- Table of Contents
- 1. A Brief Background of the Triumph America
- 2. Triumph America at First Glance
- 3. Triumph America: A Buyer’s Guide
- 3.1 Does Triumph Motorcycle Company Still Manufactures Triumph America Cruisers?
- 3.2 What Is the Difference Between Triumph America & Triumph America LT?
- 3.3 What Is the Top Speed of the Triumph America Motorcycle?
- 3.4 How Much Horsepower Does the Triumph America Motorcycle Have?
- 3.5 How Many Miles Per Gallon Does the Triumph America Motorcycle Get?
- 3.6 Is the Triumph America a Good Beginner Motorcycle?
- 4. Detailed Specification (Triumph America’s Specs)
- 4.1 General
- 4.2 Dimensions
- 4.3 Chassis
- 4.4 Engine
- 4.5 Performance
- 4.6 DriveTrain
- 4.7 Electrical
- 4.8 Triumph America Limited Edition Models
- 5. Aftermarket Parts & Modification Options for Triumph America
The Triumph America is a retro-style classic cruiser designed by a British motorcycle company for American cruiser enthusiasts. The superior build, 865 cc motor, linear power delivery, comfortable seat , lean frame, and drag-style handlebars made it a popular choice among American youths looking for an affordable bike with ample fun factors.
The bike’s large fuel tank and efficient fuel system offer a good mileage range for tours. You can also customize your bike and make it a tourer by adding some motorcycle luggage .
After a 12-year-long-production run, the Triumph America was discontinued in 2015. However, it is very much in demand today in the second-hand market.
To find out why the Triumph America holds a significant place in the highly competitive American cruiser market, read this detailed review.
Also Read: Here's All You Need to Know Before Buying a Cruiser Bike
1. A Brief Background of the Triumph America
All Triumph motorcycles are sturdy, reliable bikes, and the Triumph America is no exception. The Triumph America, also known as the Triumph Bonneville America, was launched in 2002.
The bike was a great success not only because of its looks and impressive power but also because it hardly suffers from major mechanical issues.
Multiple changes took place during the Triumph America’s production run.
The details are listed below:
TRIUMPH AMERICA CHANGES
| Year | Changes |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Bike featured cast wheels |
| Engine displacement increased from 790 cc to 865 cc. | |
| 2007 | Spoked wheels were added. |
| The passenger seat was redesigned for better comfort. | |
| 2008 | The fuel injection system was introduced to the UK model to meet the emission standards. |
| 2009 | The fuel injection system was added to the US models as well. |
| 2011 | Front wheel size was decreased two inches. (18 in to 16 in) and was equipped with a thicker tire. |
| The rear wheel size was increased. | |
| Bulky mudguards and heavily balanced front fork shrouds were added. |
The design team kept its target audience engaged by introducing exciting color schemes for these motorcycles almost every year. Here are the details listed below:
TRIUMPH AMERICA COLORS
| Model Year | Colors |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Jet Black w/ Silver Silver w/ Cardinal Red |
| 2003 | Black w/ Silver Red w/ Silver Blue w/ Silver |
| 2004 | Black Silver w/ Goodwood Green Blue w/ Silver |
| 2005 | Black Green/Silver Graphite w/ Mulberry Red |
| 2006 | Black Mulberry Red w/ Graphite Graphite Gray w/ Silver |
| 2007 | Phantom Black Phantom Black & Sunset Red Tornado Red w/ Phantom Black New England White w/ Pacific Blue |
| 2008 - 2009 | Aegean & Pacific Blue Blue & White Black |
| 2010 | Phantom Black Pacific Blue w/ New England White |
| 2011 - 2013 | Eclipse Blue & Crystal White Phantom Black |
| 2014 - 2015 | Phantom Black Morello & Cinder Red |
The iconic Triumph America motorcycles were discontinued after 2015.
2. Triumph America at First Glance
Triumph America Styling
The Triumph America is a simple machine with classic styling. The bike has a true cruiser appearance augmented by its chrome accents and bright paint jobs. The black leather seats look striking against the chrome parts and shiny paint.
The fenders are color-matched with the iconic teardrop fuel tank.
The large spoked wheels bring out the old-school look of the bike. The instrument cover, side covers, headlight nacelle, exhaust, and handlebars have a shiny chrome finish.
The tubular steel frame, raked-out front fork, and big mudguards make it an attractive ride.
