 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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I know that I'm going to catch a lot of flack for this , but oh well here goes. I have no idea what the factory is doing with these 2 bikes, they have made them look very Japanese. That Storm is looking a lot like the new Yamaha Stryker and although i do like the bobbed fender on the Speedie those mid 80's Kawasaki looking wheels have to go. And now to my biggest complaint, Get rid of those gas tanks and put on some like the 07 and before that actually have that "British" styling. I know the excuse has been thrown out there that they had to change them for efi but that's a poor answer considering that the Bonnies are efi and they still have the Brit styled tanks.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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I don't know about flack. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. But this is nothing new.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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I don't follow the Thunderbird line but that Storm is looking pretty much like a cheap assed 80s Honda knockoff except for the ugly dual headlight. It does absolutely nothing for me in the style dept. 
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Never really paid much attention.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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To me the Thunderbird Storm looks like it's aimed squarely at stealing sales off Harley's Fatbob which has been a sales success for HD.
1965 Harley rigid Chopper
Perth, Western Australia
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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My 2 cents... I like 'em both. I like the bobbed rear fenders and blacked out engines. On the Speedy, I like the wheels a lot. On the Storm, I sort of like the dual headlights (which I don't really like on the other Triumph models). (Side note: To me, the 2011 America is getting a little too beefy looking.)
Last edited by bigtexas; 11/24/2010 8:50 PM.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Different strokes for different blokes. I got me 06 Speedy so I dont care what they do with the new ones. Just makes mine look better. 
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Seems that most of the cosmetic changes to the Speedy and America have not really been improvements. I agree that the tank should have a Triumph look (ie. knee indents). Wire wheels are trouble and you have to have tubes, but I love the look of my '05 Mulberry/Graphite America SO much more than the new models.
I am glad they dropped the gray painted parts the Americas had. I never like that and changed mine for chrome the day I bought the bike (foot rests, sprocket cover, cam cover).
Of course, as my late father always said, "nothing stays the same".
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I like the new Speedie, its an evolutionary look, it finally makes the new tank look "right" on the bike.
The Storm is a nice variation on the T Bird, although I would prefer the stock(polished)wheels, I am not so taken by the blacked out look to the wheels. The blacked out engine is a superior look to the chrome look(same thing for the Speedmaster vs the look on the America), the dual lights are a very nice look too. I think the rear fender isnt the best, and is ripe for an optional fender as a dealer install, and the tank is fine, but again an optional look that is a bit more traditional seems a gimme to offer, an item that would be more money in their pocket. Options are nice, they usually sell.
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: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Joined: Aug 2010
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  Sorry but that front wheel has got to go.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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  If I didn't know any better i would swear that there is only one guy designing motorcycles.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Sorry Jay, but if I didn't know any better I would swear that you need glasses!!!
Look my friend(with your glasses on, preferably), the ONLY thing these two bikes have in common is that tall somewhat slender radiator sittin' in front of the two COMPLETELY different configuration of engines, and the color of the bikes!
(...oh, and excuse me, and they both have those curvy style cast wheels also...my bad...BUT, that's about IT, bro!!!)
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: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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They both smell of rice to me. 
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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 Like most if not all of us here , I'm addicted to bikes and Trumps inparticular..... I must say after riding the new Thunderbird... I love the bike ( power, ergos, etc) but HATE on that tank... it does look like a rice tank.... however besides the normal tinkering one would usually do on any bike the only thing I whould have to change if and or when I get a Thunderbird would be that hideous tank and replace it with something sexy akin to our old Bonnie-A and Bonnie-Speedy tanks...... otherwise..... I like that 'bird ! big problem...also like new Tiger XC , upcoming Trophy , Scrambler, etc, etc, etc, ... 
