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Went to Freewheelin Honda/Triumph this morning to get a masterlink for my America...did'nt happen (what a PITA), but seen that new Thunderbird sitting there, and asked if I could take her for a spin...I've decided that will be my next bike, eventually. My America has 44,000 on it, and I know they won't give me what it's worth to me, so I'll keep it, and Kimmy's America...With the little T120, and the 2 Americas, Im running out of room, but what else can I do? Not GIVING away my America's....

I hear you. That's why I'll never sell my speedy either. She's worth more to me personally and in value than what I would get for it if I sold her. I will get another bike but the speedy stays. I hope to give it to my son some day when he's old enough.

I know what you are saying - the TBird is a great bike, but my America is just sooo nice I wouldn't give the bike up.

Nice comparison in Cycle World of the T-Bird and the Dyna Wide Glide - the nod went to Triumph.

From what I hear the TBird's a great ride... like to try one out myself someday!

I demo'd a new 1600 T-bird, & the torque is addictive. Beyond that though, I prefer my modded 07 SM. Really!

I agree about the torque and wish that engine was in our bikes. A member here let me take his out for a spin at a recent rally and I was grinnin ear to ear the whole time. I thought it was an awesome bike all around with only a couple cosmetic things I would rather see different.

Ditto here, it's my next purchase. Yes my America will stay in the stable.

I might go for a 1050 Tiger though, I'm so confused.

I took the plunge and haven't looked back. The T'bird is simply stunning ;-)

And apparently, upgraded...

It's an addiction that started with sticking extra bits on the America ;-) I blame this forum!

I was specifically referring to the 1700...

I'm gonna have to try one of those out at the end of the month in Spokane.

I ordered my Thunderbird today. Two weeks to wait since the dealer only had black in stock and I wanted silver/black. It's a long long wait for a bike like that.

I cannot afford to keep both so I had to trade my Speedy for the Thunderbird. Hope I didn't make a bad trade.

Going to Sindt Motors in IA next week to look at one. Thinking I might have to get a second job after I start having dreams about it afterwards.

Rode a 1600 today. Not impressed. The brakes were crap. It accelerated quite well if you really reefed on the throttle. Handled pretty well, like my America, but slightly heavier. They have a 1700 with TORs that I'll try tomorrow if I get the chance.

I'm starting a new thread for my true love.

Must say I have been tempted..... but probably love my Speedmaster too much..... but I and I am sure others would be interested in more details.
I have not yet road either. Obviously it seems to be getting very high reviews in magazines.

I've been on 6 'Birds now-brakes were very fine on all of them.

Well SOMETHING was jacked up on that 1600 I rode. It was a ****** to stop. Then I got on the Roadster and grabbed a handful of brake and just about shot myself over the handlebars. I wasn't imagining a serious difference. And the R3R has at least 50-70 lbs. on the Tbird.

The 1700 was better in the braking department (well, a few departments--accelerated better and sounded better with the TORs) but it may have had ABS.

BTW, the 1700 was the only bike I scraped pegs on.

I was too dammed afraid of the Rockets to push them that hard without a bit more time in the saddle. Afraid but enthralled...

Agreed. Something was off on the 1600 you rode. All 6 I've been on have very good brakes. As for the R3, it'll scrape---and spark!

Oh I'm sure, but this rider needs some quality time with a bike that big before I start pushing the envelope. Only the second time I've ridden something substantially bigger than my TBA (say, 3X as big), I was mostly concerned with not giving it too much gas in the corners. Coming out of the corners on the R3, my biggest concern was hanging on...

Really enjoyed my demo ride, felt good, handled nicely at slow speed and I was doing 65 mph without opening the throttle...... Liked it, loved the torque, stopped better then my America with wraped front disk....

Demo'd the Tbird today, and had a blast. It was a fairly short (10 mile) group ride, so I couldnt push it much but I got enough of a taste to form a favorable first opinion. Very torquey, good brakes and good center of gravity. Felt heavier than the America, but that did not really bother me because the weight was low. I can definately see one in the future, but the America is paid for now. The Tbird was fun, but not enough to change my plans. I am still gonna do the big bore this winter, and will be keeping her for at least a couple more years.

The Tbird is a great ride. The torque is incredible. Don't like the look of it nearly as much as my Speedy though. It will be interesting to see what variations come out of the factory in the next few years.

Had my demo ride two weeks ago, 1600, lots of torque, good balance, roomy, nimble for it's weight, but two minuses - lots of heat at leg level, and too much engine vibration, like a road king. Guess my America has me spoiled.

Today is the day. My TBird finally arrives. First they said two weeks but it got alot longer that that. Hope the bike is sooooo good it was worth the wait.

P.S. The factory sent my bike to Sweden instead of Finland and that was the reason for the delay. I quess they don't know the difference?

Hi Guys, Had my tbird since mid october and now got 8000kms up, miss my speedy sometimes cos it was a sweet ride, but the bird is much the same but by a factor of 10 i reckon...My only beef was the rear shocks, too harsh, i put the 440,s from the speedy on it and its magic , just waiting for progressives to release front springs..Its fuel usage is only about 10% more than the speedy.The brakes were ok but got much better after few hundred kms and are great now..no probs (non abs)Rear tyre life is much less than my america and speedy, down from 18,000kms to I think about 12,000kms judging by the wear rate.All in all, i,m glad I made the switch and can,t see me getting another bike, this ones a keeper for sure..but I agree with others that 11 or 1200 motor in the america/speedy would be an absolute cracker, they just lack a bit of grunt, even when tuned..If anyone is thinking of going to a tb and wants any info, let me know, cheers, Tadpole

I demo'ed the Rocket III turing, back in June, and I just had a T Bird for the whole day, while my America was in for 18 k, service. The T Bird is a better fit for me than the Rocket. I rode one of the T Birds when they first came out, but it was a short ride and though I was impressed, it was back in August, of 09, and I have a short memory. After having it for most of the day, I can't stop thinking about it. My B.A. should have that transmission because now I'm looking for that sixth gear again. It took about seven thousand miles for my trany to get that smooth and I even went up a tooth on the primary to ease that feeling that it need another gear. After riding that T bird with the engine lopeing along effortlessly at sixty, I'm searching for the next gear again. I'll give it another year and if I don't get over that thing,(T Bird), I'll have to go on down and get me one. Fins or not!

Now after about 700km I am soooooo happy with the bike. Runs great, handles great, looks great, even sounds great or so I heard some stranger telling me and bike is totally stock. Couldn't be happier.

This was before:


And this is now:


P.S. Still even after all these positive and cool moments with the new TB, I somehow miss my loyal partner I had for five years and I never would've let her go if it wasn't because of money. Hope I'll buy her back someday.