Thank you for the most accurate review of this bike. I noticed a lot of the reviews for this bike are fairly old. I recently completed my basic motorcycle class, and this will be my first riding season ever. As an American, Harley was my first choice, but I was on a budget and decided to go an Indian dealer that also stocks Triumph. I gave the salesman an idea of what I wanted, and he walked me to the back of the showroom where my 2016 Triumph Thunderbird LT had set for a year and a half. The minute I sat on it, I fell in love, the first five minutes on the highway it had to be mine. It's sad this bike never received the admiration it deserved. I have received a lot of compliments from Harley and other riders in general of just how unique my bike is. As a novice rider, I never felt I lost control of this bike at low speeds, and the center of gravity is balanced. Triumph did an amazing job with this bike and I hope one day it makes a Triumphet return to the American market.
I have a 2017 LT in white and black, the best bike I have ever rode and owned. What a machine. One day hopefully Triumph will think about bring them back out again especially since we have left our friend the EU, apparently the TB didn't meet their standards !!
I own a 2010 T-Bird 1600 and really enjoy it. She has just under thirty thousand miles and has only required routine maintenance. Lovely bike but here in the USA it is rumored that Triumph may do away with it; the sales have never approached what they expected. Most people here are either drinking the Harley kool-aid or if they can't afford the gobs of money it takes to buy and maintain a Harley, they go with a Japanese cruiser. Too bad. If I had the money, I'd be very interested in checking out a new 1700 LT. Like your review, cheers.
Great review, I'm seriously considering a Thunderbird as the upgrade from my America, Was there any problem changing gear? I've never used boards before. Did the windshield help at all?
+02bigkev Yes, windshield was spot on. I remember thinking it an improvement over the America screen. Gear change was lovely even with heel/toe (front/back) lever it can be changed as if it was up down toe only if the rider needed time to get familiar with the ride position. I think coming from an America it would be easy. All round big torque monster, I really liked it.
Great Ride review bro, I'd love to take one out for a spin, unfortunately we don't have a Triumph dealership anywhere near us, love the torque on those, I've often said If I were to get a new bike it would be the same as I have now but I would certainly entertain that, love the colour scheme and the white walls, RSM8.
I elected for the Harley Davidson road king, very pleased with my decision almost bought a Thunderbird though, I still respect & admire it. But dealers are too scarce...
Good review mate. I've ridden Big Kev's America, enjoyed it and have enjoyed super sports but I think my age determines that the upright adventure bike I'm riding is the right style for me. I'd still love to feel that torque though ;-) Also the speedo on those things always makes me think of 180 fan-forced, lol. RSM8.
Nice video as far as it goes but your style is so easy-going (two-wheeled Driving Miss Daisy) you're hardly exploring the bike's limits. Give it the beans and then find out how it handles/stops/goes.
I think i'll stick with my Speed Triple ;-P Although when I have ride cruisers I have enjoyed them, its a very different type of riding but it still put a smile on my face. Loved the review buddy, safe journeys.
TheTripleTwister I can't afford a second bike! i spent all my money on the first bike! and pets... But I must admit when I took the Thunderbird Storm out for a couple of hours I genuinely got a quote for part-exing my bike it was such a giggle to ride, but then I got back back on my speed and just fell in love with it all over again!
+BeardedBker484 Dude! I cant afford the 1st bike atm, lol. I would stick to the speed if I had to have only one. Such a great all rounder, looks, power, the sound ;)
tb marq, that whine is from the primary side. HD uses a chain between the engine output shaft to the clutch/transmission input shaft. Triumph uses gear to gear transmission of power from the engine shaft to the transmission shaft via the clutch. So, like the Honda VFR's with the "gear driven cams" whine, Triumph has the primary side whine. Kind of cool knowing you don't have to adjust a primary chain or worry about a self-adjusting primary chain failing to self-adjust (Some HD's with self-adjusting primary chains fail to adjust).
The only problem are the spoke wheels. If ever you get a flat tire, you wont be able to put a plug in the pincture hole. With a spoke wheel there 's a tube inside the tire. When you get a flat tire, it actually poncture the tube. No fixing is made on the spot. Call the towing....if you have a signal. Good luck.
I added the Remus Stainless Exhaust to mine. 102.5 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque. One can remove the exhaust cap which yields an authoritative but not obnoxious sound. I understand the guys buying Harley because of their network support here in the USA. I'm lucky to have one of the largest Triumph dealers 10 miles from me. Here are the dyno results in Newton meters of torque as well as horsepower and ft-lb measurements we use here in the states. It'll easily get to 130 mph and torque is abundant throughout the rpm range. Ride safe! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SeegFgGy9yI.html