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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I don't necessarily "Hate" the 'Bird, I just wish it had a more British flavor to it. Like most of us I'm addicted to Triumphs also, I have a 2003 Speedie and heck I want a second one, most likely a 2006(I love that sunset red and black). I read that they had an American who designed Japanese cruisers design the Tbird. The new Speedie wheel is a straight copy of that old Honda wheel,and the Tbird uses the same wheel design as the 2007-2010 Speedmaster.What I don't like are the tanks on the new bikes and lack of originality.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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What does rice smell like?
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Adjunct
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Quote:
What does rice smell like?
RICE
What goes round comes round
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Let me clarify: rice has a smell?
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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2008 Speedy, AI removed, DIY airbox destruction with K&N filters, spectres, re-jetted and "custom" rattle can paint job.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Of course rice has smell. It smells like Asia. 
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Every part of asia I've been to smells of sweat, pollution, and spicy food... not noticed an overwhelming smell of rice permeating the place. I do take your meaning however, and agree that Triumph seems to have taken the Jap cruiser styling too far and is losing touch with its British roots.
It's sad really, since the "new" (Hinckley) Triumph started life trading on the heritage from "old" (Meridan) Triumph, and now seems to have "traded it in", to become "more of the same".
I've been vaguely tempted from time to time by the various Rockets and T-birds (due mainly to the extra cubes) but am happily staying with my '04 America. I reckon it gets more looks & comments than a British clone of every other Jap cruiser would.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
They both smell of rice to me.
+1
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: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Interesting, when this bike first hit the street alot of folks said it looked to much like a HD . Now it looks like a yamasaki . I agree it is very much removed from the British heritage.I stayed away from it for a while but recently had the opportunity to ride both models, 1600, 1700, several times on demo days. Let me say this, the 1700 will run with anything on the open highway Triumph is building, anything including the Rocket Roadster(rode that one twice). The bird is very comfortable smooth as butter,and the 1700 is faaaast, has lots of torque and lots of power.Fit and finish is excellent. With an open mind I saw very few things that"needed" to be changed on the bike. I followed Keith (Airguy) through the twisties of Georgia on more than one occasion at last years GA Rally. Let me tell you the big man was throwing the bird through the corners, yeah dragging some chrome, so what. I like to think I'm a pretty decent rider growing up in the twisties of the Tenn,NC, Ga mountains. I was impressed the first thime I saw Keith handling that thing in the twisties. I believe Triumph will sell a lot of these bikes, probably to new customers. hey man ya gotta turn numbers in this market to keep the doors swinging. Get yourself to your dealer and do not judge this bike until you have ridden one (1700)
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
Get yourself to your dealer and do not judge this bike until you have ridden one (1700)
That's the truth. There's something to be said about going zero to 45 and then shifting into second gear. It's really a nice bike, well made, can do the highway all day at 95... I still have no desire to own one, but again, I can see why the guys that do have one love them.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Of course rice has smell. It smells like Asia.
Well, that would explain it. Southeast to be exact. I wonder if they now are getting some design control considering they make the vast majority of the bikes.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
It's sad really, since the "new" (Hinckley) Triumph started life trading on the heritage from "old" (Meridan) Triumph, and now seems to have "traded it in", to become "more of the same".
Have to disagree with ya here, Matt. For the most part, the new Hinckley Triumphs actually were more like "rice" when they first debuted back in the early '90s than they are now. Don't forget, back in the late '80s, Mr. Bloor sent his engineers to Japan and specifically to the Kawasaki factory in order to get his initial design concepts in place for his reborn Triumph lineup.
And if you really look at the first lineup of water-cooled triples and fours which Bloor offered up, they are very very similar in basic design to the Kawasaki line of the time. Even the first Hinckley Thunderbird's engine was basically a re-styled Kawasaki-derived engine design, though yes, the gas tank and tank emblem on it were designed to emulate the earlier Meriden Triumphs.
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: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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What are you trying to do here Dwight? Educate people?  Don't you know that prejudices are precious to those who hold them so dearly. How dare you confuse the bigot party line with facts.   
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Sorry Jay, but if I didn't know any better I would swear that you need glasses!!!
