 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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3/4 Throttle
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The reviewer must be a sport bike writer-he is not impressed with the looks.
Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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I would have to admit ~~ the second shot is not that flattering. I really like the Bonnevilles in the Other Bike section.
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I don't like sport bikes and I don't like anything about the new T-bird.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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I'm already harassing my dealer to find out when I need to send in my deposit!
2007 America, Phantom Black/Sunset Red
Deposit down on 2010 Thunderbird - can't wait for it!
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Uninspired. Looks like a blend of a Honda and Yamaha. Where is the uniqueness? So much for Go Your Own Way.
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: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Loquacious
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At first I kinda liked it. Then looked harder at it.Then asked myself why I'd even think about it. My Americas got all I want. The older I get the more I like a light easy to handle bike with style. But I can see where a young guy
who still thinks bigger is better may want one.Hope Triumph
does well with it. Just not for me.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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My two cents is i dont like it at all. I was worried i would have a new bike purchase in the future but that is not going (at least with this model). I feel that is not ugly but very uninspired.
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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I'll drink to that statement about hating sport bikes and the new Thunderchicken!  Of course, I will drink to most anything. This new design may carry over to the 865cc bikes(whatever they will be called) and that would be a crime. To me it is like some of that hideous plastic surgery on once beautiful women(Priscilla Presley, etc)where they are ruined. The more I look at it, the more I realize I OWNED THIS BIKE in the '70's. Back then it was called a Yamaha XS 650 and had a smaller engine. But it had a center stand and a tool kit with it. 
Last edited by redbike7; 08/02/2008 6:42 PM.
Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Thunderchicken! 
She's a Lady and the Lady is 100% mine !
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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XS650 now your talking that was my first "BIG" bike in 1979 after a couple of years on a RD250
04 yellow&black Speedmaster+the Money Pit{xj jeep}
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Loquacious
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Relax Dwight..I hear Triumph is gonna sell faux cooling fins as an accessory 
Last edited by oneijack; 08/03/2008 8:35 PM.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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I think you are on to some thing there with the faux cooling fins Dwight. But to complete the look a faux air cleaner like the ones we have on ours? Just a thought.
She's a Lady and the Lady is 100% mine !
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Yep! Good idea, James! Those would probably break up that rather bland lookin' area just aft of those EFI intakes and just forward of that frame rail there, alright!!! ANGEL!!! ANGEL!!! We're gonna need your expertise with that there photoshop stuff again, sir!!! (don't worry Mr.Bloor...by the time we get done here RE-designin' your new Thunderbird CORRECTLY, you'll have a REAL SALES WINNER on your hands!!!...it's not too late to do this thing RIGHT, ya know!...I mean, this baby IS a whole year away from those showrooms out there, RIGHT?!) 
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
(ahem...can you folks tell that I feel "kind'a strongly" about this particular issue?)
Yeah, it's already old, too.
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Buzzkill!!! Can't you see I'm gettin' a "grass roots movement" started here, Mister "I Don't Know How To Read A Friggin' Odometer, And So Sometimes I Run Out Of Gas Out In The Middle Of Nowhere"???!!! 
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Ah, that old chestnut again, eh? What, haven't I thanked you enough recently and repeatedly for coming to get me? Okay? Mr. "I Live In A Lame A$$ State Where Cheesy Little Towns Shut Down Completely For An Entire Afternoon"?
That little incident already feels like years ago. I've gotten a whole other 2000+ mile roadtrip under my belt since then and had other things go wrong. How many miles have you put on this year?
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Well, I have to admit MAYBE only a couple thousand. But I haven't run out of you-know-what (no, NOT "blarney"...GAS) so far this year yet! (BTW...mmmmmm...I LIKE "chestnuts"...ya got any MORE up there???) 
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Quote:
At first I kinda liked it. Then looked harder at it.Then asked myself why I'd even think about it. My Americas got all I want. The older I get the more I like a light easy to handle bike with style. But I can see where a young guy
who still thinks bigger is better may want one.Hope Triumph
does well with it. Just not for me.
