Great bike! I had the Thunderbird LT AND STUPIDLY traded it in. It was better than a Harley Davidson Road King in every way other than sales numbers. I had mine tuned with the Triumph exhaust and hi flow intake filter. Your video title is spot on. This bike model line was specifically built to pull sales from HD. Unfortunately people succumbed to peer pressure and still bought the substandard HD’s.
What you have to understand is this: when you buy a Triumph, you own it. When you buy a Harley, it owns you and that's right down to the clothes you feel compelled to wear.
I feel like Triumph is way ahead as a motorcycle manufacturer than harley. Harley of US is like royal enfield of india. Trying to hold on to the old technology even though its not perfect.
I agree. Triumph covers the bases and makes very competitive bikes in almost all genres. If HD or Indian did that I would give them a look. They just don’t make bikes I’m interested in. I just don’t understand why HD and Indian won’t take that leap.
You realize you're talking about the top 2 bike manufacturers in the world as far as sales go? As long as people are buying them in droves there's no reason for them to drastically improve.
S M Yes I do and I'm not disagreeing with you per se, just wanted to point out why they're so slow to react to competition. I'm curious to see how the Indian FTR1200 will sell and if it'll manage to shake things up.
I like that Harley uses old technology.. That's the price you pay for that kind of nostalgia.. Imperfect as they are, there's nothing like riding a Harley (my opinion of course) Triumph has really stepped it up.. That's a sweet ride but I love my Road King
Came back and watched this again. I originally watched it when I was looking at buying a '14 Tbird Commander 1700 two years ago, and it's still a great video. I've put over 7,000 miles on my Commander in a year and a half from riding it to work 30 miles at 0515am in the dark and home 30 miles at 5:00pm...just soo smooth comfortable, and powerful. I can cruise in the country from my house to a highway and to an interstate and it's just a great ride all of the time. Feels great at 55-60 just enjoying the day, to 75-80++ just trying to get places. I'm still in love with this bike! I have the accessories...windscreen, bags, luggage rack, and it's just so well balanced that although it's an intermediate to advanced bike...a noob could ride this.
I bought this exact bic in 12/22/18, still ruining great no issues whatsoever. It has over 18,000 miles. I did valve clearance check at 14,000 DIY, it was challenging. Thanks to SRK cycle.
Part of why I like cruisers more now, low center of gravity and the weight makes cruising around far better, lighter sport bikes get tossed way to easy
I had a 2014 Thunderbird ABS 1600. I put a windshield, floorboards, heal/toe shifter, gel seat with adjustable back rest, passenger back rest and VIKING plastic saddle bags. The bags are only about $400 or so. It had 2,500 miles when I traded it last week for a 2002 Honda Goldwing 1800 with 20,000 miles. Nice bikes, but my 2003 Harley Road King CVO 103 cu in won out on the "cruiser battle" between the two. NO "feel" that the Harley has... I tried to trade it in at Dealerships (4 of them) and the best they would give me is $5,000 and the worst was $4,200!!! So, I traded it with a private seller on CL. Nobody would buy the thing on CL or Cycle Trader. Great bike and worth $7,500 but no buyer because Northern Ca is Harley Country!!! No Triumph dealers up this way....
upside downdog “expensive to repair” is a pretty broad statement. Hell, the first scheduled tuneup (after the 500 oil change) is at 10k for my Thruxton. Newer Triumphs have excellent reliability.
You make great videos except for one thing. I always want to duck and look under the top of the screen so I can see the road. Your camera is pointed down a little too much. I didn't notice this on your older videos, but your 2018 videos all seem to be this way. did you change your camera or it's mount? Anyway, you might want to check it out. Thanks for sharing. I think this is an awesome bike, but at my age the weight gets to be a problem when your on the ground balancing the bike in the drive or garage. So, I'm going to have to stay with a lighter bike. Peace dude!
Great bike but since this model was discontinued, they also stopped making accessories. I bought one and can't find a windshield or bags. I had an LT but I like this bobbed version the Thunderbird.
I test rode a Rocket 3 and the first thing I thought after, "WOW!" is, "I'm gonna kill myself on this thing." I think I'd like to get this bike though. Plenty of power, good handling and breaking, and still a Triumph!
