Uk Member Looking At A Thunderbird (lots Of Questions)

Discussion in 'Thunderbird' started by SuzukiTri25, Mar 13, 2019.

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  1. Dartplayer

    Dartplayer Crème de la Crème

    Aug 8, 2018
    6,958
    1,000
    New Zealand
    Hi SuzukiTti25 and welcome to the forum :cool: TB was my dreambike, but found my football damaged ankles didn’t like the 380kg weight. With a heavy heart I brought a Bonneville Speedmaster and love:heart: it. Good luck with your search and purchase
     
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  2. MrBojangles

    MrBojangles Well-Known Member

    Jan 22, 2017
    37
    63
    Bucks
    #22 MrBojangles, May 5, 2019
    Last edited: May 5, 2019
    Hi SuzukiTri25
    Bit late with this reply and don’t know if you made a decision. I have a 2017 Thunderbird Storm in Lava Red, one of the last as now discontinued. I think it’s a great bike, a big ole bruiser and usually draws attention. Yes it’s heavy to move around but once you’re moving it’s surprisingly agile and loads of fun, pulling like a train in any gear. Regarding the accessories you mentioned, I’m not really into the bags and screen look, and the LT is more set up for that in standard form. Some accessories are still available from the specialists that bought up all the discounted items sold off by Triumph. All the standard parts and service items will still be available for a few years yet. Mines just a weekend toy for a blast around the countryside. I think the build quality is superb and having ridden the new Harley Davidson Breakout, the Thunderbird is far superior to that. Maybe that’s not a like for like comparison in styles but mine felt better made, better components and better handling. I have the standard looking long Triumph loud pipes and they’re plenty loud enough without being too antisocial. Other accessories I have fitted are oval mirrors, 12v accessory socket which I use to plug in an Optimate battery tender and I have the sissy bar and separate touring seats but hate the look of the sissy bar. Also, I bought the discounted rack for about 11 quid that replaces the pillion seat. Luckily the Fun Sponge doesn’t want to ride pillion. Also, the touring seats position you higher which I’m not too keen on so usually have the standard seats on with the pillion seat stopping my arse sliding backwards. I’ve only done 4500 miles since having it new so have only had basic servicing done as required at Triumph dealerships. Serviced yesterday at Pure Triumph, Woburn with an annual service and brake fluid change costing £260.00. I’m more than capable with spanners so not ruling out doing a bit of maintenance in the future, just did the dealer bit with the warranty in mind. My bike was reviewed on YouTube by the Missenden Flyer if you fancy looking at that. He reckoned the brakes were crap. I disagree but to be fair it was bad weather and he was a bit nervous with it. Other than that I think he liked it. The blurry photo is him riding it taken from the film. I’ve also posted on here when I first got it. Hope that’s of interest.

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  3. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Dec 26, 2014
    13,920
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    SuzukiTt125.
    Have you purchased that bike yet. I have had both the America and the Speedmaster. Both fantastic machines my bikes were the 900's Loved them never had any trouble with either. There wasn't anything you couldn't get for them and they could cruise all day long comfortably.
    Ride Safe & Enjoy
    Joe.
     
  4. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
    493
    113
    Uk
    Ok...I've been away this weekend Bmad festival in Devon......so not accessed my posts.
    I've had three tbirds.... currently run a 1600 .....most are fine some have a rattle at certain revs .....most don't.
    I've had well over 50 bikes and I won't part with my Tbird. Goes, stops and handles superbly for a cruiser...runs rings round Harley's.
    Can cruise at high speeds on low revs.....very pleasant feeling. I have a detachable screen, sissy bar and rack plus ling haul seat for Beloved.
    She thinks it the most comfortable bike she's ever sat on.... we're touring through France and back up via Switzerland and Belgium in July.
    Servicing easy except the 12k which needs a valve clearance check/ re- shim....dealers charge around £800 depending what needs done. If you're buying one near the 12k service budget accordingly or make sure it's been done.
    Otherwise far superior to all the Harleys I've run over the years.
    Enjoy.
     
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  5. Adrian Braithwaite

    Adrian Braithwaite Well-Known Member

    Sep 7, 2018
    129
    93
    Kirkhamgate
    Suzuki Tt125
    Are you still looking for a Thunderbird 1600, if so I am thinking of selling mine if you are interested. If so, email me at [email protected]
     
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  6. Davvid

    Davvid Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    33
    18
    NB, Canada
    Interesting about running rings around the Harley. Here in Canada it is Harley country and they were rather surprised to see a Triumph Thunderbird that looks more impressive than their Harleys when they saw mine. I pointedly said it is a British Bike and they know how to make motorcycles. LOL.
    They wanted to have a good look at it and were very impressed.
     
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  7. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,102
    800
    Three Counties
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  8. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
    493
    113
    Uk
    Ooh, er..it's gone awfully quiet.
     
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  9. dez king

    dez king New Member

    Dec 13, 2019
    1
    3
    coalville
    Hi Suzuki tri25, llive in Coalville NW leicester. Happy to for you to view my TB
     
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