Triumph Thunderbird vs. the best of the rest

[PepperboyPARA]

I hate the assumption that HD is the best and no one else can beat it because the fact of the matter is they are over priced pieces of shit! If i could have any brand spanking new cruiser right out the box it would have to be the victory hands down there just isnt any other cruiser which fits my profile as well as the vegas!

[metalb000]

@PepperboyPARA its not that harley is the best but majority of harley buyers only see harleys as the only cruiser its common knowlage for the rest of us that harley is half the bike for twice the price.

[iniakpmarc28]

Yeah, I rode my brothers Thunderbird. It handles, brakes, performs, better than any other cruisers I've ridden. But, it 's a heavy bastard (and no match for my America on the bends).

Surely cruisers are all about looks. And the Thunderbird looks a little too conservative. Build something like the Honda Fury with that Triumph badge on the tank, and I reckon it'll sell like hot cakes especially in the USA.

[Podmanaus]

MNC this is the worst review you have done to date, you guys getting bored?

Told us nothing except you guys couldn't be bothered with it

[swinkyuk]

The day I take notice of MNC for advice on bikes will be the day after my lobotomy.

[tenchinatent]

I wouldn't swap my Bonneville for any of them.

[bentriumph]

Triumph have taken the cruisers to a new level with the performance and handling they offer on the Thunderbird (just try one) now with the Thunderbird Storm about to be released they have the looks to beet the 'bad assed' looking Harleys (tongue in cheek). Now Ducati are about to put their cruiser on the market too... this may be the end for the V Twin cruisers!!!

[walker8989]

should have used a Roadstar instead of the Kaw

[firebushking]

@walker8989 Should have used a different kawasaki....the midsize choices in that year weren't the greatest. Should have used a Meanstreak.

[24101984GTS]

2:15-2:30 Which way did he go,George?! Which way did he go?! =))

[CaracasVtwin]

@aphasia1972 I didn´t the test

[markjrobbins]

Such large engines, so little power....

I know these machines are not about power, but still, you can always use a little more right?

[aphasia1972]

@markjrobbins all three bikes are awesome bikes

i would take the victory but the triumph and the vulcan are awesome too

the japs make great bikes specially yamaha,kawasaki and honda they make great choppers and cruisers for a good price

[stuped87]

@markjrobbins but they are torquy ;)

[CaracasVtwin]

no question! Victory is the Best here. Just because there is not a Harley ...

[aphasia1972]

@CaracasVtwin no honda no yamaha or suzuki or BMW 1200 cruiser and moto guzzi california

come on this test isnt complete without these bikes

[rexxcarz]

I disagree that the three bikes shown here are "the best of the rest". harley is a good bike, but it is NOT a better bike and darn sure isn't the best bike in the world. Overpriced and overhyped, yes; better or best, not true or at least unproven. Go ahead and stick a nice soft tail or some other HD in the mix and see what happens. HD prices itself out of the competition for what you get.

[JRBL1A1]

HD is not the best, that is a matter of opinion. I'm surprised that bloke, who sounded like he knew what he was speaking about actually said that. For shame! There is a reason HS is LOSING market share in the cruiser marker year after year. I'd be willing to bet that Triumph keeps capturing more and more of the market.

[MotownHawaii]

I rode the Thunderbird over three days in Japan. I chose it over a Fatboy. Preformed great in turns, was very comfortable and looked great. The black paint and chrome sparkled in the early morning sunlight. The 85 hp is not a lot but it got up to speed quickly and ran very smooth.

[vhghe]

the Kawasaki sounds like a vacuum cleaner, the Victory sounds like a Harley Davidson, but the Triumph sounds like a WW2 fighter plane!!!!!!!

[mrmardy]

Harley are not the best they are nearer the most horrid and slow pieces of crap! No handling brakes or comfort. Time and time again they are tested and found to be lacking in almost all aspects except the badge! The only harley worth a look at is the V rod.

[m109r1800]

HARLEY couldnt keep up with the rest. THATS WHY THERE ISNT A HD .

HD pushing 54hp joke.

[lotuselanplus2s]

Triumph over Harley any day.

[Harlord69]

as a starting motorbike rider it's hard finding decent comparisons between brands, types, styles and models. This video has one of the few decent comparisons I found. Thanks!

