Triumphrat

05-09-2006

I'm totally new at this. I have friends who ride Harley's, friends who ride BMWs. Triumphs have always been my favorites - easy on the eyes. I know little else. As I read, I am drawn to the American and or the Speedmaster. I'm heading out this weekend - first time - to the dealer. They seem, in their stats to be virtually the same bike... slightly more oomph in the Speedmaster, but seems like it might be negligible. Can anyone comment on this? What's the difference, other than a few cosmetics, and about $1500?

Thanks........
rowboy

dazco · 05-09-2006

It's somewhat subective, but not totallt. the speedmaster has alloy wheels which IMO are worth the price of admission alone. Don't have to worry about spokes needing adjusting cuz wheel has gone out of round, infinatly easier to clean, possibly more stable, according to qa thread i just read at i think BA they are also safer when you get a flat at speed. plus if your eye is like mine they look better. Then theres the dual discs. needed them once so far and man am i glad i had them ! Look better too IMO........more balanced looking front end. You also get a tach with the speedmaster, tho for the price of a tach you can, er, tack one on an america. :-D And finally, i've never ridden an america but i've come to think that the speedmaster's cam, which by the way is ground for torque give the bike a quicker stronger bottom and is possibly an advantage which i didn't necassarily think before. but i think it does pull harder in the low end than the rest of the twins just as triumph intended.

Those are the main differences i can think of offhand, and to me worth more than the price difference which by the way is only about $600 at discount prices. It would cost you that much to buy one wheel. But the one thing thats truly as subjective as it gets but i must say i believe with all my heart, the speedmaster is the most beautiful of the twins !!!

can i get an amen on that speedy bro's?!!! :-D :-D :-D

schwartzkm · 05-09-2006

1) SM has the larger engine of the two but I don't think it makes a HUGE difference.
2) SM has a blacked-out engine!!! My last two bikes had lots of chrome and that equated to lots of polishing in order for the bike to continue to look nice. I vowed to get a bike with a blacked out engine because I hate polishing chrome which placed the SM on my short list (Victory 8 ball; HD Nighttrain; Triumph SM).
3) Easier/cheaper to turn an SM into an America than a America into an SM. I can replace the stock seat and handlebar setup on my SM and get an America riding position with the larger displacement engine (see point 1).

Both bikes are REALLY nice and I don't think you could go wrong picking either one. I chose the SM solely on point 2 in my above list.

my 2 cents

kevin...

bbrovold · 05-09-2006

My situation in the decision was a no-brainer since I was buying a new in the crate '05 Speedmaster which made the price equal to the ' 06 America. For all the reasons the others listed it just made sense with the twin discs, cast wheels, bigger engine with more torque (and black), tach and I also got the $500 accessory offer which went towards bags and a flyscreen. One other thing it has that the America does not is adjustable levers for the clutch and brake, not a big deal unless you have small hands like myself. I am extremely happy with mine. If possible, arrange a head to head test drive at the dealer and see which one floats your boat.

Normandy · 05-09-2006

dazco · 05-09-2006

Quote:

On 2006-05-09 20:22, Normandy wrote:
AMEN

:-D

Oh, and as schwartzkm said, the blacked out engine is an absolute breeze to clean and i spend far less time cleaning because of it. And the black isn't just cr@ppy black paint like on jap bikes.....it's a thick textured finish that looks quality and is very impervious to damage or wear.

But let me say here, i don't mean to put down the america. It's an equally good bike but in a different way. If the look and features of the america are more to your tastes then thats the way to go. I just mentioned what i feel makes the speedy better for those who's desires run the same as mine and other speedy lovers.

LT · 05-09-2006

As an America owner, let me say first that I love my bike, and I agree with Daz and the rest. Just changed front brake pads, wish I had double discs up front. Unless you really really love the look of spoked wheels, go with the Speedy.

05-09-2006

Yo! Thanks for the fast response. Sounds like the SM comes out on top. I was leaning that way.... thoughts on the wheels and the blacked out engine won me over.

This is a great site.

rb