Bonneville vs Boulevard?

**nallac** · 20th October 2007, 18:33

Originally Posted by jafar

Don't remember him saying he had won lotto

the nightster is about the same money as the trumphy $16kish

**devo** · 20th October 2007, 21:27

Like someone said, others opinions dont mean shite.
If your looking at buying new, any dealer worth a damn will offer a decent testride.
Ride them both and buy the bike that floats your boat.
BTW I ride a Speedmaster (same motor and tank size as the america) and I can get 300k out of a tank, if thats any use to you.

**ukusa** · 23rd October 2007, 19:58

this thread seems to have stalled, but as I have an America, I thought I'd put my 2 cents worth in as my first post.
Can't really comment on the Suzi, as have never ridden one, but handling wise the America is pretty damn good.
If you want a head turner, you can't stop people staring at the America. I get heaps of comments while stopped at the lights, or in car parks.
Speedmaster or America? The America is a little more passenger friendly than the Speedmaster, has different wheels & more chrome, wider bars.

**Machiavelli** · 23rd October 2007, 23:07

Originally Posted by ukusa

as I have an America, I thought I'd put my 2 cents worth in ... handling wise the America is pretty damn good.
If you want a head turner, you can't stop people staring at the America ... Speedmaster or America? The America is a little more passenger friendly than the Speedmaster, has different wheels & more chrome, wider bars.

*+1 bling*

Thanks for that, that's a few really useful points coming from a person who should know! Yeah I was wondering about the Speedmaster. I know it has better front brakes but I can't get myself as excited over a Speedmaster than over an America, and I think Americas are less expensive too...!

There is a lot of food for thought in this thread. In fact, I've even been re-looking at some of the Harley Sportster range with new eyes... the 1200 Nightster (XL1200N) looks pretty sweet and is about the same price as we're all discussing.
The 883 Low would probably suite my hobbit-legs too

although I hear that it feels noticeably (and uncomfortably) harder going across rough ground as a compromise for its shorter suspension.

Looking at ukusa's Bonnie America, though, I'm reminded about what somebody has said earlier in this thread about how it is a rather 'uncluttered' cruiser... it's a good looking bike!

**Shadows** · 23rd October 2007, 23:27

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

The 883 Low would probably suite my hobbit-legs too

although I hear that it feels noticeably (and uncomfortably) harder going across rough ground as a compromise for its shorter suspension.

You wouldn't need a Low, I'm sure. A standard Sporty wouldn't be much higher than your GN, if at all. Go to a dealer and have a sit on one for size.

**ukusa** · 24th October 2007, 16:54

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

*+1 bling*

Yeah I was wondering about the Speedmaster. I know it has better front brakes but I can't get myself as excited over a Speedmaster than over an America, and I think Americas are less expensive too...!

I've ridden both Speedmaster & America, in fact my test ride was on a Speedmaster as the only America was the brand new one in the shop (which I ended up buying). Same power obviously, slightly different feel due I think mostly to the bars, but it still made people stare.
It's really mostly a "looks" thing, although as you said a speedmaster is slightly more expensive for the '08 range (although when I bought my '07, they were the same price for some reason). Speedmaster also has as standard a tacho (none, but optional extra on the America - mine has one).

**nallac** · 24th October 2007, 21:19

The 883 low is probably the same sort of height as the nightster the nightster has 11" shocks.
I put some off a 2006 custom on my 92 and they were 11 3/4" down from 14"
I'm 5' 10 and even with the 14" shocks had no probs with it.
My old DR650 was a heap taller..

Ps I'd go for the 1200 as the 883 leaves ya wanting more power..
i know that ive got a 1200 kit coming from the states for mine now.
For more sporty info visit www.xlforum.net

pps i do like the truimphys thou. very nice

**Autumn** · 2nd July 2008, 20:34

Originally Posted by devo

Like someone said, others opinions dont mean shite.
If your looking at buying new, any dealer worth a damn will offer a decent testride.
Ride them both and buy the bike that floats your boat.
BTW I ride a Speedmaster (same motor and tank size as the america) and I can get 300k out of a tank, if thats any use to you.

heck ive only ever squeezed 260k out of my tank on the america.....

interesting huh

MD · 2nd July 2008, 23:01

Originally Posted by Autumn

heck ive only ever squeezed 260k out of my tank on the america.....

interesting huh

I owned one briefly in 2004 and got 350km on a tank. I spluttered to a gas station and the motor died as I got onto the forecourt. It was a scorching hot day so I was just enjoying the scenery riding in jeans and T shirt..so relaxing. But 350km per tank can be done.

**AllanB** · 2nd July 2008, 23:14

Ah a choice of three now.

Suzuki
Triumph America
HD Nightster

Like the Suzuki
The America leaves me cold - something is wrong with the look (to me) Bonnie is sweet.
HD Nightster - nice - but you will most likely wait 6 months for one!

Flag the 883 - it is severely underpowered and you'll spend two times the difference between that and the 1200 on Screaming Eagle bits to turn it into a 1200 (Harleys cunning plain I suspect).

**Griffin** · 2nd July 2008, 23:40

I was going to reply with an abundance of wisdom and revelation to help the original poster in his quest to buy his perfect bike but then I realised that this was an issue for him 8 Months ago (original post) so one assumes that by now a decision has been made...

WHAT DID YA BUY????

**chubby** · 3rd July 2008, 08:41

His last activity was before Christmas 2007. You can make your own mind up on what that says. I don't think we'll get a response quickly but it would be nice to end the mystery.

**Griffin** · 3rd July 2008, 09:04

Yeah I noticed that after I posted so I have sent an email via the KB link in his profile to see if there is any possibility of an answer... cos Im such a NOSY BUGGER