Triumph Unveils New Thunderbird Cruiser

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Jul 21, 2008
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Triumph’s new Thunderbird, expected to go on sale next year, will finally give the venerable Brit motorcycle marque some real ammunition in the battle for the hearts, bourbon-damaged minds, beards and bellies of the cruiser segment. It also gives Triumph a genuine contender to fire across the Atlantic into the land of the Hog.

With an all-new 1600cc parallel twin with six-speed gearbox and belt drive, Triumph makes no bones about who it’s gunning for with the Thunderbird. “Designed to take on the best in the cruiser category,” its press release says (you can read “Harley” into that), “combining sleek and modern custom styling with strong performance and great dynamics, the Thunderbird delivers an authentic cruiser experience in a uniquely Triumph package.”

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Of course it’s not the biggest Triumph – that falls to the 2.3 litre Rocket III. But riding the Rocket, I’m told, is like throwing the leg over a blue whale or a Kenworth... and just as sensible. The Thunderbird will be a far-more liveable proposition but with enough cubes to hold its head high in a Hog line-up.

Like Harley, Thunderbird customers will be able to spec out their machine in any number of combinations – stripped down, chromed up, naked or fully dressed – to give ‘their’ ride their own individual stamp. Triumph has not yet given an indication of pricing, but expect it to come in well-under the $26k of the Rocket III, but above the current Bonneville-based Triumph cruisers.

As these images show, the Thunderbird is a very nicely-proportioned machine. You can expect things to hot-up in the cruiser segment when this super-twin hits these shores.


