Triumphrat

singring · 11-05-2006

I've done my research, and now that I'm somewhat informed, I have a few questions to lay on you good folks before making a bike purchase. I'm looking at a 2006 SM with long TOR's, less than 100 kms on odometer, solo seat & pillion. It was purchased new, but owner not impressed with HP (dyno'd at 49) & torque, as he is used to HD bikes. Carbs re-jetted, but no other mods. So, on to my questions:

1. The SM and Thruxton have same engine displacement and use same carb needles, but Thruxton stock is 69 HP vs SM stock 54 HP. What else does Thruxton have that SM is lacking?

2. Which seat is more comfortable, solo seat or SM stock gunfighter?

3. Had Triumph addressed bubbling fuel tank liner issue by 2006 production? What color of liner is bubble-free?

4. If I purchase this practically new SM and did some of my own mods, such as removing airbox restrictor-plate and snorkel, add K&N air filter, AI removal, side-gap sparkplugs, and then do some carb tuning, what HP and torque gains would be expected?

5. I can get a new stock 2006 SM for about $1000 less (including taxes and PDI)than this used one. Do the Triumph long TOR's sound that much better than stock silencers, and do they really contribute that much performance-wise? I wouldn't think so, considering what the owner of the used bike has discovered.

6. It's rumored that EFI will be introduced on the cruisers, possibly for 2008 models. Is EFI worth waiting for? Would HP and torque gains be that signicant? Re-mapping of HD EFI modules to gain performance seems to be hit and miss, and I wonder about future re-mapping issues with the Triumphs.

Well, that's it for now. I appreciate your help in making my decision on whether to buy used, buy new, or wait til the EFI models.

Thanks

SCCTrim · 11-05-2006

1: The thrux and sm have different cam's...they are also different in regard to degree's in firing. The thrux is a 360 motor while the sm is a 270. While they are the same displacement...they are very different...do not compare the 2.

3: I have a 06 bonnie with no issues, the liner is brown.

4: Airbox removal, freeflowing exhaust, rejet, probably expect a 6 to 10 horse gain depending upon dyno...49 hp seem's a low number...dyno #'s are a game...there are lot's of variables. While you can build a triumph to make the hp a harley will, it's far more difficult to make the same torque.

5: Why would you pay 1000.00 more than a new 06 out the door for a used bike...buy the new bike, tell the other owner to replace the carbs, and add more freeflowing exhaust and airbox removal. That will wake the bike up.

rodburner · 11-05-2006

IMO,get the NEW one and save the $1000 until you see some pipes of your choosing.. And who knows what the previous owner did to it to make it so weak.

dazco · 11-05-2006

1. The SM and Thruxton have same engine displacement and use same carb needles, but Thruxton stock is 69 HP vs SM stock 54 HP. What else does Thruxton have that SM is lacking?

It's subjective. They are completely different bikes, so the differences are purely up to you to decide.

2. Which seat is more comfortable, solo seat or SM stock gunfighter?

I don't know, but i imagine the same since the gunfighter is the same but with the added rear part

3. Had Triumph addressed bubbling fuel tank liner issue by 2006 production? What color of liner is bubble-free?

Yes. At least they changed the lining. Whether it's flawless or not i dunno, but so far i haven;'t seen anyone post issues with it.

4. If I purchase this practically new SM and did some of my own mods, such as removing airbox restrictor-plate and snorkel, add K&N air filter, AI removal, side-gap sparkplugs, and then do some carb tuning, what HP and torque gains would be expected?

I'd say i got about 10 more HP with thunderbike pipes, drilled box, UNI filter and side gapped plugs, and more torque, tho i wouln't guess on how much. But overall it's much stronger than stock.

5. I can get a new stock 2006 SM for about $1000 less (including taxes and PDI)than this used one. Do the Triumph long TOR's sound that much better than stock silencers, and do they really contribute that much performance-wise? I wouldn't think so, considering what the owner of the used bike has discovered.

The pipes alone don't. But they ALLOW you to rejet and do airbox mods which will. However, tors seem to get the smallest boost from these air/jetting mods. Other pipes like thunderbikes allow full potential tho are much louder. Tors seems to be liked by some but not by others, while thunderbike and some others seem to be universally like by all as sound goes.

6. It's rumored that EFI will be introduced on the cruisers, possibly for 2008 models. Is EFI worth waiting for? Would HP and torque gains be that signicant? Re-mapping of HD EFI modules to gain performance seems to be hit and miss, and I wonder about future re-mapping issues with the Triumphs.

I dunno. I imagine so. But a triumph rep said no EFI for at least several years due to the carb'd twins being compliant with all countrie's emission standard for several years to come. No one knows for sure, but i'd say his word is probably as close to gospel as you're gonna get.

Well, that's it for now. I appreciate your help in making my decision on whether to buy used, buy new, or wait til the EFI models.

pabonne · 11-07-2006

No expert advise here but IMHO the decision that wrack's your brain today will vanish into thin air the moment you throw a leg over the saddle and hit the open rode on a Bonneville. There's just nothing like it.

Pick the one that looks best to you and enjoy! (And send some photos please.)

PS - no matter which one you choose you'll end up dumping big $ in mods so don't let the starting point be the deciding factor. :-D

SpeedyPete · 11-07-2006

Singring,

How's it goin, eh? I'm a flatlander myself - from Regina as it happens.

Not much advice on the questions you're asking, but I might suggest that you answer another question first: what style makes your heart beat faster - the cruiser (America / SM) or the standard (Bonnie / Thrux)?

Answer this one first and then everything else falls into place.

Go Riders!

P