Me no likey. I'm not old either-I'm 44. I have always thought the Speedmaster was the perfect bike for me and still do. I have the 790 and maybe someday I might do the big bore, but probably not. I intend to have Speedy for a long time, it makes me happy. Other bikes may be added and deleted over the years, but there is a special place in my heart (and garage) for Speedy. Maybe everyone will switch to the new T-bird and Speedy will be unique again.
Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should just get used to that fact and relax
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Quote:
Quote:
The more I look at it, the more I realize I OWNED THIS BIKE in the '70's. Back then it was called a Yamaha XS 650 and had a smaller engine. But it had a center stand and a tool kit with it.
Yeah Dick, if ONLY this new Thunderbird looked HALF as GOOD as that "Japanese Bonneville" did here, then I MIGHT HAVE been interested in buyin' one!!!
(once again Triumph...PUTS SOME FRIGGIN' COOLING FINS ON THOSE FRIGGIN' BARRELS ON THAT FRIGGIN' NEW THUNDERBIRD, 'CUZ YOU'RE "THAT CLOSE" TO ACTUALLY MAKIN' A REASONABLY GOOD LOOKIN' MOTORCYCLE ENGINE THERE!!!...DO YOU FRIGGIN' HEAR ME???!!!...I mean, you guys put those "pseudo" cooling fins of your orginial Hinckley first-generation water-cooled Thunderbird Triples which made all the difference on that engine's aesthetics, didn't ya?...and so, WHAT'S the friggin' problem with your design mindset NOW???)
(You SEE???!!! Just like THIS, you friggin' morons!!!)
(ahem...can you folks tell that I feel "kind'a strongly" about this particular issue?)
I actually just bought a 79 XS 650 yesterday for a song and a dance. I was going to make a bobber out of it but it is in awesome shape and all stock.
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
I actually just bought a 79 XS 650 yesterday for a song and a dance. I was going to make a bobber out of it but it is in awesome shape and all stock.
Cool Jack. They're actually pretty good bikes, although I prefer the early model look(like the one pictured above) than the later models.
HEY! Tell ya what?! If you do decide to customize it, how about goin' the Streettracker route like this one instead of the Bobber.
(I think some of the best lookin' Streettrackers are XS650 based...but that's just me you understand) 
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Those Yammer 650s were some great bikes. I had one for several years. Rode it from NY to California when I moved to Sandy Eggo. I rode all the way there with no problems. I pull into my brothers driveway, shut the key off and the chain broke and unravelled onto the ground. If it had broken an hour earlier I would have been stranded out in the hills towards El Centro. Not a nice place to be stranded if you've ever been out that way.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Wow this looks hot
triumph did agreat job with this bike i can't wait till see one in person and set on one i belive pic's don't do this bike justice..
Ed 
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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3/4 Throttle
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I wouldn't even want to comment on the looks of the bike because that can be changed fairly easy for personal taste.
One of my main concerns is how the ride and reliability is and how easy it is to live with.
The other is the price. If they price it too high people may just wait, save a bit longer and buy a rocket (3 or touring).
I often wonder if Triumph look at our website and take on board our opinions and peek at the pics of our bikes to get a feel for what we like.
After all this new bike is being aimed at folks like us and trying to convert the kawazukihondyaha victoryson riders out there to switch their cruisers to Triumph.
Before the war on terror, if I saw an unattended package I used to think "I'll be having that!"
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I'm confused now...is it a belt or shaft drive? I've heard people say both..has Triumph put out any specs on the bike yet?
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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If you look at the pic above in the thread Jack (I know it's the wrong way round to see) but it looks like it has some sort of belt/chain guard on it..
Ray(UK)
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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3/4 Throttle
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Quote:
I'm confused now...is it a belt or shaft drive? I've heard people say both..has Triumph put out any specs on the bike yet?
From other stuff I've seen on this bike I believe it is belt drive.
Before the war on terror, if I saw an unattended package I used to think "I'll be having that!"
