Trident or Thunderbird?

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by steve lovatt, Dec 3, 2015.

  1. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
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    #1 steve lovatt, Dec 3, 2015
    I mentioned last week that I met a fellow Triumph rider whilst filling the Trident up. He has a Thunderbird (he was driving at the time so I didn't see it) which he is going to sell. We got chatting - turns out he does up bikes and occasionally cars for a living but is basically bike mad. Arranged to meet up for a ride, which we did yesterday to the Hill Top Cafe near Salisbury.

    He suggested swapping bikes, so I got my first go on the old Thunderbird - liked it very much, but he loved the Trident. So much in fact he offered me a deal - the Trident and £2000.00 for the Thunderbird.

    The Thunderbird is a 2000 model in Green and Champagne with 24000 on the clock. Good condition and well looked after - probably need the seat changing but that's all. Trident is 1993 and has 39000 miles on it.

    Deal or no deal?
     
  2. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
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    #2 crispey, Dec 3, 2015
    having a quick look there aren't many tridents out there for sale, and t/birds , nice bikes!, roughly that age and mileage look to be fetching between 3,500 and 4,500, so what do you think yours is worth? how much does he want without the trade? personally if its in good nick as you say I'd be tempted to make the deal!
     
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  3. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
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    #3 crispey, Dec 3, 2015
    PS. having thought about it it looks as though these are an investment! 14 year old bikes going for not a lot less than I paid for a tiger with full luggage and less than 4k on the clock!!
     
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  4. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
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    #4 steve lovatt, Dec 3, 2015
    Not many Tridents at the moment crispey, and I agree with your Thunderbird figures. He is going to advertise it for £4000.00 so might get £3800.00 at worst. I paid £1000.00 for the Trident in March this year and always thought I would sell it for what I paid, maybe £1200.00 at a push (there's a 94 on Gumtree for £1100 with more miles) so I reckon I could be between £600 - 800 up on the deal.
     
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  5. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.

    May 25, 2014
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    #5 sprintdave, Dec 3, 2015
    I think you should snap his hands off. You have tried the bike out so know basically it is a good un,then again so is your Trident and it is another T3 variant so you know a bit about them. Go for it, as my mate used to say a faint heart never fucked a crocodile................lol. I dont get it either but there you go.
     
  6. stevethegoolie

    stevethegoolie Elite Member

    Oct 16, 2014
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    #6 stevethegoolie, Dec 3, 2015
    A couple of things spring to mind here ... Tridents are more powerful and better braked than a Thudderbird - is this relevant? Does it matter to YOU? Or are you just wanting a change of style - nowt wrong with that in my opinion. Whilst I freely admit to being biased towards Tridents, I would happily accept a Thudderbird to join my 900! And perhaps that is my point ... if you have the wherewithal to px the Trident for the Thudderbird, you could probably pick up a half decent T/bird to live alongside the Trident therefore enjoying the best of both worlds :cool:. Just a thought, as now is the time to buy, before spring is sprung!
    You may then have the start of a 'collection' (cruiser(ish), road and trials - a good start)!!:D:eek:
     
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  7. Havit

    Havit Admin
    Staff Member Subscriber

    Jul 17, 2015
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    #7 Havit, Dec 3, 2015
    Im with bikerman on this one, but then again i would be .
     
  8. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
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    #8 Tigcraft, Dec 3, 2015
    Hey just think if he's on this forum and ........ reading this!!
     
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  9. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
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    #9 steve lovatt, Dec 4, 2015
    I'm grateful for all the advice guys - my conclusion is that it's a deal I can't lose on in the long run, no doubt of that. However, I'm going to stick with my Trident as I enjoy it too much and have become quite attached to it! I would, in an ideal world have both, so I like your idea Steve and may look at what you suggest. However, I miss the Bonneville and always planned to get another one when funds allow and that is the likely route I will take.
     
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  10. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
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    #10 crispey, Dec 4, 2015
    Will the tried and tested formulae for the amount of bikes you should have prove itself again?

    OB + 1 = E, where OB = Owned Bikes and E equals Enough
     
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  11. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.

    May 25, 2014
    1,682
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    #11 sprintdave, Dec 4, 2015
    lol, WTF is a Bonneville??? haha
    or do you mean a proper BONNIE
     
  12. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.

    May 25, 2014
    1,682
    750
    Birmingham
    #12 sprintdave, Dec 4, 2015
    Yuk, lol

    I know I am in a huge minority but they have always looked porky to me after having had a 750 Bonnie way back

    suppose I better get my coat,bag, gloves, slippers,pipe etc
     
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