Triumphrat

sptfyr · 09-22-2007

Hello, question about the fit of an America for my size
A bit about my situation..........

Currently ride a Suzuki Savage (650 cruiser). Purchased it as a re-learner bike and wanted to upgrade 2 weeks later. But for financial reasons, 1 year and 8000 miles later I still have her. She has been good to me so no complaints, but time to move on next May (will have the funds then).

I do not want a big bike as I spend most my time in the mean city streets.
So been looking at the 750 -900 range. Looked at all of them, researched
all of them for months now.

See, I have been able to see and sit on the Honda Shadow, Kawi Vulcan, HD
Sportster, and Suzuki C50/M50 here at local dealers.
Before I go travel to a Triumph dealer, which mind you the pics of the America
make me drool!!!!!!!!!) can anyone help me with my make it or break it issue?

Foot placement!!!

I do NOT want to have my legs to far stretched forward!! Know this
would not be comfortable to me at all!

Therefore, at 5'6" knowing that the bike is advertised as forward controls,
just how forward are they? My bike now is perfect, my lower legs just go
forward at a minimal degree (don't like backward either) maybe an inch or two
forward more would work.

What say you all?

Going to get it anyway, its just to Georgeous!!!!!!! But this is a big fear of
mine "forward controls"

Thanks!!!

trashcanman · 09-22-2007

At 5'6" it will be a good stretch for you. Not that you want be able to manage it. And theres always footboards available that could help you quite a bit. Lot of good choices in bikes out there these days. Take your time and sit and ride if possible all of them. Most triumph dealers have demo's. Don't know about hondas and such. Some bmw dealers do. Harley's well ......

dazco · 09-22-2007

Theres also a company called raask that makes a set of relocators for them. they are expensive at around $400, but thats an option anyways. It's a European company, tho i forget which country. Maybe German. anyways, their site is hard to navigate and i \'m not even sure they show them or even make them anymore. But you might wanna check with them via email and see. As for whether they will be ok as is, i don't know. But i'm only 5'9" and i feel they could go out further as far as i'm concerned !

rorca · 09-22-2007

I'm planning on buying a new America in the next month or so. I'm 5'7" and found the foot controls a bit of a stretch. I'm going to be going with floorboards and Progressive short-shocks to be able to ride comfortable.

Go test ride one! You'll have to make your own decision if it can fit you.

Cheers!
Rory

FL_Rat_Matt · 09-22-2007

I had a friend visit us from France last year. He rides a Trophy 1200 there.
When he was here he wanted to go riding. I have a 2003 America and a 2005Speed triple. He is about your size, and probably actually shorter that 5'5".
He did not want to ride the America because of the forward controls, so He rode the Speed Triple. We were out for about an hour and he asked to switch bikes, the S3 seat was too high for him. We swapped out and rode around in the country for about another hour and stopped for lunch. He did not want to ride the S3 again. He was hooked on the America, forward controls and all.

The controls really are not out there very far. BUY THE AMERICA.

KDAN1 · 09-23-2007

I am 5' 5" and the Speedy fits me just fine. I will be installing foot boards but the bike fits me well and feels right. So don't sell yourself short if you are ....short!

brolane · 09-23-2007

SPTFYR-while you're considering the bike best suited for you, don't miss the Bonneville or T-100. The engine is the same as the America, and both have center controls. At 5-10, I am also vertically challenged, but my SM and I get along fine. I also have a 2002 Trophy 1200. It has center controls, and the ride it totally different. As for which brand you buy, it's up to you, but one of the advantages of Triumph is that not everybody has one. At least for me, it's a high-quality bike the says a little bit about individuality.

Best of luck and ride safe.

mikeyland · 09-23-2007

I'am 5'7" and have both an T100 and an America and for me the America is better. Test ride them both the forward controls does take some time to get use to. Every one is different test ride them. Mikey

Tiglath · 09-23-2007

For city streets the T-100 can't be beat. I have an America because most of my miles are done commuting on the highway, but the T-100 is more nimble than the cruisers in city streets... like riding a bicycle... almost.

Bushrat · 09-24-2007

Sptfyr. I'm 5 foot 7 and ride a speedmaster. I test rode the America as well and chose the speedy as it seemed to fit me better. Or it might be image issue who knows but I like it. The only problem I have is a slight stretch for the side stand but apart from that the foot controls on both were fine. I would opt for centre pegs for some highway work as it can take some pressure off your butt and onto the leg muscles, but for cruising streets for a while there should be no problem. I have never ridden a T-100 but I could duck and weave a bit better on the XR 500 Honda I used to have than I can on the speedmaster so I assume the T-100 would probably be the same as you sit more upright with the ability to move weight over the bars. If you are in heavy traffic maybe that is an option. As suggested by the others, test ride them all. It has been suggested to me also that boards might limit my ability to reach the side stand a bit more. Hope this helped and best of luck. PS I rode the 750 shadow as well and the Triumphs are better.