I own a 2017 Triumph Thunderbird LT. The bagger version. I researched a lot about this bike. Yet, I was considering an HD Heritage Classic or Road King. I caught my Triumph as a 2017 model year close out, all the extras, and $5k below MSRP. Took it for a test ride. Then signed the papers and rode it home. Amazing on twisty Ozark Highways or the Interstate. I do not know why 2018 was the last year for the Thunderbird line. I know cruiser sales market wide are down. HD shut down the Dyna line. Yamaha shut down the Vstar line. Europe and Asia markets mostly buy small displacement, high mgg bikes where gas is $8+ per gal. So there is more to my I don't know than I know. The Thunderbird does deliver more torque and HP than a comparable HD for what that is worth. In my opinion the Triumph handles better, at parking lot speed and the twisties. As far as old guy cool factor goes, Triumph was the ride of Marlin Brando, Steve McQeen, and Evel Kenevil, LOL
Love my Thunderbird the first day I rode it, it actually scared me a bit. My only regret is that your at the mercy of the dealership because there is not too many Triumph mechanics in the states. But still love it!
Nona Ubiz They are cheaper and better than a Harley. I picked up a 2016 Roadster in May with only 800 miles on it for under 11k. I’m not a Harley hater, still have a 2000 Fatboy that I won’t part with. The Triumph is 10 times the bike of any Harley I have ridden, including the new ones.
I don’t believe that it’s the other manufacturers hurting Harley Davidson!! What I believe is hurting Harley Davidson is “GREED”!! In 1984 or around 1984 Harley introduced the evolution motors did at that point Harley Davidson! From 84 and up the meteoric surprise was something to behold! That point while no one was paying attention and slowly but surely Harley stopped catering to the people who was more loyal than anyone who supported any brand of any kind! Harley Davidson slowly alienated the the blue collar fan base! That’s when the rubs became the fan base that Harley Davidson catered to!!
Robert Woodcock I feel the other way. I feel like Harley catered too much to the loyalists, why is why they still rely on outdated technology. The M8 is a better motor than the Twin Cam, but not the Vrod motor. The Vrod was the best motor they ever built and they canned it. Instead they should have phased that into all their touring models and continued to refine it. Instead they went back to a pushrod motor. Now, they are behind the 8 ball and trying to appeal to younger riders. We’ll see how they fair.
Dick Johnson I understand what your saying but before Willie G. And the boys bought Harley Davidson from AMF most people wouldn’t own a Harley because they were only 15000 mike bikes. Then in 1984 the evolution motor made Harley Davidson the most desired bike anywhere. When Harley got so popular the price went through the roof. When Motorcycle Mania came out it was all over with! Riding a Harley or a one off chopper was all the rage!! The RUB’s ruled the road!
Cheers ...didn't know that fact....many I personally know ,bagged 'em for decades ,now they own them , and love them!!!...funny isn't? Hippocrates, Personally Harley Davidson should sue all of them for stealing there original design parameter's and flair/style , it is blatant obvious to me..(us)..
You could be right, all bike manufacturers do copy the shit yank metal. They mix 2 wheels 1 motor seat and bars. Maybe davidson should have patented that look.
I used to ride a Triumph America 865. A real beauty of a machine, but I needed something bigger. I had my eyes on the T-bird, specifically the Commander. Then the engine of the America went bad. No doubt the result of the below 20 degree riding that I was doing in the winter months and the continuous rain in the summer! The cold starts were a bit much for it, as they would have been for any bike, I suppose. I would have repaired the top end, but a gasket alone was $300! I would have had to invest $2,500 just in parts to get her goin' again. The bike (Peggy - after Margaret Thatcher) just wasn't worth it, so in the garbage bin she went. Due to high repair costs and lack of Triumph dealerships (I blame the company for that one!), I purchased a H-D over another trumpet. I love it as much as I loved the America .. which I loved as much as I loved the Suzuki Savage before that … which I loved … etc. Oh, and by the way, I moved to a warmer climate and have gratefully become a "fair weather rider." RIDE ON!!!
Oh man you really did it this time. I LOVE Triumphs so much. It’s so much more motor than my last Triumph 750 Bonneville but it’s way up there on my COOL METER!! Thanks again for another great ride Sean. Someday I’ll be sitting on a bike again instead of sitting in my chair watching you ride. Not that it isn’t awesome mind you but I’m anxiously awaiting the day my piggy bank has enough in it to come to SRK and make it a reality again. Thanks Sean Peace brother ✌🏻🙏🏻😇😎
I have been wondering why the various Thunderbird models are so close in cc's... seem's like you would need at least 200 cc's difference to be significant enough to make another model. I'm loving my 2012 1600 ABS. Good review.
Dude, stop stooping that low to get traffic. "Why This bike is Hurting Harley Davididson" You absolutely know better than that. Now back to this bike. The T-bird is one of the few cruisers I can respect especially since it handles so well. That and the Yamaha Warrior are my 2 favorite handling bikes in the cruiser genre. And Bonus! It's not a Harley!
Srkcycles lol I've been binge watching all of your test rides so it was very clear when you stopped doing them. I do think people enjoy the "Real time 0-60" though.
