2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed

**glwilson** · 02-24-2010, 07:10 PM

I know BD has had some interest in this bike.

It appears for 2010 they have added several items as "standard" that were once options -- like ABS and a larger engine; while still offering other options to help make the bike "tour-ready" -- all in a new packaged-price which remains below $15,000.

Do you think Triumph is going to make a dent in the market with this? I don't know... it looks like they could.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/641/60...00-and-SE.aspx

**ringadingh** · 02-24-2010, 08:27 PM

Its a good looking bike and seems priced pretty good also, I can see it taking a few sales from the asian market. Depending on how Triumph is marketed and recieved by the customers will determine if its a serious contender.

**Idaho** · 02-24-2010, 11:40 PM

It does not compare to the Nomad IMHO. leather bags, no dresser bars. Just not my cup of tea I'm afraid.

nomadpilot · 02-25-2010, 08:52 AM

I've sat on one, but not actually ridden it. Seemed like a nicely made motorcycle and was comfortable to sit on. My buddy took it for a test ride and said it was like riding a sports car compared to his VTX1800.

My problem with it is that the service intervals for the big Bird are very frequent, and potentially expensive, if not inconvenient. Also, there isn't the dealer/service network available that the Asian bikes enjoy. That could possibly be very inconvenient if you break down and your nearest Triumph dealer is several hundred miles away!

Still, it's a good bike, and who know? Maybe it'll be like Hondas and be stone reliable. I haven't had much experience with Kawasaki so I don't know, but I assume that it is as reliable as Hondas. At least my voyager XII was for the 32000 miles I put on it. It was an '88 model.

dank · 02-25-2010, 09:06 AM

Beautiful bike. Sounds like they put the whole package together: nice styling, fantastic power and acceleration, great cornering, good mpgs, ABS. I like hard bags, but really think they hit the nail on the head in terms of style with the bags they mounted.

blowndodge · 02-25-2010, 11:02 AM

and it gets 50 miles a gallon with a 5.8 gallon tank. Impressive range for sure..

chainsaw · 02-25-2010, 11:15 AM

BD, so they say.

oledawg · 02-25-2010, 03:10 PM

It'll out handle,outrun, and outperform almost every Cruiser out there. Reliability wise its a time proven Parallel twin, and NOBODY stands behind their warranty any better than TRIUMPH.

And as far as service intervals there's less to do and easier to perform than most other factory recommendations. Valves are very easy to adjust and don't require adjustment anywhere near what the factory recommends.This is a well made great performing bike for those that it appeals to. Maybe a little to much performance for some.

And yes I have ridden it,several times in fact and enjoyed each ride thoroughly. I would have bought it except for the wife who prefers the soft cushy ride of the big touring bikes. And I like most smart men ::) have learned to like what is best for both HER & I

Just a matter of taste in style, but in value & performance its hard to beat the Triumph Thunderbird. ;) Jes m2cw

**glwilson** · 02-25-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

and it gets 50 miles a gallon with a 5.8 gallon tank. Impressive range for sure..

And... did I mention 50 miles per gallon?

And... did I mention the cache of the Triumph name?!!! ???

pagemastr · 02-25-2010, 10:36 PM

I have a triumph dealer storing my Nomad and spent more than my fair share of time looking at the Triumphs before I got the Nomad.

Now this Triumph I like...had it been offered when I bought the Nomad it would have been a tough decision but at the time there was nothing I remember them having the same size as the Nomad. They had a ~900cc Bonneville then the Rocket next inline which was so much more than I wanted. Nice to see they have finally filled that void but a little too late for me! ;)

They DO offer test rides every summer... hmmm

blowndodge · 02-26-2010, 06:50 PM

I know what your trying to do guys!! ::) ::)

Yellow Jacket · 02-26-2010, 07:05 PM

BD, you can't trade your Nomad for a Thunderbird until you wear out that truck tire on the rear and give us your final report on the mileage it went! ! ! ! ! !

blowndodge · 02-26-2010, 08:07 PM

that tires never going to wear out Bob!!

