Triumphrat

TBShorty · 10-27-2012, 11:14 AM

So I had been thinking about trading my TBS for my son's Bonneville America, figuring it is more suited to my geriatric bones. Went to Phoenix and had a good long ride. Riding with Ryan for the first time was something unforgettable for me. We've both been riding for many years, this was the first time together. We're going to try to do it more often. The only regrettable part of the ride was the Bonneville America. I have ridden the Bonneville SE and it was a lot of fun, light weight with reasonable power and decent brakes.
The America is kind of a slug next to the TBS. No way my legs were comfortable out front of me. The bike has Proggresive shocks but my ass was killing me after 50 miles. It is lighter than it looks and steers well but could use another brake in front. Bottom line, I love my TBS and it will stay with me. I might lower the pegs a little bit though.

BRG-BIRD · 10-27-2012, 12:56 PM

I rode one once and yeah, no way would I trade the Thunderbird and her triple for it!

jaguartvr · 10-28-2012, 02:42 AM

it has the 270 degree crank the same as the scrambler. I have had an America and the scrambler and couldn't believe how under powered they felt even compared with the standard Bonnie. Can't understand how Triumph manage to sell them.

Texstrom · 11-04-2012, 07:49 AM

I have one of each, The Thunderbird is a 96 and the America is 2002. Both feel extremly powerful to me . The America seem to have a "heavy " feel in the handlebars , I ended up carriying about 40PSi in the tire and it makes a difference. The T-Bird needs some attention as far as loks gom but mechanically sound, but likewise is real powerful and handles very nicely.

ozgnp · 11-05-2012, 05:30 PM

Sold my America to buy a Legend. I loved most everything about the
America, but could never get my 60 year old legs comfy. Tried foot boards, helped a little, but didn't solve the problem. Had to let it go to
a younger set of legs, and back.

duncan67 · 11-05-2012, 05:38 PM

The first set of numbers in line are the std bonny.

Displacement 865 cc 865 cc
Engine (Configuration) V-twin Parallel-twin
Combustion Cycle 4-stroke 4-stroke
Cooling System Air-cooled Air-cooled
Valvetrain DOHC DOHC
Bore x Stroke 90 x 68 mm 90 x 68 mm
Compression Ratio 9.2:1 9.2:1
Power 66 HP @ 7,500 rpm 60 HP @ 6,800 rpm
Torque 50ft.lbs @ 5,800rpm 53 ft.lbs @ 3300rpm
Fuel System Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI

You fellas have some VERY senitive butt dynos to feel the power difference between these two!Theres nothing underpowered about mine compared to a std bonny I assure you. I could understand how the different riding styl could make it seem that way but lets be honest,std bonny and ba are BOTH underpowered compared to anything in the triumph line with a bigger engine. There really isnt that much to be brought out of the little p twin Im afraid,not without lotsa bucks spent.