The engine debate is most easily explained by thinking of engine timing. 270° timing vs 360° timing of a single cylinder. Its timing purpose is to increase torque and provide a rumbling exhaust note. A Bonneville 100/120 is timed at 360° meaning both cylinders fire together. Creating a higher horsepower and quieter exhaust note. The Thunderbird is a large powerful machine. Sean is right to not recommend this to a new rider. It hit 60 mph before 2nd gear tops out. Try that on anouther factory machine of its size and design. I prefer this over the rocket 3 any day,which is timed like a car or tractor.
V-twin, parallel twin, flat twin. I’ve heard of in line four and six cylinder configurations, but never an in line twin. It’s just nit picking. Still enjoy his videos.
+James Couch you are right I always used the two terms synonymously. Just just read up on it. And now I know the difference and why world is turned up side down . Thanks
First of all great Bible verse amen. I remember when I was a little kid my brother had a customized bike called Triumph Bonneville. I believe it was the first motorcycle I was ever on he used to give me rides and after that I knew I wanted to be a biker.RIDEON
I'm calling BS. I also have a Thunderbird 1700. Airbox kit.. hog slayer pipes.. PC5 and dyne tune. It came in at 116 lbs torque. 126 is a stretch. I doubt it...
@@randomstuffwithjoe im just running short tors and remap with airbox eliminator and decatted with straight pipes..not the meercat or some other cross pipe. mine was 115 ft lbs before all that
Seems like all the metric bikes are winning the value customers. More of what you want for less money. I traded my soft tail custom for a Honda CTX 1300 because I was tired of the insane service costs and want a nicer bike to ride. When you get past the the rumble, Harley really isn't the best bike. IMHO
Point Of No Return the Honda Shadow is not like a Sportster, the Bolt is as close to a Sportster as any metric company has ever gotten and they got it right too. The Honda Shadow sets wide and low which is not good for handling however the bolts it's up a little bit higher and is narrow so it's easy to maneuver. I've seen the other so-called Harley clones and they just want is cool looking as a bolt, now the rebel 500 is out and that looks a lot like the bolt, that bobber Cruiser style is what's popular and always has been.
Point Of No Return they actually sell mostly Sportsters but I do see half Sportster and a half touring bike riding around and a few other bikes like the Softail mixed in.
Point Of No Return but their reliability has got way better then they used to be. The hd of today is hands down better and more reliable then they was in years passed.
WoodyOn2Wheels people are copying that look because it sells and it looks like Harley Davidsons about to fall out anyway so that just means more business for whoever makes the copy.
Of course it is going to pull just as hard in 3rd as well as all the rest due to it being 1700 ccs, it is just like running a 103. Only smoother than a twin, due to a balanced crankshaft. Duh.
this is not an inline twin...it is a parallel transverse twin....I cant believe that you kicked down thru the gears while stationary...a good wayvto wreck things
First I must admit to liking all motorcycles. Have owned many over the years, currently have 2 an FJR and an FXDSE. As good as the Triumph is … it will never be an FXDSE. Believe what you will but HD does occasionally make fast bikes, if you have to ask … how much, you probably can't afford one … but if you are among the select few that has one or has had one then you know there is nothing else on this Earth quite like it.
Love my 2014 Thunderbird Storm! I’ll be doin a coast to coast trip in September with it. If money was no object, I would probably get the new road king special, but it would need to be water cooled for the riding i do.
This thing might be hurting H-D bikes with the M8 engine, but certainly not any REAL Harleys. It doesn't shake like a Harley, and it certainly doesn't sound like a Harley. Those are the only 2 reasons why I ride a 1989 carbureted EVO powered FXRS Low Rider.
I am a new rider. Just finished my Motorcycle safety course. I am 6’5”. 225 lbs. could this be a good first bike for me? I am looking for something big enough for me but not something I am going to grow out of. I am a very conservative rider. There is a great deal on this bike right now and it seems like a good fit. What are y’all’s thought? Thanks!
Triumph is introducing new models that are getting good reviews Everywhere! HD is a dying, stuck in the old days company. Yesterday’s technology at tomorrow’s prices.
Not to mention, that parallel twin produces more torque and hp than a HD V-twin. The fit and finish is superior as well. As an American, I wish HD were not in the situation they are, but they are.
yes, Indeed the three thousand thunderbirds they make a year are killing the seventy-four thousand soft-tails they make a year. In similar news, My backyard mustang restoration business has Ford on the ropes
Triumph isn't hurting Harley in the least, the fact is that my little town of 17,000 people has a Harley Davidson dealership the nearest triumph dealership is 300 mi away as much as I'd like to buy a triumph I'm not going to because I'm not going to go 300 miles to get a part for it!
