Triumph Thunderbird reviews

I bought the bike reviewed May 2, 2000 below, and I love it. I have had it for a couple of weeks now and have put a couple hundred miles on it. It is truly a do it all bike. I must admit I am partial to Triumphs ( I also own a '66 Triumph ) I can hang out with my Harley rider buddies, or run with any of the crotch rockets out there.. I have since fit a pair of leather saddlebags to it.. and will probably but a small windshield on it soon.. (instant sport / tourer ?) No matter how you ride, and I pretty much cover the spectrum, this bike fits the bill. I can't believe Triumph doesn't make it anymore. If you're looking for a cruiser/crotch rocket/sports tourer.. This is the bike for you.. Show less

This is my first real bike. I'm 46, did my research and got myself a 2K leftover. Wish I could have gotten a TBS (adjustable suspension, more ponies, dual front disks) but the classic T-Bird is a sweet machine. I was very concerned the first couple of days, the bike is a little top-heavy (big 5 gallon tank) and it took me a couple of days to find the sweet spot in first gear (dropped it once, but no real damage). I just clocked my first thousand miles with not even a hiccup, no leaks, no squeaks, runs like a champ. Since we are now well aquatinted and she's near the end of the break-in period, I've cranked her up a bit and she can move! Very torquey, incredible power and I haven't pushed it too hard yet. She likes curves, is good on the highway, but can't wait to get a street shield to cut down one the wind. The bike is extremely comfortable for my 5'8", 180 lbs. haven't gone on a long trip yet, but have ridden totally comfortably for an hour at least. I did get the sissy bar and will get the luggage rack and the center stand is a must for maintenance (and winter storage). After my initial trepidation (OK I was scared), I look for excuses to ride this bike and sometimes go out and ride without one! Show less

A standard motorcycle with a true classic identity. Bike looks great and shows it's quality build through its beefy parts. Performs fantastic and handles well. If you want to meet people, this is the bike for you. Can't ride anywhere without some kind of comment on my steed. Only problem is the temp light seems to come on and go off sporadically. The engine does not seem hot, the light appears to be erratic. Show less

Having previously owned a '71 Tiger I recently bought a 2001 T-Bird. I really like the appearance, handling and riding position. I get a lot of positive comments whenever I'm out on the bike, especially from other riders. Not as many as when I'm on my '74 Commando but that's to be expected. The engine has adequate power and I like the 3-cylinder feel. My only negative comment so far (I have under 1000 miles on it) is a strange vibration felt mainly thru the right footrest while pulling a grade or accelerating in 4th, 5th, or 6th gear between 2900 and 3500 rpms. It comes on suddenly and goes away by 3500 rpms. The dealer has taken it for a test ride and also felt it. He's contacted Triumph and is waiting to hear back from them. I'm hoping that the vibration can be identified and fixed without a lot of hassle and I can enjoy the summer on this otherwise great bike. Show less

Just bought a new 2000 T-bird. I had a 1995 t-bird, which I sold about 2 years ago. The new bike is basically the same but with a few disappointments. First, the headlamp shell, instruments and warning light cover are black instead of a much classier chrome finish on the 95. Second, the seat removal is completely ridiculous requiring the removal of two very difficult to reach bolts. On the 95 this was accomplished by inserting and turning the key in the side panel. And what happened to the "Triumph" on the clutch cover? This is Triumph's best selling model and they are selling it short. Show less

Just purchased a used '99 (yellow/black) with the high ("off road") pipes and solo seat. The first owner for 7000 miles beautifully maintained bike. I'm hoping to add another 100K or so. (Optimism abounds.) Some pluses and minuses. The '98-'99 models allow fitting a center stand (plus), but severely limit the choices of luggage (minus.) The "off-road" pipes greatly improve the sound (plus) without annoying the neighbors (plus.) Re-jetting with the off-road pipes enriches the mixture, improves power, and limits pipe discoloration (all pluses.) Opinions about the stock seat differ. I don't care for it, but others do. The solo seat sits a bit lower, improving the feel of the bars (a big plus) though I may switch to either the T-Bird bars or those from the Speed Triple. All in all, the TBS combines wonderful retro looks with modern power, handling, and stopping. What more could one ask. Show less

Although I confess to having a soft spot for Brit bikes in general and Triumph's in particular I truly like this bike. Having owned Triumphs and BSA's in the sixties and 70's, I found the "appliance like" character of the Suzuki's and Honda's I rode in the 80's and 90's boring and lacking an undefinable quality:soul. My T-Bird's got soul! Great all-around bike and unlike it's predecesors, after 4,0000 Miles, no problems. Show less

I bought a 2000 model last April and the bike has been great. I didn't care for the original handlebars, so I had the dealer switch them to the bars off the new Speed Triple. They bolt right on without needing to change brake lines or cables. The bike is much more comfortable to ride, as the bars are taller, wider and have an inch or two more pull back. I had a flat tire last summer. It would be nice if the T-bird Sport came with a center stand and tubeless tires. I'm now looking for a small fairing that will fit... The color grows on you, especially if you think of Ann Margaret. Show less

This is a great bike! Smooth with lots of torque. I'm 6'3" and it's comfortable even for me. The only bad points I've come across are that Triumph accessories are expensive ($475 for a sissybar????), there's little aftermarket available, and it's a little tall for shorter riders but that's why they make the Legend TT. Other than that, I'd recommend this bike to anyone. Show less

I am a 40 year old British biker who had always wanted a Triumph, I do not own a car (don't like them, no fun.) And have wanted a Trump since I was a kid, so after years of Jap bikes 15 at last count, I saw the Thunderbird Sport in Yellow and Black 98 mod and fell in love with it 17 months ago, and what a bad 17 months it has been. Bad Service/and not a reliable bike at all, up to this date 12/4/00 I have had...here we go... 1/ 3x Gas tanks (paint comes off/rot from inside out. 2/1xGas tap within days of getting bike. 3/mirrors x2 4/new gear change ass. 5/New radiator. 6/oil leaked + brake fluid for months. 7/bike jumped so bad when clutch was in and put into gear, Bike hit ground, when I had foot on the curb and lost footing. (Triumph did replace some parts.) 8/Bike had wobble at anything over 80mph,had to take to another shop to get sorted+new tires and balanced, which stopped that problem 9/Chain and Sprocket gone after only 9,000,got told that was ok..."crap" never in all my life have i had to change chain and sprockets at 9000 on any of my other bikes, 1985 quailty better that 2000 ??????And I don't ride as nutty as I did at 25. 10/Service "crap" is being nice, you guys who ride your bike every day know if anything goes wrong with it you feel it etc, but not with the service folks, got told it was me, each time I had problem.... Bike stopped when it wanted to, and got two miles on res. tank. This was because of the rotten tank, which blocked tap and carbs. Plus over $200 for a service that took 20mins(I know, I was there). 11/Missed this one...Bike would slip out of gear all the time, did not get that to stop till I went to SB-Triumph. There is more but I think you will all get my drift! Well 17 months has done it for me, I am just sorting out to get a Suzuki VL1500LC, never had hassle with any of my Suzuki's so that's what I am gettin'...And will never get another Triumph as long as i live and will not recommend Triumph ever. I never have had such bad service in all my life. The only thanks would be to South Bay Triumph here in California who took on my hassles. Helping me in every way, and did sort out some of my problems, and at the last lot of work done on the bike said to me, "I would sell the bike, get another". All you who do read this please don't think I'm a moaning pain in the backside...I am not. In my job I have to be on 24-hour call Mon. to Fri. and cant have a bike that does not run all the time or has to go to the shop all the time. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Show less