Triumphrat

12-10-2005

For the past few months I have been looking at getting a second bike and I keep coming back to the Triumph Bonneville. At first I thought I wanted a T100, but the more I test ride and sit on the bikes, I am leaning more to the America. It seems to fit me better than the T100. Could you America owners please give me some input about what you like, and dislike, about the America? How are they on longer rides? How is the handling at slow speeds? Do they have enough power? How are they on the interstate and what is their cruising speed? Any input will be appreciated!!

Bryan · 12-10-2005

First of all I love the bike.
I dislike the sound compared to the T100, the pistons fire every 270 degrees instead of every 360 degrees like the T100 and the older Triumphs.
I like the cruiser look, I already have an older 76 Bonneville so I have the sportier bike covered.
I have done a few 6 hour rides and have no real complaint's on the comfort. I haven't been on any multi day trip's yet [they were weekend trips to a friends house over the sierra mountains}so I can't comment on that.
If you get into tight turns at any kind of high speed you can drag your heel's on the ground. I guess if anything you can use this to guage how far over you are leaning. I've never ridden a T100 but if it's anything like my T140V The America can't compare in handling.
Low speed's are not a problem, it handles just fine.
Bonneville's don't have gobs of horse power but the 790 engine is only a half second slower in the quarter mile than the much larger Harley Sportster and the America handles much better in the turns. I can loose a Harley any day in the turns.
I ride side by side with my Harley buddies on the freeway and when passing an 18 wheeler it tracks right pass them.
I figure if it fits buy it. The first bike I sat on was the Standard Bonneville in the showroom. It was sitting next to the America and my wife said " You've already got one of those. Go try that one over there". She really liked the way it looked and I did too so that's the one she bought me.
Like I said, I love the bike.

LT · 12-10-2005

Bought mine in June, put 5000 miles on her since then. Very pleased. Have a bad back, forward foot controls tiring on long runs. Switchblade pegs or floorboards on my list of things to do. Very pleased with the bike. Plenty of power for me, but I am more conservative than most. I believe the Speedmaster is geared a little lower, and this year SM has a few more CC's. I cruise at 80, 85 no problem at all. I am very pleased with the bike. Get compliments everywhere I go. Did I mention that I was pleased with my bike? :upthumb:

12-10-2005

Thanks for the input...it's good to get feed back from those who ride the bike. So far, everything I have read and heard has been very positive about the America and I think that's my next bike.
Ride safe!

dardoonk · 12-10-2005

I've had my America for about two months now. Overall, I couldn't be happier. It handles much better than I thought it would at low speeds & definately better than a HD Sportster I was on. I usually cruise around 70 mph on open two lanes and the bike has all the power I need whenever I need it. I'm a big guy (270lbs) and it hauls my arse just fine.
The one real complaint I have has not seemed to bother others, but I have had severe back problems and the stock seat was giving the old bottom some numbness & lower back pain. I sent the seat pan our for some customizing and it made a world of difference. I had about 1" taken off the seat all the way around and a gel pad built in. Now I sit about 1" lower than stock too.
Bryan is right, you'll drag your heel once in a while, but I feel like I am pretty far over when I do.
I feel the front end dive more than I like when braking hard, although works fine on the bumps because the forks are pretty forgiving, I think it could use a set of Progressive springs in front. That's on my short list.

BTW: Goodwood Green & Silver is the fastest color!!! :-D

12-11-2005

Viking

I was lucky enough to ride my first America coast to coast USA in 03. Rode on all types of road, from the Smokies & the Rockies and on the slab. No problems with any of the terrain.

Only thing I changed on that one was the horn, which was too weak to warn all the "cell using cagers" that I was in the space they were trying to go! On my new one, have changed the pipes, taken out the AI & other minor mods.

For more info about these bikes, you may want to check out www.bonnevilleamerica.com if you havent already done so.

Enjoy the ride

Shaun

ssjones · 12-11-2005

Quote:

On 2005-12-10 18:00, Viking wrote:
.... Could you America owners please give me some input about what you like, and dislike, about the America? How are they on longer rides? How is the handling at slow speeds? Do they have enough power? How are they on the interstate and what is their cruising speed? Any input will be appreciated!!

- Change out the 17 tooth front sprocket for any interstate travel, I went with an 18 tooth.
- I've ridden 400 mile days without complaint. I have a gel insert in my stock seat.
- Needs the usual exhaust/carb modification to suit your tastes (Specialty Spares long cannons on my bike)
- Stock tires, brake pads not the best (Metzler & EBC on my bike)
- Bike is an attention mangnet. I ride mine every where around town. The last two trips to Lowes resulted in four converstations, two arriving and two departing. My wife just chuckles now when someone makes a bee-line for the bike.
- Bike has been very reliable. $11 in repair costs with 14k on my '02
- Handlebar postion very comfy for my size. Forward controls took some getting learning. (never owned a cruiser before)

Good luck!

rodburner · 12-11-2005

welcome Shaun,trying to sneak in the back door? :-D

77T140V · 12-11-2005

My 2 zloty:

Dependable. Sold my '73 Norton and traded my '77 Bonneville in for the bike, praying it would be more dependable and less labor intensive. It is. I now spend a lot more time riding than wrenching and when I do wrench, it's because I want to, not have to.

How much power do you need? It has enough to put a smile on my face, but a lack of power is a common complaint. If you're looking for raw speed, buy a Hayabusa.

It's sluggish for two-up riding. Keep in mind I have not switched front sprockets and rarely ride two-up, so it's no big deal for me.

The bike handles surprisingly well for its size at low and high speeds, but changing to after-market rear shocks and front spings is also common.

I initially diskliked the feet-forward "cruiser position", but Triumph floor-boards made all the difference in the world for me. Also, my skinny white-boy a$$-bone used to hurt after about an hour in the stock saddle. Moving around on the floor-boards, helped this as well. I recently ordered a Corbin.

There is no center-stand option with the America. A cheap cycle-jack makes 500 mile chain cleaning/oiling much easier.

IMHO there is no better looking bike on the road. It's a blast to ride and worth every dollar. I also like the looks of the T100 with its standard riding position. The 2002-2003 Lucifer orange and Gunmetal Grey is a beauty. This years Black/Red ('78 colors) bike is also a looker. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

No regrets here, I'd certainly buy an America again.

Idea: Buy the wife a T100.

Regards,

Tom

kingpindog · 12-11-2005

I think that in spite of the cleaning and innertube issues that go with spoked wheels, they do make the America a prettier bike than the Speedmaster IMHO. I think the polished engine with chromed covers is also better looking than the blacked-out version, but that's just my opinion. I haven't demo rode one yet but very comfortable seat and ergos from what I can tell from my sitting on one.