 Thunderbird-test ride
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I had my Stratoliner Deluxe in for new back tire Saturday, so they gave me a well dressed T Bird 1600 to ride, and I hate to say that I was not impressed. The seating position is not good, the power is fair(at best), the vibration from the engine is fast out annoying. I really did like the nimbleness in the handling, it loves curves, and I thought the seat nice even if the positioning wasn't good(it kind of reminded me of sitting on a one legged stool, upright and not comfortable or natural). I love my Speedmaster, and very much have enjoyed the Bonnevilles and Scramblers I have ridden, but cannot see why anyone would purchase the T Bird. My Stratoliner blows the TBird away in power, comfort, and overall ride ability, its not even a contest. I really wanted to like the TBird, and am disappointed that I don't.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Loquacious
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Thanks for the rundown Todd.They just seem too wide for me.Plus I don't like the pipes.The new commander pipes look ok,but not the dual headlight.I haven't ridden a T-bird so I can only comment on the looks and size but I'm happy with my America.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Adjunct
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I was at a triumph demo day last year to ride the 2014 america, and was able to get a ride on a storm which is not a bike I really like the look of (twin headlights and to much black  ) didnt get much of a chance to test handling but the power of the thing was alright, but not alright enough to make me want to buy one.
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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I had a chance to demo a Storm earlier this year as well. The first thing that I noticed was the torque,I liked that. The handling did not seem any better than my Speedie. I do not care for the styling of any of the Tbird models. The Commander is much better styling wise but still misses the mark for me in some areas. I want to like the Tbirds as well but they just don't do it for me. I must admit however that paying full new retail price for vehicles, especially a motorcycle is something I just won't do on principle.There are just way too many low mile, excellent condition, low priced, used bikes out there. At this point if I want more power in a motorcycle I will just put a big bore kit in my bike. Heck, one could buy a used Speedie/America in great condition and put a big bore kit in it for a third to half the price of a new Tbird.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
I had my Stratoliner Deluxe in for new back tire Saturday, so they gave me a well dressed T Bird 1600 to ride, and I hate to say that I was not impressed. The seating position is not good, the power is fair(at best), the vibration from the engine is fast out annoying. I really did like the nimbleness in the handling, it loves curves, and I thought the seat nice even if the positioning wasn't good(it kind of reminded me of sitting on a one legged stool, upright and not comfortable or natural). I love my Speedmaster, and very much have enjoyed the Bonnevilles and Scramblers I have ridden, but cannot see why anyone would purchase the T Bird. My Stratoliner blows the TBird away in power, comfort, and overall ride ability, its not even a contest. I really wanted to like the TBird, and am disappointed that I don't.
Sums up my impressions pretty well. Love my Speedy. Love my Strat. its like nuclear sofa. Sat on one Bird and it felt like I was on a birthing table.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Interesting that this thread popped up, as I was just yesterday considering the question of whether the Thunderbird was a "step up" bike for the Speedmaster. I know there are those that have traded their Speedmasters in for TBirds and say they would never go back, that the TBird is so much better than the Speedie, etc., but every time I get on the TBird I think to myself "this is one heavy (and wide) bike" and every time I get on my Speedie I think "this is the perfect bike for me."
Last edited by TriumphLance; 06/08/2015 9:56 PM.
2013 Speedmaster Matte Black
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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I still have my Speedmaster, its a joy to ride. The TBIrd doesn't have the seating position, nor the "feel" that is so "Triumph" to me. The big Stratoliner Deluxe I have is so so much easier(lighter in feel) to pull up off the stand, its very smooth and comfortable to ride, with great handling(it may actually out handle the Speedmaster) and the power is unreal,....and, add to that that I bought it new for $13,000 out the door.
Last edited by HeneryHawk; 06/08/2015 10:45 PM.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Learned Hand
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I have both, a 2010 T-bird and the 05 speedmaster. I really like them both but they are way different bikes. I got the T-bird as a 2 up bike (not a trade up), and it does great in that role. The speedmaster is not a good 2 up for any real distance riding (and I tried). The speedmaster is wicked fun solo bike, and I have no intention of getting rid of mine, I love riding it. but when it comes to the open highway  bird not sure what year t-bird you test rode, but the power description seems off. Heck mine will wheelie in the first 2 gears without even trying. It has plenty on tap. Maybe the newer model years are detuned some?