Triumph America Engine
The Triumph America’s air-cooled, four-stroked, 270° V-twin engine is a robust motor that boasts an edgy all-black look and produces 61 bhp at 6800 rpm and 72 Nm at 3300 rpm.
The DOHC configuration greatly improves airflow, allowing the engine to produce peak horsepower.
The fuel injection system improves combustion efficiency and ensures a good fuel economy.
The stainless steel header exhaust system features twin walls and two silencers. The headers direct the emission gases to the exhaust. Moreover, it keeps the back pressure of the exhaust low, reducing engine load in the process.
The silencers muffle the deafening engine noise. As a result, the rider can only hear the pleasant rumble of the engine, which is crucial for a complete cruiser experience.
Triumph America Handling
The Triumph America is a lightweight, mid-sized cruiser that glides on the road. The clutch action is light, allowing buttery smooth gear transitions. Due to the light clutch action, the five-speed transmission delivers the engine’s power to the rear wheel effortlessly.
The Triumph America has a low center of gravity for straight cruising, but can smoothly turn corners as well. The front fork suspension is well-damped and offers great support, but the rear shock has more room for improvement.
Triumph America Brakes
The Triumph America lacks an ABS system, but its front and rear brakes can stop the bike quickly. Compared to other cruisers of its size, the Triumph America’s rear brakes are quite powerful, ensuring a safer ride.
Triumph America Wheels
Originally, the Triumph America featured cast wheels, but were eventually fitted with 12-spoked wheels in 2007.
The wide front and rear tires offer great traction on straight paths. Furthermore, the Triumph America’s tires have slim sidewall flex, so the rider can clear sharp corners without the bike slowing down.
Triumph America Instruments
The America’s instrument dashboard is tank-mounted and features the essentials such as an analog speedometer, an odometer, and trip meters. These easy-to-read gauges provide all the necessary riding information, but in the rainy season, it is a nuisance to look down to check your speed as the meter is difficult to make out.
Triumph America Lighting
For better visibility and road presence, the Triumph America features a large headlight, a tail light, and turn signals. The headlight features a halogen bulb, so riders often complain that it only illuminates a short distance ahead which can be problematic on the highways.
Triumph America Comfort
The Triumph America’s ergonomic design makes it easy to handle this bike. The rider seat is comfortable and low-slung, allowing a rider’s feet to touch the ground for support and balance. The wide handlebars make it easy to maneuver the bike. The forward-positioned footpegs offer a natural seating position. The ergonomics of this bike make it less intimidating which is why it is a great choice for beginners, female cruiser enthusiasts, and shorter riders.
3. Triumph America: A Buyer’s Guide
3.1 Does Triumph Motorcycle Company Still Manufacture Triumph America Cruisers?
The production of standard Triumph America cruisers stopped after 2015. In 2014, a limited edition tourer variant of the Triumph America was launched and was eventually discontinued after 2016.
3.2 What Is the Difference Between Triumph America & Triumph America LT?
The Triumph America is a standard, naked cruiser designed for urban riding. On the other hand, the Triumph America LT is a tourer motorcycle that features factory-installed saddlebags and a windscreen.
The Triumph America is a middleweight cruiser with a wet weight of 551.2 lbs.
The Triumph America LT is a heavy motorcycle with a wet weight of 595.2 lbs.
3.3 What Is the Top Speed of the Triumph America Motorcycle?
The Triumph America has an estimated top speed of 110 mph.
3.4 How Much Horsepower Does the Triumph America Motorcycle Have?
The 865 cc, four-stroked DOHC engine generates a peak horsepower of 61 bhp at 6800 rpm.
3.5 How Many Miles Per Gallon Does the Triumph America Motorcycle Get?
The Triumph America has an estimated urban mileage of 45 mpg and a highway mileage of 50 mpg.
3.6 Is the Triumph America a Good Beginner Motorcycle?
The Triumph America is an excellent ride, especially for beginners. Its ample torque, powerful engine, lightweight frame, and nimble handling make for a reliable urban commuter.
The suspensions are nothing fancy but work well on smooth roads. The Triumph America’s minimal styling, remarkable level of comfort, and affordable prices make it an attractive deal for entry-level riders.
