As a Harley owner I can say this bike is NOTHING like a harley. I test rode one and it Stopped, went around corners and was very quick- No Harley will do that like this bike, so I say again, this is NOTHING like a Harley.
Its for Bike Riders NOT Harley owners (who never or can't ride)
Harleys are simply "Ass Junk" and I wish I had never bought one, Peer group pressure from mates who ride them. My BAD!
@Podmanaus Amen, brutha! I am a current Harley owner and test rode a T-Bird yesterday. I won my HD in a contest and as a current Harley owner, I know that I don't want another one. The T-Bird is a big bike, but doesn't feel that way when it's out and about. I'm signing the paperwork on a 2010 this week; no disrespect to HD but no regrets either. Ride safe.
I have one of these bikes myself & find it a great bike to ride on a trip. A bit big for around town though,thinking of getting a smaller one to run around town now * keeping this for travelling. The smaller one I have considered is either a Suzuki Intruder 250 or Hyosung 250 or similar. Can anyone out there suggest others??.
if u ask me harley (I will not capitalize harley either) doesnt mean cruiser and for all the haters on Triumphs they started building scoots b4 harley and will probably b building them long after harley goes to china and then out of business. I like Triumph "Go your own way" I had an original thunderbird and will have this one in the future
Why do people nag so much about any cruiser to be a Harley clone?? Form follows function! Harleys didn't invent cruisers!!! Besides, in my book they broke whatever conventions Harley supposedly build in this category by opting for parallel twins. I'm a fan of Harleys, and yes many motorbikes do try to mimic Harley, no doubt about that . But don't berate these beauties so fast over superficial resemblance! They are a breath of fresh air in this category since quite some time.
to say a cruiser is an HD clone is the farthest thing from correct by any stretch of the imagination. triumphs are notorious for lightweight great handling motorcycles. from the amazing triples to the smaller speed master, america, or thunderbird, they can out ride any harley on the back roads. and if your referring to the rocket III, well, not many cruisers out that can beat that in a straight line. harleys are the biggest peieces of shit. yea thats my opinion, but i do work on them often.
I couldn't agree more! I just got my brand-new 2010 Triumph Thunderbird and LOVE it! Just because it's a big bore twin doesn't mean it's a HD clone... that couldn't be farther from the truth. This bike is PURE TRIUMPH... mean looks, fantastic build quality, excellent reliability, great performance, and superb & sporty handling. Triumph knocked it out of the park with this bike!
Hey dougbm53, Triumph DIDN'T name this T'bird after the T'bird 900, they nmed it after the ORIGINAL T'bird, the 650 parrallel twin made famous in the movie; 'The Wild One'.
A cruiser is always going to look something like a Harley, because the layout is always going to be pretty much the same. Hey, if you like sitting with your heels banging your bum all the time, great, but I like to be comfortable if I'm riding for 10-12 hours and covering 1,000+km's (600+miles) in a day.
beginners bikes?? your talkin out of your arse man...
id have one of these bikes now if i could, great lookin bikes, and so what if its aimed at harley riders, maybe it would do triumph some good to take some of harleys custom, if they only sell one, its one less tosser in the harley owners group!
Great bike no doubt. Can see this as the basis for an eye popping bobber later on. Folks say this bike has no soul.....throw a leg over it and thumb it up before you pass judgement. Should have named it the Legend.
to each their own... personally, i and most of my friends (including some younger crotch-rocket riders) think this is one sharp-looking entry into the 1600cc twin cylinder cruiser market for a price that's $6K less than a comparable Harley.
i'm kinda glad they brought the rocket 3 out first, or i might have bought one of these instead as i was initially intimidated by the rocket's size and power.
Ah well they have to finance the R & D for jewels such as the 675 somehow. A cruiser is an HD clone by default it seems anyway. Bet it rides well. Pity they discontinued the Thunderbird Triple. Seems odd to use the same name for this. My 2003 Thunderbird Sport was a very satisfying motorcycle.
I own a Hinckley Triumph (a Legend TT), and I have to say that the styling of this one is totally uninspiring - outside of the big parallel twin, it looks just like every Harley clone. And not an exceptionally imaginative one, either.
