Triumphrat

Ray548 · 01-16-2008

My wife finds the America comfortable with the tall sissy bar. Even after a 170 mi ride for cancer in Oct, she was only a little sore the next morning, but not from comfort. It was her first time going this far. She wants to do more rides now. The Vstar has dual front brakes, but I have not had any problems stopping with the single brake.

KingOfFleece · 01-16-2008

My wife rides with me-150-200 miles are no problem-we have the low back bar. Got the Spencer seat mod for driver and pillion and she likes it even more now-but we had it done late in the season so she does not have many miles on it.
As for dirt/gravel, I'm not sure what the issue is here. I've been on both plenty and feel fine as fast as I dare without throwing gravel all over, which is around 15-20 mph. feels fine to me-not need to put my feet down or any of that.

rwright · 01-17-2008

I gotta agree with Gregger. I'd go for the Speedy cause of looks and brakes but definitely swap the seat out for an America 2007+ pillion seat or even better get the touring seat. As for luggage skip the Triumph stuff and get something less expensive and more durable. My tastes lean more to the fabric style bags rather than hard luggage. They are generally less expensive also. I'd go with something like the Kuryakyn fabrics or Tourmaster, something like that.
http://www.openroadleatherandaccesso...ts//4171-1.jpg
http://www.motodepot.com/product_det...d=1089&sku=637

2005SM · 01-17-2008

Two completely different bikes. Both will do what you want (2 up touring), but one will do it will a whole lot more HP and torque. The question I have is will you miss the added power you will be giving up?

kevin...

Spokes · 01-17-2008

The America died after 06 when they did away with the spokes and put the 865 in it. If I were looking for new today I would get the speedy and put the America seat & pillion on it.

boocat2 · 01-18-2008

Thanks for your replys. I am really interested in the speedmaster.

tell me, what is the real world performance like, I know they are strictly cruisers but do they have enough poke to overtake cars quickly around 60-70 mph.

ALSO what is the differnce in riding a 790 and 850cc( or whatever it is ) bike in otherwords the diff between a '04 and '06.

thanks Boocat.

Echoance · 01-18-2008

Overtaking isn't a problem. If you feel like you need a bit more go then just knock it down a gear; they do like their revs.

I'm not entirely sure as to the 790 vs 865 differences as I've not ridden a 790 but I think you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference. Others will no doubt chime in.

77T140V · 01-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by boocat2

..... and also the power to pull the bike along nicely two up with luggage? .......

Doesn't look like anyone really addressed this portion of your question. In my opinion neither bike (America or Speedmaster) accomplishes this "nicely". The little 790/865's are OK for tooling around town 2-up, or going on a trip solo with some luggage, but they are pigs when trying to do both. Neither possess much in the torque department.

Look into a Rocket for two-up riding w/luggage or wait until the much anticipated 1500 cruiser makes its appearance.

Just my two cents, let the flaming begin.

dazco · 01-18-2008

Quote:

I know they are strictly cruisers but do they have enough poke to overtake cars quickly around 60-70 mph.

this is pretty subjective i suppose, tho for me i'd have to say absolutely not. The biggest disappointment i had when i first got mine was freeway speed roll-on's. I felt it was pathetic and did not match the street level performance at all. It was all bottom end torque and nothing left after say 60 MPH. However, after the mods i've done it's quite acceptable, and i'd say it was the performance up there that improved the most. Pipes, airbox mods and jetting, UNI filter, nology coils and wires, side gapped plugs. Not sure about the coils, but everything else helped noticable and combined made a considerable difference.

erikmustride · 01-20-2008

My '07 speedmaster has the ai removal and K&N filterand BUB exhaust, I have absolutley no problem going from say 70 mph to 90mph to pass the wayward SUV that gets in the way. So yeah, no problem with get up and go.