Triumphrat

worldspeaker · 07-07-2007

Hi everyone,

Keep going back and forth between an America and a t100. Love the looks of both but especially like the America for looks. Seems to be more "stuff" like saddlebags and things for the T100. Love the standard riding position on the T100 too.

So how do they handle differently? Is one more stable? Is one easier to ride for a newbie? Is one more forgiving? Is one better two up and better for longer distances? Also the specs show a big difference in HP, does that really show up in real world riding?

Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Thanks,
Dave

TrOjAnUK · 07-07-2007

A quick and rough comparason,

I too the T100 (brand new) out for a 2 hour ride with the mrs on the back... was fun, handles pretty neat but if Im honest after 45 mins I had had enough.

Took it back and took out the speedmaster, from the moment I got on it I knew, it was the one, handles like a dream for a cruiser, matches the t100 on speed etc, not quite as good on bends but certainly good enough.

After 35 minutes I made my mind up, got it, and am now about t jet it up abit.

Each time I go out on it I just love it more and more.

I went for the Speedy as the America has spoked wheels and single front disk, I wanted alloys and twin disk and man what great brakes.

Anyway, for me, 90% 2 up riding, I love the speedy, I ride all the time with 2 others who have Bonnies and have no problems keeping up.. they aint gonna lose me and after a couple hours riding me and the wife dont have sore backs or arses

TrOjAn

JonCG · 07-07-2007

The Bonnie is better in corners, lighter and accelerates faster away from the lights. The feet-down pegs give you slightly more control through bends and the shorter wheelbase means it turns in quicker. The Speedie is feet forward, slower into corners and has significantly less bhp than the Bonnie, but has enough torque to make up for that. It's great for straights and okay for bends but I'm still not certain enough of its handling to scrape the pegs on a regular basis. Still love it though :-D

brolane · 07-07-2007

Worldspeaker, what is your preference. The main difference in the Bonnie and the Speedy is the front wheel rake. The Speedy is longer and does not corner quite as good as the Bonnie. I put a slightly larger front sprocket on my Speedy, and it is a great road bike, but the extended front wheel is still not as good on curves. The answer to your question is in your style of riding. Whichever bike you choose will be great.

jfenton · 07-08-2007

I am in the same boat as you, i cannot decide between the two, since I don't know which will be better for the kind of riding I will do. I will mostly be doing highway riding and it seems the cruiser style would be most comfortable, but then you look at BMW touring bikes and they are not like cruisers at all, more standard like the bonnie. I just finished the MSF course and seems like for beginners it would be good to have bike that you can handle easily, but then I don't want to be dissappointed with my purchase if I don't like the one I get, ah decisions, decisions. Also, the bonnie rides on the highway at higher rpms, so not sure if that will cause more vibration and more discomfort or not, i need two bikes.....

worldspeaker · 07-09-2007

jfenton,

Glad I am not the only one looking at it like this. I am mainly going to be riding on the highway. In fact my parents live in Chandler, Az and I am planning on some trips from LA to Chandler. I understand that the America would be more stable on the highway but because of the lower seat height I am not sure if it would become less comfortable on longer trips. I am leaning toward the America but the T100 does seem like a nice bike.

Dave

[ This message was edited by: worldspeaker on 2007-07-08 23:31 ]

jfenton · 07-09-2007

I am going to test ride them both and see what I like. Another thing is the America seems a little underpowered since it has the same motor as the bonnie but weighs more, so that makes it a tough choice as well. I have seen some seat mods people have made to the bonnie to make it a little more comfortable. Well, anyhow you should try to test ride as well, let me know what you decide.

gerryd01 · 07-10-2007

Just completed a 2500Klm Ride on MY America along with a mate on a T100. I can guarantee you that I got off every stop looking and feeling better that he did. The America is for cruising and the Bonnie being a lot more nimble is for street work.
The real difference came out when he did what all bike enthusiasts do in Queensland Australia and rode the infamous "Gillie's Highway" outside Cairns in North Queensland. 365 turns in 19Klms.( A Cafe Racers Dream). On that particular ride the Bonnie shone out like nothing on earth as My mate completed the 19Klms in about half the time and effort that I did.
I wouldn't swap back to a Bonnie a Bonnie as I had a T140 prior to the America.

Just go buy one and get the "Grin on Ya face going"

midlifecrises · 07-12-2007

I just love riding my TBA up the ranges behind us here on the coast. Call me crazy, but I get my jollies throwing it into the corners. And the wear **** on the pegs.......... they work. Hey you got tread up the sides of the tyres too........use it.
Have fun whatever the style of bike you choose.

mikeyland · 07-12-2007

I have both. The T100 has 3500 miles and the America has 2000 miles. To different bikes. The America is for long rides and the T100 short. America has forward controls and T100 has lower controls. Wouldn't give either one up. If I could only own one it would be the America. Mikey :-D