Actually, if you check the specs on the Triumph website, the 270 degree bikes (the Scrambler, the America and the Speedmaster) are actually down a couple hp compared to the standard Bonneville, the SE, the T100 and the Thruxton. Edward Turner would probably be like "Where's the liquid cooling? Why is the frame made of chromoly tubing? Why is this bike so heavy?". That would be right before he fires Bloor and puts his cigar out on his forehead...
The reason the hp is down slightly on the recent 270 bikes is that they were retuned for more low speed torque.The early 270 engines had more hp and torque than the 360 engines with the same cams and carbs.The 270 design is a more balanced engine since you don't have both pistons coming up at the same time. Also Ed Turner knew this and was entertaining the idea since vibration was a major problem on the parallel twin but for whatever reason did not design a 270 engine.
To the "Pure Heritage" people...Not everyone is old enough to remember a "real" triumph and I applaude this company for trying to make it's way but offering a wide range of products that they believe will make them successful...To the "Harley Davidson Elite"...Did it ever cross your minds that not everyone on Earth wants to part with $20,000 to buy an outdated piece of machinery that looks like every other Harley ever produced?..Count 10 seperate Harleys passing your house, then go flip your egg
Must say I'm already in love with this bike. Was looking for an alternative to Harley. The Japanese were too Japanese, the Americana/Speedmaster too small and the Rocket III too thirsty (although looking absolutely stunning). This bike makes perfect sense to me and I love Triumph as a brand. Not because they are "small and fast", as some here claim, but because they are way more personal than a Harley will ever be. Can't wait! :)
gravesrus- Exactly. Edward Turner would shit himself if he saw this giant rolling tumor. He thought 650 was too big for a paralell twin and actually fought U.S. dealers before giving in. Triumph made their reputation in this country by building fast, light bikes that ran circles around Harleys. Why copy now?
You don't know much about motorcycles. I have an 790cc Triumph that still outruns Harleys. This big parallel twin is not my cup of tea, but I'd still rather have it than a H-D. The 270° firing sequence reduced the vibration and gained 4hp on the 790cc twins. The little twins are all 865cc now, and Mr Turner would approve.
I don't know. Turner presided over an era where the larger capacity bikes were less specialized and were expected to excel in all areas; sports riding and touring, and switch up the tires and add high pipes and you could hit the trails. I think Turner might've liked something like the 955 Daytonas or the current Tiger or Sprint because they utilized modern technology and are pretty fast as well as versitile. He'd probably complain about the weight though.
I'm kind of unclear as to why you said I don't know much about motorcycles. I attended Motorcyle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix and I've owned 2 stock '71 Bonnevilles, a '71 T120 chopper, a '68 TR6 chopper, a '75 Kawasaki Z900 and a couple Yamaha XS650's. So I don't really know where that came from, maybe you could explain a little...
You've owned some pretty nice motorcycles, but that does not make you as smart as you think. I loved Triumph's 500 twins, the 650s were better and the 750s seemed more rounded. But you act like Turner would have disapproved, when he would have been at the cutting edge today with the bigger engines. I've owned all your models (save the kz900 & chopper-lol) and my Yamaha TX650A ran well and reliable but the vibration would make a 20 year old numb in 25 minutes. I've also had a few more models.
This doesn't make me an expert. Mr Turner was the master of design during his era and his speedtwin was all he thought was needed before the CC war began. I wish the R3 Trimph was a 1500cc triple - that would be more than enough - but marketing demands otherwise. They made this big twin for a reason and it is beyond myself or an Arizona motorbike technician to understand why, but I bet Ed Turner would know.
I guess where we disagree is that I don't see the displacement wars as being cutting edge. Edward Turner was concerned with low weight and sharp handling- I think the only two bikes in the Triumph stable that represent his philosophy are the 675 Daytona and the Street Triple. You are absolutely right that marketing demands otherwise and I think that's a shame.
