Triumphrat

Tiglath · 01-06-2008

What follows is not a dig to our right-pondian cousins, but truth needs to be told.

I got a new Bonneville America last August and it’s a fantastic ride; and the looks… almost like a Las Vegas chorus girl from the orchestra pit… almost. Its virtues bloom as I put miles on it, but sadly, so its deficiencies become irksome. I ride it stock except for the AI removed and a better headlamp bulb. Unlike some with calloused ear drums I like the quieter “sowing machine” tone, which means that I am actually hearing the engine not the pipes so much. I take it out at least once a week in the winter if it is dry and above freezing and I use it to commute the rest of the year.

I got to like all things British when I lived in England: it’s a great country, warts and all, and a great people. Thus not only I have a British bike but also a British car, which replaced my beloved Lexus. Now, I must say that when it comes to ergonomics the Brits are a sorry lot, even worse than the Germans. My British performance sedan at twice the price of a Lexus makes me miss the impeccable Japanese ergonomics with regularity. Parts of the dashboard and some controls just don’t make much sense. Enter Triumph America. To start it, at best, standing next to the bike you have to bend your spine unnaturally to insert the key. God forbid that you mount the bike first… Gloved left hand fumbles and fumbles for the keyhole that seems to have vanished. To the impartial observer you look as though you are performing and act that it is up there in elegance with suppository insertion – a thoroughly plebeian move, as abhorrent aesthetically as functionally.

I have a tachometer on the tank… I never see it. With a full helmet it’s just not there and ditto for the turn indicator and other lights. While the fellow who thought of the ignition lock placement should be led to execution without trial or further ado, the fellow who put those controls on the tank is Gulag material at the very least -- both are clear examples to avoid.

Hence my question: Can all this nonsense be remedied? There is a Bonneville with speedometer, tack and lights above the headlight, I believe. Can the America be modified to be that way? Namely, put all lights and gauges above the headlamp, right inside your field of vision, as it should be. And the ignition lock, can it be moved to the front a la Japanese? By "can" I don’t mean "possible," but doable without a major, expensive hassle.

Other than that if it ever becomes possible to replace the carburetors of the 07 model with the EFI equipment of the new Americas, that’s a mod I am interested in. I don’t even know it is feasible, but that would be a nice enhancement, more worthwhile perhaps that the many hacks I read about for minor increases in power.

Rainmaker · 01-06-2008

I ride the Speedmaster which is the same layout and I whole heartedly agree with you about the ignition but while wearing a full face helmet I am able to see all lights and tach without any problems. Maybe if you tilt your chin down just a hair you can see yours too.

Tbirdnz · 01-06-2008

Welcome back Tiglath, I see you've gone a bit soft whilst you've been away, keep off the Lexus and enjoy your motorbike !

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Ride on !

lbrydn · 01-06-2008

you gotta be kidding, right?

Geoff · 01-07-2008

A bit harsh, surely? I mean, wouldnt , say, thumbscrews suffice?
or a night in the pillory stocks, with passerby throwing garbage and insults at you.
but never the Gulag, its just over the top
signed,
Just an old Softy

BishRat · 01-07-2008

Ergonomics are always a problem. It's a little simplistic to say that "one man's meat is another man's poison", but it may be true to say that "you can't please all the people all the time"

Intuitive key locations are a good example. On my Thrux, I think the left side of the headlamp is wrong. The bike leans into it and you have to approach it in an "under and up" sort of way. Absolutely, this is no big deal, but I moved it to the right so the key presents "up" when on the stand (and also to my predominant right hand) and things are better. There are many options for key relocation, and if something is a true annoyance, then a pre-built kit, or a home made alternative is always an option. Don't let it become an annoyance to spoil a perfectly good ride.

As far as the tank placement of the tach and other indicators. I'm afraid you've got to blame the market for that one. The America seems (to me) to be trying to take a slice out of the Harley cruiser market where there is a tradition for this type of placement. Great if you're trying to emulate an existing (and accepted) style, but not so great if you're using anything other than an open half (or three-quarter) helmet. A definite case of having to take your eyes off the road to check instruments. I'd like to see some figures on the percentage of Harley cruiser riders who don't wear full-face and don't see this as a problem. The Triumph site show the America and Speedmaster being ridden by models in open helmets... it's obvious they've made a decision about their target market here.

If we could all buy our perfect Bonnie, then there would be a vast (and unworkable) product range. The great thing about the classic range is that most things can be done with minor wrenching. From your posting, you seem pretty happy overall with the America... the 270 motor, riding position, lower seat etc all suit you. Maybe a chat with a dealer will be able to rectify the issues you have. New instruments may well mount with the replacement of cables. The tank will have to be swapped out to get rid of the instrument nacelle, but you'll probably need a new tank anyway (room for pump etc) to accommodate any change to EFI (if it's possible).

This is where the Bonnie shines. You can do what you like with it to make it yours.

oldroadie · 01-07-2008

Why not just get D9 to make you a retro style instrument bracket and move everything where you want it? With and electronic tacho it's not a big feat and surely someone out here has a Triumph insert from their America they'll part with to fill the hole in your newly painted dash panel.

Ray548 · 01-07-2008

Yes, there are some things they could have done better. Key lock, is one of them. I put the tach on, and I can read it. The one I have trouble with is neutral in bright light and the blinkers. I do hit the off button more than necessary. I like the position of the choke on the Vstar better, at least on the BA it dark out when I put my hand down there to close it. I would not want anyone to think otherwise.
I still have the stock exhaust, and like you, I like the sound of the engine and not the noise. Being almost 60 I do not need anymore hearing loss or tinnitus.
Having had rain since Friday in SoCal, I have missed my daily commute to work.
Looks good today, I hope.
Enjoy the bike, it gets more looks than a Harley.

oldroadie · 01-07-2008

This is the sort of bracket from D9 that would work for you.

Tiglath · 01-07-2008

Wow! That's the ticket.

Thank you kindly.

Now, pardon my ignorance. To me D9 is a guitar chord... and a funky one at that... but obviously is also a place where they can cure of the ergonomic sins of my America. Any links?

Cheers.