Iron 883... Now Triumph Speedster

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Ok, in my research for a nice starter bike, I've checked out the iron 883, and now I've been checkint out the Triumph Speedmaster. Anyone have/ride one?

RampageWake · Posted: Feb 25, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject:

I know nothing about Triumph's except that J DOGG is about to be here with the Kool-Aid. Razz

pancoast · Outlaw Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 193

Don't know much about them but took a look. Looks to be very similar specs to the 883. Color options are black or black.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

They are a little bigger than the 883, lenthwise. This is why I think I might like it better. They get great reviews for reliability and ride though.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

cameraboy, I thought you already bought a bike? Looking to upgrade already? Mr. Green

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Yea, I bought a bike. I only spend 650 bucks on an 82 yamaha. So, I might have a few dollars to play with, and I'm quickly becoming obsessed with bikes.

The good thing is, at 650 bucks, I can play around with the bike and not worry about it. I think I'm going to swap the handlebars out for drag bars, strip the gas tank and paint it black, swap out the exhaust pipes with black heat taped pipes, take off the windshield, and then pretty much do whatever it is you want to do, but you think "I shouldn't. It will hurt the trade in/selling value..."

I'll get and post a pic soon, so we have the "before" picture in the thread.

pancoast · Outlaw Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 193

cameraboy, I've got a ton of neat little tricks and tips when it comes to strippin and bobbin a bike so post up a pic and I'll throw ya some tips.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

SWEET

J_DOGG · Posted: Feb 26, 2009 5:26 am Post subject:

Never fear J_DOGG is hear.

You guys all know I bleed bikes and love Triumph so all biased aside here it is.

I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of political things but bikers are bikers and we love to share the stoke with all and are all brothers...

The speedmaster is the very essence of an old-school street rod.
You do your home work ( I know you will) you will come to see how much better this bike is than the sportster.
Sure it doesn't look all Billy bad a$$ like the Iron 883 but that's not Triumphs thing - Hardley has that market covered.

It's a true cruiser bike - the sportster is not.
Better brakes - twin disc up front the Hardly don't have that.
Better suspension you (and bitch) will be able to roll all day long on this thing.
It's got the mean engine rumble you come to expect from and old-school street rod.
Right out of the box it's a better bike than the sportster a true riders bike.
Black a few things out and now you have a looker...

Fair warning if you buy a Triumph be prepared to chat bikes with people.
Guys that ride bikes and not trophies will like it and want to talk to you about it.
A Triumph guy ??? forgetaboutit - you just made a friend for life.
Yes even we could be friends...LOL...

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

OH MAN, OH MAN, O MAN....

Went to the triumph dealer this weekend... I liked the Speedmaster, but once I sat on a Bonneville, oh man...

Gotta ride one when the weather dries out. I really like the bonneville now... dang...

J_DOGG · Posted: Mar 09, 2009 7:51 am Post subject:

The T100?

Yup the bonnie is a great bike as well.
A bit smaller sized and less powerful than the speedmaster but she runs strong all day long. I don't think the bonnie has dual front brakes either.

I rode one for a week - while I had speedy in for a tire / chain and sprocket change. Very smooth ride - you can dump the clutch and will not get tossed off.

I didn't like it so much on the highway due to how low it sits but country roads was where it shined. Handled bumps like nothing and was smooth as silk in every gear and could flick her from side to side with confidence just like speedy.

I never rode with my wife on the thing but would expect it to do OK in that department as well.
Big seat for both and being so smooth she would never need to hold on.

I take it you are really looking for a smaller minimalist type of bike since you are naturally gravitating to all of the smaller cruising bikes. I wouldn't pass up on the Speedmaster too quick but it really depends on what you are using the bike for.

I have never rode a speedmaster - wish I had more to share on that bike.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Rode to work today for the first time! Hells yea! I do have a new appreciation for people's blind spots now....

J_DOGG · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 6:34 am Post subject:

cameraboy, welcome to my world.

Now you know why I have said many times...

Everyone should be required to drive a motorcycle at least one month a year cuz it would make them better drivers.

Riding to work can be a calming / brain cleansing experience for the most part.

I start up April 1st.... can't wait.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

cameraboy, did you you get eh bonny?

