Triumphrat

ohiorider · 04-07-2008, 10:38 PM

It could have been an America, probably was. I get them confused, since I'm not around them much. This bike had the tach (or speedo) on the fuel tank.

I was parked across from a small restaurant in an even smaller town today. While I was having lunch, a Triumph cruiser had parked directly behind my T100. Guess I'd never seen the two bikes side by side except in a bike showroom, and was surprised at how much larger the cruiser was in comparison to the T100. From the fork tubes to the handle bars to the exhaust pipes to the rear fender, everything was larger on the cruiser.

I'm not so sure Triumph needed to do a larger cruiser (the one that's coming out). Maybe they could have simply punched and stroked the existing 270 engine out to 1200-1300cc, and left it at that. That wouldn't have won the cc wars, but it appeared to me that the current cruiser chassis is certainly large enough for two up riding, without Triumph going to the expense to design another cruiser from the ground up.

Bob

u wish u could ride · 04-07-2008, 10:58 PM

they are alot longer arent they. they need a bigger one to keep up with the market i guess.theres some 2000 cc cruisers selling well .so if you want market share you must go there.

sweatmachine · 04-07-2008, 11:18 PM

Bill Gately posted on another forum about how Triumph could do basically what he does, and bore/stroke the Bonnie motor to 989cc's for basically no cost other than retooling. I wonder why they wouldn't bite on that. They could even lie and call it a 1000cc bike, retain the same frame/chassis, gain some power and bragging rights. I guess CARB/EPA will be eliminating air cooled engines before too long...

ohiorider · 04-07-2008, 11:57 PM

It wouldn't be as much a lie, more of a slight exaggeration! Beemer and lots of others take their displacement, and if it's close to the next higher whole number, that's what they name the engine. 987cc Beemer K bikes were '1000' size engines.

Kaw was one that did it backwards with the W650. It was actually larger than 650cc, but I guess they wanted potential buyers to identify with the '650' thing from years ago, when that was a large bike.

Bob

BTW Sweat - where are you seeing info about the demise of the air-cooled engine? I haven't read anything about it. I know CaptDon often references it. Since the new Bonnevilles are air/oil cooled, they'll probably figure a way to cram another quart of oil or so into the engine to sound deaden it. Beemer seems to be meeting noise and emission standards with their Oilhead twins, equipped with cat converters and fuel injection.

Pauljo · 04-08-2008, 01:19 AM

I never noticed the size difference between the cruiser twins and the Bonnie. Now I'll have to look at that. But seriously, if I wanted a big Cruiser --> Rocket III Classic. Yep, that would be the one. I don't think Triumph really needs a "mega twin". And frankly, that market is looking for V-Twins. I believe this alleged prototype is a huge parallel twin, and I'd be very surprised to see that succeed in the marketplace.

fastbike · 04-08-2008, 08:14 PM

This story has been going around in one form or the other for many years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweatmachine

I guess CARB/EPA will be eliminating air cooled engines before too long...

Kirkus51 · 04-08-2008, 09:05 PM

My brother is covering a conference hosted by S&S cycle for the next two days and EPA representatives will be in attendance. The purpose of the conference is to introduce S&S's new testing facility geared towards testing new aftermarket products that will meet EPA standards.

CARB (Calif. Air Resources Board) is also holding a meeting AT THE SAME TIME with aftermarket manufacturers in SoCal discussing what they will be implementing in the future that will affect what the manufacturers can sell (I think).

None of this matters to the Harleys and Triumphs of the world since they are the makers of the "stock" bikes of the world. Well, not really, they make aftermarket things too.

:

NewOldSkool · 04-09-2008, 08:45 AM

All CARB members should stand around in a circle and take turns kicking each other in the nads!!!!

:

rodhotter · 12-13-2012, 10:24 AM

the bonnie is a trim bike, thats what i like, my 2012 mag wheeler feels like a sportbike compared to my 06 XL1200L which is not lo anymore, longer upgraded shocks + sport forks, the sportster being the smallest lightest harley is why i purchased it, had i rode a bonnie back then i prolly would have bought one, my test ride on the 2012 T-100 made my decision, setting on and looking at the base bonnie sharp mag wheels and comfortable-except seat sold it, didn't ride one but rode a 2009 buell scg that handled excellent but still not comfortable, love the smaller bikes since most bikes are getting way big + bulky as you could easily see the america in the showroom seemed bigger than the sportster but 50 lb less than the maggie is over 100 lb less listed at 440 lb in my service manual, you car really feel the difference when riding, to me its sporty and comfortable, sure more power cc's wouldn't hurt but at 170 lb it pulls me quite well!!!

ff73148 · 12-13-2012, 10:35 AM

I've had cruisers. The Rocket is in a class all by itself. Heavyweight with power. Great for the open road. But I have also had a Honda VTX 1300. Totally underpowered. With two up and luggage I'd be hitting the rev limiter. If Triumph is going to do a cruiser then they had better figure out an engine configuration that works in the US market. I would like to see the new triple 1200 cc engine in a cruiser or standard bike. Look at what Honda is doing with their new CB1100. Totally retro with speed. Leave the Bonneville alone. It's perfect.