Triumphrat

deezildennis

Hey all. Sorry for the Newbie questions but I Need to get some info I Couldn't find otherwise.

Ive found myself want to do more long distance street/hwy rides and Im beating the tar out of my Vintage Enduro's doing so. The Only Bikes I am Looking at are the Sportster 883 , Bonneville T100 and the Speedmaster and America.

Does anyone only Both a Sportster and a Triumph? How are they comparatively?
How are the Triumph bikes Hwy for long distance travel? I Hear the stock Bonneville seat leaves a little to be desired. Is the lower Hp and Torque Rating of the Speemaster and America that much of a loss from the Bonneville's power?

And my Really Dumb Question...... A Guy Down the Street has a 05 Bonneville with some Dunstalls Mufflers? And I Really Like it. It Has Almost a Whirring sound when he is just riding down the street. I Freekin love it.....

Will the America or Speedmaster sound like that With aftermarket Mufflers or does the Crank Deg Come into play on that. Yes.....Stupid question I know but... I Have to know.

I Like the Bonneville the best out of the triumph line but I Am Growing Partial to the Speedmaster and America especially since My Wife is drooling over them and may want to tag along. LOL!

Anyway, Sorry for the lame questions.
None of the dealers around here allow test rides except for the local Harley Dealers, So I haven't been able to test any of the triumph line. That's Typical of most Bike Shops around here except for the Buell/Harley Dealers.

Thanks!

decobike

Hey Deezil, welcome. No lame questions IMO. Although I believe I've come up with a few lame answers from time to time. Don't own a a Sportster, but I've test ridden a couple and found them to be uncomfortable. I have a T100 and have logged about 12,000 miles (just shy) this year with only the K/Q seat on a stock bike. But, I'm middle aged and don't have the torque/speed needs the younger guys seem to crave. I only use the K/Q seat when touring so I do use the stock seat alot and the complaints are not always fair. Stock T100 seat is more comfy than a stock Sportster seat. The Minneapolis dealer will let you test ride if you make prior arrangements.

That's the limit of my ability to comment. You'll get a lot more responses on your other concerns I'm sure. Good luck.

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JEnfield

Dee I think its wise to ask questions before you sign the dotted line. I own a 07 Bville I road the speedmaster and owned a sportster. I like my bonneville I didn't care for the leg forward riding style of the speedmaster. At 6'3 I like my body weight over my legs the straight up riding postion is to my liking. The sportster was ok but 63 miles to a tank made long rides in route with gas stations. Both the Bville and sportster felt peppy even with 2 up. If you could get a test ride that is the answer you need. I installed exhaust and different bars and love it but you are on the right path buy what makes you happy then make it yours.

Jimmy

oldmanjob

My Bonnie compared to my wife's Sportster is like night and day. Smoothness, power, great sound (I have Togas) smooth shifting and a great ride TRIUMPH. My Bonnie runs circles around the Sportster which is a 883.

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John 14:6 KJV
Black Bonnie - 06
Looking back to the good old days is not the way out. Looking up to the God of All the Days is. (Vance Havner)

CAPTDON

If you are gonna be doing a lot of long dailly comutes- the BA or Speedy would probably be better suited? If you just wanna ride & like good handling (twisties etc), the Bonne or T-100 will make you a happy camper!! Decent transportation as well, but like the difference of owning say a say a C Class Mercedes or an SL. Both are nice, but do different things better. The BA/Speedy is better suited for 2/up. The Bonne will do2/up , but is a real thrill solo in the twisties & from the jump! Ive got a Rennetec rack on my Bonne & it does well in carrying what I want. A BA would be well suited for bags & a sissy bar/ rack- carrying a lot of stuff. Ride them both & think of your needs. I dont think you can go wrong either way!
No offense to HD , but I think the Triumph is a better bang for the buck! Gets a lot of attention as well! Good luck & a (if it happens) welcome to the club!!

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CAPT D

Echoance

Hiya, DD and welcome.

A perfectly valid question. Yes, the firing interval does affect the sound of the bike..in a big way. The 270 degree in the cruisers have a *lazier* sound, almost like it's missing a beat. As a Speedie owner, I love it!!!
Also, a benefit of the 270 is that it puts it's power down onto the road better, meaning drive (out of corners, for example) is improved.