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Oil Expert
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Hmm, this is not my experience at all, i loved my speedmaster no question but you cannot compare the two bikes. My storm has torque comming from everywhere, 6th gear 140 klm roll on the throttle and i am out of there. Hiway wind no longer tiring with the extra weight of the bike, suspension (OEM) much better on all bumps, the bike is very nimble and you only notice the weight if you are pushing it around from time to time but never a serious issue. Great bike for two up riding, decent on fuel all things considered. Vibrations are similar or less to my 2006 speedmaster and the seating position is good after you have sorted it out for yourself like many other bikes. I agree its not for everyone, but i sure like it.
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
I had my Stratoliner Deluxe in for new back tire Saturday, so they gave me a well dressed T Bird 1600 to ride, and I hate to say that I was not impressed. The seating position is not good, the power is fair(at best), the vibration from the engine is fast out annoying. I really did like the nimbleness in the handling, it loves curves, and I thought the seat nice even if the positioning wasn't good(it kind of reminded me of sitting on a one legged stool, upright and not comfortable or natural). I love my Speedmaster, and very much have enjoyed the Bonnevilles and Scramblers I have ridden, but cannot see why anyone would purchase the T Bird. My Stratoliner blows the TBird away in power, comfort, and overall ride ability, its not even a contest. I really wanted to like the TBird, and am disappointed that I don't.
You need to ride the LT for a fair comparison to the Stratoliner. Better saddle, better positioning and ergonomics and bigger engine. I couldn't ride my T-bird 45 minutes w/o getting a sore butt when I bought it in 2010. I was actually going to take it aback before the first 45 miles the seat was so bad. I sent the seat for a re-do with supracore gel and it was fine for a 700 mile trip to the Ga. rally. It was much more comfortable on the interstate than my TBA was.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Learned Hand
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OP
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This T Bird was the 1600, Blue w/white stripe, touring seat, big plexi shield, pillion back rest. The seat on the bike was actually very very good( I put about 125 miles on it), I liked the seat, not the positioning with pegs, nor the handlebars. The guys at the dealership pretty much all have similar thoughts. I will say the looks are nice, the quality everything looks really nice, I especially like the looks of the Storm in the flat graphite gray.
Really, with the power of the Strat, none of the T Birds will come close to matching it(I just burned through my second back tire, with only 11500 miles), it has 100 hp/125ftlbs torque at the wheel. The Strat would pale against the R III for the same reason(though I doubt it handles as nice as the Strat), that extra 400 cc is potent.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Really, with the power of the Strat, none of the T Birds will come close to matching it(I just burned through my second back tire, with only 11500 miles), it has 100 hp/125ftlbs torque at the wheel. The Strat would pale against the R III for the same reason(though I doubt it handles as nice as the Strat), that extra 400 cc is potent.
Like I said, the LT 1700cc should come closer with 97hp/115 lbs. torque, than the standard 1600 with 85. You only rode the 1600.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
Really, with the power of the Strat, none of the T Birds will come close to matching it(I just burned through my second back tire, with only 11500 miles), it has 100 hp/125ftlbs torque at the wheel. The Strat would pale against the R III for the same reason(though I doubt it handles as nice as the Strat), that extra 400 cc is potent.
Like I said, the LT 1700cc should come closer with 97hp/115 lbs. torque, than the standard 1600 with 85. You only road the 1600.
I'd like to see the dyno on that! 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Those are Triumphs figures from their website. Dyno for a 1700 kit with a tuneboy is more like 90.2 hp You can look up some dynos on the www.Thunderbird1600.com site.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Those are Triumphs figures from their website. Dyno for a 1700 kit with a tuneboy is more like 90.2 hp You can look up some dynos on the www.Thunderbird1600.com site.
Just to be clear, the Triumph numbers are not measured at the rear wheel, and the dyno numbers are not stock machines.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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So are you saying the 100hp Todd quoted for the Stratoliner is an advertised HP from the manufacturer's figure or Dyno figure? We are talking about Stratoliner vs. Thunderbird here, not your Indian, right? Just to be clear. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
So are you saying the 100hp Todd quoted for the Stratoliner is an advertised HP from the manufacturer's figure or Dyno figure?
