Comparison with Triumph Thunderbird

[ratail]

Look in the latest copy of American V mag.They compare Thunderbird,Victory and Dyna Superglide.(Three different opinions as well!).

[banquo]

The saddest thing about the new Thunderbird is not the comparison with current Harleys, but the way Triumph have prostituted themselves in an attempt to ape the current trend for American Styled cruisers, and compromised the functionality as a result. Triumphs were always built to perform, light, nimble, and compact. Seeing a current 'Bonneville' beside an original illustrates the contrast; it's HUGE, much in the same way as the new 'Mini' has lost all of the creativity of the original package, as has the Fiat Cinquecento, and the VW Beetle. Sad and sanitized copies of revolutionary originals.

Setting the rear shocks to mount under the rider's seat is a "Triumph" of form over function, and although originally designed by Harley to allow for saddlebag mounting, the angle of the Triumph mufflers won't allow for much more than a carefully positioned handbag... Same with the tank mounted console. Harley have an excuse for doing that, to continue what they did before, but Triumph never built bikes that way, so why devalue their brand by pretending they're something they're not, and never were...? The tank looks like it came from a Japansese 125 'cruiser', and headlamp from some cheap mail order outfit.
And they didn't even have the balls to fit a V-twin.
It's especially ironic, because the original T-Bird and derivatives were a spectacular success in the USA in the fifties and sixties, and arguably more popular than the Harleys of the time as a rebel tool. Why Triumph didn't continue to build on their own heritage, instead of creating abortive and badly conceived clones, is beyond me.
On the plus side, the centre section looks refreshingly FXR-ish...
Earlier attempts to produce a machine to appeal to our Transatlantic cousins were so much more desirable... and so much more Triumph, even with that BSA engine.

[simonDyna]

Rear mudguard and pillion seat look like a Deuce.

[telboy]

Originally Posted by banquo

The saddest thing about the new Thunderbird is not the comparison with current Harleys, but the way Triumph have prostituted themselves in an attempt to ape the current trend for American Styled cruisers, and compromised the functionality as a result. Triumphs were always built to perform, light, nimble, and compact. Seeing a current 'Bonneville' beside an original illustrates the contrast; it's HUGE, much in the same way as the new 'Mini' has lost all of the creativity of the original package, as has the Fiat Cinquecento, and the VW Beetle. Sad and sanitized copies of revolutionary originals.

Setting the rear shocks to mount under the rider's seat is a "Triumph" of form over function, and although originally designed by Harley to allow for saddlebag mounting, the angle of the Triumph mufflers won't allow for much more than a carefully positioned handbag... Same with the tank mounted console. Harley have an excuse for doing that, to continue what they did before, but Triumph never built bikes that way, so why devalue their brand by pretending they're something they're not, and never were...? The tank looks like it came from a Japansese 125 'cruiser', and headlamp from some cheap mail order outfit.
And they didn't even have the balls to fit a V-twin.
It's especially ironic, because the original T-Bird and derivatives were a spectacular success in the USA in the fifties and sixties, and arguably more popular than the Harleys of the time as a rebel tool. Why Triumph didn't continue to build on their own heritage, instead of creating abortive and badly conceived clones, is beyond me.
On the plus side, the centre section looks refreshingly FXR-ish...
Earlier attempts to produce a machine to appeal to our Transatlantic cousins were so much more desirable... and so much more Triumph, even with that BSA engine.

like the TSX saw one in the flesh the other week a lovely looking bike

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Typical MCN harley bashing

Why not compare a Dyna with a new bonnie, 86ci vs 800approx cc it would make about as much sense and be just as valid a comparison

In defence of MCN, they have become a lot more Harley-friendly recently. There's usually an article or two on them every week, and they figure positively much more in the roadtests as well. Their senior tester, Trevor Franklin, is now running a Rocker C full-time and loves it!!

The recent comparison between the 883 Iron and Thunderbird also included a Rocker C and the new V-Max. What was also omitted by other posters was that the Iron came 2nd in the test, trouncing both the Rocker and the V-Max. For all those cries of unfairness, they recently gave the Thunderbird to a couple of Dyna Glide owners - who both came down on the side of their Hogs. A recent previous test pitted an 883R against a Bonnie and a Guzzi Cafe Racer (Bonnie came out trumps).

Personally, I like the new Thunderbird, and Triumph must be doing something right by being one of the only bike companies (if not the only one!) to post an increased market share this year. This is only highlighted by the recent news re. Buell/MV Ag/possible moves of all production to China for HD.

[fliesinteeth]

Originally Posted by littleteach

You cant compare the thunderbird to the nightster!!!the thunderbird is by far the better bike,handles well,comfortable,plenty of grunt and 1)is value for money 2)you dont have to stage one and all that nosense you have to do with a harley; is cheaper to run,spares are cheaper and the service from triumph dealerships is second to none.I ride a harley and a triumph and i love them both but if i had to buy a new bike it would have to be a triumph.

a good debate on this. I don't think MCN is harley bashing nowadays. Interested in your two bikes littleteach. which have you got? why two ? what sort of riding do you use them for ?which new triumph would you buy ?

[littleteach]

My harley is a 22yr old hugger converted to 1200,wide glide front end ,converted to belt then back to chain this year,andrews gearbox,and lots of other bits and pieces .Had her for nearly 20 years now and wont get rid of her.Thought about another harley 3 years ago but did not like the new models so went to look at triumphs.Loved the bonnie scrambler and bought it there and then,great fun bike.Why 2?why not!!!!I ride all year round for fun using both alternately or whatever one has more petrol.New triumph.......the new style bonnie or the new thunderbird.

[fliesinteeth]

Originally Posted by littleteach

My harley is a 22yr old hugger converted to 1200,wide glide front end ,converted to belt then back to chain this year,andrews gearbox,and lots of other bits and pieces .Had her for nearly 20 years now and wont get rid of her.Thought about another harley 3 years ago but did not like the new models so went to look at triumphs.Loved the bonnie scrambler and bought it there and then,great fun bike.Why 2?why not!!!!I ride all year round for fun using both alternately or whatever one has more petrol.New triumph.......the new style bonnie or the new thunderbird.

thanks for replying - sounds like fun - enjoy em both !
I can't make my my mind up beween an st sprint or thruxton or bmw gs 1200 - deffo keeping my sportie though

[Brigg]

Originally Posted by PhillSpace

I believe you may be thinking of one of these Thunderbirds Kev ..



The old triple. it's replacement is a horse of a different colour ...



1600 parallel twin with, I believe, 100+ foot pounds of torque.

Certainly not to be compared to a Sporty, should go up against a Dyna.

Was checking this out yesterday, Kev's right the reviewers compare it directly with the Dyna. Saw one at Fowlers Bristol. Could had been very tempted.. But just does not have.... the one man and his horse sort of feeling.... if you know what I mean

[Icarus]

Banquo mentioned that Triumph didn't have the balls to fit a v twin??

To me, this is what sets Triumph apart from the jap lookalikes. The japs blatantly have no original thought in design concepts so thay have to copy.

Ok; maybe they improve them a bit as well.