[weetolly]

When will triumph wake up.They have the retro market tied up with its new but old looking triumphs which are simply wonderful and then they break the mold by making a 1600 cc thunderbird that looks like something spacy and away from retro. The headlight,pipes and seat should look exactly like the 900. If it did i would have bought one the day they came on the market. Really Dissapointed

[krossbone780]

He was right about one thing, if you are a Harley person, your mind is already made up, there's nothing Victory, or Kawasaki or Triumph is going to say that will change make you change your mind. As for me, I am a Harley person through and through, but I have GOT to get a Triumph Rocket 3, the look and sound of that bike does not compare to any Harley on the market. I know I will probably be called a traitor even though I will always be a Harley person. "Go your own Way".

[scear999]

victory the best

tahnks for the video.

[charliemotorcycle]

These guys need to take them on a 1000 mile cross country hike then give their opinion. I want to hear about long distance comfort and fuel economy. I loved the sound of the Vegas but I didn't like the backfiring. I think the vn1700 has the best built engine. The Thunderbird looks a bit dull. I do love Triumph motorcycles. To tell the truth, I want all three!

[aliwhitwell]

I have a Speed Triple that is nearly 8 years old now but still looks and rides like new. 955cc might be slightly less powerful than the newer 1050cc but certainly quick enough for me. Exceptionally reliable by the way.

[ozbt63]

@MrSpeedfightRichy - jap bikes were more reliable than british bikes in the 70s but these days British bikes are just as reliable as any other make

[SIMBER9]

I bought my street triple nearly two years ago and not a problem with it. It is very reliable, certainly as reliable as any nip bike I have had.

[Son7Sam666]

of all the triumph range, the only one I know of with reliability issues was the TT600 - some bikes had suspect fuel injection problems. Go for a later Daytona 600/650/675. They look and handle much better too!

[Motosadik]

@MrSpeedfightRichy

I have a Triumph Trophy 900, and also 2 Suzuki DR 650 and I consider the Triumph to be just as reliable as any Japanese motorbike.

[Motosadik]

@MrSpeedfightRichy

Who told U that Triumph is NOT reliable ?

I have one for 3 years now and no problem so far even though I bought it second hand and it had already 5 years !!!

[powersliding]

get past the kawasaki badge? a little bit prejudice arent we

[TheGrasslander]

I've only driven the Victory and must say it felt good. Effortless comfory!!

[powersliding]

certainly sound good there

[sporty05]

I love that new Thunderbird!!!

[vs800rider]

Victory makes excellent bikes. Too bad they didn't test a HD with these three. Calling this "the best of the rest" assumes the HD is the 'best" which is a big assumption. One that I don't share.

[955nsim]

@vs800rider You don't seem to have read the test title!!!!Triumph Thunderbird.....v 'best of the rest.Quite clearly meaning the Triumph is the best,versus the other contenders in this particular sector.Harley don't automatically feature in cruiser shootouts anymore as they fall way behind many manufacturers,as regards quality,performance.handling/b­rakes etc,although they have upped their game.

[Attilathehungg]

you cant get one for love nor money.

Triumph that is, they are selling like hot cakes.

[bobsden25]

With the amount of scrapping going on did anyone think to adjust the suspension

[LocustsAreSwarming]

those engine sounds are amazing. I wanted to get a cruiser but I've heard that they don't handle as well as a standard(naked) and i'm a learner .. why are there 125cc cruisers and 900cc+ cruisers but none in-between? that means i have to wait years to get a cruiser that i can legally ride. why dont they make them in 600 so i can ride it restricted after my test =[

[rickrussell]

Yamaha makes a 650cc V-Star cruiser, and Suzuki makes a 650cc Boulevard cruiser. No idea if they are offered in your location, however.

[kingman14]

honda shadow 600...

honda rebel 250...

honda shadow 750...

yamaha virago 500...

yamaha virago 750...

there are alot more out there

[LocustsAreSwarming]

i just found out i can restrict a VMAX 1600 to 33bhp hehehe

i really want one but i'd be scared of hurting it.

[sicknwrong]

i think at 33 bhp it wont hardly move ^^ its a heavy beast...

[LocustsAreSwarming]

i'd ride it slowly anyway so people could see it, its a great looking bike :p (new one)

[madbiker53]

You remember the 650 suzuki savage

[kingman14]

suzuki is crap though :p lol

[madbiker53]

each to their own ;D

[niurou]

suzuki hyabusa is crap? LMAO~

[callumfreeman91]

Suzuki have an Intruder 800m or 800c, and they come with a free 33bhp restriction kit, very good looking bikes aswell.

