Triumph America First ever ride of a cruiser yesterday

Picture the scene if you will, sun shining, 10 degrees, not bad for November and snow on the way they say, Sitting on the bike in the garage going "blat,blat,blat,blat. with my gob I had a choice. Just pop up the road a few miles to see if it actually works, or wait until April and go for a proper ride. The bike was delivered by West Yorkshire Triumph so I've not ridden it other than to the end of our street and back.

So, gear on and off we go, initial impressions hey this thing is light as a feather, then ............... "WTF" I'm doing 60 and it feels like I'm on my second round with Iron Mike. Old roman road we are on so a little extra twist to speed up to 70 and things oddly seemed to calm down. Possibly a big screen needed for distance work methinks. My house to Portsmouth ferry terminal is 278 miles but with a little more acclimatization, a screen may prove unnecessary.

What I have an issue with is the awkward position of the gear lever, I think this must be how the original owner liked it but its uncomfortable to use so I will adjust this before the next ride. Its just too high, angle of the foot-peg to gear changer is about 45 degrees. Perhaps I'm missing something here and it may be factory setting but set up thus; means that one must hold the left foot in that position the whole time. I can replicate the problem at home for you if you would care to indulge in the experience. Sit on a dining chair, legs outstretched as if you are on a triumph America. Feet at 45 degrees inclination to replicate the set up, its almost impossible to raise either foot any higher so imagine this on the bike and trying to change up the gears. By the way, I'm reasonably fit, I walk miles everyday so its not me!

Anyhow, That's the one and only issue, I quickly got used to the windblast, I do think the pipes are too loud however so I might change them back for the originals yet. Will the ECU have been altered to allow for the slash cut triumph pipes or is it a case of just swapping them willy nilly? Perhaps I'm just a pussy and should get a grip and dig the loud pipes.

So, ride itself was 60 miles, all North Yorkshire country roads with the odd fast A road blat thrown in. Seat is comfy as stock but I want a single seat so will buy one from somewhere, What I really like is the low speed manoeuvrability. Pushing this thing around feels like handling a scooter after my big touring bikes. I traded a Varadero 1000 in for this bike which was stupidly heavy.

I feel that this bike is much more a part of the ride itself than other bikes, Hard to get this point across, even for a man of my intellect, but its akin to riding a horse or something. One isn't thinking about how fast one can exit an apex for example, as would be the case on a different machine. On the twisties, I find that counter steering on the huge tiller like bars is productive and I got around every corner without drama. Acceleration was plenty satisfactory for this type of bike and I did a few overtakes without any worries.

Just remembered, Its a bit harsh on the bumps from both the front and back. Possibly this will bed in a lot with some use.

In summary, a very different bike, initial ride spoiled by the gear-change position but I will be happy to take this bike to Spain in June and it looks so much cooler than the Varadero which had its own virtues of course.

UPDATE, just did the adjustment, dropped it to about 25 degrees, easy as putting a hat on your head so now all good.

Al

 

Thanks both

Pig, your efforts are much appreciated, I think I will look for one of them "quick release screens" the ride to the ferry will be much better and I can ditch the screen at the hotel in Spain/France. For summer riding in the UK I will just leave it at home.

What became of your Heel Toe selector? I have never tried one, might like it. I do fancy boards, so who knows what I will end up doing. There is a set on ebay now but they say they are for a carb model. Can they really differ? They seem to include brake and gear pedal also!!

Dunno about exhausts, What is tors? They are long slash cut.

Thanks for info on tyre pressure, I will have a dabble.

Did another short ride today, much better with the new gear selector position but I will still fit boards.

Al

 

Thanks Tina, I'm glad you appreciate my subtle comedy, I look forward to doing a proper ride report after a tour someplace. At present June 2014 is being planned, discussions are on-going as to venue but will be Spain or Holland/Belgium with a bit of Germany thrown in.

I get your point ref the boards/pegs and had thought about that yesterday evening. With pegs, one has a large amount of angular adjustment of the foot, whereas with boards, they are what they are.

Regarding the whole aftermarket suspension thing, I will give it 1000 miles of proper riding before I issue further judgement on the stock items. The original owner, Mr Victor Vertical, must have ridden it only on an airfield with stabilizers fitted as the tyres had no more than 1 inch of contact, the chicken strips were 80% of the tyre. I've already halved them and found the odd wet leaf to provide a little twitch which didn't concern me.

Still plenty to think about. What I will say is I like the bike a lot, 5 AM this morning I found myself in the garage admiring her before Breakfast. That wouldn't have happened with any other machine I have owned.

Cheers

Al

 

Thanks for the input. its real strange how we are all so different. I had no prob with where my tail would have attached all those years ago after60 miles I was like new in that department. Just the lever position that buggered my ride up. Im gunna get some boards, I can always sell em on again if im not keen but what part number? "Pig"?

Al

 

Can't you be a bit more specific Pig? (insert tongue in cheek smiley here)

Many thanks man,

Al

 

How dare you sir, I had heard the rumours but I certainly don't subscribe to them myself. Mind you, there is no smoke without fire they say:wink:

Al