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|  | Topic : Would you buy another Thunderbird? |  |
| | | davetac1 | | Thunderbird |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 11 Jul 2013 - 21:12 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | | Fishy:On occasion,I have also worked on a few HD's,so I am familar with em.I have also been road testing Brandy new HD motorcycles ever since 1968 cause every one tells me what a great machine it is.Ya RIGHT!! I did NOT like em then,and I do NOT like em today.They do absolutely nothing for me.But, if you're in the HD repair business,or a HD stealership,they're a great machine and you'll make tons of money cause the die hard HD owners keep buyin em,breaking em,getting em fixed,and goin right back out and doing it all over again. Not too bright.
However,if these machines are driven the way they're supposed to be driven,many of the problems don't occur.Every now and then,I ride with a couple of guys/gals, who own HD's,but don't pound the piss out of em and they really haven't had any problems with em,except for the infamous dripping oil out of the middle gear case which I believe they ALL STILL HAVE ,even though their owners will tell ya they don't!! But when I ask em where the oil on the ground under their machine came from,they always tell me it was there when they pulled in.OK!!
I have a cousin who owns a Road Glide and an Indian Chief,[very,VERY similar machines] and every time I go down his house,guess what he's doing?? Give up???  FIXING both of em. I love it and break his balls accordingly. I start off with "YOU AND YOUR FUCKIN HARLEYS,which naturally,sends him off the deep end and he starts calling me all these sweet little pet names and all that does is get me laughin even harder. And one of those times,I was laughing so hard that I could NOT mount my scooter to leave,which just PISSED HIM OFF EVEN MORE. But he gets over it and actually drives it ALL THE WAY UP TO MY SHOP [a warping seven miles] and ACTUALLY MAKES IT and, without BREAKING DOWN!! Dave!!!
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| | | BigNoseG | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/05/2012 | | Posts | : | 25 | | Location | : | New Zealand |
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| | Posted : 12 Jul 2013 - 09:32 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: davetac1) | | | While its not my thing at all, triumph need to add to the stable to compete by offering more choice in the cruiser range (3 bikes, can you count speedmaster and America as a separate bike, not really)
However, having a choice is usually a good thing (IMO) and I go with the if you don't like it don't by it ethos and as always the market will decide its worth and if its viable or not, if it ships enough units it will be, if not it will prompt a rethink, its how progress happens through trial and error
While triumph has a fairly large range of bikes I have always felt they lacked choice in the cruiser range. I was one of those who returned to biking after 15 years and wanted a cruiser but not a japa (15 years prior we used to laugh at HD's but thats age for you). In my price range at the time was the sportster but after a ride it felt really tinny, had a shot on the speedmaster and loved it.
After a couple of years though I wanted more power, and triumph only offered one alternative, the T-bird. What the HD offered was variety but again after testing they just didn't do it for me that and the fact the dealer would never phone back and the reliability issue.
Now looking at the T-bird I can't see what i liked about the HD, but as others have said you buy a marketing dream \ perceived lifestyle of a modern-day cowboy out on the plains with your posse (you can see it with the tassels and all the other cowboy crap those guys buy) and the HD's do have a bit of attitude when you blat away from the lights.
With the Triumph you buy a bit of the wild ones, Steve McQueen, ace cafe old skool cool (look at the jackets and boots they sell) and the fact its perceived as the non mainstream alternative.
If triumph don't want to add a couple more models (I would like to see a soft tail in the line up) to the cruiser line up at least offer some more colour ranges, the latest thinking of any colour as long as it is black (while cool) is limiting choice. That's what HD do well, choice, a range that covers all bases. At least bring back the blue & white\ grey & black,
The red and white, powder sky blue etc they have done as concepts, not exactly a big design challenge its only paint triumph.
Link
Lots of colour
This needs to be improved but as a starter as a soft tail
| | Post edited by BigNoseG on 12 Jul 2013 - 09:43 |
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| | | BigNoseG | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/05/2012 | | Posts | : | 25 | | Location | : | New Zealand |
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| | Posted : 12 Jul 2013 - 23:30 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: BigNoseG) | | | Q&A Tim Prentice - The Stylist of the Triumph Thunderbird.
Link
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| | | Sam77 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 03/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 469 | | Location | : | Finland |
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| | Posted : 13 Jul 2013 - 13:02 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: BigNoseG) | | | I'd like to see something completely different with this mother of all motorcycle engines. 1700cc Scrambler? Hell yeah. Suicidal mission for Triumph for sure, but in 20 years after production has ended, it'd be the one that every bike collector desires to own. We've all saw the Youtube videos of R1 go-karts doing some donuts. If I could have space where to do it and proper funding, I'd make a go-kart with t-bird engine. It'd be the sweetest sounding four wheeler alive 
Edit : The headlight on that gorgeous silver one is something I'd prefer on my bike too. I think the V-Rod style headlight suits the bike a way better than the stock one.
| A train station is where the train stops. A bus station is where the bus stops. On my desk, I have a work station...
| | Post edited by Sam77 on 13 Jul 2013 - 13:05 |
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| | | Dougl | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 544 | | Location | : | Reno, Nevada, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Jul 2013 - 21:06 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: Sam77) | | | I'd buy another one if it had 2000 cc (or more).