Why are almost all these bike comparisons done to a Harley? It still seems like HD is the yardstick bikes are held up to!! Picking a bike is as much an emotional experience as a practical, maybe more!!!
I own 1 of each triumph triple and a harley sportster .like them both but if I have to choose one triumph all day long the harley are just hassle look ok .
Had both Triumphs and Harleys, love em both, each has its place. God bless you brother.
Great bike! I had the Thunderbird LT AND STUPIDLY traded it in. It was better than a Harley Davidson Road King in every way other than sales numbers. I had mine tuned with the Triumph exhaust and hi flow intake filter. Your video title is spot on. This bike model line was specifically built to pull sales from HD. Unfortunately people succumbed to peer pressure and still bought the substandard HD’s.
Anyone that buys a Harley jsut because IT'S A HARLEY!!!... really are suckers for marketing.
What you have to understand is this: when you buy a Triumph, you own it. When you buy a Harley, it owns you and that's right down to the clothes you feel compelled to wear.
A mechanics overall .
Idk I wear the same clothes I walk around in on both. I've got a Harley soft tail standard and a t bird 1600. Jeans and t shirt for me on both
Right above your gauge, the bike looks like it’s smiling at you.
Looks like Kermit the frog.
Ha! Didn’t see it, but I do now!
Thanks!🤣
The paint on that bike is exquisite .
I brought one yesterday and gets delivered next week :)
I feel like Triumph is way ahead as a motorcycle manufacturer than harley. Harley of US is like royal enfield of india. Trying to hold on to the old technology even though its not perfect.
I agree. Triumph covers the bases and makes very competitive bikes in almost all genres. If HD or Indian did that I would give them a look. They just don’t make bikes I’m interested in. I just don’t understand why HD and Indian won’t take that leap.
You realize you're talking about the top 2 bike manufacturers in the world as far as sales go? As long as people are buying them in droves there's no reason for them to drastically improve.
Razvan Lucan you realize HD sales have been in decline for four straight years?
S M Yes I do and I'm not disagreeing with you per se, just wanted to point out why they're so slow to react to competition. I'm curious to see how the Indian FTR1200 will sell and if it'll manage to shake things up.
I like that Harley uses old technology.. That's the price you pay for that kind of nostalgia.. Imperfect as they are, there's nothing like riding a Harley (my opinion of course) Triumph has really stepped it up.. That's a sweet ride but I love my Road King
Holy **** dude that pink post it had the strongest adhesive ever!!!
Na, paint was still wet....
It’s low center of gravity make it feel really smooth on corners.
I came up with 3.89 on your 0 to 60 run
Is Harley Davididson a new Chinese clone of Harley Davidson? ;-)
yeagerbm yes they now have a plant in China 💯 but hey they’ve been globalized for a very long time now.
Triumphs are made in india. At least my 07 bonneville was. But it was trouble free.
Or maybe i was thinking of. Thailand
@@georgeperkins4171 both Harleys and Triumphs are made in Thailand currently
@@davejohnson2051 sorry mate not all of them My R3 is made in GB cheers
Love my triumph and plan on another one soon.
at least this bike has some tectonically not like HD stands for half done.
Came back and watched this again. I originally watched it when I was looking at buying a '14 Tbird Commander 1700 two years ago, and it's still a great video. I've put over 7,000 miles on my Commander in a year and a half from riding it to work 30 miles at 0515am in the dark and home 30 miles at 5:00pm...just soo smooth comfortable, and powerful. I can cruise in the country from my house to a highway and to an interstate and it's just a great ride all of the time. Feels great at 55-60 just enjoying the day, to 75-80++ just trying to get places. I'm still in love with this bike! I have the accessories...windscreen, bags, luggage rack, and it's just so well balanced that although it's an intermediate to advanced bike...a noob could ride this.
I bought this exact bic in 12/22/18, still ruining great no issues whatsoever. It has over 18,000 miles. I did valve clearance check at 14,000 DIY, it was challenging. Thanks to SRK cycle.
Enjoy you and your videos!
Out west we call that engine configuration a parallel twin, instead of "inline".
It is clearly a P Twin ..
What a nice back! Very smooth shifting too. I want a storm next year
You will love it ! I ride alot with my girlfriend and she is on the heavy side, but it pulls like if I was alone.
