Just got back from a 1200 mile 8 day trip - 531 miles in 9hrs and 52 minutes final ride home and I wouldn't trade my Speedmaster for anything but I'm 95% on the idea of adding a new Thunderbird to make a two bike family. After seeing the YouTube video of the Black Thunderbird I'm in love. I wrote a letter to triumph USA in and asked them to consider replacing the tank badge with a more traditional Triumph badge and add a hard bag option like the TR3 touring model with a decent height windscreen and I'd be at 100% before riding one. Lets face it, they need the radiator to satisfy those UK and most likely CA smog regs. while adding the CC's and HP to the twin. I'd love to see carbs. on it but we won’t be seeing those any more either. I'm a customizer of my own bike and see lots of opportunities for changes to this bike as well.
I think the 6-speed and belt drive will make this bike a great touring bike and am looking forward to the idea of using it for that.
I already let my wife know the Speedmaster had to stay but I will stay with Triumph for my next bike. I need a forward controls bike and if not the Thunderbird then most likely a TR3 for a long haul (Coast to Coast) bike.
I heard from someone who went to the dealer show in England and they said the bike has a ton of optional equipment ready to go, that it is a little larger overall than a Speedmaster, and it should be available in about 6 months but production is currently held up to fix something (?). My dealer said it would be about $12K.
I think I want one.
Gary
