Wishbone, I see from your sig that your Speedmaster had some upgrades too. Would they achieve what I am looking for?
Yes I added a pair of high comp pistons and the 790 cam, and i sure added some pep. Not sure if the big bore kit is worth it if you get an 865 and the 790 cam gives more power at top end so maybe pistons alone would be good? Add open flow pipes and a TTP stage 2-4 tune and it will give you what you want
I suggest you get a little wobbling and weaving under your belt before getting too definitive about ‘which Triumph’. Image aside, you might find the riding position of the Bonneville feels more natural than the slightly foot forward America/Speedmaster style. When it comes to torque displacement obviously helps but I was pleasantly surprised how much can be released from the 865 motor by opening up induction and exhaust. (Check out TTP ads on here). Your budget provides scope for a very wide choice.
Some of the above suggestions are good, get some miles under your belt on any bike, particularly as autumn winter is close and look at a triumph next spring? I am looking to buy an old Honda as a winter hack for commuting and maybe put a project in my garage for winter work.
Thanks to everyone who has responded to my first thread, you've all made me feel very welcome and I'll take on board all the advice. I plan to start my DAS course in the next few weeks and will be taking it slowly. I'm not in a rush to buy a bike and am aiming to get on the road with my own bike next spring. Thanks again.
Just my opinion, but I wouldn't want to pass my test now and then leave it until next spring before I rode again. You'll only be on the bike for a relatively short time on the DAS course and it will be like starting all over again. Best to get straight on it and keep up the good work! Took my CBT on a Friday, bought a 125 on the Saturday, passed test on a Friday, then bought the Bonneville on the Sunday.
I had very similar ideas last year, I wanted to do direct access and get a cruiser for use at the weekends. Passed my part2 4 days before my 50th birthday and bought a Vulcan S as my first bike. 5 months later, my weekend ride had become my everyday mode of transport, so I traded it in for a Tiger XRX. Perhaps I'll get a cruiser when I give up the rat race, but for now I cant see myself going back to a car for commuting as the traffic is so bad round here.
Holy Schmoly - that's at least 3 of us with 4.2 XK8's! Mine's a ragtop and I thought it was the dog's dangly bits until I went and test drove a supercharged version ....... which my brother subsequently bought. The seller suggested I should check out the kickdown shift ..... and I got the experience of that moment in Star Trek where the lights streak outwards from an infinite horizon; the surrounding scenery blurs, and the sensory shock and overload of a howling banshee blower up front with a bellowing straight through, four pipe V8, basso profundo growl from the back assaulted my eyes, ears and chest simultaneously! OH MY. But, I digress. There's a lot of wisdom and encouragement in the advice given so far but I'd endorse, in particular, what Callumity, Wishbone et al. suggest in that you look for an 'interim solution' as a first post-test stage - something that will give you the oppportunity to learn and progress through experience at your own pace without risking a fairly substantial investment straight off the bat. You're unlikely to lose much - if anything - financially over the course of ownership of a few months and you could be saving yourself a lot more than just depreciation! Whatever you do finally decide to go for, and especially if you're buying from a private seller, try to take an experienced motorcyclist with you to view and maybe test ride - regardless of whether or not the sale is private or dealer. It's very easy to be blinded by the light reflecting off shiney paint and chrome! Good luck with that course - get it booked as soon as possible - and keep us informed about your progress.
Hi Mate & Welcome to the Forum Good luck with the Direct access & your quest for the right bike, there will be plenty of advice on here I would think, just not from me as cruisers are not my thing.
Hi Iwanta, here's a few thoughts for you : 1. You should be able to get a cruiser style Bonneville second-hand for your budget; 2. 2 models that immediately come to mind are the America & the Speedmaster. Both have the same 865 cc engine, just slightly different styles.
Hi and welcome to the forum !! Good to see that you are thinking about a bike and more importantly a Triumph. I done exactly the same as you 3 years ago on my 60th and passed my test after riding lots of bikes as a teenager including Lamberettas.. A few weeks ago l changed my Yamaha XJR 1300 roadster for a 13 plate America. Quite a change as l loved my XJR the perfect bike for me but alas my better half found the rear pegs too high so the America arrived. I said if l changed it would have to be a Triumph and first looked at a Thunderbird but found it too heavy. Getting use to the America and must admit enjoy the riding style and the loads of attention it attracts. The forward controls were quite a change but like a challenge and after a couple of weeks enjoy the position. My bike has a dual seat but l did look at a few which had the seat changed to a single which looked good. Value Bikes at Wymondom in Norfolk have 2 for sale and 1 has a single seat . Good luck with your search let me know how you get on, I live in Martlesham Heath Suffolk if your travels take you this way.
Hi David, Many thanks for your input, the America is my current favourite, visually. I can see why your bike gets attention, it's a beauty and the colour combination paired with the white walls is near perfect - very, very tempting.