@@alainbrisebois8334 Man, you must have big balls if your talk'n about your misses like that...L.O.L..?.😅🤣😅😭😭💣💣💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Riding I big hevey bike with power is great you know your going to sit in the middle of the ride and not get blown around
Part of why I like cruisers more now, low center of gravity and the weight makes cruising around far better, lighter sport bikes get tossed way to easy
I had a 2014 Thunderbird ABS 1600. I put a windshield, floorboards, heal/toe shifter, gel seat with adjustable back rest, passenger back rest and VIKING plastic saddle bags. The bags are only about $400 or so. It had 2,500 miles when I traded it last week for a 2002 Honda Goldwing 1800 with 20,000 miles. Nice bikes, but my 2003 Harley Road King CVO 103 cu in won out on the "cruiser battle" between the two. NO "feel" that the Harley has... I tried to trade it in at Dealerships (4 of them) and the best they would give me is $5,000 and the worst was $4,200!!! So, I traded it with a private seller on CL. Nobody would buy the thing on CL or Cycle Trader. Great bike and worth $7,500 but no buyer because Northern Ca is Harley Country!!! No Triumph dealers up this way....
I've owned one for a few years now, great bike.
Triumphs my favorite bike I roll a 2004 speed master and have got triumph tattooed from shoulder to shoulder on my back . Love em
triumph guy 90 Amen to that!!!
triumph guy 90 had problem with the cdi at around 8000. Bought an aftermarket on amazon. Works fine again
R3 Classic here, and planned that tatt years ago. Still to do it ...
Impressed by the post it note staying for the whole ride
Triumphs are nice bikes. Expensive to repair. The crank sounds like it is configured like an FZ07, thinks its a 90° V-twin. Sweetheart of a bike.
upside downdog “expensive to repair” is a pretty broad statement. Hell, the first scheduled tuneup (after the 500 oil change) is at 10k for my Thruxton. Newer Triumphs have excellent reliability.
S M
Ok, fair enough. Price an alternator for your Thruxton. They DO go out at times.
upside downdog yeah, I won’t be looking forward to that.
S M
You may never have the problem. For your sake I hope it lasts! A good thing is they are pretty easy to work on.
upside downdog fz07 is a 270* inline twin and triumph does the same thing.
You make great videos except for one thing. I always want to duck and look under the top of the screen so I can see the road. Your camera is pointed down a little too much. I didn't notice this on your older videos, but your 2018 videos all seem to be this way. did you change your camera or it's mount? Anyway, you might want to check it out. Thanks for sharing. I think this is an awesome bike, but at my age the weight gets to be a problem when your on the ground balancing the bike in the drive or garage. So, I'm going to have to stay with a lighter bike. Peace dude!
Great bike but since this model was discontinued, they also stopped making accessories. I bought one and can't find a windshield or bags. I had an LT but I like this bobbed version the Thunderbird.
I'm not shur about the spect you said. My Storm has the same motor, but the spect are 98 hp and 115 lbs of tork at 2900 rpm .
Thats damn meaty torque... nice
Parallel twin. Does it take glock mags!?
I test rode a Rocket 3 and the first thing I thought after, "WOW!" is, "I'm gonna kill myself on this thing." I think I'd like to get this bike though. Plenty of power, good handling and breaking, and still a Triumph!
Excellent. Thanks hoss!
what about the valve maintenance?
I own a 2017 Triumph Thunderbird LT. The bagger version. I researched a lot about this bike. Yet, I was considering an HD Heritage Classic or Road King. I caught my Triumph as a 2017 model year close out, all the extras, and $5k below MSRP. Took it for a test ride. Then signed the papers and rode it home. Amazing on twisty Ozark Highways or the Interstate. I do not know why 2018 was the last year for the Thunderbird line. I know cruiser sales market wide are down. HD shut down the Dyna line. Yamaha shut down the Vstar line. Europe and Asia markets mostly buy small displacement, high mgg bikes where gas is $8+ per gal. So there is more to my I don't know than I know. The Thunderbird does deliver more torque and HP than a comparable HD for what that is worth. In my opinion the Triumph handles better, at parking lot speed and the twisties. As far as old guy cool factor goes, Triumph was the ride of Marlin Brando, Steve McQeen, and Evel Kenevil, LOL
Love my Thunderbird the first day I rode it, it actually scared me a bit. My only regret is that your at the mercy of the dealership because there is not too many Triumph mechanics in the states. But still love it!
you would have to spend serious amounts of money on your hardley movinson to get near one of these...
Triumph's definitely get my respect.
Unless it is a darn TR6 convertible with those awful dual Stromberg carbs.
That post it note is pretty amazing too
I love this bike, if only I had the money! Dream on, dream on, dream on. I went the Harley route ONCE, but never again, would take a Trumpet any day!
Nona Ubiz They are cheaper and better than a Harley. I picked up a 2016 Roadster in May with only 800 miles on it for under 11k. I’m not a Harley hater, still have a 2000 Fatboy that I won’t part with. The Triumph is 10 times the bike of any Harley I have ridden, including the new ones.
keep an eye out for the used market. good deals are out there. good luck!
