sign? Naturally, Caspian Blue will make its triumphant return as the only available color.

Ride safe.

Ryan

Fundamentally, the BA appeals to the chrome crowd and the SM doesn't. It's as simple as that. As far as a 1.5L machine, I'm not drawn to it. No one ever keeps the trophy for the displacement wars long, so it's futile. Will the current positive BA/SM accolades disappear in the shadow of a bigger machine with the higher insurance levy?

IMHO, the only reason Triumph would enter the dispacement arena with the BA is for market share; if so, maybe they shouldn't be making bikes and "go the other way."

You know, I know this is all PURE speculation,
but there for a moment my pulse sure did quicken.
I'd been thinking about a 14 or 15;I agree with Ryan that
23 is too big, and frankly for me so is an 18.
But when you said sweet "16", ahhh Magic! If they make a
1600cc BA I'll buy the first one I can get my hands on

Eric

I would certainly assume it'd be in an America frame. The Bonneville is perfect at the 800/900cc size.

-brent

Brent,

I think my 2005 865cc SM is adequate for it's purposes (as was the 790cc SM I rode for a few months last year). Enough grunt and the weight is just about right!

At most, I would go up to an 1100cc (not more) in the same frame, if that were possible.