Triumphrat

vito

I never thought that a motorcycle's looks were really important to me, but when I bought my America in 2011 I know that my decision to get this bike, and not some Honda or Star or Kawa was influenced by what the bike looks like. I'm from an older generation and in my head there is an image of what a motorcycle is supposed to look like, and the America hits that dead-on. Plastic covered super bikes have their place on the road, but they don't have that special appeal that a classic cruiser has. Add to the looks (in black) of the America, the storied name Triumph, plus the reality that my demo ride showed me how well this bike rides, and I was sold. I never rode a Speedy, but when I sat on both, it was the America that called out to me.

SkidRowe41

@ cjpeltz. If you have the dealership do the work it will cost you an arm and a leg. You would not believe how easy it is to remove the gas tank. On my 2004 America we are talking like 5 bolts and loosen the fuel hose clamp. 1 bolt to remove the pillion seat, 1 bolt to remove the main seat, 2 or 3 allen bolts to remove the chrome cover around the gas filler, and one bolt to remove the gas tank, then loosen the clamp on the fuel hose at the carb and pull the tank back. You'll have to remove the fuel vent hose once you pull the tank off and that's it. very very easy. It's no kidding a 15 to 20 minute job with the right tools depending on how many times you stop to take a sip of beer. Only issue is, you buy that tank you were eyeballing and then you have to buy the matching fenders as well. Front Fender is easy to change out, The rear however will require a little more work and a motorcycle jack. Only reason I know is I have torn my bike down and am in work on putting custom fenders on my bike.

__________________
Some people are like slinkies. They're not much to look at, but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

wsbergeon

I have a 2011 Speedy and went with that because I liked the blacked out engine casing look better than the chrome on the America. I also went with the Speedy because of the 19" front wheel and 1 degree of difference of rake. The dealer told me the Speedy turns and steers better than the America. I didn't ride the America but I can tell you that the Speedy turns really well.

vzshadow

Shouldn't the smaller front wheel and slightly lesser rake angle for the forks make the steering on the America slightly more responsive?
I would think the larger front wheel on the Speedy would be a little more stable on the interstate.

wsbergeon, Did you get the Speedy at StreetCycles?
I like the people there but it's a little far from home.

9990

You'd think that would be the case, but apparently the America front wheel weighs more, making it a more effort to turn. Multiple folks who've ridden both claim the Speedmaster is easier to turn. The lead mechanic at my dealer included, and he likes to ride everything.

Luziana_Geezer

And I can assure you that my little ~450 lbs Honda VLX has heavier steering than my Speedmaster... FAR heavier.

BMORE45

I liked the straighter bars on the Speedmaster (2011). Still an easy reach to them and I'm just 5'9"

PRM068

Since my original post, i have since bought a 2010 black and white Speedy.

It came with a tyre that is the size for the America - 11/90/18. The Speedy is meant to have 110/80/18. Trust me when i tell you it makes a world of different.

The dealer I bought it off has since sent me a new tyre to suit the Speedmaster. I also love the bars on the Speedy over the America. Doesn't look like a Harley "wannabe" either.

peter

Findlay13

Why do speedy riders need to justify their purchase ?
Seem to me America riders are much more secure with the rides they bought.[Hahaha!]

vzshadow

My wife is considering a new bike to replace her Honda Shadow VLX. I've taken test rides on the America and Speedy and found both to be spectacular. It was probably 10 months between the two test rides so I'd have difficulty splitting hairs about which one rides better.

She favors the America because, get this, she finds it easier to get of the side stand. She came to this revelation after bouncing back and forth between it and the speedy. It's far easier to get off the side stand than her VLX. She sat on a Shadow Spirit 750 and it was a major effort for my petite 61 year old wife to get it of the side stand.

I tried the two bikes back to back and though I didn't notice a big difference, I found that as you kicked your leg over the America and sat down it simply went into an upright position with no effort.