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Comments

  • Robbo [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    More bikes please :)
  • 2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600cc twin pics - K [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    [...] the website Triumph Unveils New Thunderbird Cruiser [...]
  • Robbo [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    By including bikes you have just catapaulted this site to the best motoring site on the web by far.
  • Wes [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    No, no, no... pandering to the style-free cruiser mob will not do.
    This bike looks like an advert for Generic Cycles.
    What makes this bike a Triumph?
    Where is the tank badge?
    The big proud standard that flies on all real Triumphs?
    This bike looks soft. Half a Kwaka, or worse.
    Those dinky twirly alloy spokes.
    The half-fluted Boulevarde look of the pipes.
    You can't be seriously paying designers to come up with this pap can you?
    Ask riders why they ride what they ride and they won't say it's because it looks like a cross between everything else available.
    Why lose the Thunderbird Triple?
    The Thunderbird 900 is a fine, smooth ride.
    Imagine that in a 1600.
    It would clear the decks, no competition.
    And blue. Give me a break. When in doubt, make it blue.
    I hope this is a first draft.
    • Phil [reply]
      2 years ago 0 points
      Whilst I agree that cruisers are rating high in the sales, cruisers are like bums, nearly everyone has one. I also agree with many other comments that it looks nearly the same as any other cruiser and cannot see why someone would spoil the good name of the Thunderbird by making it a cruiser.
      I agree,3 cylinders 1500 or 1600 cc but using current Thunderbird styling in a bike that handles, that would do me.
      Its a shame that many manufacturers cannot look beyond a cruiser to up their sales
    • Fletch [reply]
      2 years ago 0 points
      Styling has a lot to be desired on this machine(NOT), however if your going to compete with other cruisers on the market then a first draft is often going to come up short, lets hope that triumph has not failed us true triumph enthusiasts on performance as well, I hope they rethink its looks and revert to the distinctive triumph look.
  • zenrat [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    You're right there Wes.
    It should at least have huge chrome "mouth organ" tank badges and proper spoked wheels.
    It looks like the bastard offspring of an XS650 US Custom that was raped by an LTD Kwaka.
    And forget forward controls. Not everyone wants to ride with a gale blowing up their trouser legs.
    Where's your guts Triumph? Don't just follow the herd blindly copying the seppo boat anchors. After all, they haven't had an original idea since WW2.
    If you've got to rely on heritage for your styling cues at least look back at your own history. Style it after the classic 50's & 60's T'birds and bring back the tank top rack and the bathtub.
  • oozle [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    has anybody got an idea how many rubels this 09 thunderbird is gunna fetch
  • Darren ODonovan [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    For my mind its good to see that triumph havent abandoned making a bike to bear the thunderbird name. Wes is right it does need some changes to make it uniquely TRIUMPH, such as a large tank badge, but other than that I love it. Great to have you back Thunderbird.
  • Westy [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Triumph definitly needed something to slot in between the America/Speedmaster and the Rocket and I reckon they've got it about right.Yes Wes & Darren are right about the tank badge,also I agree the pipes look too Jappy.I don't mind the wheels but it would be nice to see how traditional spoked wheels would look on it.Perhaps Triumph could make them as an optional extra?The headlight to my mind looks a little too small,I'd go for a larger traditional one.Wes reckons they should have taken the old Thunderbird 900 triple out to a 1600 and put that in it.Not so sure how that would look and sound in a cruiser?One of the big attractions to owning a cruiser is that certain retro look and sound.Harley understands this and thats why they continue with the V twin.Therefore I think Triumph is right to continue to enlarge their parallel twin.I recently got my America rejetted and setup with decent pipes and I can tell you there is nothing sweeter then the noise of a Triumph Parallel Twin!!I am looking forward to seeing how the 1600 Parallel Twin stacks up against Harleys 1500 V twin.Does anyone know if this is the biggest Parallel twin produced by anyone to date?I thought Zenrat was a tad harsh on the bike after all we all know what the tank top rack use to do to male genitals in a smash.As far as wind up your legs using forward controls it's not hard to fit centre pegs or footboards or tuck your jeans into your boots.Plus we already have the modern Bonnie which more then adequately reflects the beautiful Triumph machines of yesteryear!!
  • Greg T (GT) [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Hopefully the new thunderbird performs and can deliver HP A 1600CC twin overhead cam motor should and we might shut up riders on those YANKE machines I agree it should have the bonne badges on the tank and spoked wheels optional otherwise great bike triumph I cant wait to purchase one.
    ps when do we get to know the specs
  • Fatso Jas [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    I like it. I like its style. I like the parallel twin. I like the forward controls. It's a cruiser of course, but it's remained a Triumph. Depending on its price, I'd consider trading my Harley for one.
  • Keith Phillips [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    I'm afraid triumph have ***ed up on this model, although aimed at a slice of the Yankee market. They are very passionate about the Harley Davidson name. I think they will sell a few, It sure will sound nice with after market cans on it. But it looks to me like an 80,s bike. And what a waste of an Iconic name calling it the Thunderbird. In my opinion they should have stuck to the Bonneville look and dropped the big twin into a gigantic frame to avoid flexing. But nah I don't think folk will be queuing to by this outdated looking bike. And the tank should have been 25litre or even 30!!
  • Eric Ellquist [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Interesting commentary. I am fifty seven years old, and so I remember seeing knuckle head and panhead baggers alongside Triumph, BSA, and eventually Japanese motorcycles, and thinking that I couldn't wait 'til I was old enough to climb on one. I was hitchhiking home from school the first time I got a ride on a Royal Enfield, an Interceptor if I remember correctly, 750 cc's. I loved it, couldn't stop thinking about it.
    At some point I began to let the media and others do my thinking for me, as to what was "cool", and became biased in my likes and dislikes.
    I remember looking at a thing with wheels and a motor with simple passion and have tried to get back to that.
    This new Thunderbird does that for me. A big parallel twin, WOW! I'd love to ride it, maybe I wont like the feel, or the handling. Maybe up close there will be something that looks off aestheticly, who knows?
    For now, it,s nice to see something different, way to go Triumph.
