Mid '90s Triumph Thunderbirds?

[SloCruze]

Hi Folks,

I take my full license test very soon and am thinking ahead to upgrading from the 250. I have absolutely fallen in love with some mid-'90s Triumph Thunderbirds on TradeMe :drool:. I've never seen one in the flesh, but these bikes look so cool and the triple cylinder engine must make a gorgeous noise.

What do you good folk think about these machines and a fair price?
Or should I play safe with second choice Suzuki DL650?

[Molly]

I guess TradeMe sets the price so start doing your homework. I'm researching a pre '07 Speedmaster at the moment. It doesn't take long to get a sense of who's asking too much given ks travelled, accessories, year etc.

Good luck. They're lovely bikes. I like the Thunderbird Sport with the nice pipes (esp. in yellow).

[YellowDog]

Nice looking bike that sounds good (depending upon the can choice).

$8-9k seems like a lot of money for such an old bike.

[dogsnbikes]

Contact kerry@tripleforensics.co.nz and cheak out his website tripleforensics

he will tell you all you want to know and look out for in the triumphs

My advise when buying a bike is buy one that you feel at ease on and you feel apart of the bike

[spookytooth]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-233431170.htm
looks to be a good buy

[Molly]

Contact kerry@tripleforensics.co.nz and cheak out his website tripleforensics

he will tell you all you want to know and look out for in the triumphs

My advise when buying a bike is buy one that you feel at ease on and you feel apart of the bike

Good advice. I've bought many a bike on looks only to find it really didn't 'fit' (that Ducati 996 I drooled over then found my non-Italian gut prevented me from riding).

Good banter at: http://www.triumphtorque.com/messageboard/

[YellowDog]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-233431170.htm
looks to be a good buy
Agreed. That's more like it.

[Big Dave]

Extremely cool people own Thunderbirds.

(they don't sound that great with std exhausts)

[spookytooth]

Extremely cool people own Thunderbirds.

(they don't sound that great with std exhausts)
i can only agree with both them comments :)

[s8306]

Extremely cool people own Thunderbirds.

(they don't sound that great with std exhausts)

Excluding a guy that i know that owned one,he was and still is a complete fuckwit.

[Big Dave]

Mine's a nice round number too. It was the xx,000th bike - I don't recall for sure. It's 13 years ago.

Original '95 with Ohlins and race tech front end.

[SPman]

Wasn't there a Thunderbird Sport, with two mufflers on one side - that looked quite ........sporty?

[Big Dave]

That's what the trade me link up the thread goes too. A T'sport.
Quite a performance difference over a stock too.

[spookytooth]

the earlier model tbirdsport had both pipes on one side.Stacked one above other Personaly i didn't like the look

[SloCruze]

That's great feedback, and much appreciated. Being the noob, I can't add much to the thread, except for now I am going on looks and riding position/style. On my 250 I'm mostly doing weekend 2 hour loops with some occassional fairweather commuting. With a better bike I'm hoping to up that to longer runs and perhaps 1 or 2 tours over a 3 year period (other commitments come in to play there).

Re the Thunderbirds: I think I'd be happy with a 10-15 year old machine and would want to hang on to it, quite possibly indefinetly. If my first 'big' bike is a standard Japanese tourer/road bike I think I'd still be lusting after something else, grass always being greener. Yep, I'm definitely talking myself into it :yes:

I do like the Sport version, and wonder if the riding position is a lot less upright or just a bit, compared to the regular - they seem to have significantly different handlebars, unless I'm looking at after market product.
Any thoughts?

[spookytooth]

I have had mine for 3 years now.I was going to change the bars to a more uprite set but have never got round to it as i find the standard bars are about rite for me .As for touring its not a problem.We have clocked up 50,000ks 2 up with alot more to come.The tbird is a lot better bike than i am a rider, it's happy enough just nannering along and they can keep up with most in the twistys {if the riders up to it :) }

[Molly]

Saw a nice black one in Streeet & Sport, Christchurch today (Thursday 6th August). Didn't see a price tag on it so maybe it's a new trade-in.

They're good to deal with there by the way.

[rosie631]

Go for the trumpy.

[Big Dave]

I rate the standard T'bird bars as the worst fitted to a modern motorcycle. Changing them is very simple.