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| | | Agent86 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 361 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 13 Jul 2013 - 23:08 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: Dougl) | | |
Dougl wrote:
I'd buy another one if it had 2000 cc (or more). |
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Absolutely YES .
| Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity .
2012 storm, re - ground cams, ported head, power commander, short tors, high flow filter & Meerkat cat bypass..
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| | | intimidator32 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2012 | | Posts | : | 913 | | Location | : | lexington, ky, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Jul 2013 - 23:10 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: Dougl) | | | hey Doug, since you used to own a rocket3, how much difference is there in the insurance as compared to the bird?
| currently on a slow Harley but will have another Triumph eventually 
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| | | Rachael7 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/05/2013 | | Posts | : | 511 | | Location | : | Greenfield, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Jul 2013 - 00:35 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: intimidator32) | | | I'd buy another one. I'll take a 1700R - Blue/White stripe, 15-20 extra HP, and 75lbs lighter.
| 2012 Thunderbird 1600, Short TORS, Triumph performance filter, TORs tune, Longhaul solo seat, Highway Hawk tubular solo rack, Dart flyscreen, engine bars, highway pegs, Clearwater Darla driving lights, custom flash-to-pass switch, Hagon 2810 rears, Thunderbike fork caps, Custom rear sets
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| | | fishy | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 15/09/2012 | | Posts | : | 440 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Jul 2013 - 01:24 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: Rachael7) | | | Is there a Thunderbird 1600 now that is 675 lbs wet?? the R model or are you dreaming? I'm figuring about 900 lbs when I'm heading back from the grocery store.
The bike your describing is a V-rod at 122 HP (claimed) and 672 lbs.
There are a lot of cruisers to choose from that will get the job done lighter and with much better tire life and shaft drive.
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| | | Dougl | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 13/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 544 | | Location | : | Reno, Nevada, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Jul 2013 - 02:12 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: intimidator32) | | | intimidator32 wrote:
hey Doug, since you used to own a rocket3, how much difference is there in the insurance as compared to the bird? |
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It was 7 years old when I sold it so insurance was cheaper than the new TBird. There is a lot of variation between companies and on where you live. Reno is a shipload of drunks. I'm using Foremost now. I had Geico on the R3 but their quote was really high on the TBird.
| | Post edited by Dougl on 14 Jul 2013 - 02:17 |
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| | | Rachael7 | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 17/05/2013 | | Posts | : | 511 | | Location | : | Greenfield, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Jul 2013 - 12:10 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | |
fishy wrote:
Is there a Thunderbird 1600 now that is 675 lbs wet?? the R model or are you dreaming? I'm figuring about 900 lbs when I'm heading back from the grocery store.
The bike your describing is a V-rod at 122 HP (claimed) and 672 lbs.
There are a lot of cruisers to choose from that will get the job done lighter and with much better tire life and shaft drive. |
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Purely dreaming. I don't know if they could get that much weight out of it, but if we're dreaming of what would make us buy another Bird, that would do it for me. And maybe move the controls back 75mm or so, while they're at it. Yeah, the V-Rod is close to that, but ugh, it's an ugly HD. And yes, there are lighter cruisers, for sure, but they're not even close to being Thunderbirds, let alone the mythical Thunderbird R
| 2012 Thunderbird 1600, Short TORS, Triumph performance filter, TORs tune, Longhaul solo seat, Highway Hawk tubular solo rack, Dart flyscreen, engine bars, highway pegs, Clearwater Darla driving lights, custom flash-to-pass switch, Hagon 2810 rears, Thunderbike fork caps, Custom rear sets
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| | | fishy | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 15/09/2012 | | Posts | : | 440 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Jul 2013 - 16:42 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: Rachael7) | | | Yes the VROD does not have a huge following but the damn thing is very quick straight line. I hear close to 11 sec in the 1/4 mile and top speed of-140 and that I have seen in person.
I'm know that a lot of folks love to tweak the Thunderbird to get a lot more speed so perhaps the factory should make the new D-lux Bagger were all wishing for to have a factory tweaked engine with the Horsepower we all wish for but do not want to wrench and buy all the after market stuff that may or may not fit or f up the warranty. The heavier bike is going to be slower than the naked verisons.