[LocustsAreSwarming]

i saw an 800 intruder a few days ago and it was a nice bike :p, i heard that it can cause problems to restrict anything much above a 650cc engine but then again i saw that youcan get a 33bhp restrictor kit for a VMAX 1600cc lol, i'd love to ride that after my test

[callumfreeman91]

haha 33bhp on a VMAX, the bitch wouldn't move aha.

Beautiful bike tho I must say

[siraff2]

I've always thought having less gears would be nice on a cruiser.

Changing all the time isn't really what they're about.

I'd say 4 gears and wider ratio's would be better - 50mph 1st, 100mph 2nd, 150mph 3rd and 200mph 4th.

I know they'll never pull it but that's not what you buy a bike like this for.

[powerplantnl]

Like you ever top 80 mph on such a bike,

I mean no fairings and stuff.

[siraff2]

That's what I mean though - if its geared high it makes it a relaxing cruise.

Loads of torque and low rpm.

[Reapers261]

The 8-ball starts at 12,999 not 16,299 in the US.

[yadeadson]

"Because if you want a cruiser, and you want a Harley, only a Harley is going to do." Haha! Truth. I'm a sportbike man myself and it was a bit painful to watch those cruisers drag at such a shallow angle. It's hard to think that one day I'll reach the age of lunacies inevitable loss to comfort a leisure. That said. The Truimph is absolutely beautiful, but the Victory-Oh the Victory. That sound could make a rich woman bed, a good woman steal, an old woman blush, and a young woman squeal.

[fajadody]

@yadeadson Isnt that from an ACDC song???

[04gallsopp]

for the money i would have to go with the victory because the kwak sounds like a 125(or the camera dosnt do it any good) and the triumph just is to british LOL

[ianmedium]

9900pound???

I wish people in the british media would learn to speak proper English instead of the lazy southeast version that seems to have spread like the an infection, it's pounds..POUNDS! When there is more than one it is plural, if you do not know what plural means (obviously!) look it up and speak properly!

[abendroth85]

Funny that the Victory is the cheapest one in the UK. Here in the US it starts at $16,299; the Kawasaki is $12,299; and the Triumph starts at $12,499.

[ftpaddict]

I dislike every American-made bike, but I have to admit that the Victory is incredibly good looking.

[seroyer2]

ya same, and I live in America, most people where I live ride spot bikes.

[LoomisLoftis]

The triumph needs more aggressive exhaust sound. And I thought I heard a chain? Get rid of that chain. Belt drive is mandatory on a cruiser.

[moaski]

You're right...I definitely heard it. The Triumph and Kawi sound awful compared to the Victory.

[seroyer2]

the Thunderbird is a belt drive.

[musiciskey777]

when when when will somebody in the U.S. make a decent sportbike...cmon do it already...harley failed

[JerryMopar]

erik buell is trying man, but harley will only give him so much money, im surprised the 1125R even came to fruit!

[danonad1]

The 1125r was all buell Harley wouldn't help him design a new motor so he went out and found someone else to do it the same company that builds engines for BMW and APRILIA. I do beleive it was rotax engines.

[animal100000]

Same hear im into sports bikes but id go for the victory...

[FerolaJ]

I love victory bikes. I am buying a Hammer S when I have the money.

[ShamanWS6]

I'm a sportbike guy, but the Victory really is the best looking cruiser around in my opinion. I'd like to see them stop labelling the bikes with things like "six speed transmission," though.

[tjhallum]

The reason why they do that is because a six speed transmission is a big deal on a cruiser. Unlike the sport bikes ur used to, cruisers most commonly come with only a five speed tranny. This leaves much to be desired if one intends to log any serious interstate miles. On many cruisers five gears @ 85 mph equates to extreme engine buzzy-ness, nasty vibrations in foot pegs/handle bars, and significantly reduced gas mileage.  So, its good that models with this feature are differentiated.

[apricotsnms516]

why do some people turn the handle bars to the right when parked?

[Biker16Madd]

its steering lock usually

[SimmanGodz]

It should be to the left and locked..

[apricotsnms516]

yeah i usually do that i was just wondering why they do it other ways seems like its more sturdy pointing to the left

[SimmanGodz]

Yeah, I'm thinking that too...I think its designed that way.

I guess some people just have their own preferences. What ever suits them is cool.

[valakin]

What was scraping at 1:46? Was that the exhaust?

[motorcyclenewsdotcom]

It was the footboards, the Kawasaki VN1700 has fairly poor ground clearance.

[lamilumag]

@motorcyclenewsdotcom and fairly poor sound 

[Godv2]

Nice vid... love the first lot of music... very appropriate... XD