How old is your cat? Catalytic converters, or cats, which turn toxic exhaust emissions into harmless gases, are under threat. Riders looking for a modern bike with traditional style will not be disappointed.. Although, at pounds 7,549, the Triumph is expensive for a bike of moderate performance, it is handsome, great fun to ride and extremely well made. But most owners will probably be more keen to add cosmetic accessories. This is a bike that excels in town and on short trips.Triumph's range of accessories includes lower handlebars, a screen and panniers, so the Thunderbird can be made more practical.
This bike's fuel tank holds 3.3 gallons, compared to 5.5 gallons of other Triumphs, limiting range to a little over 100 miles. By then the wind-blown riding position will normally have made the rider glad of a stop, despite the motor's smoothness and the comfortably broad dual-scat. Hard riding, particularly over a series of bumps, sometimes revealed the chassis's limitations with a slight twitch. The single front disc brake was adequately powerful, although serious stopping required help from the rear disc.Some practicality has been sacrificed to style. Performance was much less impressive at higher engine speeds, but the Thunderbird is easily capable of the "ton" and has a top speed of 120mph.By cruiser standards, Triumph's suspension is firm. In combination with reasonably grippy Michelin tyres, this allowed enjoyable cornering at most speeds.
A simple flick of the throttle gave crisp, instant response even at very low revs, allowing easy pottering in traffic and effortless overtaking with little need for the excellent five-speed gearbox. The riding position is bolt upright, gripping high handlebars and with feet well forward. Inevitably, the engine fires up at the press of a button, not an old-fashioned kick, and the sound is more of a modern watercooled warble than a traditional air-cooled rattle and roar.Most of Triumph's recent 900cc triples have been notable for generous mid-range power and the Thunderbird has even more, which makes it a very relaxing bike to ride. Wheels use old-fashioned wire spokes with a single disc brake at each end.Triumph's stylists have done a fine job and the Thunderbird radiates period charm with a look that is very much the marque's own. Suspension is conventional in style and fairly basic, consisting of non-adjustable front forks and a single rear shock absorber, both from the Japanese firm, Kayaba. A new rear section is used in conjunction with the retained large-diameter steel main spine.