02-24-2010, 07:10 PM	#1
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed I know BD has had some interest in this bike. It appears for 2010 they have added several items as "standard" that were once options -- like ABS and a larger engine; while still offering other options to help make the bike "tour-ready" -- all in a new packaged-price which remains below $15,000. Do you think Triumph is going to make a dent in the market with this? I don't know... it looks like they could. http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/641/60...00-and-SE.aspx __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-24-2010, 08:27 PM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed Its a good looking bike and seems priced pretty good also, I can see it taking a few sales from the asian market. Depending on how Triumph is marketed and recieved by the customers will determine if its a serious contender. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

02-24-2010, 11:40 PM	#3
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed It does not compare to the Nomad IMHO. leather bags, no dresser bars. Just not my cup of tea I'm afraid. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
	0

02-25-2010, 08:52 AM	#4
nomadpilot Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 78	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed I've sat on one, but not actually ridden it. Seemed like a nicely made motorcycle and was comfortable to sit on. My buddy took it for a test ride and said it was like riding a sports car compared to his VTX1800. My problem with it is that the service intervals for the big Bird are very frequent, and potentially expensive, if not inconvenient. Also, there isn't the dealer/service network available that the Asian bikes enjoy. That could possibly be very inconvenient if you break down and your nearest Triumph dealer is several hundred miles away! Still, it's a good bike, and who know? Maybe it'll be like Hondas and be stone reliable. I haven't had much experience with Kawasaki so I don't know, but I assume that it is as reliable as Hondas. At least my voyager XII was for the 32000 miles I put on it. It was an '88 model.
	0

02-25-2010, 09:06 AM	#5
dank Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,595	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed Beautiful bike. Sounds like they put the whole package together: nice styling, fantastic power and acceleration, great cornering, good mpgs, ABS. I like hard bags, but really think they hit the nail on the head in terms of style with the bags they mounted. __________________ Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-25-2010, 11:02 AM	#6
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed and it gets 50 miles a gallon with a 5.8 gallon tank. Impressive range for sure.. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

02-25-2010, 11:15 AM	#7
chainsaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,732	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed BD, so they say.
	0

02-25-2010, 03:10 PM	#8
oledawg Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: York PA Posts: 1,146	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed It'll out handle,outrun, and outperform almost every Cruiser out there. Reliability wise its a time proven Parallel twin, and NOBODY stands behind their warranty any better than TRIUMPH. And as far as service intervals there's less to do and easier to perform than most other factory recommendations. Valves are very easy to adjust and don't require adjustment anywhere near what the factory recommends.This is a well made great performing bike for those that it appeals to. Maybe a little to much performance for some. And yes I have ridden it,several times in fact and enjoyed each ride thoroughly. I would have bought it except for the wife who prefers the soft cushy ride of the big touring bikes. And I like most smart men ::) have learned to like what is best for both HER & I Just a matter of taste in style, but in value & performance its hard to beat the Triumph Thunderbird. ;) Jes m2cw
	0

02-25-2010, 10:36 PM	#10
pagemastr Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 676	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed I have a triumph dealer storing my Nomad and spent more than my fair share of time looking at the Triumphs before I got the Nomad. Now this Triumph I like...had it been offered when I bought the Nomad it would have been a tough decision but at the time there was nothing I remember them having the same size as the Nomad. They had a ~900cc Bonneville then the Rocket next inline which was so much more than I wanted. Nice to see they have finally filled that void but a little too late for me! ;) They DO offer test rides every summer... hmmm
	0

02-26-2010, 06:50 PM	#11
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed I know what your trying to do guys!! ::) ::) __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

02-26-2010, 07:05 PM	#12
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed BD, you can't trade your Nomad for a Thunderbird until you wear out that truck tire on the rear and give us your final report on the mileage it went! ! ! ! ! ! __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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02-26-2010, 08:07 PM	#13
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	2010 Triumph Thunderbird Reviewed that tires never going to wear out Bob!! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

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