4. Detailed Specification (Triumph America’s Specs)
4.1 General
| Manufacturer | Triumph Motorcycles Limited |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 2002 - 2015 |
| Model | Bonneville America |
| Category | Cruiser |
| Touring Ability | Good |
| Base Price as New | $8,399 |
| Colors | Phantom Black Morello & Cinder Red |
| Warranty | Two Years Unlimited Miles |
4.2 Dimensions
| Max. Length | 95.3 in / 2420 mm |
|---|---|
| Height | 44.9 in / 1141 mm |
| Width | 32.3 in / 821 mm |
| Max. Weight (Dry) | 509.3 lbs / 231 kg |
| Max. Weight (Wet) | 551.2 lbs / 250 kg |
| Max. Seat Height | 27.2 in / 690 mm |
| Rake | 33 |
| Wheel Base | 63.7 in / 1617 mm |
| Trail | 5.6 in / 143 mm |
| Oil Capacity | 4.5 L |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.1 gal / 19.30 L |
| Fuel Economy/Mileage | 45 mpg (urban) 50 mpg (highway) |
4.3 Chassis
| Frame Type | Tubular frame Cradle: Steel |
|---|---|
| Front Suspension | Kayaba Forks 41 mm wide Shrouds & Lowers - (highly polished stainless steel) |
| Rear Suspension | Dual Kayaba Spring Shocks (Chromed) Preload: Adjustable |
| Wheel Travel | Front: 120 mm Rear: 96 mm |
| Wheels | Cast Aluminum 12 spokes |
| Front Tire Size | 130/90-R16 |
| Rear Tire Size | 170/80-B15 |
| Brake Type | Disc: Single Front Disc Size: 310 mm / 12.2 in Rear Disc Size: 285 mm / 11.2 in |
| Brake Calipers (Front & Rear) | Nissin floating calipers Two-Pistons |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | Unequipped |
4.4 Engine
| Type | Air-Cooled, Four-stroked |
|---|---|
| Bore | 90 mm / 3.5 in |
| Stroke | 68 mm / 2.7 in |
| Displacement | 865 cc / 52.78 cu in |
| Engine Details | 270° Intervals of Firing or Firing Angle |
| Cylinder arrangement | DOHC Two Cylinders |
| Compression | 9.2:1 |
| Fuel System/ Induction | Fuel Injection - Electronic Multipoint & Sequential SAI Present |
| Exhaust system | Headers Featuring Twin-Walls (Stainless Steel) Two Silencers (w/ Chrome) |
4.5 Performance
| Maximum Power | 61 bhp at 6,800 rpm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Torque | 72 Nm/53.1 lbs/ft at 3300 rpm |
| Top Speed | 110 mph |
| Weight to Power Ratio | 0.2641 hp per kg |
4.6 DriveTrain
| Clutch System | Wet Clutch w/ Multiplates |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Five-Speed |
| Primary Drive | Gear |
| Final Drive | Chain - X Ring |
4.7 Electrical
| Starter | Electric |
|---|---|
| Ignition | Digital Type: Inductive |
| Lights | Single Headlight Turn Signals Tail Light |
| Instruments | Analog (Speedometer, Odometer, Trip Meter) |
4.8 Triumph America Limited Edition Models
| Production Years | 2014 - 2016 |
|---|---|
| Model | Triumph America LT |
| Category | Tourer |
| Base Price as New | $9,800 |
| Colors | Sapphire & Pacific Blue |
| Warranty | Two Years Unlimited Miles |
5. Aftermarket Parts & Modification Options for Triumph America
The Triumph America or Bonneville America is a classy cruiser designed to provide a comfortable daily ride for bikers. While it fulfills its purpose well, the bike also has other benefits for its owners.
The limited cruiser styling makes the Triumph America customizable. At the time of its launch, the company kept the prices low to attract a larger audience. Now that the bikes are discontinued, you can get a Triumph America at a cheap price from the second-hand market. Buying Triumph aftermarket parts for your cruiser won’t be taxing on your budget.
By adding saddlebags , luggage racks , fairing , sissy bars , rider and passenger backrests , and crash bars to your bike, you can convert it into a tourer. Although you cannot go for a week-long motorcycle tour or a camping trip with the Triumph America, you can go for a day-long highway trip every now and then.
Also Read: How Saddlebags Can Be Your Companion on Longer Trips
Featured Products
Triumph Motorcycle Saddlebags
Triumph Motorcycle Sissy Bars
Triumph Motorcycle Seats
Triumph Motorcycle Fairings
Triumph Handle Bars
Triumph Luggage Racks
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