There is no reason why Triumph should be limited to small,lightweight,good handling sport bikes just because the old company never had the technology to balance anything bigger than a 750.Meanwhile,all the other companys can make what people want and reap huge profits.If Triumph just did sportbikes,they would end up like Ducatti,going bankrupt every couple years ,looking for a buyer to bail them out.
Because really, who the fuck would want a small, lightwieght, good handling sportbike when they could have an overweight rolling hemorrhoid that looks like a bootleg Honda VTX, right?
Jesus, what a hunk of shit! Here we have a Honda VTX with the largest paralell twin ever, the perfect answer to a question no one asked. The styling is clearly "retro", but the pre-Bloor Triumph never ever built a cruiser, and no, the TSX and the X-75 don't count because their designs weren't influenced by any other company. And Triumph always built twins that had a 360 degree firing order, not 270- that's pandering to the HD-wannabe crowd. If you want a HD, buy one.
The pre-Bloor era in bikes? No one made much of a cruiser. Triumph made their first cruiser in 2002 - I bought one. At 85,000 miles, I have yet to put a wrench on it, other than usual maintenance. Triumph is the fastest growing motorcycle company in the world for a reason, they adapt to a market. I wish I could buy stock.
They need to put on a Triumph tank for gawds sake!!!, with the Speedo on the bars like Victory. Classic Thunderbird looking pipes would be nice with a rounded classic rear fender. Its just not different. Just another 2 wheeled sofa clone.
Agreed. Snag the tank design from the standard Rocket III or R3 Classic, big ol' 'heritage' tank badge, nice swoopy/rounded rear fender, nice set of toga mufflers, and a proper set of gauges. THEN it'd look like a Triumph.
YOUR RIGHT HAD SEVERAL WRONG COMMENTS - New 2009 Triumph 1600 L/C twin Thunderbird looks like an 1986 900/1000 Kawasaki Eliminator. Engine is mounted farther forward in the Eliminator. Rear tire is to wide taking away from handling? Nice mid ground for 865cc to 2300cc cruiser 1594cc engine gap filler. Needs functional Bonneville T140 or Rocket III style double gauges rather than tank dash.
New 2010 Triumph Thunderbird looks lake a Harley D. with the exception of the engine. Simply put your thumb over any side view of the engine and and you have a Harley. I have totally lost interest in this new model. I hate copies this is why I didn't consider any Jap V-Twins. Now Triumph copies the HD even the fuel tank shape. Disappointed to put mildly. Will keep my America and replace the 865cc with a big bore 994cc kit before owning this 2010 counterfeit.
Buddy it seems you have cut and paste down to an art , and lot's of time to go and find every pic of the new t-bird and bitch about it, personally I don't like the pipes so I will change them other than that maybe a bigger tank badge but it is what everybody asked for more HP power , belt drive more options ... and for the record it is a 988 1/4 stroker big bore kit for the america , so get you fact's straight ,before you start bitching .
Harley Davidson boots are made in China -- that is fact. LOL
guins99 10 months ago
As a Harley owner I can say this bike is NOTHING like a harley. I test rode one and it Stopped, went around corners and was very quick- No Harley will do that like this bike, so I say again, this is NOTHING like a Harley.
Its for Bike Riders NOT Harley owners (who never or can't ride)
Harleys are simply "Ass Junk" and I wish I had never bought one, Peer group pressure from mates who ride them. My BAD!
Podmanaus 10 months ago 4
@Podmanaus Amen, brutha! I am a current Harley owner and test rode a T-Bird yesterday. I won my HD in a contest and as a current Harley owner, I know that I don't want another one. The T-Bird is a big bike, but doesn't feel that way when it's out and about. I'm signing the paperwork on a 2010 this week; no disrespect to HD but no regrets either. Ride safe.
incognitowun 9 months ago
I have one of these bikes myself & find it a great bike to ride on a trip. A bit big for around town though,thinking of getting a smaller one to run around town now * keeping this for travelling. The smaller one I have considered is either a Suzuki Intruder 250 or Hyosung 250 or similar. Can anyone out there suggest others??.
bootch171 1 year ago
if u ask me harley (I will not capitalize harley either) doesnt mean cruiser and for all the haters on Triumphs they started building scoots b4 harley and will probably b building them long after harley goes to china and then out of business. I like Triumph "Go your own way" I had an original thunderbird and will have this one in the future
TheRodofnim 1 year ago
Why do people nag so much about any cruiser to be a Harley clone?? Form follows function! Harleys didn't invent cruisers!!! Besides, in my book they broke whatever conventions Harley supposedly build in this category by opting for parallel twins. I'm a fan of Harleys, and yes many motorbikes do try to mimic Harley, no doubt about that . But don't berate these beauties so fast over superficial resemblance! They are a breath of fresh air in this category since quite some time.
