2004 Triumph America Review

At the beginning of the 2000s, British motor manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles began to create variants of its famous Triumph Bonneville standard bike, which by this point was powered by a 790-cubic centimeter (cc) engine. The variant released exclusively for the North American market was dubbed the America; it made its debut in 2002. The 2004 Triumph America--like the three model years before it and the two that followed it--received little or no changes. However, by 2004, the bike had solidified its reputation as a “Bonnie” crafted as a cruiser to specifically cater to American motorcycle tastes.

The 2004 Triumph America is powered by the same unit that powers its “Bonnie” parent: a 790cc, four-stroke, air-cooled, parallel twin (two-cylinder) engine. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the engine generates 61 horsepower at 6800 revolutions per minute and 44.3 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm. Four intake valves go on each cylinder for a grand total of eight. The bore and stroke is 3.39 by 2.68 inches (86 by 68 millimeters), and the compression ratio is 9.2 to 1. Two carburetors blend the air and fuel for the engine, and an electric starter is in place for starting the engine. Each 2004 America has a gas tank that can hold up to 4.4 gallons (16.6 liters).

Each 2004 Triumph America measures 95.4 inches (2423 mm) in length, 37.6 inches (955 mm) in width, 46.6 inches (1184 mm) in height, and 65.2 inches (1655 mm) for its wheelbase. The dry weight for the America is 497 pounds (226 kilograms). Each bike gets a pair of steel wheels--an 18-inch front and 15-inch rear one--wrapped with tubeless Bridgestone® tires.

Constructed out of an imposing, solidly built steel frame, the 2004 Triumph America is available in three color schemes: Jet Black and the two-tone Goodwood Green/Silver and Caspian Blue/Silver. Seating is provided by a two-piece unit that can seat up to two people and is set at a height of 28.3 inches (720 mm). Digital instrumentation on the Triumph America consists of a trip odometer and speedometer, and a kick stand provides parking for the bike. Also standard on all 2004 America motorcycles are under-seat storage, side mirrors, and exterior lighting.

For superior stopping power--particularly over bikes with all-wheel drum or front-disc-brake/rear-drum-brake layouts--the 2004 Triumph America uses two disc brakes. The front one is a large, 12.2-inch (310-mm) disc, while the rear one is a smaller but still large 11.2-inch (285-mm) disc. For a smooth and controlled ride, the America has a 1.6-inch (41-mm) telescopic fork at the front and at the back uses a twin-sided swing arm with two shock absorbers.

Sharing the retro styling and engine power of its Bonneville counterpart, the 2004 Triumph America is far from a bad choice. It should particularly appeal to those who crave a motorcycle with British origins but American sensibility.