Featured Changed From My T120... And Now Changed Back Again!

Discussion in 'Thunderbird' started by ralphy, Oct 26, 2018.

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  1. ralphy

    ralphy Well-Known Member

    Mar 20, 2016
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    #1 ralphy, Oct 26, 2018
    [​IMG]
    Much as I loved my T120 it had one flaw that I couldn't keep ignoring: 2-up touring.

    The power was sufficient, the handling ok but after a couple of 2 week long tours the one thing that wasn't ideal was the pillion comfort. Not just the seat comfort but also the sitting position and the space between me & SWMBO. You married guys will know the score, something had to be done - and there's no way I can afford the cost of divorce! - so a change of bike was needed.

    My wife was rather taken with our last tour's partners who were on a HD something-or-other switchback...
    [​IMG]
    ... but I wanted to stay in the Triumph fold.

    After a bit of looking around I found my ideal solution, a '16 Thunderbird LT with 7k miles on the clock and in a condition I can only describe as 'like new'. Completely different from the Bonnie of course, but a decent test-ride got the thumbs-up from my wife (after a couple of miles she'd already made her mind up I was subsequently told) and the so the deal was done.

    Here she is:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And I love her: the presence on the road, the build quality, the riding position, the torque - and most of all a happy pillion!


    R
     
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  2. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    #2 learningtofly, Oct 26, 2018
    Beautiful thing - I hope you both enjoy many happy miles on it.
     
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  3. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    #3 joe mc donald, Oct 26, 2018
    Wise choice. I did Harley touring all be it on the wide glide and it really wasn't all that. Virtually had to tie my legs on to the running boards. Kept getting pains in my thighs trying to keep my legs from blowing off the boards. And that constant drone of the engine gave me headaches and it wasn't all that loud. But I'd be a liar if I didn't say I still like Harley.
    Ride Safe
    Joe.
     
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  4. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    #4 Helmut Visor, Oct 26, 2018
    Enjoy it, not the fastest colour but hope you get some great touring out of it ;);)
     
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  5. Hippo-Drones

    Hippo-Drones Noble Member

    Mar 4, 2018
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    #5 Hippo-Drones, Oct 27, 2018
    Lovely looking bike, colour is awesome! :)
     
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  6. ralphy

    ralphy Well-Known Member

    Mar 20, 2016
    121
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    Middle East/Devon
    #6 ralphy, Oct 27, 2018
    I've ridden a few - and owned a Sportster - and I'm not anti-HD, but the LT just ticked sooo many boxes for me. It's not perfect (I've got to do something about that exhaust sound!) but it's close enough. ;-)

    [​IMG]

    R
     
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  7. ralphy

    ralphy Well-Known Member

    Mar 20, 2016
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    #7 ralphy, Oct 27, 2018
    S'ok, I'm not the fastest rider. ;)

    But blue is my favourite colour and this particular shade is just about perfect in my eyes.

    R
     
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  8. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

    Jul 7, 2018
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    #8 Adie P, Oct 28, 2018
    A very striking and extremely handsome colour scheme and obviously a wise choice making two bunnies happy in one easy move!

    I'm in mid-Devon - between Tivvy and Wellington so if you're ever heading this way and fancy a cuppa and tyre-kicking session, feel free to drop in. (PM for an address/postcode)

    I'll listen out for the new exhaust ......

    Regards,

    Adie
     
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  9. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

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    #9 TEZ 217, Oct 28, 2018
    Very nice Tbird sir, :cool: as far as exhaust sound goes short triumph tors change the sound and its better and deeper all round and I reckon the wife will agree,(if she's not sure then tell her the shorter exhausts allows you unrestricted access to the rear wheel spindle and belt adjusters) but if she allows you I advise you go a little further and remove the cat for a world of difference and a proper sound I would recommend
    DSC00870.JPG
     
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  10. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
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    #10 thebiglad, Oct 28, 2018
    Beautiful bike you've got there now Ralphy - really like the look of that !!!
     
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  11. ralphy

    ralphy Well-Known Member

    Mar 20, 2016
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    #11 ralphy, Oct 28, 2018
    Thanks Adie,
    more than happy to meet up with you, coincidentally I stopped at Triumph Taunton yesterday (in the car) en route back down home (TQ9). I'll PM you to swap addresses.

    Regarding the sound, I've got a plan, more later. ;-)
     
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  12. ralphy

    ralphy Well-Known Member

    Mar 20, 2016
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    #12 ralphy, Oct 28, 2018
    I'm more in favour of seeking forgiveness than ask permission, an approach that has faired me well in both business and marriage...
    I wasn't aware there was a replacement for the cat removal on an LT, please tell me more!

    R
     
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  13. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    #13 Helmut Visor, Oct 28, 2018
    And me please :yum:yum
     
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  14. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

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    #14 TEZ 217, Oct 28, 2018
    AHHH not sure on the LT model Ralphy bit more attention to post required by me and homework. :confused:
    As for your prefered option regards the missus yes I do agree to be honest I have mostly followed that option, :p:p
     
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  15. Dave Coolbear

    Dave Coolbear New Member

    Sep 15, 2018
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    #15 Dave Coolbear, Oct 29, 2018
    Really good choice that. I swapped my Daytona 650 for a TBird Sept last year and both me and my partner haven't looked back. We mainly did it for the pillion ride comfort (well, I've been with my partner 10 years now and she's almost part of the family :confused:) but also love all the other things you get with the TBird.
     
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  16. Martin Joseph Lowe

    Martin Joseph Lowe Well-Known Member

    Apr 1, 2018
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    #16 Martin Joseph Lowe, Oct 29, 2018
    Nice bike...cheaper than divorce,but now divorced, if my lady friend doesn’t like my T120,she can walk,drive or get her own bike,not go...although I suppose a good negotiation would be two bikes!! She’s liking side cars..which..yes yes I know..isn’t really biking..or is it?!
     
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  17. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    #17 joe mc donald, Oct 29, 2018
    Nice One Dave.
    Ride Safe
    Joe
     
  18. ralphy

    ralphy Well-Known Member

    Mar 20, 2016
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    #18 ralphy, Oct 31, 2018
    As I said, I wasn't too impressed with the sound of her so did some reading up on TORS & aftermarkets. The thing is though, I really do like the look of the originals so that turned my mind to what if anything could be done to keep them but get a better sound...

    What do you guys think:




    R
     
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  19. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

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    #19 TEZ 217, Oct 31, 2018
    Yep they sound a lot better Ralphy, you been busy with a long drill bit then -:D:D:D:D
     
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  20. ralphy

    ralphy Well-Known Member

    Mar 20, 2016
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    #20 ralphy, Oct 31, 2018
    I certainly have!
    R
     
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