DanieruShidebuteru 1 year ago
to say a cruiser is an HD clone is the farthest thing from correct by any stretch of the imagination. triumphs are notorious for lightweight great handling motorcycles. from the amazing triples to the smaller speed master, america, or thunderbird, they can out ride any harley on the back roads. and if your referring to the rocket III, well, not many cruisers out that can beat that in a straight line. harleys are the biggest peieces of shit. yea thats my opinion, but i do work on them often.
blldawgbiker 1 year ago
I couldn't agree more! I just got my brand-new 2010 Triumph Thunderbird and LOVE it! Just because it's a big bore twin doesn't mean it's a HD clone... that couldn't be farther from the truth. This bike is PURE TRIUMPH... mean looks, fantastic build quality, excellent reliability, great performance, and superb & sporty handling. Triumph knocked it out of the park with this bike!
narsisco2010 1 year ago
Hey dougbm53, Triumph DIDN'T name this T'bird after the T'bird 900, they nmed it after the ORIGINAL T'bird, the 650 parrallel twin made famous in the movie; 'The Wild One'.
A cruiser is always going to look something like a Harley, because the layout is always going to be pretty much the same. Hey, if you like sitting with your heels banging your bum all the time, great, but I like to be comfortable if I'm riding for 10-12 hours and covering 1,000+km's (600+miles) in a day.
BigAl53750 2 years ago
beginners bikes?? your talkin out of your arse man...
id have one of these bikes now if i could, great lookin bikes, and so what if its aimed at harley riders, maybe it would do triumph some good to take some of harleys custom, if they only sell one, its one less tosser in the harley owners group!
SAM20683 2 years ago 2
not everybody wants to get on a bike and pretend to be gp racers.
cruisers are hardly beginners bikes. they are just as valid as any other bike.
looks good.
jokingman 2 years ago
Great bike no doubt. Can see this as the basis for an eye popping bobber later on. Folks say this bike has no soul.....throw a leg over it and thumb it up before you pass judgement. Should have named it the Legend.
ChopperCrank 2 years ago
well cruisers are a beginners bikes but i would have that to next to my Speed Triple in a flash ..couldnt say the same about a harley.
But i wouldnt call it rubbish. Far from rubbish.
TTNorth 2 years ago
Looks rubbish compared with the 900cc triple. Just built for the yanks.
Kemical0Aly 2 years ago
Comment removed
TTNorth 2 years ago
or old english biker looking guys lolll
gangsta078 2 years ago
to each their own... personally, i and most of my friends (including some younger crotch-rocket riders) think this is one sharp-looking entry into the 1600cc twin cylinder cruiser market for a price that's $6K less than a comparable Harley.
i'm kinda glad they brought the rocket 3 out first, or i might have bought one of these instead as i was initially intimidated by the rocket's size and power.
myrryxmas 2 years ago
Ah well they have to finance the R & D for jewels such as the 675 somehow. A cruiser is an HD clone by default it seems anyway. Bet it rides well. Pity they discontinued the Thunderbird Triple. Seems odd to use the same name for this. My 2003 Thunderbird Sport was a very satisfying motorcycle.
dougbm53 2 years ago
I think your starting to get the picture
speeddygonz 3 years ago
I own a Hinckley Triumph (a Legend TT), and I have to say that the styling of this one is totally uninspiring - outside of the big parallel twin, it looks just like every Harley clone. And not an exceptionally imaginative one, either.
