Test rode an America

I was just trying to be helpful......

 

Just had a look at that Victory Gunner - looks very nice. Over here it has a retail price of 12,990€ +5 years warranty.

I'm going to go and have a look at one.

 

Right, here's the results of todays tests:

1. Victory Gunner - very disappointing. The one I rode felt like it had elastic string between the throttle and the engine. Send it an e-mail before attempting over-takes. Very smooth ride. Crap seat. Ultra long gearing. I know looks are very personal, but to me it did not ooze quality.

2. Triumph Thunderbird Commander - Very good. This thing gets down the road like a good 'un. Much more like a proper bike that happens to look like a cruiser, than a cruiser. Smooth, powerful, effortless.

3. Harlot Davidson 1200 ABC FLX (or something) - Surprisingly good. The one I rode had a bent bit of plywood for a seat but apart from that (and vibes of course) It got down the road very quickly, handled as well as I would ever want, braked surprisingly well. At tick-over it tried to rattle my fillings out, smoothed out some but I never found it's 'sweet' spot. Not a bad bike though. NOT very impressed by the quality of finish though.

Still had a great time on mine on the way home though.......................

 

I think the Commander is the best bike I've ever owned. I have been so impressed with just about everything. The comfort, handling and braking is superb. I used to think my old America was pretty good for a cruiser but the Thunderbird outperforms it easily. I'm even getting similar fuel consumption (12 miles to the litre).

Three downsides though.....
Firstly, it is a behemoth that is a bugger to move about if there is the slightest slope...
Secondly, rough cobblestones and gravel car parks are no friends of a bike this size...
Thirdly, old men keep accosting me saying what a fantastic bike it is, telling me how they once had a Norton/AJS/BSA and asking if I want to see their old big ends.

So are you rethinking the Speedy idea BL?

 

To be honest mate, the idea of Victory Gunner caught my imagination when Dave S mentioned it. There is a multi-franchise dealer in Limoges so I thought weather's good, I'm off.

So as I said above I was able to try 3 different bikes but all of a similar style - to me at any rate. There was no doubt in my mind the the Thunderbird was the most competent overall, but the Commander version was maybe a little too dressed-up for me and it's price is OUCH !!!! Also I didn't get on with the foot boards or whatever they are called.

But I could imagine all-day rides on one with ease. "Pension fund extraction - possibly".

It also depends on whether the 1200cc range of Bonneville models becomes a reality.

 

Hi Steve, don't know if you are aware of it or not, but whereas previously you could take 25% of your fund value as Tax Free Cash (TFC) the balance HAD to be taken as an annuity; since the 6th April 2015 it is possible to take the whole fund as cash; 25%TFC, the balance added to your income for taxation at your marginal rate. This means you could afford a Rocket III !!!!

Or is it just me that is that daft ???

What a lot of peeps are doing is this: take the TFC and reinvest the balance so it DOESN'T get taxed, then take portions of it in later tax years.

 

New Commanders are eyewateringly expensive but used ones aren't that bad. My Commander was 3k under list price with only 1300 miles on a year old bike.

Then again you might find a Storm is more to your liking with its stripped back aesthetic.

 

I'm just looking at the Storm right now !!!! - Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

hiya Dave, we're coming over on the thursday night ferry , landing friday morning 19th , and we could come and camp at your place on friday night if that would be ok - how far are you from dieppe

 

Hiya mate, yes that would be excellent. We have a BBQ at lunchtime so I may be a little "tired" but it'll be great to see you again.

Depending on which way you come down we are roughly 500kms from Dieppe. I would recommend Dieppe then Rouen; on to Dreux then Evreux (mainly dual carriageway); passed Chartres and on to the motorway heading south towards Orléans/Vierzon.

Keep on the motorway (turns into the A20) down to Chateauroux, off the motorway then La Châtre. Follow the D940 down to La Cellette and I'll pick you up from there.You are within 3kms of my place.

Can't remember if I left you with one of my cards with address and telephone details, if not should I send them to you via the forum.

I'll have some beer on ice for you.

 

hey that would be great , we are landing in dieppe at 6am on friday morning , so we can have a steady ride down to you , we've got a cottage booked for saturday about 100 kms or so south of Limoges at a place called Le Chalard , there's only four of us now as Derek cant come , so its me on my trusty Triumph , Andy the guitarman (on an FJ1200) , Ivan the sea dog on a Honda cross tourer (cross dresser) and Steve on his BMW whatever

 

I think part of the problem with the Gunner lies in the gearbox/final drive. I found it very, very high geared.