I don’t believe that it’s the other manufacturers hurting Harley Davidson!! What I believe is hurting Harley Davidson is “GREED”!! In 1984 or around 1984 Harley introduced the evolution motors did at that point Harley Davidson! From 84 and up the meteoric surprise was something to behold! That point while no one was paying attention and slowly but surely Harley stopped catering to the people who was more loyal than anyone who supported any brand of any kind! Harley Davidson slowly alienated the the blue collar fan base! That’s when the rubs became the fan base that Harley Davidson catered to!!
Robert Woodcock I feel the other way. I feel like Harley catered too much to the loyalists, why is why they still rely on outdated technology. The M8 is a better motor than the Twin Cam, but not the Vrod motor. The Vrod was the best motor they ever built and they canned it. Instead they should have phased that into all their touring models and continued to refine it. Instead they went back to a pushrod motor. Now, they are behind the 8 ball and trying to appeal to younger riders. We’ll see how they fair.
Dick Johnson I understand what your saying but before Willie G. And the boys bought Harley Davidson from AMF most people wouldn’t own a Harley because they were only 15000 mike bikes. Then in 1984 the evolution motor made Harley Davidson the most desired bike anywhere. When Harley got so popular the price went through the roof. When Motorcycle Mania came out it was all over with! Riding a Harley or a one off chopper was all the rage!! The RUB’s ruled the road!
Dick Johnson by the way I appreciate your opinion and the information you shared. I hope to ride to sturgis next if my medical issues are fixed.
to all the comments below , one question ..OK ..why do nearly all manufactures try and make there bike look like a Harley then ?
rebeltz2010 because over 50% of all registered bikes on the road today are HD. 2nd isn’t even close at 14%- Honda .
Cheers ...didn't know that fact....many I personally know ,bagged 'em for decades ,now they own them , and love them!!!...funny isn't? Hippocrates, Personally Harley Davidson should sue all of them for stealing there original design parameter's and flair/style , it is blatant obvious to me..(us)..
People who bash Harley have either never ridden one or can't afford one so instead they hate on them.. It's funny to watch
They don't. Its all in they tiny narrow minds of the davidson goons.
You could be right, all bike manufacturers do copy the shit yank metal. They mix 2 wheels 1 motor seat and bars. Maybe davidson should have patented that look.
i have a triumph america i like it better than my old harly and dam site cheaper
Where is the stinking tach? I be needing to see those revs.
1:11 I wish that were true... The jerks live forever.
Damn, a belt?! Years back the Triumph dealer said No cuz it's not traditional.
He didn't know that early Triumphs used belt drive - I think they were the first - read that somewhere.
There must be crazy glue on that post it note.
Love my '15 Thunderbird Storm... Outstanding motorcycle!
I would describe it as "Simplistically Amazing"!
What is this bike? I can't find the model number anywhere.
I used to ride a Triumph America 865. A real beauty of a machine, but I needed something bigger. I had my eyes on the T-bird, specifically the Commander. Then the engine of the America went bad. No doubt the result of the below 20 degree riding that I was doing in the winter months and the continuous rain in the summer! The cold starts were a bit much for it, as they would have been for any bike, I suppose. I would have repaired the top end, but a gasket alone was $300! I would have had to invest $2,500 just in parts to get her goin' again. The bike (Peggy - after Margaret Thatcher) just wasn't worth it, so in the garbage bin she went. Due to high repair costs and lack of Triumph dealerships (I blame the company for that one!), I purchased a H-D over another trumpet. I love it as much as I loved the America .. which I loved as much as I loved the Suzuki Savage before that … which I loved … etc. Oh, and by the way, I moved to a warmer climate and have gratefully become a "fair weather rider." RIDE ON!!!
I meant to ask this in a few other videos. Who picks up all those little post it notes off the roadway?
Maybe who finds them will be enlightened lol
Oh man you really did it this time. I LOVE Triumphs so much. It’s so much more motor than my last Triumph 750 Bonneville but it’s way up there on my COOL METER!!
Thanks again for another great ride Sean. Someday I’ll be sitting on a bike again instead of sitting in my chair watching you ride. Not that it isn’t awesome mind you but I’m anxiously awaiting the day my piggy bank has enough in it to come to SRK and make it a reality again.
Thanks Sean
Peace brother
✌🏻🙏🏻😇😎
I have been wondering why the various Thunderbird models are so close in cc's... seem's like you would need at least 200 cc's difference to be significant enough to make another model. I'm loving my 2012 1600 ABS. Good review.
Great bike! Great verse!
