new trimuph bikes

 Motorcycle transmissions fall into two categories; noticeable because they work well or noticeable because they don't.  Happily the Thunderbird's is in that first category.

First-to-second shifts, if attempted under 2,500 rpm, will give you the big, heavy flywheel thunk but are smooth as can be above 2,500 rpm, as are all other shifts.  I'm beginning to get bored with Triumph's transmissions as there is hardly anything to really report on.

Just like their transmissions, Triumph's fuel injection system just plain works great and is one that other manufacturers need to study.  Big bike, small bike, newly designed bike or not, they all work almost flawlessly.  Quite boring actually.  A little popping, surging, or acting goofy once in a while would be nice......I'm beginning to feel like the Maytag repairman talking about the F.I. system!

One of the most important features that cruiser buyers look at is the seating position.  Is it comfortable and does it have the right attitude? 

This is an area where the Thunderbird shines.  Wide, flat bars sit exactly where most riders are going to be comfortable and keep you in an upright position instead of the “cruiser slouch”.  You can adopt the “cruiser slouch” at any time but the bike doesn't force you into it all the time.

  new trimuph bikes 

  new trimuph bikes 

  new trimuph bikes 

  new trimuph bikes 

  new trimuph bikes 

Wide open two-lane highways stretching out into the distance.  Tree covered roads meandering through small towns.  Winding country lanes cutting a scenic path beside a stream.  Main Street USA on a Saturday night.

All these places are the domain of that distinctly American of bikes, the cruiser.  But not just any cruiser will do, mind you.  Only the biggest, baddest bikes need apply here.

Got less than 1200cc?  Got more than 2 cylinders?  Either way, brother, you don't fit in and you're not wanted so go play in the sandbox.

It seems that Triumph finally got tired of having sand kicked in its face.

When Triumph called and asked me if I'd like to spend some time on their new 2010 Thunderbird I of course said “no”.  Haha.....just kidding.  I, of course, said yes.  Arrangements were made and I dropped off the Daytona 675 and picked up a silver (with black stripe) Thunderbird.

Once I got over the 400 pound vs. 700 pound bike and the sportbike-to-cruiser transition, I was ready to give it a good preliminary once over.  Out came the magnifying lens and the fine-tooth comb.  OK, so now that the splinter is out of my finger and my hair looks good lets go over the bike shall we?

The first thing I noticed was that the bike looks smaller than it is.  I'm not sure how Triumph pulled off this optical illusion but, until you are either standing right next to it or sitting on it, the T-bird seems more compact than a 1600cc bike should.

This was proven when my wife, who has never ridden a motorcycle in her life, took one look at the T-bird and said “that looks like a bike that I could ride”.  Yeah......no.