Grvthang 3 years ago
Actually, if you check the specs on the Triumph website, the 270 degree bikes (the Scrambler, the America and the Speedmaster) are actually down a couple hp compared to the standard Bonneville, the SE, the T100 and the Thruxton. Edward Turner would probably be like "Where's the liquid cooling? Why is the frame made of chromoly tubing? Why is this bike so heavy?". That would be right before he fires Bloor and puts his cigar out on his forehead...
t1201971 3 years ago
The reason the hp is down slightly on the recent 270 bikes is that they were retuned for more low speed torque.The early 270 engines had more hp and torque than the 360 engines with the same cams and carbs.The 270 design is a more balanced engine since you don't have both pistons coming up at the same time. Also Ed Turner knew this and was entertaining the idea since vibration was a major problem on the parallel twin but for whatever reason did not design a 270 engine.
speeddygonz 3 years ago
To the "Pure Heritage" people...Not everyone is old enough to remember a "real" triumph and I applaude this company for trying to make it's way but offering a wide range of products that they believe will make them successful...To the "Harley Davidson Elite"...Did it ever cross your minds that not everyone on Earth wants to part with $20,000 to buy an outdated piece of machinery that looks like every other Harley ever produced?..Count 10 seperate Harleys passing your house, then go flip your egg
DeadlightSound 3 years ago
Very well said Baijidoom
speeddygonz 3 years ago
Must say I'm already in love with this bike. Was looking for an alternative to Harley. The Japanese were too Japanese, the Americana/Speedmaster too small and the Rocket III too thirsty (although looking absolutely stunning). This bike makes perfect sense to me and I love Triumph as a brand. Not because they are "small and fast", as some here claim, but because they are way more personal than a Harley will ever be. Can't wait! :)
Baijidoom 3 years ago
gravesrus- Exactly. Edward Turner would shit himself if he saw this giant rolling tumor. He thought 650 was too big for a paralell twin and actually fought U.S. dealers before giving in. Triumph made their reputation in this country by building fast, light bikes that ran circles around Harleys. Why copy now?
t1201971 3 years ago
You don't know much about motorcycles. I have an 790cc Triumph that still outruns Harleys. This big parallel twin is not my cup of tea, but I'd still rather have it than a H-D. The 270° firing sequence reduced the vibration and gained 4hp on the 790cc twins. The little twins are all 865cc now, and Mr Turner would approve.
Skillet53 3 years ago
I don't know. Turner presided over an era where the larger capacity bikes were less specialized and were expected to excel in all areas; sports riding and touring, and switch up the tires and add high pipes and you could hit the trails. I think Turner might've liked something like the 955 Daytonas or the current Tiger or Sprint because they utilized modern technology and are pretty fast as well as versitile. He'd probably complain about the weight though.
t1201971 3 years ago
I'm kind of unclear as to why you said I don't know much about motorcycles. I attended Motorcyle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix and I've owned 2 stock '71 Bonnevilles, a '71 T120 chopper, a '68 TR6 chopper, a '75 Kawasaki Z900 and a couple Yamaha XS650's. So I don't really know where that came from, maybe you could explain a little...
t1201971 3 years ago
You've owned some pretty nice motorcycles, but that does not make you as smart as you think. I loved Triumph's 500 twins, the 650s were better and the 750s seemed more rounded. But you act like Turner would have disapproved, when he would have been at the cutting edge today with the bigger engines. I've owned all your models (save the kz900 & chopper-lol) and my Yamaha TX650A ran well and reliable but the vibration would make a 20 year old numb in 25 minutes. I've also had a few more models.
Skillet53 3 years ago
This doesn't make me an expert. Mr Turner was the master of design during his era and his speedtwin was all he thought was needed before the CC war began. I wish the R3 Trimph was a 1500cc triple - that would be more than enough - but marketing demands otherwise. They made this big twin for a reason and it is beyond myself or an Arizona motorbike technician to understand why, but I bet Ed Turner would know.
