Hi All I am planning on buying a Thunderbird in April/May next year so thought I'd join your forum for tips on the best deals and what to go for when I make my purchase :biggrin: I've already decided on a 09 to 11 1600 model (hoping to have around 7k to spend), I prefer the short high flow exhausts over the long high flow exhausts and hopefully a Long haul touring seat with back rests.
Hi and welcome to the forum. Sounds you know what your after there. There was a really nice one for sale pretty much very similar to what you were looking for only a while ago, not sure if it has been sold as of yet. Cheers Steve
I saw one on bike trader that had everything I was looking for but I don't have the money yet :frown: I had a ride down to Youles in Blackburn in June to look at an 09 plate (was going to get it on finance) but the salesman wasn't interested in selling me it, he was more interested in selling me a brand new Storm which was way out of my price bracket. Told him I'm not interested in finance now and I'll be saving up and paying cash instead which will take around a year.
Hi and welcome A couple of things, are you used to riding a cruiser? The other thing as Youlles were disinterested my advice is to ring up and have a run to Triumph West Yorkshire in Shipley. Ma great company to deal with ask specifically for Peter.
No! never had a cruiser before but everyone gotta start somewhere Got a Mk1 Bandit 1200 at the moment, I'm off to France touring next year and I don't fancy doing it on the Bandit. Thanks for the tip, I'll add it in my search when I have the cash :upyeah:
Do have a test run on a few different cruisers, they are very different to ride than a Bandit. I've ridden a few cruisers namely, two Harleys, a Rocket and an America and I have to say they were all dire to ride, OK in a straight line and terrible in the bends, but due to the seating position they all put pressure on your lower back, with the America I rode a few months ago so bad I had to have help to get off the bike. If you are touring or going to mile munch regularly then I'd consider a Tiger or Sprint ST or GT.
The Thunderbird is a brilliant bike and deceptively easy to ride despite the weight and length. It obviously won't handle like a Bandit but the ones I've ridden surprised me with how well they go round corners or thread through traffic. It just takes a little more time :wink: The TB is a wonderfully solid ride and I'll be changing my America for one next year hopefully. The America is also an excellent bike that has served me well over the last year and 13k miles but I love the extra power of the TB.
Thanks for the tips guys but I've got my heart set on a T bird, have done since I first saw one at the Farmyard Rally in 2010. Gonna try and keep hold of the Bandit as I don't think I could part with it just yet, it's never let me down (well apart from a 20mph drop in 2007 Lol) Here's a pic
Welcome Mr. Bricairns from a fellow new personage!! Now, about this Thudderbird idea! Make sure you get a long test ride before you buy. I had a Bonneville cruiser type thingy for a couple of hours while my bike was being serviced. It had slash cuts fitted and made a luvverly noise. Hardly stopped laughing/smiling all the time I was riding it!! But when I did it, was because I'd hit a bump and the shock wave had travelled straight up my spine ... painfully!! As others have said here, check that you body is compatible with this type of bike. I actually like the look of them but, whilst I could really fancy one myself, I know my back won't stand it! :frown: Incidentally, am I the only person in the known universe never to have owned/ridden a Bandit??
I guess there will be plenty, Hagon and IKON spring immediately to mind, but I'm sure there will be others. Possibly Nitron as well. Their monoshock jobbies are well recommended - had one on my Daytona 955i CE with excellent results. Have a Hagon on my Trident, again with excellent results. Have a look at the Norman Hyde website to see if they have anything.
I don't know if it's even an issue with the TB. Certainly the ones I've ridden have been fine and I didn't think "blimey, I'll need to change these rear shocks".
