The_Dog33
Fe Butt
Reged: 02/01/07
Posts: 17007
Loc: NE PA USA
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I used to throw that bike around better than you might think. I had many a traditional bike trying to keep up here in the mountains not able to. Have to remember I rode that bike everywhere for more than 20 years and wore that engine out 4 times. That is complete rebuild 4 times not just a top end.Not trying to say it handles as well as my SM just saying I was at one with it and could ride it way faster than I needed to to get in trouble. Use to piss my buddy with his shovel off that he couldn't out run me.
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I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
some shots of our bikes
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Dwight
Fe Butt
Reged: 02/03/05
Posts: 17839
Loc: Sedona, Arizona
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Yeah, actually I know what ya mean here. Ride enough miles on just about any motorcycle, and eventually it seems to "become one with you". I guess that that might be because you eventually get to know all the bike's limitations, and those limitations become a sort of "sixth sense".
(...and I don't mean that that means you can "see dead people" along the road, of course!)  
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Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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outerbanks
Adjunct
Reged: 11/27/11
Posts: 182
Loc: Virginia Beach
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Quote:
I have a Speedmaster, it was Made In England.
Aren't all the bikes from the KC plant assembled there(not made), as most all the parts come from Indonesia, Thailand, and China(since they just closed a Australian plant to move that to China).
Then you have an older Speedmaster, most EFI era Triumph Bonneville, Speedmaster and America motorcycles are Built in Thailand. That includes frame and body build, paint and most part production. Triumph has 3 plants in Thailand and only 2 in England. If your VIN's 11th digit is a (T) it was Thai built if it's a (J) it was built in England.
Harley-Davidson's Kansas City plant builds the V-Rod, Dyna and Sportster models. Including engine production, frame build, paint etc. The plant is open for tours. Here are a few pictures.
 
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2011 Triumph America
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
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outerbanks
Adjunct
Reged: 11/27/11
Posts: 182
Loc: Virginia Beach
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Quote:
Sooooo, let me see if I've got this straight here then, Ian...
It wouldn't have mattered one bit that these newers Triumphs look fantastic, run smooth as silk, AND handle better than any cruiser-style bike has a right to...you wouldn't have purchased the two you have IF they were built in Thailand, right?!
(...well, I suppose we all have our different priorities in life, huh!) 
I have to agree with him on this to a point, I bought my America because of those qualities and as I understand it engine production is still done in England. could be wrong about that. I certainly dont like the fact Triumph outsources Bonneville/America production to Thailand for cheap labor. And let's not lie to ourselves that is the only reason Triumph and other companies do it. It is short sighted and damaging to the economies of their primary markets. Why didnt Triumph set up some production here in the US or keep all production in the UK? Cheap Thai labor...and to get around strict domestic enviromental and safety regulations. I understand motorcycle manufacturers purcase some components like shocks, brakes, electrical, tires etc from suppliers around the world, Im talking about the labor intense ops like engine, transmission, frame build, body/paint and final assembly. I bought my America in spite of it being built in Thailand and certainly would have prefered it to be British built.
The least expensive Triumph is a base Bonneville for $7,699 built in Thailand.
The least expensive Harley is an 883 Sportster for $7,999 built in the USA.
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2011 Triumph America
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
Edited by outerbanks (05/20/12 08:01 AM)
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Dwight
Fe Butt
Reged: 02/03/05
Posts: 17839
Loc: Sedona, Arizona
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I understand the concerns about the whole outsourcing issue here, OB. However in my case, IF that factor ALONE would have overridden all of my other concerns, wants and needs in a vehicle I had before I've plunked down my money on the vehicles I currently own, then I suppose there's the possibility I wouldn't own my Canadian-built Chevy Silverado and my wife's Japanese-designed but Indiana-built Subaru Outback....and both of which have turned out to be exceptionally good vehicles.
(...in other words, welcome to the Global Marketplace, dude!)
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Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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The_Dog33
Fe Butt
Reged: 02/01/07
Posts: 17007
Loc: NE PA USA
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HD uses more imported parts than you stated and maybe more than you are aware of.HD won't tell you what they are or what percentage of parts because it would kill the made in USA image they want. Just like they won't give any info on their oil, or at least they didn't used to.I haven't checked in a while.
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I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
some shots of our bikes
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outerbanks
Adjunct
Reged: 11/27/11
Posts: 182
Loc: Virginia Beach
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Quote:
HD uses more imported parts than you stated and maybe more than you are aware of.HD won't tell you what they are or what percentage of parts because it would kill the made in USA image they want. Just like they won't give any info on their oil, or at least they didn't used to.I haven't checked in a while.
The difference is the most labor intense operations final assembly, engine production, paint etc are all handled in the US. Wish Triumph could say the same about UK production.
Triumph is just as concerned about their image. Their site has many photos, videos and information inside their UK plants...just try to find any of that on their plants in Thailand.
Harley oil is made to Harley spec by Sunoco IIRC. All Harley cares about is that Harley owners buy it and use it in their bikes. It is what H-D recommends so why bother paying to have it certified for use in other applications. If Mobil or Valvoline want you to use their products in whatever bike you ride then they have to pay for certifications proving it meets your manufacturers requirements.
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2011 Triumph America
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
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The_Dog33
Fe Butt
Reged: 02/01/07
Posts: 17007
Loc: NE PA USA
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What I meant about their oil is they won't tell you what the specs are so you can use a suitable substitute.
I wish Triumph was still made in UK like it was and I agree with you there. I already stated I wouldn't buy a new one because of it.
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I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
some shots of our bikes
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trash
Learned Hand
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 1010
Loc: ahoskie, nc
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Well I own a 2003 speedmaster and a 2001 sportster 1200 S. My speedmaster Dyno'd at 62 rear wheel hp, I forgot the torque. That was with air box removed and carb adjustments and pipes. My harley specs were 61 hp and 65 torque with only pipes and rejetting. This the S model with 4 spark plugs, 2 per head. They are a pretty close match. I enjoy both bikes for different reasons.
Outer banks your wifes bike is a beauty and im sure she'll enjoy it.
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barry1647
Complete Newb
Reged: 01/27/12
Posts: 4
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mate you will have to take it for a spin, but make sure the girl is at work, got pressure from my son who rides a 'harley softtail' which is bvery mice. My wife says no, guess I dont get one
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