Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Thunderbird (Clinton MD)

I stopped in at Clinton Cycles on the way home this past Friday. Low and behold they just received the new Thunderbird. Beautiful bike. The rear fender looks like the Rocket and it’s a belt drive instead of a chain or shaft. The manager said they have one for demo rides if anyone in the area is interested. Unfortunately I didn’t have the time otherwise I would have.

What color was it?

Hi Gene, how many miles you have now. Last time I saw your bike at the clinton shop it had 45K, that was last year.

Anyway I happened to call Clinton today on a whim. They have a black demo and another black one in stock for sale.

Hi Lyle, I read your chronicles the other day. I would feel the same. I've been fortunate at 23k without a problem on the 04 speedy. just tires, oil, chain, and brakes.

Me and that demo bike may have a date tomorrow. I'll be visiting Clinton tomorrow around lunchtime.

Don, buy that bike! Yours has caused enough problems for one lifetime.

I put my butt on that bike tonight.

Fit was nice and it looked a lot better in person than in some picture.

Was a FIRM seat, compared with the stock solo seat I'm used to.

Hey Gene! Glad to see you are still on the forums, we need to get together and ride sometime, you are the reason I demo'd an America way back when, I might have to come up and demo a T-bird! BTW, I have a Harley Fat bob too now, its a sweet bike as well.

Ok, threw a leg over the Bird (didn't have the time to ride it today)

First impressions...
- looks much better in person than it does in pictures, the radiator isn't as obtrusive as you might think
- when cranked and twisting the throttle (in neutral) you can feel the extra ponies, it really winds up sweet

BUT
- the rear spocket (on the bone stock version) looks like it's plastic (but it isn't)
- the tank is HUGE, for travel that is probably good, but it seems to hurt the overall look (when sitting on it and looking down at the tank... it's really wide)
- the pegs seem too close, and a little high for my taste
- the lower cylinders really do need the extra fins to look right (cough, cough... Dwight is right, cough)
- significant difference in felt weight, probably goes away when you ride it (I'll find out in the morning)

I thought that it was very well balanced for as heavy as it is. It does look a lot better in person.

Gotta ask a dumb question. I've heard a LOT of people complain about the "fins" on the bike.

What the heck are you talking about? Where are these fins that supposedly detract so much from the look?

The cylinder barrels don't have the traditional air cooling fins on them like our motors.

They've got a black T-Bird at my dealer now. Not pre-sold... I got a chance to sit on it on Friday before they had even started it or "run it in". I like it. Tank is a bit wide for my tastes and the rear pulley does look like plastic but other than that it's a good looking bike.

The thought that kept going through my head the whole time I was checking it out was that it doesn't "grab me" like my America did. I'd buy one if I felt financially secure right now....

But it wasn't love at first sight like my America was. 6 years gone by and I'm still getting "Wow! That's a good looking bike!" comments almost every time I ride. Don't think the T-Bird would have that same effect on people or on me.

I like it except for the pipes. The stockers are a bit large for me. The aftermarket guys have not come up with anything yet...

Speedy suits me just fine, I just happened to be at the dealer when a guy was picking his t-bird up. He was already talking to the dealership owner about a big bore?!