Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster

Looking at the new SM I think it has lost quite a bit. I don't like the new look with no fork shrouds and single disc among a few other changes. The new wheels suck a$$ too, definately look like old Honda wheels.

Not quite true Dwight. Used to be the BA had spokes (should do that again)and SM alloy. BA had chrome covers SM black. BA wide classic bars, low risers SM high risers,drag bars. SM gunfighter seat, BA pillion and solo saddle. SM tach, BA blanked out. SM black pillion peg hangers, SM black. SM dual disc, BA single. SM tapered exhaust, BA slash cut. SM primary insert, BA none. BA gray head and inner cases,SM black.SM front fender short, BA longer. They lost several differences as time went on. I hate the bobbed fender, new wheels,lack of 2nd disc among a few other things on the new design. I do like some of the changes to the new BA. The heavier front end and wheel but even then I would rather see that wheel laced.

Yep, some good points there, alright.

I forgot about the spokes!!!

(...but I like the bobbed fender on the new SM so much I pretty much did the same thing to my BA last year...and I know there's a whole passel o' guys around here who've done the same...though MINE is "of course" vastly superior in execution to ANY o' theirs!!!)

Not by any means condemning a bobbed fender I just don't like it. I would actually like a longer fender, I put a BA fender on front of my SM for that very reason.

I can't believe I'm going to add to this. Photographing the Thunderbird being built in England means nothing. Aren't they still building Americas and Speedmasters there for England and Europe?

Waaaay glad to have an 07SM.

I am just hunky dory with my 06 speedy too.

How about an '04 SM in Jet Black? Only year made? Didn't tey start changing things with the '05 model? (When did the 865cc engine show up?) I think for the maiden year of the SM, only the Yellow/Black and Red/Black where available...

FWIW, I like looks of the '11 Speedmaster better than my '09.



Nice job Triumph.

Well I am new to the world of Triumph after many years of owning Harleys and Jap I bought a 2010 Speedmaster I like the style of my bike as for the 2011 Speedy I would not buy one there are three main turnoff's for me on this bike one is the single disc brake on the front, two is the front end itself losing that chunkie look and three and the worse for me on this bike is the rear guard the way it sticks out from the back of the bike and the height of it.

Thunderbird or Thunderbird Storm if I was buying one it would be yes to the Thunderbird and no for the Storm so I will be keeping my 2010 Speedy for quite a while and if I was to buy another Triumph I give a Bonnie a go cheers.

Had a look at the 2011 Speedmaster today and only 1 front disk so there spec sheet is not correct

Got a Storm for a few days.

Not keen on the gloss black version but the the matt variant and one or two other mods it would look fantastic. Goes like stink too, handling superb (which is important for me and make all the difference)!

No much to choose between the that and the Rocket Roadster for me. And I like the new Speedy (minus the chrome egg cup).

Triumph not doing alot wrong if you ask me.

There's only one way to settle this love / hate thing.

Triumph needs to send me one of everything for a long term test, and I'll file a full report back here in a year or three.
Color does not matter, although dark British Racing Green or black for everything would be good. Checker boards and white stripes are good too. (no purple or pink please.)

I know I know - I'm a team player, doing this for the good of the forum.

Good idea Bucky, but I can't see Triumph covering the shipping costs.

So, for the good of the forum, I humbly volunteer myself as I am less than 30 miles from the factory (by road, not as the crow flies)

Well, gotta add my 2 cents. I am married to what most of you men out there would relate to as a picky woman. ( arent most of them lol ) at least when it comes to what she drives etc. thus the z3 in the garage and the 300se in the driveway. She used to ride a Sportster until we got together, then after test riding an 06 America, she was hooked. However, she has always liked old school chopper type paint jobs, etc. Well, we test rode the new Thunderbird with her on the back, and she like it. just liked. But told me the other day, that she is tired of searching for that elusive 6th gear. And we just happened to be headed to the local Triumph shop. Well, they had 2 new Storms in stock. one Matte ( already sold ) and one gloss. Well, lets just say, she fell in love with the Matte finished one. So about May timeframe, her america will be gone and there will be a new Storm in the Garage. She wants Matte, and then we will have some red and white Tribals hand painted on. I dont care what anyone says about the bike. Everyone can claim that only the bonnies and the speedies and the americas have character etc. But think about it. How many other companies out there have a 1600 or 1700 CC verticle twin motor, putting out gobs of hp and torque? Um I can only think of 1. And I think its a pretty good tribute to Triumph that they got as much power out of that motor as they did. considering there are larger V twins that can barely claim numbers that high! All I can say, is Bravo Triumph, Bravo!!! There is only one other company that I will admit to being as impressed with as Triumph, and that is BMW. Between the those 2 companies, the Japanese are now having to play catch up in their biggest Market Segment. Triumph has the " Best " performing 600 class sportbike, and BMW hands down has the " Best " Liter bike in the world!!!!

Was at a dealer last week. They had two T-birds. Both had a "J" in the VIN. I stand corrected. They are made in England.

Well first the Roadster than the Storm. When is that new(ish) Speedmaster gonna get some matte black lovin'? It's begging for it.