Triumphrat

Rumbles · 12-26-2007

Hello All, I've been surfing the net gathering information on what I thought was going to be my next bike a Harley Sportster. It was to be a bike I thought my wife and I could share between us, we both have bikes already. She has a Buell City X and I a Springer and V Strom 1000 but we think it would be nice have a change once in a while so thats where the idea of a Sportster came up. All was leaning towards the Sportster till I came across of a photo of a Tornado Red/ Black Speedmaster sitting in front of an abandoned gas station. That was the beginning of opening my mind and thinking the Speedmaster would be something different and exciting to add to our garage. I've now been reading and googling Speedmaster trying to decide on 07 vs 08 and any other information I can gather about Triumph since I am completely new to it. Hopefully this is the beginning of another great chapter of motorcycling for us and hope to have a new Speedmaster soon. Unfortunately the closest dealer is just over 2 hours away.

B02S4 · 12-26-2007

Which Sporty did you have in mind?

Rumbles · 12-26-2007

Well as you probably know there is quite a line up of Sportsters to choose from, but I had it down to two, neither of which I was totally happy with. The Nightster that from what I have read has a horrible harsh ride and too small a fuel tank for any amount of distance riding and the other was the Roadster which was just about right except I probably would have had to lower it for my wife to ride comfortably, it now has a larger fuel tank for 08. I'm hoping the seat height on the Speedmaster will suit us both, she is 5'5" and I'm 6'2".

Silverado57 · 12-26-2007

The Speedmaster is a great middleweight cruiser, not unlike a Sportster but in many ways much more refined. I put 15,000 miles on a 2005 Sportster over 23 months. The thing was practically flawless. Fun to ride on country roads and even served us well enough for 2-up slab riding
The 2007s & 2008s sold in the US are currently made in Thailand.
There is a 1500 cc Triumph Mystery Cruiser due out in 2008 if you care to wait around for that.
Good luck & ride safe.

tba-golfer · 12-26-2007

You will do the right thing in the end my dear Rum, and you will thank us all for it.
Fear not.

Rumbles · 12-26-2007

Yes I feel I'm on the right path now, when I saw how many Sportsters there are for sale on ebay I started to second guess buying one and started looking at other options in the 1000cc range. The Triumph Speedmaster seems to have what I'm looking for, especially the 08 with larger fuel capacity, Specs for Canada also say fuel injection for 08 but I haven't had this confirmed by a dealership yet.

B02S4 · 12-26-2007

The Nightster is, unfortunately, an overpriced POS. A really nice looking one, but a POS - as a rider - none the less. I don't think that anyone over say 5'6" would fit on a Nightster, at least not willingly. A Speedy is a much better motorcycle.

The 07 & later Roadster is arguably the best Sporty in the lineup. A T100 would arguably be it's closest Bonnie rival. That would be a tough call, except for the obvious price differential between the two. The H-D haters would disagree, but so what. H-D makes a quality bike. So does Triumph.

The Speedy seat should suit both of you. The Speedy is the better value, IMO, resale be d@mned.

I think if you and your wife want to ride the same Speedy then you may be better off with footboards in it. Those very short of inseam may be challenged with the forward controls. At least that has been my observation.

ErwinM · 12-27-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverado57

I put 15,000 miles on a 2005 Sportster over 23 months. The thing was practically flawless. Fun to ride on country roads and even served us well enough for 2-up slab riding

I know what you meant to say....................and that wasnt it

Speedblue2 · 12-27-2007

Rumbles you have quite a heard of bikes now it sounds like.The V-Strom is suppose to be a great all around bike.Have you also maybe considered the Scrambler it would be along the same lines as that and different for sure.Not one on every corner like the Harleys.

Silverado57 · 12-27-2007

Originally Posted by Silverado57
I put 15,000 miles on a 2005 Sportster over 23 months. The thing was practically flawless. Fun to ride on country roads and even served us well enough for 2-up slab riding

I know what you meant to say....................and that wasnt it

OUCH!
Thank you Erwin. NOT Sporster.
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