Dude, stop stooping that low to get traffic. "Why This bike is Hurting Harley Davididson" You absolutely know better than that. Now back to this bike. The T-bird is one of the few cruisers I can respect especially since it handles so well. That and the Yamaha Warrior are my 2 favorite handling bikes in the cruiser genre. And Bonus! It's not a Harley!
2wrdr Have your rode the new Indian Scout? More horsepower with less displacement and handles like a knife. And.... "not a Harley."
I like the background music, nice change
Why did you stop doing the timer when trying 0-60s? It was appreciated
+Drew I got lazy I could start it again
Srkcycles lol I've been binge watching all of your test rides so it was very clear when you stopped doing them. I do think people enjoy the "Real time 0-60" though.
Drew I enjoyed them too ):
The engine debate is most easily explained by thinking of engine timing. 270° timing vs 360° timing of a single cylinder. Its timing purpose is to increase torque and provide a rumbling exhaust note. A Bonneville 100/120 is timed at 360° meaning both cylinders fire together. Creating a higher horsepower and quieter exhaust note. The Thunderbird is a large powerful machine. Sean is right to not recommend this to a new rider. It hit 60 mph before 2nd gear tops out. Try that on anouther factory machine of its size and design. I prefer this over the rocket 3 any day,which is timed like a car or tractor.
I like your video's but it's a parallel twin, not inline.
James Couch explain the difference to us please?
an inline and parallel twin cylinder block like this is surely the same, just a different way of putting it ?
V-twin, parallel twin, flat twin. I’ve heard of in line four and six cylinder configurations, but never an in line twin. It’s just nit picking. Still enjoy his videos.
at worse he fluffed like an actor in a movie might do lol?
+James Couch you are right I always used the two terms synonymously. Just just read up on it. And now I know the difference and why world is turned up side down . Thanks
First of all great Bible verse amen. I remember when I was a little kid my brother had a customized bike called Triumph Bonneville. I believe it was the first motorcycle I was ever on he used to give me rides and after that I knew I wanted to be a biker.RIDEON
I have Thunderbird Storm 1700 and it dynos 126ft/lbs torque with short tors and remapp
I'm calling BS. I also have a Thunderbird 1700. Airbox kit.. hog slayer pipes.. PC5 and dyne tune. It came in at 116 lbs torque. 126 is a stretch. I doubt it...
@@randomstuffwithjoe im just running short tors and remap with airbox eliminator and decatted with straight pipes..not the meercat or some other cross pipe. mine was 115 ft lbs before all that
Ive bought one recently gorgeous bike in every way would recomend one awesome
all bikes are made better than a Harley Davidson
Brian tel im having my doubts about victory lately
Which motorcycles compete with H-D Dynas???
I would say a Thunderbird storm would be a competitor, although it would run rings around a Dyna in most areas.
Seems like all the metric bikes are winning the value customers. More of what you want for less money. I traded my soft tail custom for a Honda CTX 1300 because I was tired of the insane service costs and want a nicer bike to ride. When you get past the the rumble, Harley really isn't the best bike. IMHO
Is that a sanitary pad flapping on tank
That’s a cool bike, love it.
and its not a 360 degree motor either...270 degrees
Don't you mean parallel twin, is it a split single or a 180?
Triumph didn't hurt Harley-Davidson, Yamaha did with the Bolt. When Yamaha brought the Bolt out it put a massive dent in Sportster sales.
Point Of No Return the Honda Shadow is not like a Sportster, the Bolt is as close to a Sportster as any metric company has ever gotten and they got it right too. The Honda Shadow sets wide and low which is not good for handling however the bolts it's up a little bit higher and is narrow so it's easy to maneuver. I've seen the other so-called Harley clones and they just want is cool looking as a bolt, now the rebel 500 is out and that looks a lot like the bolt, that bobber Cruiser style is what's popular and always has been.
Point Of No Return they actually sell mostly Sportsters but I do see half Sportster and a half touring bike riding around and a few other bikes like the Softail mixed in.
So basically everyone is trying to copy off Harley Davidson. But if Harley Davidson’s are junk why is everyone chasing them and copying off them?
Point Of No Return but their reliability has got way better then they used to be. The hd of today is hands down better and more reliable then they was in years passed.
WoodyOn2Wheels people are copying that look because it sells and it looks like Harley Davidsons about to fall out anyway so that just means more business for whoever makes the copy.
Its sounds like the Honda VTX1800 (double Pin crank Vee Twin type engine)
I do like and respect triumphs though.
Of course it is going to pull just as hard in 3rd as well as all the rest due to it being 1700 ccs, it is just like running a 103. Only smoother than a twin, due to a balanced crankshaft. Duh.
Not an inline twin, but a parallel twin. 😎
How does it compare to the Yamaha 1700 Roadstar?