We are talking about Stratoliner vs. Thunderbird here, not your Indian, right? Just to be clear.
I have no idea, or interest,  in the Strat. I was referring to the T Bird.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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I test rode a Storm and was very impressed, when I make a move it will be between a Storm and an Indian. There are to many Harleys out there and I will not buy an Asian bike.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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I agree with tinmantwo, no asian bikes. Or maybe the Victory perhaps? That's a good bike. But if I had the money, the Rocket 3 for me! :-)
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I remember the days when everyone thought a 750 honda was fast,now we think 85horse is slow. The world has gone crazy, you young wippersnappers are spoiled.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Quote:
I test rode a Storm and was very impressed, when I make a move it will be between a Storm and an Indian. There are to many Harleys out there and I will not buy an Asian bike.
Ah, the irony. No Asian bikes huh? Are you aware that Bloor sent his team to tour the Japanese motorcycle cycle manufacturers in order to adopt Japanese manufacturing processes in order to match their quality and reliability? Or that the guy who designed the Thunderbird was a former designer for Honda?
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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I knew the American that designed the Honda VTX helped develop the Thunderbird. I didn't know Bloor toured Japanese MC factories though.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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I have heard all the arguements about the "world"economy,but I still want to keep my Dollars at home or at least with our allies as much as possible. Once you send your money to Asia it never comes back,DUH
Tin Man 2
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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What about Triumphs assembled in Thailand? Are they considered Asian bikes? 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Quote:
What about Triumphs assembled in Thailand? Are they considered Asian bikes?
...... Triumph assembles some bikes in Asia to exploit the cheap labor available there, the profits go back to the corporation. Much like when Honda was building a few bikes in Ohio, the profits went back home. You guys can buy what you want its your money,I will spend my cash where I want. I will not support a country that practices extreme home market barriers against imported goods while growing their home economy on export sales.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Learned Hand
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OP
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I mentioned at the wheel, its a 1900(1854cc to be exact), so it does have a displacement advantage. Ride it versus a T Bird, the differences are quite compelling. The design is much more comfortable, handles better, and just blows the TBird away. I would say the Speedster/America are better riding machines than the TBird too.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I agree on the comfort of the LT.....but having now done 3000 on mine, I can't truly recommend it......its heavy, very heavy....and I find myself in danger of dropping it sometimes at junctions when 2 up.....and I'm 6'2" and healthy.
But worst of all...it rattles....horribly...the pistons have very little skirt to them and mine suffers badly from piston slap.... I suppose they hoped that water cooling would mask the noise...it doesn't.
I'll be back on a TBA as soon as I can sell my Tbird.
Al
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
I agree on the comfort of the LT.....but having now done 3000 on mine, I can't truly recommend it......its heavy, very heavy....and I find myself in danger of dropping it sometimes at junctions when 2 up.....and I'm 6'2" and healthy.
But worst of all...it rattles....horribly...the pistons have very little skirt to them and mine suffers badly from piston slap.... I suppose they hoped that water cooling would mask the noise...it doesn't.
I'll be back on a TBA as soon as I can sell my Tbird.
Al
Yeah but didn't you know it was heavy before you bought it? Test rides etc. I agree the bird is heavy but I knew that going in. Even my standard 1600 is over 750lbs. vs. the America around 500lbs. I took about a 130 mile ride with a friend on the back last Saturday and I hardly noticed the difference in weight with engine performance and I took a ride with the same friend on my sons TBA and there was a noticeable power loss with two up. Other than complaining about the skinny passenger seat she said she had a great time. I had to go through a muddy dirt road that was pretty rough due to flooding to my friends ranch but other than that there were no control problems. I 've found that heavy cruisers do not like gravel and dirt roads. As far as the rattle you must have got a bad one. I've never had unusual noises or engine problems and they are fixing yours under warranty, right? To me the T-bird is much superior to my America on the interstate w/o losing much handling in the curves. And I was amazed the gas mileage was the same as my TBA. The engine was engineered to get good mileage compared to the R-3. I have had mine for over 5 years with around 23k miles and I would definitely recommend it and would not hesitate to buy another one. But I still have great fondness for the America. You can like more then one bike.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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My own sad experience with an LT may be an exception.....but looking on the owners forum one of the first things you see is a thread about engine rattles.....frankly its a horrible noise if you wear an open face hat.