Skillet53 3 years ago
I guess where we disagree is that I don't see the displacement wars as being cutting edge. Edward Turner was concerned with low weight and sharp handling- I think the only two bikes in the Triumph stable that represent his philosophy are the 675 Daytona and the Street Triple. You are absolutely right that marketing demands otherwise and I think that's a shame.
t1201971 3 years ago
There is no reason why Triumph should be limited to small,lightweight,good handling sport bikes just because the old company never had the technology to balance anything bigger than a 750.Meanwhile,all the other companys can make what people want and reap huge profits.If Triumph just did sportbikes,they would end up like Ducatti,going bankrupt every couple years ,looking for a buyer to bail them out.
speeddygonz 3 years ago
Because really, who the fuck would want a small, lightwieght, good handling sportbike when they could have an overweight rolling hemorrhoid that looks like a bootleg Honda VTX, right?
t1201971 3 years ago
Maybe people with jobs and a little disposable income that arent trying to be a little ricky racer,thats who.
speeddygonz 3 years ago
Ricky Racer? Is that Speed Racer's retarded cousin or something?
t1201971 3 years ago
THAT'S NOT A TRIUMPH. REAL Triumphs are light and F A S T
gravesrus 3 years ago
Jesus, what a hunk of shit! Here we have a Honda VTX with the largest paralell twin ever, the perfect answer to a question no one asked. The styling is clearly "retro", but the pre-Bloor Triumph never ever built a cruiser, and no, the TSX and the X-75 don't count because their designs weren't influenced by any other company. And Triumph always built twins that had a 360 degree firing order, not 270- that's pandering to the HD-wannabe crowd. If you want a HD, buy one.
t1201971 3 years ago
The pre-Bloor era in bikes? No one made much of a cruiser. Triumph made their first cruiser in 2002 - I bought one. At 85,000 miles, I have yet to put a wrench on it, other than usual maintenance. Triumph is the fastest growing motorcycle company in the world for a reason, they adapt to a market. I wish I could buy stock.
Skillet53 3 years ago
Why? I say buy a 2000ish Triumph Thunderbird, but thats just me.
Mrwingtipshoes 3 years ago
buy an HD!
pedero89 3 years ago
They need to put on a Triumph tank for gawds sake!!!, with the Speedo on the bars like Victory. Classic Thunderbird looking pipes would be nice with a rounded classic rear fender. Its just not different. Just another 2 wheeled sofa clone.
mstrmc 3 years ago
Agreed. Snag the tank design from the standard Rocket III or R3 Classic, big ol' 'heritage' tank badge, nice swoopy/rounded rear fender, nice set of toga mufflers, and a proper set of gauges. THEN it'd look like a Triumph.
Yet, I'd still take it over a Hardley Ableson.
Alisterwolf66 3 years ago
YOUR RIGHT HAD SEVERAL WRONG COMMENTS - New 2009 Triumph 1600 L/C twin Thunderbird looks like an 1986 900/1000 Kawasaki Eliminator. Engine is mounted farther forward in the Eliminator. Rear tire is to wide taking away from handling? Nice mid ground for 865cc to 2300cc cruiser 1594cc engine gap filler. Needs functional Bonneville T140 or Rocket III style double gauges rather than tank dash.
rotaxhead 3 years ago
New 2010 Triumph Thunderbird looks lake a Harley D. with the exception of the engine. Simply put your thumb over any side view of the engine and and you have a Harley. I have totally lost interest in this new model. I hate copies this is why I didn't consider any Jap V-Twins. Now Triumph copies the HD even the fuel tank shape. Disappointed to put mildly. Will keep my America and replace the 865cc with a big bore 994cc kit before owning this 2010 counterfeit.
rotaxhead 3 years ago
Buddy it seems you have cut and paste down to an art , and lot's of time to go and find every pic of the new t-bird and bitch about it, personally I don't like the pipes so I will change them other than that maybe a bigger tank badge but it is what everybody asked for more HP power , belt drive more options ... and for the record it is a 988 1/4 stroker big bore kit for the america , so get you fact's straight ,before you start bitching .
dnelao 3 years ago 4
I'm excited about seeing this new Triumph up close and personal! From what I've seen so far, Triumph has done everything right on this one.
JohnC8551 3 years ago
great bike!!!
MotoStarChile 3 years ago