Triumphrat

Backyard Bandit · 10-09-2009, 08:55 AM

Hi I'm new here. I am looking at both of these bikes. I haven't ridden either yet but am scheduled for a test ride on an America today. I need to convince the dealer to let me ride a Thunderbird also. He doesn't have a demo of the t-bird but he has one in the showroom. I'd like everyone's opinion of these 2 bikes.

kraftdinners · 10-09-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backyard Bandit

Hi I'm new here. I am looking at both of these bikes. I haven't ridden either yet but am scheduled for a test ride on an America today. I need to convince the dealer to let me ride a Thunderbird also. He doesn't have a demo of the t-bird but he has one in the showroom. I'd like everyone's opinion of these 2 bikes.

Hi BYBandit,,and welcome..

I can only talk about the T`bird having got the Blue / white one, all i can say is that it is AWESOME !!!, its looks beutiful, the finish etc is way beyond the offerings of HD say( having owned a FXD Dyna Glyde ) there is torque a plenty, I am still running her in here and tho the manual says to take it to the redline after 500 miles I haven`t as yet, tho its more than willing to do so, its me being chicken ;-), plus plod here in the U.K ..

But these are only my opinions, try it yourself and be ready to have a permanent grin etched on your face ;-)

Best of Luck and let the forum know your views / decision

Kind Regards

dazco · 10-09-2009, 10:36 AM

I had a speedmaster, same bike as the america but different cosmetics and dual discs up front instead of one on the america. So i'll start with the beakes. the speedmaster had duals so i imagine the brakes are better than the america, yet to me at least the Tbird's brake are better still. I was in a emergency stop situation just a couple weeks after getting mine and was very happy to find not only do the stop quick, but the bike itself remained very controlled in the stop. I would rate it's overall stopping ability as much better than the speedmaster.

Handling is where it shines to a point i think is above and beyond anything i'd expect from a cruiser. It's truly a jaw dropper. Till i got this bike i didn't realize what truly great handling was like and how fantastic it is to have a bike like that. Mind you, i never owned a sportbike. But there have been a couple people who have and comaperd it favorably with them. they won't convince me the Tbird is as good because that just doesn't make sense. But i do believe it's not that far off. I've chased several sportbike guys thru the twisties and i think i had them scratching thier heads as to how i stayed so close to them. If handling is important to you, you won't be disappointed to say the least. If it isn't, it will be once you get one.

Power is great. The top 1/2 of the RPM range is acceptable, but it like the america and speedmaster is really tuned for torque and doesn't breathe well in the upper RPM range. This can be easily rectified tho just as i did with the speedy (pipes, air mods, tuner) or with the big bore kit which by all accounts turns it into the fire breather it almost is already. The low end torque however is strong as _____. It's a stump puller to be sure and is quick off the line and accelerates quite fast when short shifting. All in all it wipes the floor with the america/speedy. No contest there.

The weight while much more than the 900's is nothing worth mentioning. The balance is so good due to the low center of gravity that it feels lighter than the speedy/america. granted, at a stop if you lean it you can tell it's heavier, yet it handles like it's lighter. It's even easier to hold up if you let it get away from you at a stop such as when you go to put it on the kickstand and the stand it in the up position. Ask me how i know. :d yes, that happened and i held it up EASIER than the speedy which i had to ease to the ground a few times.

The details are great too. the overall finish quality is much better. The tank has a hinge on the seat sid so you can raise it like the hood on a car to work on. Has self canceling turn signals. Signals are worlds nicer....like the aftermarket ones i got for my speedy and have clear lenses. Plus unlike the speedy the stems aren't 1/2 a mile long. Has a gas gauge, two tripometers and a clock. Front forks are worlds better. Triple clamps are polished aluminum. (americas are cast and unfinished and butt ugly) L.E.D. taillight. Steering lock PLUS harley type flanges for a padlock which is much safer if you need more security. Nearly zero maintenance belt with an all new belt and pulley construction by gates which was developed per triumph's request for a better longer life system. This setup is said to last 3-5 times longer than the current belt and pulleys harley uses. Harley belts/pulleys are known to last 100K for many riders. So you can see these may have the potential to last the life of the bike. If not, surely a heck of a long time. Just a huge advantage over a chain that must be adjusted and oiled constantly and smoother less jerky power delivery and noiseless. Oh yeah....it averages about the same MPG as my speedy did, tho to be fair the new EFI speedys probably do better. But i've gotten as much as 4 MPG better than my speedy did when not doing city stop and go. Not bad for an engine almost twice the size !

On the freeway at 70 MPH the speedmaster/america is turning 4000 RPM's. At 4000 RPMs the Tbird is at 105 MPH ! No kidding ! in fact, it's actually turning a bit under 4k, so it's probably doing a REAL 105 at 4k while the 70 MPH the speedy did at 4k was actually less because both bikes have optomistic speedos by 3-5 MPH. My speedy did have a 17 tooth front sprocket so you will get slightly better with a new speed or america because now they have 18 toothers. But we're talking a couple MPH at most. Point is, with 6 speeds the Tbird has a huge advantage at high speed cruising.

