2014–2017 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
British Style, Ready To Tour
The America LT takes Triumph's air-cooled 865 cc parallel twin and builds a proper touring cruiser around it. A 270-degree crank gives the twin an uneven firing order, so it has the torque-first character a cruiser needs and doesn't feel like it wants to rev. It makes 53 lb-ft and 60 hp, fed through a 5-speed box and a chain. A steel double-cradle frame and a 16-inch front and 15-inch rear wheel give it the long, low stance. In the cruiser class it stands out because it's ready to travel from the factory, with a tall windscreen, leather saddlebags, a passenger backrest and floorboards as standard, and with British detailing that sets it apart from the mainstream.
On the road it's relaxed, not fast. With a 63.6 in (1,615 mm) wheelbase and 626 lb (284 kg) wet, it stays calm and planted once it's rolling at highway speed. The 27.2 in (691 mm) seat lets most riders flat-foot it at a stop. It's cheap to run: 49 mpg from a 5.1 gal (19.3 L) tank and a simple air-cooled layout. On any used example, check two known issues: a weak stator that can cause charging problems and battery drain, and intermittent stalling at idle that is usually fixed by raising the idle speed a little. This bike suits riders who put style and ease ahead of pace. There's no ABS, and 60 hp has its work cut out with a passenger and full bags.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 60 hp (45 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) |
| Displacement | 865 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 170/80-15 |
| Wheelbase | 63.6 in (1615 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.2 in (691 mm) |
| Wet weight | 626 lb (284 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.1 gal (19.3 L) |
| Fuel economy | 49 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Stator/charging system failure
The stator is known to be a weak point, leading to charging issues and battery drain.
Stalling at idle
Some owners report intermittent stalling when coming to a stop; often corrected by slightly increasing idle speed.
Where this Triumph America LT pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the America LT is actually built for.
If the ride to Sturgis or Daytona is part of the ritual, this fits. Bags, screen and floorboards come standard and the lumpy idle has real cruiser rhythm. Just know it's a British twin, not a big-inch V-twin.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
This is your pace. The retro looks draw a crowd on every Main Street, the low seat makes fuel and photo stops easy, and 49 mpg keeps a Kancamagus weekend cheap.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
It'll carry you to the parks in comfort, but be honest about loads. Two-up over Beartooth with 60 hp and 626 lb takes planning, and there's no cruise control or ABS for long interstate days.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Triumph America LT. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