Look my friend(with your glasses on, preferably), the ONLY thing these two bikes have in common is that tall somewhat slender radiator sittin' in front of the two COMPLETELY different configuration of engines, and the color of the bikes!
(...oh, and excuse me, and they both have those curvy style cast wheels also...my bad...BUT, that's about IT, bro!!!)
I'm with you Dwight, configuration is different and I bet the Storm's performance will be best in class.
I will be seeing both tomorrow I will make sure I wear some glasses.
My mates (at the dealers) are raving about them including the America.
I will reserve my judgement until I see them, throw my leg over and twist the throttle.
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Don't you know that prejudices are precious to those who hold them so dearly.
How dare you confuse the bigot party line with facts.
Oh wise one, you made me laugh.
Dwight, you might also want to tell the blissful few that the Bird isn't built in SE Asia, but in Hinckley, t'is the Speedy's and the America's of late (amongst others) that are assembled in Thailand.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Well seen them and threw my leg over today and my thaoughts are as follows:
Storm looks good but needs to be in matt black with short TORS fitted.
Speedmaster mods looks great, the only thing I am not too keen on is the speedo. Otherwise great build quality and design.
America mods are however not to my taste and I much prefer the existing model. That said they will sell many more as they will be a better fit for the majority.
They look and smell nothing like rice
I had a look and leg over session on a selection Hardley, Victory and the Rice Pack and Triumph have it nailed in their class. The only thing that was close was the Hammer S.
So the Storm and the Speedmaster are a couple of crackers!
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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And what about the twin disks on the speedy are they there as in the specks or are they like the ad mans mock up pic ?
Thanks for the info
What goes round comes round
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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You are right Dwight and I was excited when I heard Triumph was making new bikes for the US market. Then I saw them and was very disappointed.
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: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
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Quote:
And what about the twin disks on the speedy are they there as in the specks or are they like the ad mans mock up pic ?
Thanks for the info
Saw one in my local dealer last week. Twin discs and all. 
Hate that new speedo.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Ya know... if we were to condense all the posts in this thread to a reasonably comprehensive article, we'd have a pretty decent submission for MCN or some other motorcycle rag!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
And what about the twin disks on the speedy are they there as in the specks or are they like the ad mans mock up pic ?
Thanks for the info
Single disk.
The 2010 models have the new speedo - the 2011 model are different in many ways. Some won't like the single disk most won't like the speedo but overall I think it is a winner - best in class.
http://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/range/cruisers/speedmaster
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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If nothing else, I'm just happy to have some hope for new accessories for the Speedy...let the customizing begin.
To me that's the true joy of ownig a Triumph in the first place. Take some thing unique and make it your own...all you need is a good set of metric tools.
2010 EFI Speedmaster,AI Removed,Polaris Belmouth,K&N,Long TORs,Rivco Risers,a clock and a Roadster screen.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Quote:
Don't you know that prejudices are precious to those who hold them so dearly.
How dare you confuse the bigot party line with facts.
Oh wise one, you made me laugh.
Dwight, you might also want to tell the blissful few that the Bird isn't built in SE Asia, but in Hinckley, t'is the Speedy's and the America's of late (amongst others) that are assembled in Thailand.
Sorry, I think you got that one wrong.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Sorry, I think you got that one wrong.
Pretty vague statement, are you saying the Birds are built in Thailand again or what?
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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Sorry to say Satxron but they didn't get it wrong I worked for a Triumph Dealer & was actually at the official launch of the Thunderbird at Triumph in Hinckley & had the pleasure of riding one of the bikes on the launch & then rode it back to the dealers. The bike was designed & is built at Hinckley & I have been on several factory tours with the dealer & have seen it with my own eyes. If you ever get the chance to go on the factory tour it is well worth it You can see the engine & machine shops & they will answer any questions about the overseas factories & what products they manufacture there.
Martyn
If you have to ask why I ride, you wouldn't understand the answer!
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Re: 2011 Thunderbird Storm and Speedmaster
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I too have been on the factory tour and see them being built..proof possitive...  No rice just good old British beef.
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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