Tbird wins award

[Big Dave]

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2009/06/thunderbird-wins-best-cruiser-accolade.html

[AD345]

Well done Triumph.

Victory has won that a couple of times as well. I wonder though, how does ANY manufacturer win a "best XXX" award for a model that has only been released in the last few weeks?

In fact - its only JUST got to new owners in the US in the last few days.

I would expect a "best XXX" winner to have been on sale for at least a year. It's not too unusual for even the best manufacturers (apart from Toyota) to have minor recalls in the first few months of a new model as unexpected manufacturing process issues rear their heads.

How stupid will Cycle World look if that happens to the T-bird?

[Molly]

Sounds like bollocks. Wonder what Triumph spend on advertising with Cycle World??? Not to say it's not a good bike but, c'mon, it's not been out five minutes (and I still say it's f'kin' ugly).

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[Big Dave]

Press Demos have been in the states for 3 or 4 months. I like the look of it a LOT.

[Molly]

I just looked at the gallery on Triumph's website.

http://www.triumph.co.uk/newzealand/9722.aspx

Say what you like but for this bike Triumph started with a Harley then made their 'version' (much like the Japanese have). It's a 'copy' but, to my mind, not a very good one.

Look at the ariel picture. That's one misshapen bike! The radiator is like something from an old Suzuki Intruder, and the line of the rear fender's underside and the 'sliced' final drive cover... It just doesn't 'go'.

Each to their own. I'm sure lots of people will like it too but I just don't see it.

[Big Dave]

It will attract people who like Triumphs (pick me) and those that want to be a bit different - it's a nice cruiser that isn't a Harley OR a metric, while having some of the appeal - and advantages of both.

Radiators are radiators - it's no worse than the V-rod Muscle or the Boulevarde. The rear is very similar to a Deuce for mine.

If you want a simply beautiful engine. Buy a Road King or a Fatty. 'Seazy. :-)

[AD345]

I like the look of it too, particularly those indicators. If they turn out to be proper chrome or billet instead of chrome painted plastic I might get some for my KP to replace the naff ones on it.

Interesting that they went for a dual exhaust - the US market rates that for baggers (enables bigger hardbags on each side)

I think it will sell pretty well - I just think a "best cruiser' award is at best premature and at worst motorcycle payola.

Whats the criteria in KiwiRider for a "best XX"?

[scumdog]

I just looked at the gallery on Triumph's website.

http://www.triumph.co.uk/newzealand/9722.aspx

Say what you like but for this bike Triumph started with a Harley then made their 'version' (much like the Japanese have). It's a 'copy' but, to my mind, not a very good one.

Look at the ariel picture. That's one misshapen bike! The radiator is like something from an old Suzuki Intruder, and the line of the rear fender's underside and the 'sliced' final drive cover... It just doesn't 'go'.

Each to their own. I'm sure lots of people will like it too but I just don't see it.
Yup, that radiator lets it down in my eyes too.

[Big Dave]

Whats the criteria in KiwiRider for a "best XX"?

We all have different rules - The Ed decides finally.

My criteria is - park all that I have ridden for the year in a line.

Dave, you can keep one - which one is it.

[Big Dave]

Yup, that radiator lets it down in my eyes too.


I got over all that in 1995 with my first T'bird.
I see efficiency and better running and performance.

[Big Dave]

at worst motorcycle payola.


'Two Wheels' gave the original Hinckley Thunderbird its 'Bike of the Year' 3 years after it was released.

[AllanB]

Eh - not sure what images you have seen but the ones I'm looking at it looks like Triumph has done a good job of hiding the radiator between the frame rails and pipes.
I presumed it would be a very large bike but by the pics with riders on it, it looks relatively medium sized (for a cruiser).

It's not the way I would have styled it but then they are not designing an entirely new model around my tastes!

I do find the parallel twin refreshing in the sea of carbon copy V's. Even Harley's vast range of bikes are all looking like copies of a, ... well .... old Harley.

[AD345]

Dave, you can keep one - which one is it.

I could do that

[AD345]

'Two Wheels' gave the original Hinckley Thunderbird its 'Bike of the Year' 3 years after it was released.

Must have been a lean year :laugh: or just a very good bike

It still seems weird to award "cruiser of the year" to a model that hasn't hit the streets.

Meh - I'm old, flu-ridden and persnicketty. I'll just grumble away to myself in the corner

[Big Dave]

Must have been a lean year :laugh: or just a very good bike

It still seems weird to award "cruiser of the year" to a model that hasn't hit the streets.

Meh - I'm old, flu-ridden and persnicketty. I'll just grumble away to myself in the corner

They have had press bikes for some months. did you not see me glowing green with envy.

I'm riding a new 8-ball next week. That should be pretty.

