2,418

5,994

58

Jul 29, 2007

2 days ago

4

United States

Engineer - BS, MS Engineering

Energy

WVU, ETSU

hiking, motorcycle riding, I just got a 2008 Triumph America, My Review -- 2008 Triumph America 22000 miles and 3 trips of over 1,000 miles. I made a few changes to the America; First, the Americas bars have been changed to the Speedmaster's I added a GIVI 660 windscreen and switch blade footpegs. The America is a cruising or touring bike. The bike is big, long and high. The riding position is great for tall guys. Fit and Finish -- the fit and finish of the bike is wonderful. The chrome is really chrome and looks like a mirror. The black metallic paint is beautiful. The bike looks great and gets a lot of attention on the road. Riding - On the road the America feels big and strong. Ride - The America runs great at 55 to 80 mph, its silky smooth with no vibrations at all. When riding down the highway the America is like riding on air. For me the America is a pure highway bike, she does everything a road rider wants to do; she is smooth, fast, and very responsive. I have taken several road trips and found the America to be the perfect bike for highway riding. When riding down the highway on the America the bike is so smooth its like riding on a small corporate jet. In the city it's another story. The America has a high center of gravity making her feel top heavy in stop and go traffic. The brakes are very powerful making stops abrupt. The combination of powerful brakes and high center of gravity means the America is no beginner bike; she wants to fall over at every stoplight. Once you get a feel for the brakes, the America becomes easier to ride in the city's stop and go traffic. Twisty roads, like the Dragon or Snake (I have taken the America on both) are much easier than most cruisers because the America is high off the ground and the pegs do not drag, even when leaned over like a sport bike. The limiting factor for the America on the twisty roads is the suspension. At speed the suspension gets a wobble on the curves giving the America an uneasy feel. The steering is very quick and precise. Engine -- The Americas engine has huge amounts of torque, twist the grip in any gear and she accelerates hard and smooth. The sound sucks, for the America makes no sounds at all except for a hum, much like an electric motor. The America is no drag bike, she moves in a deliberate fashion, with smooth acceleration. Most bikes over 600 cc would out run the America with ease to 60 mph however, when one rolls on the throttle at 60 in high gear, the America leaves the rest behind; The high torque motor takes over and the America moves down the highway like the road bike she is. Brakes -- talk about powerful brakes, hit the Americas brakes at 80 mph on the highway and feel the chills go down your spine, for this bike can lock them up at high speed with ease. I have never ridden a bike with such powerful brakes. When riding the America you always stop faster than you except to stop, so be prepared. Seat -- The seat is very comfortable but after hours in the seat the padding gets crushed. Transmission -- With the America you will never miss a gear, the transmission is very good. The America has a low frequency vibration up to 45 mph, its really pronounced in 4th gear. At about 45 the America gets smooth as silk up to 85 where the America begins to develop a high frequency vibration. I suspect the 4th gear vibration is a bad gear, but I hope I am wrong. The rumor on the internet that the America's engine stops, due to wet electronics, in really hard rain storms is false, I rode in the worst storm ever and she never missed a beat. Summary, the Triumph America is a great road bike, load her up and go.

Lord of the Rings, True Grit, Lonesome Dove, Rio Bravo, Down Periscope, Planes Trains and Automobiles, Blazing Saddles, Glory.

rock and Motown, usually 60's and 70's. The Temptations are the greatest group ever.

Lord of the Rings, Heaven on Earth, Fields Without Dreams, Gettysburg, Daniel Boone, Simon Keaton.