Tbird wins award

[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.

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.

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 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.

[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.