2014 Triumph America

Review

BRITISH INVASION

Although the reborn Triumph showed its first models at the Cologne, Germany, show in 1990, it wasn’t until 2001 that it resurrected the Bonneville, the storied marque’s best-known model. Later that year, Triumph introduced its first purpose-built cruiser, the America. They shared an engine platform—an air-cooled, carbureted 790cc parallel twin—but little else. The Bonneville’s 360-degree firing order was changed to 270 degrees on the America for a more loping cadence, and for a proper cruiser look, it featured a raked-out front end, a lower seat and feet-forward pegs.

Over time, displacement grew to 865cc and electronic fuel injection replaced the carbs (the throttle bodies are disguised to look like CV carbs to maintain a classic look). In 2014, two versions of the America were offered: the base-model ($8,299; it returns unchanged for 2015 except for a $100 price increase) and the new America LT ($9,499), with a tall windshield, pullback handlebar, leather saddlebags, passenger backrest, floorboards and heel-toe shifter. The two-tone Pacific Blue/Sapphire Blue paint scheme returns for 2015, but the price bumps up to $9,799.

The Triumph was the horsepower king on Jett Tuning’s dyno. It made 56.0 horsepower at 6,700 rpm, but torque was the second lowest—49.7 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm. With the second-best fuel economy (49.8 mpg) and second-largest gas tank (5.1 gallons), the America LT also had the second-best range at 252 miles.