New Triumph

[steveg56]

I know this is a Harley Forum and most here are die hard Harley guys. That being said, I have owned 9 HD's over the last 6 yrs and currently still own a 07 Softail Deluxe. I love the way my Harley looks, but to be honest not much of a driving experience. It's a bit on the slow side, doesn't handle very well and the brakes are pretty weak, but hey, IT's a Harley!!!
A friend of mine bought a new Triumph Thunderbird and we switched one day while out on a ride and I could not believe how refined this new machine was. I was able to ride it for about 30 min. before we switched back to our own bikes. That night when I got home I could not stop thinking about how much I liked his Tbird, so I went to a local Triumph dealer to demo the bike once more, and again it was just as i remembered.

I put one of my other HD's up for sale (07 CVO springer) up for sale and it sold within a week. That's one of Harley's good points, it has good resale value and its desirable (hence the quick sale) Needless to say, I went out and picked up my very own Tbird and have been loving it very much. I love bikes, all kinds of bikes and there is nothing wrong with that.

The poor guy who asked a simple question about purchasing a Dyna or Tbird just heard the typical if it aint a Harley, it aint a bike. If I were forced to sell one of my bikes right now let's just say it would not be the Triumph.

[MikeSandy]

Originally Posted by steveg56

I know this is a Harley Forum and most here are die hard Harley guys. That being said, I have owned 9 HD's over the last 6 yrs and currently still own a 07 Softail Deluxe. I love the way my Harley looks, but to be honest not much of a driving experience. It's a bit on the slow side, doesn't handle very well and the brakes are pretty weak, but hey, IT's a Harley!!!
A friend of mine bought a new Triumph Thunderbird and we switched one day while out on a ride and I could not believe how refined this new machine was. I was able to ride it for about 30 min. before we switched back to our own bikes. That night when I got home I could not stop thinking about how much I liked his Tbird, so I went to a local Triumph dealer to demo the bike once more, and again it was just as i remembered.

I put one of my other HD's up for sale (07 CVO springer) up for sale and it sold within a week. That's one of Harley's good points, it has good resale value and its desirable (hence the quick sale) Needless to say, I went out and picked up my very own Tbird and have been loving it very much. I love bikes, all kinds of bikes and there is nothing wrong with that.

The poor guy who asked a simple question about purchasing a Dyna or Tbird just heard the typical if it aint a Harley, it aint a bike. If I were forced to sell one of my bikes right now let's just say it would not be the Triumph.

Like inflatable dolls, others prefer the real thing.

[ColeDog]

The new Thunderbird is a nice bike for cruiser. Reviews for it have been really positive.

For me, I think it will be interesting to see how Triumph does introducing a brand new bike into such a down economy. I would guess that if they can get enough on the street to where they were taking away from the Japanese cruiser market they would have to call that a success.

I just don't see Triumph prying away too many hard-core HD riders, unless they were old school Triumph riders from decades passed...but even then I would think that they would be pulled more by nostalgia (see Triumph Bonneville or Thruxton) and as a second ride instead.

I don't like cruisers, just not my style...so it ain't for me.

I don't care where a bike is made, (mine was made in England) I just care that they get ridden.

-CD

[EnGage]

I’m 50 and needed to switch to a cruiser this year because of a bad knee. I’ve grown up around Harley’s and have wanted one my whole life, but I opted for the Thunderbird.

To me, this is not a right or wrong decision. Harley is an American icon, has great bikes and their bikes come with a lot of nostalgia and that’s what a lot of people want. For the same reason, the Triumph line of classic bikes – Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler are very popular as evidenced by some of the posts here.

In fact, Triumph and HD share many similarities. Both are not Japanese. Both have a long heritage, built great bikes, ran into trouble, lost their quality, rebuilt themselves and both make great bikes again.

I like the nostalgia aspect to a point, but technology generally wins me over and the Thunderbird has a fantastic engine: water-cooled, dual over head cams, fuel injected, 4 valves per cylinder, six-speed, constant mesh, helical tranny, etc. and the bike handles like a dream (which is great when I am trying to keep up with my son on his FJR).

Because I opt for technology, I spent a lot of time at the Harley dealer looking at V-RODS, but the Thunderbird handling won me over.

Unlike a lot of Triumph owners, however, I am not married to the brand (or any brand). I also recognize that Harley has some outstanding engineering and has introduced many motorcycle “firsts”. I just want to see Harley put their new engine technology into more cruiser lines. That will get me back to the dealer.

[tallroller]

Originally Posted by EnGage

I’m 50 and needed to switch to a cruiser this year because of a bad knee. I’ve grown up around Harley’s and have wanted one my whole life, but I opted for the Thunderbird.

To me, this is not a right or wrong decision. Harley is an American icon, has great bikes and their bikes come with a lot of nostalgia and that’s what a lot of people want. For the same reason, the Triumph line of classic bikes – Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler are very popular as evidenced by some of the posts here.

In fact, Triumph and HD share many similarities. Both are not Japanese. Both have a long heritage, built great bikes, ran into trouble, lost their quality, rebuilt themselves and both make great bikes again.

I like the nostalgia aspect to a point, but technology generally wins me over and the Thunderbird has a fantastic engine: water-cooled, dual over head cams, fuel injected, 4 valves per cylinder, six-speed, constant mesh, helical tranny, etc. and the bike handles like a dream (which is great when I am trying to keep up with my son on his FJR).

Because I opt for technology, I spent a lot of time at the Harley dealer looking at V-RODS, but the Thunderbird handling won me over.

Unlike a lot of Triumph owners, however, I am not married to the brand (or any brand). I also recognize that Harley has some outstanding engineering and has introduced many motorcycle “firsts”. I just want to see Harley put their new engine technology into more cruiser lines. That will get me back to the dealer.

Rehauled 2009 tourers did not do it for you?
New 2010 line up neither?
Why don't you get M109R then like the other guy wondering around the forum? At least you get 127 HP stock. Oh, and it shares the same thing as Harleys and Triumphs - it ain't Chinese

[Motive]

I've already got a New bike, my next would be old as hell...