Triumph America (2002-2015) Review

The bike’s at its best cruising, but it copes with slower town speeds. I have ridden it for two hours before I needed a break, but I generally have a break after 75 minutes (average)

Pulls away easily in 5th gear if needed

Never had a problem with it. Everything seems to just work

New tyres that’s all I’ve needed

The bike just looks good all round

I'm going to be really honest, yes, it is indeed a decent 'all-round' machine but if your thinking of real touring (e.g several hundred miles) then in my humble opinion it's not for you - get a bigger more comfortable bike. Okay, the engine will do it. Of that there is no doubt. Although classed as 'mid' in the touring world it will punch above its weight. But over more than 150 miles or so your bum may not agree.

Horsepower (at 60 bhp) shows and lets talk about comparisons. A full tank will propel you for 200 miles and the top speed is 125 mph is better than many rivals. Before you rush to buy another mid range cruiser do check out the differences. You'll see you have a quality machine with an engine that out classes many rivals. What's most pleasing is that (when you get used it it anyway) it's a fun bike but you can also make it work. Put in a nutshell you have a bike that can do most of what you want it to, (don't enter the TT races on it) but is easy and pleasurable to ride.

Giving it 5 as yet to let me down. No corrosion (yet) at all but I have had it a couple of years and garaged throughout.

I pay around £100 which I think is reasonable.

As alluded to earlier I would like to see at least a petrol gauge. A light does come on when it gets low (and you switch to reserve) but I crave a proper fuel gauge. The clock 'thing' looks like it's added on as a bare necessity. Almost like someone has said, "well I suppose we have to pout something on so riders can see their speed", then sources the most basic, cheapest 'thing' they can and bolted it on. From what reviews I've read there's an assumption that this is what people want or expects on a cruiser. But not I! (But then, I'd also like to see something that tells you what gear you're in too, and I don't mean the leathers you are wearing!). I've attached a phone charger point and wired mount for a satnav and I like it even if purists don't. Gadgets? Bring them on.

This bike is very comfortable and perfect for my shorter build (5'8", 170 lbs). I can ride for six hours easily without needing a significant break.

The engine is relatively (very) quiet in a town full of Harleys and Indians, but personally, I kind of like it that everybody and their dog doesn't have to hear me coming home in the middle of the night. Still, I miss the sense of safety that louder pipes offer on a highway full of morons. I've named it Gorbeh Seeah ("black cat" in Farsi) because it doesn't roar; it purrs.

I've encountered corrosion on the removable passenger footpeg, as well as banded discoloration on the pipes. The corrosion was easy enough to address, but I'm still figuring out how to restore the pipes.

This is just a ballpark value when considering tires, oil/fluids, inspection, etc. The only tricky part is finding local shops that work on Triumphs.

I don't have much to go on here; my bike is bare-bones and I like it that way.

I’m 75 and had a CB750 which was a great all rounder but I have a dodgy knee from a crash I had on a Matchless when I was 17 so now forward pegs is ideal for me . The Bonnie is great , the feel of riding, the position of the clock. I feel like a high way patrol rider,

A bit lumpy at low revs but get it going and it takes off like a train. And corners surprisingly well, I have scraped the pegs just once.

Good build well finished no corrosion. Great looking bike. To me, a great looking custom bike of excellent build in the category.

Had the bike for about 12 months as yet not done enough miles for service. I keep it on a trickle charger and it starts with no problem.

The clock and bars. On a downside it’s a bitch to fill up.

Brakes fit for purpose maybe I need to upgrade pads

Only very minor issues paint very good chrome delicious a little furing on some fasteners

Great screen could do with being a bit louder

Great ride and very good bike. A bit heavy, 250kg wet, but still very nice. About 1 hour to 1.5 hour and you need a bit of the break. Nice cruiser and the best speed is about 60mph to 70mph and no more

Common known problem is a rectifier so had to change that. Also a stator is known to cause problems as well and best thing is to use an original part, although an expensive one. Never use a chinese substitute, no matter how mucha cheaper than original. They do not fit properly and will not last long Apart from that all good, although had a bike only 2 years and done 4000 miles only

Original parts tend to be very expensive, if you need to replace any. Apart from that all Ok and I am happy with it

Bought a bike with many extras already installed so cant comment on the standard bike. Heated grips are great and the toll screen is very useful. Highway pegs (optional) are very good for a long ride

Extremley comfortable in the 4000 miles I rode in the states never once had a numb bumb. Brakes are not all that could really use a twin disc up front

Its a cruiser so never going to be ultra powerful. Having said that, in the real world it only becomes a problem at higher motorway speeds when it runs out of puff. Sounds great and pulls away well

Regulator/rectifier is placed behind the engine low down in front of rear wheel. Hence little cooling and open to crud. Mine went while on a recent trip across the states. All sorts of gremlins started including fuel light coming on when not charging, very weird

Pretty much zero equipment not even a fuel gauge

The most comfortable bike I have owned so far. Rear brake has to be tamed a little. Tyres fitted to my bike are rubbish in the rain.

Sounds fantastic. Pretty fast for a cruiser.

Not much in the way of instruments but less to go wrong I suppose.

This bike is more reliable than the Harley we have. It cranks without a problem and is nimble on the road. It idles and is smooth as silk at slow and higher speeds. Little fatigue when riding. The only fatigue is in shoulders but that is probably because I am short and have to ride in bent-over position the entire time. It is still a bit tall for someone who isn't very tall. I'm 5'5" and struggle touching ground when I need to walk it backwards especially in an incline or decline or uneven pavement.Makes it darn near impossible to do at times.

Very powerful but not overkill.

Screw heads around the clock area rust pretty easy.

Kickstand is a real problem. Folds in so tight under the muffler I have to use my hand to pull and then push into full out position. The forward controls are not viable for shorter people-fortunately there is a kit out there for $400+. Still not the greatest, but helped. I love this bike because it is the only one I've been on that was perfectly balanced and not too top heavy for my height/weight. It is sleek and fast looking and sexy too. I can definitely keep up with the guys on this one!

Suspension is an easy upgrade. Most owners seem to do this.

Nice.

4 out of five because the cost cutters in production choose to use plastic on key parts which are obvious to even a casual observer. Also rear suspension needed an upgrade.

This most recent bike reduces the riders triangle which I guess makes it physically a better fit for a broader range of riders however it did not suit my 6 foot frame.

I've always loved the parallel twin, it performs well and thrums along with a good sound. Its a shame that you have to use the false choke to start a warm engine why doesnt it just start the same as any other bike with EFI

See above, check carefully before you commit to buying

Why cant they fit a locking fuel cap and provide warning lights you can see, with such basic equipment youd think it would be easy to get it right

No issues at all