  • spock [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Well I think Triumph have got this new thunderbird 3/4 right. I agree with the other comments about the need for a decent triumph tank badge. The overall styling I think hits the mark but please do something about those pipes. I'm not sure what drugs you were taking to come up with those, but do us all a favour and stop taking them!! A choice of mid mounted controls and forward controls-I would've purchased a Speedmaster or America if they had mid mounted controls(injury prevents some of us from being able to ride bikes with forward mounted pegs) and a choice of wheel style. Come on Triumph you can do these things without breaking the bank or adding cost to the bike and you might just get yourself a few more customers-me for one.
  • Canuck [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Just got back to riding last year after 20 years or so. Used to ride Bonnys and Lightnings, Royal Stars...Bought a new America and was real excited to hear about the Thunderbird coming back. W.as pretty disappointed in the design and lack of Triumph branding and style. Will probably test ride one, but will wait a year or two to see what they do with the design before buying one
  • Boggie [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    I like it. My current ride is a '95 Thunderbird, the new one is completely different but it works. Looks comfy, nice big power plant. Yep, a decent Trumpy badge on the tank to finish it off. I'll be getting one of these.
  • Bob [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Not too bad Triumph.I agree with complaints about the tank badges not being Triumph enough.The pipes need to go too along with the chrome front sproket cover which looks tackey ,It needs to look like a trans case. Overall it has great lines and good platform to work with.Will be putting a deposit down after i see one in person more than likely.
  • Davo [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Interesting comments one and all. Yep, the idea of this 1600cc motor crammed into the Bonneville SE is cause for great salivation but never-the-less I like it enought to have already paid my deposit. I have owned a R3 since 2004 and currently have an R3T plus other Hinkley Triumphs but I think this bike has potential so long as Triumph have been able to quell the vibration inherent in a twin of this kind (dam, don't know how to spell parrallell).
    Yep, it does resemble the early eighties Jap/US "cruiser" typified by the unmemorable Kawasaki LTD series, but I'm forcasting that Triumph will give this bike enough thump and ooomph to overcome the multitude of styling sins that some feel strongly about. Me, I don't think that it looks too bad in the pics and will probably look quite good in the flesh with a few mods like pipes, tank badge, Speedmaster bars on Rivco risers or whatever else takes your fancy. Raise your hand if you've never, ever, modified a motorcycle. Carry on!
  • Bill [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    I agree with the Thunderbird cruiser being more retro styled with spoked wheels and bigger tank badges. Triumph sometimes you can't improve on looks ok. If they listen to us and release a model that we are after I'm sure they will get good sales, count me in if they do.
  • Sam [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I don't get all this fuss over a tank badge, what's that got to do with how a bike performs? Personaly I would have like have seen Triumph to stick with the air/oil cooled motor as with the American/Speedmaster. That radiator is the ugliest thing you'll ever see on a cruiser and I can see why it's on there, Harley and Yamaha don't use one on their bikes and they look s***o. Get rid of the radiator Truimph and go back to air/oil cooling and I'll buy one tomorrow.
  • Jimbo [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Hiya, Let's not kill it before we know it,after 4 Harleys, various European eg. BMW K1200R, R/T, Guzzi, and a long list of Jappers, currently run a Speedmaster, I would embrace this new kid on the block with open arms, can't wait for more updates, and respect to Westy's comments, ya know ya stuff mate !!!.....Jimbo........Downunder.
  • drew [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    luv it ,own and ride, a harris bonneville lovely bike ,71 commando,2000 fxst. a pro street evo a ultima hardtail a military wla. this thunderbird looks like a high speed handling cruiser ,luv a bike with a ton of balls and refined handling like a bonneville or a commando or a ducati. this thunderbird should do all the above
  • snickers [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Owned a couple of trumps in my time
    got a 78 t140 @ moment that is my ride
    rebuilt it from the ground up . it was a wreck when i bought it .
    now a lot of people say to me how come you don't update , call me a sentimental old fool if ya like but no way!! love my classic.. i am looking @ too many clones of other clones when i look @ the new cruisers . and that aint saying they look bad i am just saying is all :)
  • snickers [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    i would accept one of the new ones if it was given to me as a gift though ;)
  • mike vickers [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    After reading the comments i hope i`m not disapointed when i have my test ride in july.
  • crazydazy [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Seen the new bird in the flesh coupla days ago. Oh yeah i can see what i want to trade my speedmaster in on. Optioned it up on the triumph site.(Endless options).Triumph UK didnt send the keys or electrics so we couldnt here it.Hope the pig dog's got a bark
  • Martin Shepherd [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Just odered the new bird, trading my America in and the wifes Harley, looks the dogs and looking forward to some long distance cruises. going for short pipes on it so the dog will have a bark !! I think Triumph have done a good job on it , long time comming for a step between the America and the Rocket. We have had many happy miles on the America, but think the extra horses of the 1600 will make long distances 2up a pleasure.
  • Bob [reply]
    12 months ago 0 points
    HI I own a ducati 900 SS but i want one of these ASAP
  • snickers [reply]
    11 months ago 0 points
    just had a lookie @ one Yep i am buying it :)
  • mike vickers [reply]
    11 months ago 0 points
    I v`e just been out to three cross motorcycles to sign for my new
    bird, as i got there a bloke had just had a test ride and he was
    raving about how good it was but his misses said she was a bit
    saddle sore on the back, as i had my misses with me i didn`t want
    to hear this. SHE¬LL GET USED TO IT . i`ll be riding my new
    Thunderbird down to dartmoor next weekend.
  • snickers [reply]
    9 months ago 0 points
    It,s a coming in bitchin black and the 1700 big bore kit and other goodies are going into it woooooooo hoooooooo,
    happy trail.s :)
  • cooky [reply]
    9 months ago 0 points
    Been looking and reading about this thunderbird since Aug.06 in the papers .Hinckley back then said they knew not a thing about it YERRR NOT MUTCH! Fast forword to present day,Oct, tested it out, a demo, I was sold on it .The deep note of the exhaust the bottom end grunt ,was told get her in to 5th at about 1000 revs and plenty of right wrist well that what the sails man said! SHHHHH--T that was fun sadly the road wasn't long anough and the brow of the hill was coming up rather quick!! Got back to the showroom and it was good by America hellow Big Bird! To round up , reading some of the above coments they must be two wheel tractor purest and they don't like the competsion, Don't knock it until youv'e tried it!

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