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yep! Belt Drive.
(somebody above stated their dislike for shaft-driven machines, and I think that might have confused you, Jack)
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Put a chain on it, cooling fins, do something with that rad , and better pipes and it might be 1/2 way OK. Still don't like the tank or rear fender but rear fender would be an easy fix.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I don't have a problem with belt drive, but there are a number of simple styling changes that would have made it look a lot better and more Triumph. If the argument is most cruisers this size are belt driven, what's the deal with the bobbed fender? The tank could definitely be more Triumph like and have a bigger name plate. Minor changes like the fins could make the engine look better. The radiator looks like they took cues from Honda - at least they tried to hide it between the pipes rather than stick it in front of them.
I definitely would prefer straight pipes. I assume if they make a touring version, they would change the pipes to make room for bags and go for a more normal rear fender. We'll just have to see if they do make any "improvements".
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
I often wonder if Triumph look at our website and take on board our opinions and peek at the pics of our bikes to get a feel for what we like.
I don't know, Graham. I'd be very very surprised to learn that they do. I've always gotten the feeling that most, if not all, vehicle manufacturers decide the course of their designs almost totally inhouse and with little input received from the public.
('cuz we ain't no professionals, ya see?!...what do "WE know" anyway, right?!)
And the other reason might be because of the...oooooh..."secrecy they just have to keep" during the initial design process because "of course", they certainly don't want their competitors to get wind of the direction they're going, because then those competitors "might copy them"!
(yeah, riiiiiight!...like anybody out there is going to want to copy this new Thunderbird...at least as it's presently designed, anyway!!!)
But HEY! Just in case they ARE reading this right now and maybe thinkin' to themselves somethin' like, "So you think you could have done better, Mr.Dwight?"...here's my answer:
YES!!! I COULD HAVE!!! EASILY!!!
(because, this Thunderbird..once again, as it presently stands...looks like it was designed "by committee", and you know what they say about THAT don't cha? "CAMELS are actually HORSES designed by committee"!!!)
Last edited by Dwight; 08/05/2008 1:06 PM.
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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That's right, John. And I've attended a few of those "Focus Groups" over the years. The last one being a Focus Group that was hired by Subaru down in Orange County, a couple of years ago.
And when they wheeled out their new Tribeca SUV, a design pretty much finalized by that time, I almost WINCED!!!
I preceeded to tell the "Focus Group" that Subaru had hired that the design was much too busy and that the "new" front grill design on it was not going to appeal to their potential customers.
And ya know WHAT?! I was right! The Tribeca has been a sales flop! And, it took Subaru only one year to abandon that "new" front end look altogether, which BTW, they WERE going to put on all their models.
And so, from what I can tell, those so-called focus groups are strictly "after the fact", and seem to come much too late in the design process to really have much effect on their design decision making.
Last edited by Dwight; 08/05/2008 1:26 PM.
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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I remember reading somewhere about the work Toyota put into the new Tundra, spending a lot of time talking to farmers and construction guys about what does and doesn't work on pickup trucks.
2007 America, Phantom Black/Sunset Red
Deposit down on 2010 Thunderbird - can't wait for it!
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yep! Good truck alright, Matt. (but it's ugly as sin...well, at LEAST it's not as good lookin' as my 2000 Chevy Silverado is, anyway)
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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You bet Triumph looks at this web site, and others as well. All the companies do. It just good business.
48 years riding, 42 on the road.
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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Well, you COULD BE right, Lloyd. So far, Triumph seems to making money making motorcycles people want. But 5'll get cha 10, the "Big Three" American car companies don't bother doin' THAT, huh?! (seems they've been "juuuuuust a little" out of touch with what motivates americans to go visit THEIR dealerships lately, doesn't it?!)
Last edited by Dwight; 08/05/2008 6:07 PM.
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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Re: 2010 Triumph Thunderbird...my next bike?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I'm with you Ed. I think it's a good lookin' bike!
we should do this every weekend!
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