[Big Dave]

I could do that

F*** off - it's mine. :-P

[AD345]

I'm riding a new 8-ball next week. That should be pretty.

It will be

Once you've done the press bit ask to take out the other 8-ball demo for a comparo.

Exactly the same bike just with the Ness fly-bars and straight pipe.

I lussst for it.

[peasea]

We all have different rules - The Ed decides finally.

My criteria is - park all that I have ridden for the year in a line.

Dave, you can keep one - which one is it.

That's a great way to go about it.

[peasea]

Yup, that radiator lets it down in my eyes too.

It's a bit annoying when form doesn't follow function. I think HD did ok with the V-Rod radiator and housing though and if you gotta have one making it pretty is a bit of a challenge.

There's a lot to be said for air-cooled engines aesthetically speaking.

[naphazoline]

I REALLY like it.:2thumbsup

Well done to Triumph.
And cool how they went for a parallel twin as opposed to following the others.

I certainly wouldn't say no to one being parked in my garage.:drool:

Any ideas on what they're gonna cost here?

[Big Dave]

The thing Triumph is trumpeting (yuk yuk) most about the bike are the customisation options. You can turn it into a tourer, dresser or 'drag' bike from the bling in the catalogue.

You don't have to read very hard between the lines to see this vehicle has been specified to take buyers off Harley - of the aforementioned types.

Spec and performance sound close to M90 and it will fit a few Boulevarde heads too.

[Big Dave]

Must have been a lean year :laugh: or just a very good bike


I turned one into an excellent bike. It took $AU4k in 1997.
You have to remove the fuel tank to add coolant. Ya know?

I think the award was a combination of lean year and they got a bit misty eyed because there were better, more deserving units when the T'bird first came out, then when it went to a six speed they had a reason to catch up.

Idle speculation however. I'll try and remember to ask them next time I see 'em.

[Big Dave]

I think the The V-rod Muscle is a babe.

[AD345]

I think the The V-rod Muscle is a babe.

It is an exceptionally good looking bike.

I'd love to line one up alongside the Hammer S for a head to head

[AD345]

Didn't work - bugger

[Molly]

Went into my local Triumph dealer today for a nosey. The Rocket III tourer is a nice looking bike and that anniversary Bonnie (blue / orange) is nice too. Wonder where they'll price this one (esp. given that they have the Speedmaster / America in the range too - assuming they're to continue).

With such a nice, varied range there's a case for asking if the Thunderbird is the answer to a question nobody asked.

[AD345]

Going more off topic here and thinking about a muscle cruiser shoot-out becomes quite tricky trying to fit Triumph into the mix.

So far I'm thining it would be:

H-D V-Rod Muscle

Victory Hammer S

Suzuki M109RN

Kawasaki and Yamaha don't play in this market in NZ

Triumph...? Well shit. Big tyre, big torque its got to be the Rocket III. Does the T-bird sit in this segment now though?

Anyways - I'd get a 5 year sub to a mag that did that shoot-out

[98tls]

Personally am loving the looks of the Thunderbird and if a big cruiser was on my list to buy then i would consider one ahead of many.Im picking theres many out there would pick one before a Harley and if looks were the decider way before a Rocket 3 which i will add i had the pleasure to ride the other day,yep it was a hoot to ride along the Waitaki straights but nope i couldnt stand looking at one every day,so ugly it makes my Falcon look sexy.:dodge:

[Big Dave]

Rockets have some nice angles. The Black one KR has at the moment I find pretty nice to look at. Not as pretty as a Fat Boy, fetching in its own Cadillac way.

Problem with a cruiser performance shootout is...you are entering shot putters in the high jump.

[98tls]

Rockets have some nice angles. The Black one KR has at the moment I find pretty nice to look at. Not as pretty as a Fat Boy, fetching in its own Cadillac way.

Problem with a cruiser performance shootout is...you are entering shot putters in the high jump. I stopped in the little rest area on the other side of the Waitaki bridge and had a walk-around,theres bits of it i liked until that bloody motor got in the way,i sat rolled a smoke and looked some more but nope,still like i say it was a hoot to ride,shot through the Waimate gorge then home,have to admit i liked the ride more than i would have thought possible.

[AD345]

Problem with a cruiser performance shootout is...you are entering shot putters in the high jump.

10 points for the analogy

Perhaps shootout was the wrong word. I was thinking more along the lines of a comparison.

In fact - your own method of choosing the "best XX" by means of a line-up might be the go.

get someone thats never ridden a cruiser - some gixxerbunny type - and have them take each of the bikes around a loop (say Drury-Pukekawa-Mercer-Drury) and then pick one that they would take home*



*this step may require a firearm to the cranium

[98tls]

10 points for the analogy

Perhaps shootout was the wrong word. I was thinking more along the lines of a comparison.