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Photos

deezildennis

Whew! I was hoping the lame Newb ?s wouldn't come back to haunt me! LOL!
Thanks for getting back with some great replies.


The Bulk of the riding will be done on side streets and short hwy jaunts. But I Want to do some 65 mph day rides With my Buddies that ride HD's All big bikes.

I leave at 4am........Every day for work and most of those days I want to ride.
My Work commute is 14 miles to work and back all side streets or hwy can be taken.

There's only two triumph dealers in a 50 miles radius from me and neither of them do any test rides. I Thought they were joking at first, Im Mean Im 32, Don't look like a kid, and have current M License and Insurance. I Don't really have the time to take off to go out of state to see if I can ride one.

That's a Shame really.

I Was able to Park my Rear on pretty much all of them at my Local dealer though. I Fit pretty well on the Bonneville's and the two cruisers.

Are all the bikes in the triumph line able to do a steady 65-70+ for extended periods?

On a Side note...
Boy the King and Queen seat is a looker aint it! O well, I Love my Butt and back! I may be getting it if I get that Bonnie!

Big B

Your first post asked about longer distance riding on the Bonneville. I'm only 5'9', but find the riding position to be a little cramped after more than about an hour in the saddle. I have stock bars and footpeg positions, and the upright seating position causes a little pain at the base of my spine on extended rides. I bought the bike used and it came with a thicker, custom seat. If you can install a more comfortable seat, it will be money well spent. Stretching the legs at gas stops also helps a lot.

You also asked about the Bonnie's ability to cruise at 65-70+ for extended periods. I can assure you that this bike will cruise very comfortably at those speeds and can crack the ton for you on the occasional lonely road in the middle of nowhere!

dazco

LOL! Yeah, you could say that ! On my speedmaster at least 65 is almost better to use 4th gear for. So yes, it sure will. I routinely cruiose for miles on end at 85-90. Once rode quite a few miles thru the desert on a 105 degree dat at 90-95 out on a very open road. The bike is MADE to rev. It really is. And mine has one tooth smaller on the front sprocket than a stock speedmaster/america, so you'll cruise even easier.

As to bonnie vs speedmaster/america, the cruisers do NOT give up power to the bonnie. They just make more low end torque in place of the bonnie's high RPM HP. i much prefer the torque myself because it makes for a more linear power curve and makes the bike more streetable. It IMO give up very little over the bonnie in handling too. A bit slower to lean, but once you become used to that and counter steer more it's fine. The advantage in handling is stability. It's easily the most stable bike i've ever ridden. track like it's on rails at any speed and things like rain grooves and other road imperfections has very little effect on it.

Maybe i'm biased, but i would recommend a cruiser over a bonnie to anyone who can deal with the forward controls. I say that because some can't apparently, and they then only have one choice. Oh, and once you get some pipes and do the mods that everyone does to the airbox and jet the carbs, you'll gain a lot of paoer up high where i said the bonnies have more. Mine now pulls quite hard when i twist the wick even at close to 100 MPH. But you should definatly try and find a place that will let you test each one, preferably for at least 30 minutes each minimum. An hour would be much better. You'll klearn more about which is for you than a 1000 replies to your thread.

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2005 Speedmaster, Neon Blue, Thunderbike pipes, snorkel removed, UNI filter, drilled airbox, 130 mains, TBS needles.(2 shims) And speaking of Speedmasters, HERE'S MINE

Redsparky

As a new TBA owner we did not test ride before hand, but we are completely happy with them. Both my wife and I ride, so we bought two and my son rides double with me. We have not done any mods to the engine yet or exhaust, but we did add comfort accessories for riding. If forward controls are a bit much, you will get used to them. Both my wife and are not tall and have adjusted to the forward placement. Footboards were added and the 1 1/2 in relaxed foot placement really helps in our relaxed riding position. My 13 year old son loves the pillion seat and has no complaints on 1-3 hr rides.

What ever your choice you can not go wrong with a Triumph.