Triumph Thunderbird reviews

Great all around bike. Great mid-range acceleration and very smooth. Handling is excellent, looks are classic, and the most noticed of all my bikes. Gathers more favorable comments than my Ducati ST2. I have the '98 model with the twin silencers on the right side, which are somewhat limiting for 2-up travel. A 2000 or 2003 model would make an excellent sport-touring bike. Althought the engine lacks the top end rush of the higher powered Triumphs (Speed Triple, Sprint, Daytona), it is more flexible in terms of allways having ready power at hand, which is perfect for sport-touring. Show less

I love my 2001 Triumph Thunderbird. Wish the foot pegs were lower and the handlebars higher. Does any one know where I can buy a big windshied and faring for it? Show less

Best dam bike I ever owned.. at 10k miles it just keeps getting better. Build quality is superb, engine is incredibly smooth , economical and very torquey, and it looks so cool. Oh yeah, and it handles too..and being a low power version the engine has loads of potential for tweaking. Downside ? It's not a shaftie- if it was it would be perfect. Show less

This is a great alternative to a Harley or similar. I've put after market pipes on mine so it now sounds as good as it looks. Triumph paniers and a summer screen finish it off nicely. Loads of torque, goes arond corners nicely. Best of all that Triumph badge on the tank. On the minus side? Pegs a little too high, seat a litle hard and difficult to take on and off. However the pluses easily outweigh the minuses. Can't think of anything I'd chop it in for!! Show less

haven't owned a bike in 30 years, but after riding a friends I was hooked. This is the kind of bike I wanted in my teens but could not afford. The Thunderbird is beautiful and other than a seat that hurts after 1 hour I love the bike. Will order a seat this winter and probably get a fairing too. Show less

As a young bloke I used to ride a Lambretta scooter and quite a few of my mates would ride Triumph's, ufortunately they would spend most of their weekends trying to get them to run. But I always loved Triumph's(being English) and wanted to get one, instead I got married and the bike was put on the backburner. Then of course children came on the scene and there was definitly no funds available for a motorcycle. One day I said to my wife, "I'm going to have a Triumph by the time I'm 40". Then I said, "I'm going to have a Triumph by the time I'm 50". I am now 48 years of age and the proud owner of a 99 Thunderbird, which in my opinion is the best looking bike on the road (lots of beautiful chrome to polish). The only downside to the bike is the removal of the seat and the seat being a bit uncomfortable on longer trips. But I can put up with that. Show less

Drawn to the T-bird by its retro-look and the $1000 off of the list price, I test rode one during "Triumph Days" and was sold. I'm now 700 miles into the adventure and have no complaints. Very comfortable. (All my fillings are still in place.) Superb handling in all conditions, from sunshine to driving summer thunderstorms. 6-speed gearbox a real plus. Oodles of torque, from 1000 RPM thru redline (8000 RPM). If you're thinking sportster, give the Triumph Thunderbird a look. Show less

I bought this bike brand new in March 2002. I decided that I was entitled to a mid life crisis and it's my first bike for 22 years. I have fitted a summer screen which is surprisingly effective. Triumph Nylon saddle bags- extremely useful. Aftermarket pipes -which sound great and a luggage rack. The bike gets a lot of attention particularly from older people who have owned Triumphs years ago. It's easy to ride and is plenty fast enough for me. It also handles better than any cruser I can think of. If I had any complaints it would be that the seat is a pain to take off- 2 hard to get at bolts. Surely Triumph could have come up with something better than this. I've now done nearly 3000 miles which have been trouble free and I'm looking forward to the next 3000. I can't really think of any bike I'd rather have including some which cost twice as much! Show less

I also have a 2001 Ducati ST2 and a 2000 Suzuki SV650, but the Triumph is rapidly becoming my favorite ride (not for touring, but it could be configured that way). Great powerband from 3000 up to redline, nice sound with the Triumph off-road pipes, and handling is almost as good as the Ducati. Show less

here is an update from my earlier review...at nearly 1000 miles and with all the accessories installed plus adjusting the rear shock to its softest ride, the bike is nearly there. I added a National fairing, the king and queen seat, nylon bags, adjustable levers, and center stand. Wishes...that it were just a little longer, the pegs a little lower, and the gears a little wider..after owning 15 bikes I have never found one worthy of 5 stars, but this is as close as it gets I guess unless I get one custom built..ha.. Show less