My First Triumph...?

I have the Triumph Speedmaster and love it , you can't beat cruising around the country side its not the quickest bike but all said and done a good choice with the America , good luck with the search and welcome to the forum :upyeah:

 

Hi and welcome to the forum, sorry don't know that much about cruisers but plenty of members on here with them.

 

I've had an America for 10 months now and have just racked up 7.5k miles. I came from a Tiger 1050 and before that a GS although I had owned Guzzi cruisers for many years.

The America is a very underrated bike. Yes it is a "cruiser" but it's relatively cheap and with a decent screen it'll cruise all day at 80-90 and give you over 200 miles to a tank. It depends on what you've been riding but you might find it a little underpowered (especially 2-up). I've got used to it now but am still smitten with the Thunderbird (expensive and heavy though :frown

It inevitably loses out on the twisties (long wheelbase and lack of ground clearance) but it handles well enough to have fun :wink:

Put a Fehling rack and pannier frame on and Givi/Kappa panniers/top box and you've more than enough luggage capacity.

The only real downside I've found is the seat. I find it awful but others don't have any issues.

Recommended accessories (given that you're talking about long trips) : footboards, heated grips, centre stand, screen, Fehling rack and panniers (see the America forum as Al has some for sale).

Good luck with your choice :smile:

Cheers

Dick

 

I also don't really know a great deal about them but you really cannot go wrong with the Triumph's from what I have heard, they are reliable and very good handling compared to some other cruisers.

I have test rode a Thunderbird Storm and it had some amazing torque and was very easy to ride but ground clearance and having your feet that far forward just wasn't what I would look for In a bike, then again we are all looking for something different

 

The America will make a fine first cruiser - I bought one last year after twenty years of biking retirement. I put 2000 km on it and then traded up for a Thunderbird 1600 ABS... wish I could have afforded to keep the America as it was a pleasure to drive... more than adequate on the Expressways with two up. Not quite as stable as the T-Bird in tight slow turns but OK on the "twistys if you don't press too hard. Like the Bird, it was sometimes difficult to find neutral but with more kilometres it got easier. Bar placement was excellent for a shorter person and the lighter weight was easier to deal with than the Bird's 725 lb or so.

Forget the Triumph America saddle bags option - they are way to expensive for what you get. The back rest and the luggage rack are great options if you want to take a significant other for a long ride. I found the "summer screen" - mid length worked for us.

BTW - the long TORS (pipes) were another option I purchased - much nicer sound

Hope this helps