Being a Triumph Guy with a HD problem...here's my take

The Speedmaster is a very good bike. Sizewise (length) and riding position much like a Dyna wide glide. Now you have two options for engines...either the Standard 790cc or the bored out 865 out of the thruxton. Weightwise they are much lighter than a Dyna.

Now as for power? You can with bolt on mods get 95hp out of the 865. I've seen it on the Dyno. This of course is the Triumph equivalent of "Stage III" but the entire job was less than $3K if I remember (for all new parts + labor)

There are plenty of accessories available for speedmasters...nowhere near as much as HD but still things you can do

They are factory QUIET! The first thing that has to go is the mufflers/baffles.


Now on the whole "HD vs Triumph" thing...

Both companies are Old Cherished names of Motorcycling. Technically Triumph is the older company, as the original Triumph Company was founded in 1902. Both companies in the 1970's early 80's were seeing rough times. HD at least bought itself from AMF and went to quality improvement school. Triumph didn't do that and folded. HD was working with a supportive union, Triumph had to deal with the wicked tangle of British Guilds and unions.

When John Bloor (Owner of Triumph) bought the company from recievership, he waited almost 10 years untill he built a bike. And to his credit, he didn't go immediately after the old "Core" triumph buyer....that would have been a losing proposition. by the early 1990's the old Core triumph market WAS the HD market. That is what caused Indian to fail again...they Just couldn't compete with the gorrilla of the block.

Triumph did take off of HD's idea of bikes to start (Kinda). Everything was based off the 900cc inline 3. All their bikes had it, or a bored out version. Much like all BT HD have the same engine, just different other parts.

He also brought quality controlls back in. Bikes that were turned out were good running, reliable, and they carried the Triumph name.

Things finally came to a head in 2000. The time was right to reintroduce the Bonneville...what most people think of when they hear Triumph. After finally convincing GM (Triumph had to go to GM and ask permission to use the Bonneville name. When Triumph folded in the 1980's, Pontiac registered the namebrand Bonneville. An agreement was made between the two companies. Triumph wouldn't make cars named Bonneville and Pontiac wouldn't make motorcycles called that) on the name, they came out. In 4 short years it is Triumph's #1 selling bike. You can get it in 4 versions.

Then Triumph wanting to compete in the "power cruiser" market decided to design and build the largest production motorcycle in engine size. Rocket is an appropiate name! These things FLY!

(Yes Boss Hoss's are bigger, but these are considered custom bikes, not production bikes. Triumph is a bonefied motorcycle builder...and it shows in that since it is MUCH more easier to get a rocket III insured)

When I ride my Bonneville (1973) Most HD riders think its cool that it still runs. Its theftproof. 99.9% of bike riders couldn't start her (kickstart) and ride her (left hand shift). Those that are offended are more often than not Honda Davidson riders who are pissed that the HD guys are talking to the guy in the brown jacket with the old leaky bike instead of ooogleing their VTX.

 

My wife just traded her Buell in on a Triumph Thruxton.........Damn I love that bike. I've been riding it more than mine! I get more looks and complements (even though its straight outa the box) than on any bike I've owned. Triumphs are just plain classy!

 

I have a T150 and a T160 Trident. Both are great bikes, and the t150 in particular will give me my speed rush whenever I need it.

Realistically, I would never buy a new bike that has a chain for final drive.

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I would buy an HD. Reasons:

1) HDs have hydraulic-lifting valves -- no valve adjustments (don't know about Triumph)
2) HDs have belt drive for final -- no lubing the chain (I lube my Yamaha XT-- HUGE pain in the @$$)
3) HDs have fuel injection -- Speedmaster has carbs
4) There are WAY more HD dealers in the US than there are Triumph dealers
5) overall I trust HD quality more than Triumph, but I really have no concrete facts of this at all

By the way, you're technically supposed to lube a chain after every other gas fill-up if you're doing it correctly. So think of it that way... every time you fill up your tank you have a 50/50 chance of needing to lube the chain (if you maintain it properly)

 

Oh, and as per your other question, I wave at everyone on two wheels. I even wave at people on bicycles sometimes if they're checkin' out my bike. I also wave at those (drunk DUI) guys on the scooters that top out at 35mph.

 

Was just talking to the shop I deal at about a T140V project bike today. Could be a high-pipe 750 five speed at about 360lbs wet; in a sort of dual sport fashion. Would be nice for when I want something more agile and gravel road worthy than my 103 FXDXT... RocketIII ??? Seen one; it's a two wheeled Buick. Kicked some BIG metric cruisers when I rode this one; '01 Sporty 100hp/88ftlbs

Hey, Bear64, got a link to a Triumph forum for me???

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When I was shopping I took a trip to the Triumph dealer to check out the Scrambler....................I still want one! My next stop was the local Harley dealer I bought one.

 

Jeez, I'm surprised and pleased to see so many open minded harley [and triumph]riders reply in a positive way on this forum.

I say get the triumph - although I would get the bonne. If hd would sell the xr1200 here itmight be a different story.

I grew up on brit bikes and the new bonne is just way cool.

 

That T 160 is indentical to one I had in the 80's. Sweet.
Marsh

 

I want a new Scrambler too! It looks like the Trophy I used to ride in the '60s.

I had a 750 Trident in the late '70s. It was a fun bike but took a lot of TLC.