Tbird wins award

**Big Dave** · 26th June 2009, 12:54

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.co...-accolade.html

**AD345** · 26th June 2009, 16:46

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** · 26th June 2009, 18:44

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).

**Big Dave** · 26th June 2009, 21:43

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

**Molly** · 26th June 2009, 22:41

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** · 26th June 2009, 23:09

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** · 27th June 2009, 09:11

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** · 27th June 2009, 09:20

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**Big Dave** · 27th June 2009, 09:56

Originally Posted by AD345

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** · 27th June 2009, 09:57

Originally Posted by scumdog

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** · 27th June 2009, 10:14

Originally Posted by AD345

at worst motorcycle payola.

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

**AllanB** · 27th June 2009, 10:19

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** · 27th June 2009, 10:40

Originally Posted by Big Dave

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

I could do that

**AD345** · 27th June 2009, 10:47

Originally Posted by Big Dave

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

Must have been a lean year

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** · 27th June 2009, 10:57

Originally Posted by AD345

Must have been a lean year

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.