Triumphrat

vzshadow

Hi,
I'd very much like to get women's opinion of the America and/or Speedmaster. My wife currently rides a Honda 600 VLX Shadow. A very nice bike but with 4 speeds and a 583cc engine that only puts out about 35 horsepower it somewhat limits our ability to go on extended rides.

Some critical facts: The Shadow weights about 480 pounds with oil and fuel. It's seat height is 25.5 inches. So it is a bit lighter and lower than and America/Speedmaster with far less power. My wife is about 5'4" and weighs about 125 lbs, so she's pretty petite. We are not spring chickens. I'm 60 years old and I would never divulge the age of a lady (probably shouldn't have mentioned the weight either).
She is a pretty good rider.

I hope I've not pushed her towards Triumph, but I have encouraged her to look. She's mounted a 2007 and a 2012 and the ergonomic changes in 2011 were dramatic. She hated the 2007 and liked the 2012.

What do you think of these two bikes? Do you have a preference of one over the other?

durdle

Hey vzshadow,

My wife has the 2011 Speedmaster in black. I'm going to get her to respond to you. I write on this forum but the bike is really hers (or she likes to think it is). Seriously, I ride it as well as her but we really bought it for her. She absolutely LOVES THIS CRUISER!!!! She is 5'11'' but the seat is low so shorter women have no trouble. She looked at the Vulcan 900 but it seemed too heavy. We have been on many "over night" trips around Arizona, and, after a few days home she gets the itch to ride again. I have an Aprilia Mana GT (850), but, I must admit, if I was going to buy a mid-size cruiser, the Speedmaster would be my choice too. Power ?? You can't get any better in cruiser bikes under 1000cc. Look at some of the reviews. Check out the pics.

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vzshadow

Durdle,
I'd really like to hear what she has to say!
Thanks

BobKreyole

Recent post not too long ago maybe helpful.

http://www.triumphrat.net/cruisers-a...t-america.html

vzshadow

Hey,

Thanks for the like to the previous thread, it was extremely helpful.
I found it curious that the Honda Shadow won the Women's Cruiser Shootout, or whatever it was called. I had a 2008 Shadow and I didn't think it compared favorably with the America at all. Not even in the same class.

There's a lesson in appreciating that other people have very different perspectives and can reach completely different conclusions.

freddyknuckles

I wish my wife would ride a Triumph but at 5'1" she finds the seat height too high. Instead she is on a Boulevard M50 that I lowered for her.

vzshadow

The wife and I had a look at Speedmasters and Americas today. She really like both but based on just sitting on them she preferred the America. She found it easier to get off the side stand and I must say I agree. Not a lot easier, but it was noticeable. I think she preferred the America's handle bars too. As we are about to plunge into months of ice, snow and cold, I don't see any purchases in the next 5 or 6 months. But she's definitely interested.

Terra

Hi VZ,
I ride a 2007 America. Pretty much the best bike I've ever owned. I had a sit on the 2012 version and they do seem more comfortable. Bars and foot pegs are closer. I think the would suit a smaller stature rider regardless of gender, age or weight.

I am not sure how that smaller 16" front wheel on 2012 version affects handling though? I find I can fang the America 07 around thru the twisties almost as well as I did my Meriden Bonnies/Tigers.

I am in my mid 50s and hoping to keep this bike until my riding days are over.

Jett1

Hi VZ

I ride the 2012 America, the position of the bars and pegs suit me better, I am 5.4 and petite. I am able to reach the ground with my riding boots on - however they are not flat. I have ordered and awaiting the delivery of the low profile seat which will lower the seat height by 2 inches. Will post pics when it arrives.

The America is a beauty and handles corners really well and is a pleasure to ride. The wider front tyre and reduced front rake makes this an easier ride.
Hope this helps.

Christa

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vzshadow

Terra & Christa,

Thanks for the comments and Christa, I look forward to the pictures of the new lowered seat.

Within the last month or two we've looked again but still no purchases. One feature about the America that Suzie liked was the ease with which it comes off the center stand into an upright position. I hadn't picked up on that before but it's effortless. As you throw your leg over the bike, it pops vertical. She found a significant difference between the Speedy and America with the America being noticeably easier to upright. I really didn't see much of a difference. We tried a 750 Honda Shadow and she found it difficult to get off the center stand. Thus, Shadow is off the short list.