2011 Triumph Thunderbird Storm First Look

NotYourFriend   March 15, 2011 12:56 PM
Guins87 seems a little defensive... he proclaims that the "Dude" is an idiot while at the same time proving the "Dude's" point. Guins87 claims to have an America (admirable bike, stays true to the brand by sticking to an original air cooled Twin design, old school look and feel) yet he is going to trade it in for this Harley Wannabe. Clearly this bike is the Harley Fat Bob, this is a bike that Harley perfected, why the would you prefer the inferior Triumph model? I think Guins87 misses the point when the "Dude" says Harley riders will be the people interested in this bike as it is practically a Harley clone. Clearly the charm of a real Triumph is lost on certain riders, and Guins87 you may just be one of them. I never understood Triumph's, in-between bikes either. I see Triumphs as older twins, classic twins or on the other end, sport bikes. I just don't see where a bike like this fits into the Triumph brand image (and if you don't think brand image is important especially to Bike company's, well I just don't know what to tell you.) I think it dilutes the brand. In the end, all that can be said is: Hey man, what ever floats your boat, I'm sure you will get tons of laughs at Sturgis or Hog Rocks when you show up on your Triumly... Then again, I'm sure you have no idea what those are ;)

James -A good direction for Triumph  December 23, 2010 11:05 AM
I ride a 2006 Tiger 955i set up for road touring. I want a cruiser but refuse to ride a V twin. When the Thunderbird was released I thought it disingenuous of Triumph to release a 1600cc bike and offer a big bore kit for an extra price. This was the same crap Harley has been pulling for years with the screamin chicken kit. It's not a matter of Triumph copying anyone. Back in the day, Harley came out with the Sportster to compete with the lighter, more nimble Triumph twins. This is simply a motorcycle manufacturer realizing what style Americans want and giving them a choice that does NOT include a cookie cutter V twin. This bike was not produced to steal Harley owners away from the "motor company", but a bike to entice the cruiser rider into a British bike with more displacement than 850cc without having to go to the monster Rocket III.
I'll be buying one next summer and keeping my Tiger for real touring.

Donnie B -Enthusiast  December 9, 2010 04:19 PM
The Triumph Thunderbird and Thunderbird Special Edition are awesome performance cruisers. To you Harley guys who think Triumph is trying to look like Harley: maybe. But these T-Birds are betters bikes than your Harleys.

The Dude -Eh...  November 17, 2010 10:17 AM
This is a "who cares?" bike. Clearly a HD wannabe, anyone who would dispute this is either a complete moron or is just being contrary. Why is Triumph trying so hard(and succeeding) at ruining is brand image?

First you take a niche bike like the Bonneville that is aimed at a particular marker and stick AWFUL looking mag wheels on it and to really add insult to injury, toss on FI disguised as carbos! Wow! I mean, that is tantamount to my kids little electric bike that has a fake shell that looks like a motor and pipes. You are basically pizzing in the faces of the people who ride your image. Now I have to explain to people that, no these are actually carburetors on my bike, it's the new POS that is a fake. Really man... get it together. Stop with the BS and go back to what you did best. Unique British Twins that look like their own thing without imitating. Stop trying to please all the Harley heads. No HD lover is going to buy this thing and no Triumph lovers will either. You're alienating your true fans for some weird n00b in-betweeners who have no business buying any bike in the first place, and usually don't! They love to talk about bikes, and how sweet bikes are… but they will never buy your bike. Will some sell? Sure but like I said they will sell to people who do not belong on bikes, and with HD bending over backwards for more followers and the Triumph dealers in the US acting like their sheiot does not stink, you have a winning combination for poop. Get it together or just give it up. Don't pull the Metallica, if you want to be a different band, change your name!

Have a great day!

Ksquared -Rocket Prices  October 24, 2010 02:41 AM
Your price for the Rocket, as quoted in this article ($16,499) is for the Rocket 3 Touring in black. The Roadster price is $13,999 - see your R3 Roadster v. VMAX comparison in August for the correct Roadster price.

iliketoys -Just what I wanted...  October 6, 2010 02:23 PM
I really wish this would have been out when I was in the market to buy a bike. I really liked the Thunderbird, but there was something about it that seemed too... docile. I had pictured almost this exact design as the "perfect" Thunderbird. I bought a Raider (love it btw), but I would have been hard pressed not to buy the Thunderbird Storm had it been out a few months ago. Way to go Triumph!!

Drew -Hmmmmm  October 6, 2010 09:45 AM
OK, is it me or does this look an awful lot like a Harley Fat bob? (Dual headlights, beefy tires, blacked out motor, etc.)

eric -17th earl of gurney  October 5, 2010 06:52 PM
wish they had continued to up date the three cylinder line of t'birds.