I'm sure i'm missing many little details, but in short i keep finding little details it has that make it a better bike. I've said this a few times and i still mean it when i say that compared ro the Tbird my speedmaster seems flawed in many ways. The Tbird is so superior that i honestly believe that very very few poeple would choose an america or speedmaster over the Tbird if they rode both enough to have a firm grasp on what each bike is like. If you want my recommendation i would go as far as to say even if there was no performance difference in the motor i would still recommend the Tbird highly ove rht e900's. It's just a far superior bike.

DOUBLEL · 10-09-2009, 12:31 PM

I had the America for 2 1/2 years and I did love it. I put 15,000 miles on her and it was a big decision to trade for the TBird. As much as I loved the America, I love the TBird 10X as much! The America got me back into riding after 25 yrs and it was perfect. I am also only 5'7" and about 140lbs so I didn't think I could handle a big bike to get started again. Then, when I took the TBird for a ride, it was all I needed to decide. It has the power and excellent ride for longer distance, and too my surprise, it handles better than the TBA. It has been said in the forums here how the bike almost has a sportbike feel to it. I agree, it handles much smaller than it actually is in size and weight and has been no problem for my size.

In the end, ride both and decide. If you are not presently riding and may want a transition bike like I did, the TBA would be perfect. Or, for just getting around town you won't be disappointed. In the end, they are both great bikes, you can't lose!

Sam77 · 10-09-2009, 02:52 PM

My parents traded their Honda Pan-European to Triumph America just few days after I told 'em that I'm gonna trade my D675 to T-Bird (that is what they always do

). After they picked up their Triumph America, my mom told that she saw T-bird while my dad was signing papers. She thought that it looked kind a same than America and saw no significant difference between them (women...).

Well, I'm gonna blow my dads mind by offering him a test ride in next march when I have my T-bird. He have had solid 2 months to ride his America and I really wanna hear his opinion about difference between these two. Knowing my dad pretty well, he's not going to admit that T-bird was any better

and if I ask America for a test ride he would propably (Nooo, he wouldn't do that

) say no.

engage · 10-09-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam77

After they picked up their Triumph America, my mom told that she saw T-bird while my dad was signing papers. She thought that it looked kind a same than America and saw no significant difference between them (women...).

No doubt! I went from a 2004 Bonneville black to a Black TBird. When I showed it to my wife for the first time she says: "It looks just like your other bike..."

Thatch · 10-09-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engage

I showed it to my wife for the first time she says: "It looks just like your other bike..."

Wow, from a bonnie to a bird? It's hard to understand when people don't understand our hobbies, isn't it? I mean, come on, this stuff is important, how can't they know the difference.

I can't add much to the discussion on tbird vs america. To me there is no contest. (especially considering I never remotely liked the America (but the Speedy I like)) The big points being that the tbird has more power, handles better, brakes better, looks better and rides two up better. The America, well it's cheaper, a not altogether unimportant 'feature'. After all, it's still a Triumph which means you aren't going to be lost in a sea of look-a-likes and you're going to get a bike that performs well and garners respect from other riders.

Best of luck with your decision.

Sam77 · 10-09-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatch

The big points being that the tbird has more power, handles better, brakes better, looks better and rides two up better. The America, well it's cheaper, a not altogether unimportant 'feature'. After all, it's still a Triumph which means you aren't going to be lost in a sea of look-a-likes and you're going to get a bike that performs well and garners respect from other riders.

Best of luck with your decision.

Forgot to add that to my dads test ride. "Take mom with you" and my oh my if they don't feel even a little disappointed with their America after that, I'll spank myself for a month (not really, would't think my parents would appreciate that too much

).

robertrichhart · 10-09-2009, 07:16 PM

Well, I bought a new America in November of 2008. Loved the bike and racked up 2300 miles on it before this summer when the new TBird started to come available . After seeing one in person (Black, the best color!!!) I couldn't stay away from the dealer... After a spin around the block, I was immediately sold! I now have more than a 1000 miles on the new TBird and I have to say that this the most exciting motorcycle I have ever owned! It just keeps getting better and better. I have been comfortable pushing this bike in the twisties so hard that I'm scraping off the heels of my boots and grinding down the peg feelers...and loving every minute of it. Every time I twist the throttle I am amazed at the level of torque this motor delivers to the rear wheel... As much as I loved the America, I am 10x happier with the new TBird........

Backyard Bandit · 10-10-2009, 10:18 AM

Well I took a Bonneville, Scrambler, and America for a test ride yesterday and to my suprise I liked the Bonnie the most. The America I rode was not very comfortable. The pegs were a little too far forward, and I'm 5'11 with a 32" inseam. It sort of buzzed at cruising speed which was felt in the grips and seat. I didn't like the shifting of the trans either. It also had a pretty high 1st gear and I had to ride the clutch a lot. The bonnie's trans shifted much smoother and actually seemed to ride smoother. I was way more comfortable sitting up on the bonnie. The dealer is getting a brand new T-bird ready for me to ride next week and I will decide from there.
Thanks for all your comments. Bob.