Triumphrat

kingpindog

I'm thinking over which Triumph I'd choose when I come back to the brand. I'm 52 (will turn 53 inMarch) six feet tall and weigh about 210#. I like the retro Bonnie T100's looks but the seat isn't that comfy, although I could live with it. The upcoming Scrambler looks to be pretty much the same bike with some sixties off-road looks. The Speedmaster and America have a more low cruiser fit and feel with the Spedmaster having the better brakes and cast wheels. I;m currently on a large American V-twin so I'm wondering if I'll be dissapointed or not with the horsepower and torque of the vertical twin. I'm not a speed freak or a show-off. I just like to ride a lot. Most of my rural riding is between 50 and 70 mph depending on what the traffic is doing.

windrider

For you type of riding I would suggest the Speedmaster. I have had quite a few bikes from around 1300 to a 650 Bonnie and I always had found memories of the Bonnie and that is why I have eventually come back to them. I could not be any happier. The only problem for you would be the power Aspect depending on what V twin you have

Sheepdog

I have an 800cc T-100 and like the layout very much. I've made some ergonomic changes and find the stock seat acceptably comfortable (see my N-H Rearsets review elsewhere in this site). Power and handling is very reminiscent of my cherished Norton Commando of old. The newest T100s have a bit more power than mine making them even nicer. Reliability and economy has been superior. Unless you're partial to a more "laid out" riding posture, the stock or T100 Bonnie is a practical and easy-to-love ride that is a little truer to the original Bonneville look. The price seals the deal...

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2003 Bonneville T100 and 2007 Moto Guzzi California Vintage

Bod

Hey Kingpindog
Have you had a test ride on the America / Speedmaster yet?

I know many American's who have had many different bikes from early Triumphs and 'those' V-twins.

None are disapointed with the performance of the vertical twins and love giving their V-twin riding buddies a shock by not only keeping up but overtaking them.

They tell me H-D tuning can cost a fortune but you can get comparable bhp and top speed with the vertical twin at a fraction of the cost!!
Also there are no embarasing calls to AAA for a ride home!

If you don't mind the travel, I'm told Chattinooga Triumph are almost giving away their bikes!!
I'm told their out the door prices are the cheapest you can get!
Extra money to spend on aftermarket goodies.

I'm biased here, but I'd suggest the America! :-D

Bryan

I think the T100 will give you the feel and sound I think you might be looking for in a retro Triumph. The America, Speedmaster and I believe the Scrambler all have the 270 degree crankshaft giving the bike a different sound. The T100 has the 360 degree crank and sounds more like the older bike's. The torque peaks at 3500 rpm's so you won't have that low end torque you used to have but it's close enough.[Sorry shouldn't have said that]. You can check the Triumph web site for the accrual specs on them. I think the Triumph trails the Harley's by less than a half second in the quarter mile but in the turns you'll lose 'em. Another thing is all your Harley friends won't mind a Triumph in the pack as a matter of fact they kind of enjoy it. Click here for the Triumph web site and specs for T100.

[ This message was edited by: Bryan on 2005-11-26 00:46 ]

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dazco

If you're worried about torque and comfot, get a speedmaster. They're tweaked more for torque than any of the twins and i could literally use the seat in my living room without sacrificing comfort over the living room chairs. And it's as stable feeling as anything, probably more than any harley. The kingpin i dunno. It's stable as he|| up to the highest speeds you'll ever go and at your quote of 70 it feels like you're sitting on it in your garage. But the only area you might miss is the power if the kingpin's specs are much higher. then again you say you aren't a speedfreak. But no matter what anyone here says the only way to know is head to the dealer and ride one.

farky

Kingpin, When I originally test rode the Triumph twins my wife stayed at the dealership. I rode a T-100 and an America. I liked them both. Being 6'1 my wife told me that the T-100 looked kind of small on me. I understood that because of seeing taller guys riding a Sportster they looked the same way. Back at the dealership the 2nd time I was able to sit on an America with factory floorboards and bingo, that was the one for me. Although I kind of yearn for the factory mags and dual discs of the Speedmaster. At the time I didn't know about Corbin replacement seats or any of the others. What really put the icing on the cake was that when I picked up my bike up at the dealership I allready had them install Thunderbike mufflers. Another excellent choice in my opinion. Hope this helps. One other thing. I tend to ride the 50-65 mph and the America has plenty of power riding two up for me.

Jerry

Binnsy

Hey, the Kingpin has an engine double the size of the Triumph twins ans the specs indicate that you will be disappointed in the 850cc engine if you are "comparing". It's like comparing a mack truck with a mini cooper.......

A more appropriate comparison would be to the Rocket 3.

But if you want a bike that is fun to ride all the Triumph twins will fit the bill...

Test ride the Speedmaster and a Thruxton before deciding........

:-D

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Scientists say too much alcohol damages your memory, I forget why...

B02S4

You might want to consider a complimentary bike rather than another cruiser replacement.

The Bonnie & T-100 do seem to be small when sitting on them in the showroom, but you don't notice that on the road. They are nimble handlers.

The Speedy & America feel *great* in the showroom, but on the road, the handling just isn't there in the twisties, IMO. I also personally don't care for a 270 degree crank on a parallel twin motor. The Speedy certainly nailed the look, though.

If you are coming from an American V-twin, the Thruxton will probably seem like an alien machine. But it's arguably the best of the bunch, component & performance-potential wise.

But really, the Bonnie-derivatives aren't about being ultimate performance machines, no matter how much you spend on them. But in this case, that's good, because there's really no overwhelming need to spend a ton of money chasing ultimate HP.

Best advice is to ride them all, if you can...the dealers in my area generally will arrange to demo a Triumph, because the demo ride will practically sell the bike, if it's what you are looking for.

All of these twins are bargains from my perspective.

FattRat

Kingpin DUDE!
You've read the rest, now here's the BEST (advise):

The BEST isn't being made, so you gotta go with what moves ya......

"The BEST" would be the Speed Master's wheels (tubeless tires), it's dual discs up front, and seating position sans the forward controls,
- COMBINED WITH -
the frame/front-end geometry, and engine of the Thruxton.

But the above dreamed about beast isn't being made, so this is how MY story goes:
I was absolutely struck by the visuals & the Bonnie's history when they came out with the new one, and I wanted it! A couple years later I showed up late to test ride one when the Triumph test-ride truck showed up an hour from where I live. I opt'ed instead to ride the Speed Master. ***** thing was slow, gutless, and without the character I wanted. Besides, I just climbed off an 80 horsepower modern day Beemer....... I rode home disappointed in my ride on the Triumph twin.
But the Bonneville T100's still left me swooning, even after riding that gutless Speed Master. Well, I have a basic "Black" Bonneville now...... and have found love in the celebration of what the Bonnie' is all about! The single most important thing done to my Bonnie' to make it right with me, was the intake & exhaust. It transforms the bike into something you simply wouldn't understand -EVEN THOUGH- you may already have done the same thing to your American V-twin.......

I now lust for the Speed Master (in Red & Black), but my 24" inseam doesn't do forward controls, and I'm in love with my
Marlon Brando/James Dean/Steve McQueen Bonneville.

I would advise you to STRONGLY consider the Speed Master, research the pipes you gotta put on it, and spend the additional money for better springs up front & GOOD (adjustable) shocks on the back. You will already be familiar with the cruising riding style, and the forward controls will fit your longer legs better (not to forget that you get tubeless tires & twin discs up front).

If the T100 ain't calling out to ya, go Speedy!

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