I would guess a 120 HP Thunderbird would be possible with bigger injectors and cams, bigger pistons. It would get 3000 mile rear tire life being heavier and snap belts when trying to do wheelies and in the burn out pit.
In the last week I have ridden the Concours 1400 and a BMW R1200RT-freaking fast bikes and will out break and out handle my Thunderbird 1600. I do realize that I would most likely kill myself owning one so have decided to just life a longer life in the slow lane. But this is not a valid comparison with low seat cruiser.
So I'm real happy with the Thunderbird I have but honestly don't know if I would buy another unless I see some significant improvements. Shaft drive-hydraulic non adjusting valves-factory powered coated wheels-lower weight-option of hard bags , wind protection , more horsepower, longer lasting tires would really get me to trade it tomorrow. This spy shot bagger may have some of these.
That said I do not see ANY cruiser that has significant advantages over the current crop of Storms and 1600
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| | | davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Jul 2013 - 18:53 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | | You forgot to mention the part about the piss pot poor fuel mileage that comes,STANDARD, with these big horse power machines.Instead of miles per gallon,it'll be gallons per hour,ya know,like in the boating industry,not to mention the larger fuel tank that will be needed to hold all this extra fuel. Dave!!!
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| | | metalb00 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 02/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 343 | | Location | : | union, nj, United States |
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| | Posted : 20 Aug 2013 - 18:40 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | |
fishy wrote:
My job of 13 years is winding down and I'm not sure where in the world I will be stationed next so it's real possible my Thunderbird will be sold and I could be with out a bike for a while until I figure out where I will be living.
I really don't love it enough to hold on to it for a few years in storage. The thrill is gone for me. It's just become a bike to ride.
I have to say that in 3 years I have had very few issues to complain of. It's been a very solid bike. I had a few electrical glitches with dead batteries that Davetac figured out was my loose ground lug. (everyone should check it first if you have a dead battery). My tires wore out at 7,000 miles so that's normal but totally sucks. I know about valve check at 12,000 which also sucks as it's a big fat pain to get to and adjust if needed. Still not a total deal breaker. My Triumph windscreen and saddlebags both turned to poo and were replaced with after market (Cee Bailey and Hardstreet Slims) . My squeaky belt stopped with one squirt of CRC food grade silicon spray. I have not had too much issue even with corrosion on the wheels or chrome.
Sometimes on these forums you hear about so many problems that you wonder why you bought an XYZ bike at all. I have not had any problems.
Would you buy another Thunderbird?
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i sold my thunderbird since i had just bought a 2nd bike and with in 3 months my car died, i was underwater on the harley i had to sell the tbird. once i get rid of the Harley and catch up on all the bills ill pick up another tbird Caspian blue and black
| 2013 Thunderbird ABS Caspian Blue and Black Meercat crossover, D&D slipons, Black Wrapped Pipes, K&N air filter, Avon Grips, Hardstreet Slimline bags, Long haul dualseat, QR Sissy Bar
2012 Victory Cross Country Tour World Rally Blue Pearl and Obsidian Black Pearl
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| | | Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 28 Aug 2013 - 08:33 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | |
Would you buy another Triumph?
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Just did...
Well that's not really true. The misses bought it for me to ride her around on!
Then there's the 'muddy' side of my life:
I knew I liked it muddy after giving it a go with this one:
Which was my second Triumph at the time - this one being my first ever motorbike:
But the reason I'm here, is all because of my 'Bird of course:
Naturally these been some 'flirting' at the side....
But at the end of the day - my hearts with Triumph.
| Birdy68
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
 -x-  -x- 
more info at Fuelly.com
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| | | zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 28 Aug 2013 - 09:25 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | |
fishy wrote:
Would you buy another Thunderbird?
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no...
today I am on the demo "explorer " while my tbird is having an engine diagnostic evaluation for the intermitant stall on downhill decel.
within 6 miles my right hand is numb!!!! with vibration!! but the bike is sweet, the info is superb and the response is excellent. there is a fuel issue at steady 70! as though it cant decide what fuel it needs to sustain that speed. the cruise control button is a great addition but every time I go to press it the throttle slips ( might get better with practice) so haventy used that yet
its looking as though rain is imminent so its home now and then off for a jolly with the waterproofs on.
also like the trophy,
never the rocket
so no it wont be another bird if i do change, but it will be triumph.
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| | | Bodger | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 28/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 373 | | Location | : | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 28 Aug 2013 - 17:29 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: Birdy68) | | | Lovely addition to the stable you got yourself there Lee, that garage of yours must be looking pretty full by now. I see you've got Anna into the thumbs thing, that glove must save must save you a power of energy.
| I won't believe it until it has been officially denied.