In fact - your own method of choosing the "best XX" by means of a line-up might be the go.

get someone thats never ridden a cruiser - some gixxerbunny type - and have them take each of the bikes around a loop (say Drury-Pukekawa-Mercer-Drury) and then pick one that they would take home*



*this step may require a firearm to the cranium :banana::banana:Wahoo pick me pick me.That would be a fun day out.

[Molly]

I've yet to ride a Rocket III but last time I made the mistake of thinking: "That's a nice bike. I'll have a go on that" was at the local Harley dealer's open day. After trade-in I went home $7,000 poorer and one Road King richer :-)

Actually saw the Softail I traded that day parked up on town today. Made me realise how much time I'd put into that bike personalising it. The wife mentioned that we'd had our first date on that bike. Felt bad for selling it...

When we've finished dithering and arguing over this or that model, it actually doesn't matter as much as what the bike comes to mean to you; what experiences it gives you. A new bike is just another new bike. It takes time before it's any more than that and the badge is irrelevant.

Christ, that was deep.... I'm going back to bed :confused:

[zadok]

I wonder though, how does ANY manufacturer win a "best XXX" award for a model that has only been released in the last few weeks?
It may prove to be a great bike, but my sentiments exactly.:blink:

[Big Dave]

They have had press bikes for several months.

[Big Dave]

A Rocket is nothing like a Harley really. I really enjoy both of them but they are both a different kind of buzz.
I could do you 2,000 words as to why.
It mainly comes down to:
A Harley runs out 70 horsepower. A Rocket has 140.

Part of the appeal of a Rocket to me is cranking it over so it's right on the edge of that square rear tyre and lighting it up so it's just on the limit of traction and starting to break loose on exits. That is a beautiful place that deals with any of its appearance shortcomings.

Harleys can just make me feel good - dance on the inside - cruising at 55kph.

[shrub]

Hell, nobody can. People buy Harleys because they're Harleys - the new ones are bloody nice bikes, but on paper they're usually way behind most of the metrics, yet they will always outsell any other cruiser because of the writing on the tank.

The Thunderbird has been released because a lot of people want Triumph cruisers because they love Triumphs (in the same way people love Harleys), and the Speedmaster/America are seen as too small being 865cc and the Rocket is too big and scary for a lot of people. Now they are able to buy a bike that is a serious cruiser with tons of poke and competes directly with the M109s etc. I would say most of the cruiser market share the T Bird collects will be from the metrics and they have priced it (around $24,000) so it's well cheaper than most Harleys and slightly more expensive than the metrics.

However the T Bird will take some sales off Harley because there are also an increasing number of people who own and love Harleys, but are sick of the fact that every second bike out there seems to be a Harley and they don't want to follow the crowd.

As to whether it deserved the award - Triumph are a small company compared to the bjg 4 Jap companies and Harley, so I doubt their advertising budget had any influence. The reports I have read suggest that it really is a great bike to ride, so it may be that it won because it is the best cruiser on the market.

[Molly]

Hell, nobody can. People buy Harleys because they're Harleys ... they will always outsell any other cruiser because of the writing on the tank.

Agreed with your post apart from the above. I know there's a section of Harley's customer-base that wouldn't ride anything but a H-D regardless of what the competition has to offer but that's not all of 'em (though it is the ones I try to avoid like the plague).

I shopped around before buying my latest H-D but nothing else seemed sufficiently substantial. That said, I did notice yesterday that the Rocket 3 touring bike (the only one I'd consider) is now just $27k plus change. Might've been tempted - but probably wouldn't. Doesn't say Harley on the tank..... Doh!

[ukusa]

only a 2 - 3 weeks & the Tbirds will be here. I had several reasons why I ordered one, I loved the look, I needed the extra power (2 up on the America didn't cut it), and yeah, I probably did buy it partly for the name, I loved my last Triumph (don't tell the wife) and it's still a little more exclusive than the big 5. So why not go for something completely new, I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

[Big Dave]

only a 2 - 3 weeks & the Tbirds will be here. I had several reasons why I ordered one, I loved the look, I needed the extra power (2 up on the America didn't cut it), and yeah, I probably did buy it partly for the name, I loved my last Triumph (don't tell the wife) and it's still a little more exclusive than the big 5. So why not go for something completely new, I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed too.
I've just been down a TNZ. Big shipping container there is.

[ukusa]

Jay Leno has one, watch his review here

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-news/2010-triumph-thunderbird-enters-jay-leno-s-garage-ar77595.html

[Big Dave]

Cheers - will watch later - I don't read any other reviews until I have ridden and written it myself - and I saw some in boxes yesterday so we're close.