I was talking with my (future) BIL about the Iron 883...and he shot me down. He drives a big ol' HD fatboy with ape hangers....his quote " Man that is a nice bike and all, but the second you pull up to a real HD...you will wish you spend a couple extra grand"

here is my future bike...once business picks up and a I get my raise! HA

http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory/2008Navigation/Vegas/Vegas8BALL/Pages/Overview.aspx

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

Well I am now bikeless, but it's okay as it wasn't mine to begin with. The best kind!!

If things ever get back to normal, I will pick up another one just like it. I absolutely loved that all black heritage, with minimal chrome.

cameraboy, congrats on the ride! It's 70 degrees here today, and I wish I had a bike to ride.

BrentC5Z · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 7:19 am Post subject:

Dpierce37, I was the GM at a Polaris/Victory dealer for years. Those are great bikes. Let me know when you get ready to buy.

That dealer now carries Triumph. The guys who I used to work with have really good things to say about them. (service department that is)

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

Brent87LT1, hell yea man...you know anybody at the Napalm motorsports here in Austin?

http://www.napalmmotorsports.com/

Thanks for offering...could you find a discount or something?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

didn't buy the bonny yet. I've been advised to ride my virago for a year and get a better idea of what I want and what type of riding I'll be doing. Can't argue with that....

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

cameraboy, that is EXACTLY what you should be doing. Get comfortable riding and figure out how you want to ride, then go get the bike you really want. I'd ride that Virago all summer if I was in your shoes, and when you realize what exactly you want, buy your next bike in the off season.

You will also get a better feel for what kind of gear you want and can get it all put together before you spend the big bucks on the new bike.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

You know, the iron 883 did seem very THIN when I was sitting on it, but I sorta liked that. And if you get a nightster 1200, it's the same engine as is in the bigger bikes, just in a lighter bike. Why is that bad?

yea, chavez, I'm going to ride it all summer and also test ride every bike that any dealer will let me get on this summer.

J_DOGG · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

cameraboy, wise choice- you will learn a lot about what you like and don't like about bikes in your first year riding.
It will still be hard or almost impossible to get the perfect bike but you will at least know what you can live with or without.

chavez, In a perfect world we would all have a bike for every occasion.

I know I could use at least 3 street bikes.
Commuter - Speedy nimble lane splitter (I have that one)
Cruiser - go no place fast carry lots of gear bike. (used to have this one)
Bad A$$ - I'm the coolest guy around bike. (never had the money for this one)

and 2 dirt bikes.
Enduro - street legal and great on trails.( have this one)
MotoX - 4 stroke power with 2 stroke weight.(want this one)

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

J_DOGG, I am the one-ski-quiver guy though.

I want one to do it all. So I will compromise a bit in all areas and hopefully get something that is adequate for many purposes.

This is why I am thinking V-Strom or BMW GS650/1100 for my next ride. Quick but comfy, narrow but able, etc.

I don't have room for that many bikes anyway! Laughing

dbismyname · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 9:12 am Post subject:

cameraboy it's not the same engine as the big bikes. its a 1200 as the older big bikes were 1340 cc/ 81 CI and the new ones are 96 CI. I just went from a 1200 custom to a 1990 cop bike and the difference between the sportster motor and a hopped up 81 CI evo is very evident.

BrentC5Z · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 10:48 am Post subject:

Dpierce37, Don't remember any of them, but, drop me a line when you get close. I can let you know where you should be on price & give you some options they may not know about or do not want to offer you.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

pancoast · Outlaw Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 193

cameraboy, Here's my sporty, just got done some work on her tonight.

Set needs to get covered yet...

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

See, that's what I'm talking about. THAT bike is more badass than some BigDog Choppers 34 thousand dollar bike some dentist or corporate lawyer went out and just bought....

yea, sweet.

(nothing against corporate lawyers or dentists, but you know what I mean, right?)

What year is that sportster?

BrentC5Z · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 5:55 am Post subject:

pancoast, Sweet sight glass!

pancoast · Outlaw Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 193

cameraboy, It's an 05. If was to do it all again I'd just build my self a bike from the ground up and have less cash that i do into this one. For now I think Its a pretty alright machine.

Brent87LT1, Thanks!