Hmmm.. Mongols and Vagos. I don't like either. Both steal Harleys to feed their habits...therefore if you own the Sportster and those clowns roll into a Denny's most likely you won't be rolling out on your Sportster.
Goes something like this..create a diversion by hassling your girlfriend. You, of course defend her honor. Your bike has been scoped out. While you get your ****** beat your bike has been hopped and disappears.
Triumph. Like your Honda, the Mongols don't see it. It might as well be a Vespa.
Oh..the Sportster is a girls bike. The America(and Speedmaster)is not.
And..the girls who ride Americas are generally hot.
The America is just cooler than a Shadow. Has more power too. You will enjoy the bike as upgrades are plentiful.
You are in SoCal so you are going to see the good and bad in motorcycling. PM me if you want to see the good. Its all Triumph.