Even when they assembled the motor correctly ( In my case they appear to have used a batch of incorrectly machined pistons and liners).
No doubt this has soured my experience somewhat but even my Beloved finds the LT hard to get on/ off and was relieved to hear me say I want to sell it.....once its back from its surgery.
Meantime, I'm enjoying my courtesy bike....a brand new Scrambler.....now just let me get the hacksaw to those exhausts.....
Al
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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I bought a used 2012 Thunderbird yesterday without test riding it, partly because I've read all the stories that it's a heavy "different" bike. As with my Speedmaster, I bought 2 years ago and adapted, mainly because after not riding for 40 years I had nothing to compare it to. With the Thunderbird I figured it would feel different to the Speedmaster so what was the point of a test ride. I would adapt to the bike instead.
So with the Thunderbird, I just "jumped in" and rode 50 miles home. Man was I impressed. And today I rode around the area, some twisties, and around town.
This thing is a dream. It just feels right, great cornering, obviously lots of zip, decently comfortable, and the speedo on the tank didn't even bother me and I can live with the stock suspension.
I did a lot of add ons to my Speedmaster including suspension and seat just to feel good. But the Thunderbird just amazed me. It feels so grounded, and "engineered" I guess the word is.
So needless to say I'm pretty happy, and it only had 1200 miles on it.
Last edited by blansky; 08/12/2015 2:54 PM.
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Learned Hand
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And I'm still waiting for the factory to send my dealer a new top end.
And Im in UK....2 weeks so far.....
Bah
Al
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Michael I'm glad you are enjoying you new bird. Is your new bike a LT or Commander? I think 2014 was the last year for the standard Thunderbird 1600.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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Sorry I typed it wrong. It's a 2012. (I fixed the mistake)
And yes I'm loving this thing.
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Adjunct
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as a former america and rocket owner, I'll throw in my 2 cents....I love my thunderbird storm - 2012. yes, the engine is a bit noisier than I'd like - but that is really my only complaint. it runs like a dream and has power to spare. when I sold my america (which I still miss, by the way....but I'm not a multi-bike person - if I'm getting a new bike, the old one has to go) - I picked up a great deal on a used 07 rocket. really fun bike - but not the bike for me. I moved from the america because I was doing more two-up riding and longer trips, and she just wasn't cutting it for that.
one day I stopped into my (then brand new) local dealer and they had a storm sitting out for test ride - so I took it for a spin. I was instantly sold. my immediate thought when I got out of the parking lot was "this is what I wanted!" - to me it felt like my america - just bigger - which is really what I was looking for.
my experience has been plenty of power, great handling, and, like with any other bike, once I got it set up for me (seating, feet, etc) - extremely comfortable.
...you're gonna feel a little pressure....
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Just bought a new Thunderbird Commander. Loaded with windshield, bags, sissy bar, backrest and luggage rack. I loved my America but for long distance riding it just can't compete with this Commander. The engine is a bit noisy but with all the comfort and performance I am learning to live with it. I loved my America and I love my Commander. Two completely different bikes. Two completely awesome bikes.
08 America
Rinehart exhaust, Clearview shield, Viking bags and magic carb's
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Congratulations Rick! What color did you get and was it a "14 or '15. I want to see a pic! 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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It's a 14 and the black and gray two tone.
08 America
Rinehart exhaust, Clearview shield, Viking bags and magic carb's
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Sweet! You got $3500 worth of vouchers for free accessories didn't you? What a deal!
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Yes I did. Wasn't planning on buying a new bike but after a test ride and the great deal, what else could I do ?
08 America
Rinehart exhaust, Clearview shield, Viking bags and magic carb's
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Re: Thunderbird-test ride
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
So, I assume I'll be seein' this shiny new T-Bird of yours November 1st at the Hansen Dam ride, eh Rick?!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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