Feels of a better quality build but I'm sure the yammy is a bit faster
this is not an inline twin...it is a parallel transverse twin....I cant believe that you kicked down thru the gears while stationary...a good wayvto wreck things
It’s sad they stopped making them
First I must admit to liking all motorcycles. Have owned many over the years, currently have 2 an FJR and an FXDSE. As good as the Triumph is … it will never be an FXDSE. Believe what you will but HD does occasionally make fast bikes, if you have to ask … how much, you probably can't afford one … but if you are among the select few that has one or has had one then you know there is nothing else on this Earth quite like it.
I never heard the "why this bike is hurting harley" discussion
It was funny seeing a Triumph motor in a Harley frame....LOL
@@alainbrisebois8334 Agree not a Harley frame, My 750 Norton Atlas handled even better than both of them ....LOL
I own a Triumph America. Really fun bike. Sounds great fun to ride....did I say fun to ride
The make and model of the bike is nowhere in the title or video description.
Love my 2014 Thunderbird Storm! I’ll be doin a coast to coast trip in September with it. If money was no object, I would probably get the new road king special, but it would need to be water cooled for the riding i do.
I've had 10 motorcycles 3 BMW's i really enjoy my hd road king, its very dependable and strong tons of power and torque...
Nice review
This thing might be hurting H-D bikes with the M8 engine, but certainly not any REAL Harleys. It doesn't shake like a Harley, and it certainly doesn't sound like a Harley. Those are the only 2 reasons why I ride a 1989 carbureted EVO powered FXRS Low Rider.
I’ve got a Triumph Rocket 3. Massive power but comfort and character.
I was looking on you tube and the rockets are 2500 cc now! WHAT A MONSTER!
I am a new rider. Just finished my Motorcycle safety course. I am 6’5”. 225 lbs. could this be a good first bike for me? I am looking for something big enough for me but not something I am going to grow out of. I am a very conservative rider. There is a great deal on this bike right now and it seems like a good fit. What are y’all’s thought? Thanks!
That's a very heavy bike for a new rider. You will likely be afraid of dumping it.
Lol, Triumph hurting H-D. Please.
Triumph is introducing new models that are getting good reviews Everywhere! HD is a dying, stuck in the old days company. Yesterday’s technology at tomorrow’s prices.
Not to mention, that parallel twin produces more torque and hp than a HD V-twin. The fit and finish is superior as well. As an American, I wish HD were not in the situation they are, but they are.
yes, Indeed the three thousand thunderbirds they make a year are killing the seventy-four thousand soft-tails they make a year. In similar news, My backyard mustang restoration business has Ford on the ropes
HARLEY SOLD 144,000 UNITS IN AMERICA LAST YEAR...SO YOURE SAYING HALF WERE SOFT-TAILS?
Triumph isn't hurting Harley in the least, the fact is that my little town of 17,000 people has a Harley Davidson dealership the nearest triumph dealership is 300 mi away as much as I'd like to buy a triumph I'm not going to because I'm not going to go 300 miles to get a part for it!
It looks like your h'bars are not set square to your triple clamps/ neckstem.
I thought that and another video from UK it looks the same on the one they're testing. ??
I'll stick with a vtwin. Would just feel wrong to ride cruiser style with in line or flat motor. Love my VTX 18.
riaan ferreira yeah I’m the same way love my vtx 1800c I’ve only found one bike that was any competition for me it was the m109 it was real close
Trucker Steve I had an M109, awesome bike. But the clutch cable broke on me, had gearbox problems, and it's also very expensive compared to the VTX.
If I see another v twin I’m gonna puke. The parallel twin is gorgeous and performs better
Nothing to stop Harley making big parallel twins, triple or a four is there?
The Bro's and the Cletus Yallyalls will go down kicking and screaming to try and keep Ugly Ferguson relevant 90 years past the use by date.
This bike is not made now partly because of repairs and repair costs.
Cant really say that myself.I have the 2012 Storm and other then routine maintenance have had zero problems with it
Nope not the cause, reason is it didn’t meet European emissions.
Harley is yesterday's technology at tomorrow's prices.
Nice bike but does not hurt Harley. Triumph sold what, 100 of them?
Why are almost all these bike comparisons done to a Harley? It still seems like HD is the yardstick bikes are held up to!! Picking a bike is as much an emotional experience as a practical, maybe more!!!
The thing I don't like on it is the belt drive. It's kind of cheap.
I own 1 of each triumph triple and a harley sportster .like them both but if I have to choose one triumph all day long the harley are just hassle look ok .
Fury-ah-city 😉. Awesome vids
At that mileage it's just getting broken in
I would drop a single headlamp on it and a new exhaust.. ride that thing for days on days after that