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| | | Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 28 Aug 2013 - 18:23 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: Bodger) | | | Bodger wrote:
... I see you've got Anna into the thumbs thing, that glove must save must save you a power of energy. |
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She's LOVING it. So much so, that she bought the bike ! ! !
As for the 'LIKE' glove... It's brill!
Actually - we took the rental bike (blue Trophy) for a long weekend to Italy / Austria. That's where Anna defiantly got bitten by the Bikers-Bug!
 
Obviously - I can over do it!
Hey - Narcotics (aka narsisco_lopez) - recognize the Traveller Bag
| Birdy68
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
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| | | metalb00 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 02/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 343 | | Location | : | union, nj, United States |
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| | Posted : 19 Sep 2013 - 18:13 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | |
fishy wrote:
My job of 13 years is winding down and I'm not sure where in the world I will be stationed next so it's real possible my Thunderbird will be sold and I could be with out a bike for a while until I figure out where I will be living.
I really don't love it enough to hold on to it for a few years in storage. The thrill is gone for me. It's just become a bike to ride.
I have to say that in 3 years I have had very few issues to complain of. It's been a very solid bike. I had a few electrical glitches with dead batteries that Davetac figured out was my loose ground lug. (everyone should check it first if you have a dead battery). My tires wore out at 7,000 miles so that's normal but totally sucks. I know about valve check at 12,000 which also sucks as it's a big fat pain to get to and adjust if needed. Still not a total deal breaker. My Triumph windscreen and saddlebags both turned to poo and were replaced with after market (Cee Bailey and Hardstreet Slims) . My squeaky belt stopped with one squirt of CRC food grade silicon spray. I have not had too much issue even with corrosion on the wheels or chrome.
Sometimes on these forums you hear about so many problems that you wonder why you bought an XYZ bike at all. I have not had any problems.
Would you buy another Thunderbird?
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as soon as i can make the harley go away i will be looking into a replacement tbird
| 2013 Thunderbird ABS Caspian Blue and Black Meercat crossover, D&D slipons, Black Wrapped Pipes, K&N air filter, Avon Grips, Hardstreet Slimline bags, Long haul dualseat, QR Sissy Bar
2012 Victory Cross Country Tour World Rally Blue Pearl and Obsidian Black Pearl
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| | | davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 20 Sep 2013 - 17:58 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: metalb00) | | | I think I have had every problem that the Tbird has thrown at most of us,corrected em,and am now VERY HAPPY with this machine.However,due to those problems,and the fuckin aggravation I went thru to figure out and correct em,I will NOT own another Triumph.If I wanted to work on the motorcycle all the time,instead of riding it,I would have bought a Harley.And that's what everyone was saying to me cause everytime they saw me,I had this machine up on my lift and was pullin what little hair I have left out,trying to address a problem.Dave!!!
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| | | SeanS | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 1,179 | | Location | : | Matlock, Derbyshire UK, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 20 Sep 2013 - 21:07 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: davetac1) | | |
davetac1 wrote:
I think I have had every problem that the Tbird has thrown at most of us,corrected em,and am now VERY HAPPY with this machine.However,due to those problems,and the fuckin aggravation I went thru to figure out and correct em,I will NOT own another Triumph.If I wanted to work on the motorcycle all the time,instead of riding it,I would have bought a Harley.And that's what everyone was saying to me cause everytime they saw me,I had this machine up on my lift and was pullin what little hair I have left out,trying to address a problem.Dave!!! |
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Don't be disheartened Dave.
I've owned hinkley triumphs since 93 (8 in all) and while I've had my share of problems with ths model, I've never had similar with the rest. I still own many of them and use them on a rotation, saving the large mileage for the Tbird.
It seems to me that the majority of problems have been electronics and hopefully these will be resolved.
if not then it is likely that this to will be my last new triumph unless a) the technology improves b) there is a way to unlock reprogramme the ECU.
Talking to a BMW owner the other day and while he loved his bike he had been constantly troubled with electronics issues. In the end he got him money back and bought an older 2000 model with minimal electronics. It might be a sign of the times.
Hopefully this won't be the case and we'll continue to ride what I still believe is a fantastic brand.
| If only I had a bigger garage
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| | | ufothunderbird | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 18/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 220 | | Location | : | TBirdHills, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 21 Sep 2013 - 11:52 Post title : Re: Would you buy another Thunderbird? (Re: fishy) | | | As much as I love my Bird - fucked if id buy another one - mine is late 09 build and i have had everything go wrong with it - Map sensor , coolant leaks , ECU , Speedo , Throttle cable / Heated Grips , Saddle Bags - Triumph australia ( Peter Stevens Imports ) were co operative , at first , then they just completely ignored any contact or liability - i have been  by dealers in sydney and melbourne , hav spent thousands on accessories so i have to stick with the bitch - now after nearly 40,000 km everything is corroding ... 
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