I
noticed that I'm just about the only person to frequent this
site who rides a Triumph motorcycle as their primary bike. So
with that said I thought I could provide a little insight into
Triumphs motorcycles and the Thunderbird in particular.
Triumph
began much like most other motorcycle manufacturers in the early
1900's, producing bicycles with small engines on them. They
began importing them into the U.S. after WWII. They have a long
and color full history that will give any Harley rider a lump
in their throat. Triumph's main claim to fame has been in racing
during the early years. Isle of man TT is where they set many
records for speed and endurance.
Why
did I choose a Triumph? The same reason a lot of people buy
Harley Davidsons. The history of the company and it's machines.
I wanted to be different. I just didn't want to drown in the
ocean of Harley's that are out there now. I also liked the the
style of the bikes. There is something to be said of British
motorcycles. They are not trying to be anything other than what
they are. Motorcycling at its most basic form. I know this after
riding mine for the past 2 years, I've not run into another
bike like mine yet. It's like I'm the only Triumph rider out
there and I like that. I can't tell you how many times I've
had total strangers come up to me and tell me about their old
Bonneville's. Most are Harley owners who started on a Triumph
motorcycle and wish they still had them.
I
purchased my T-bird new off the floor and got it out the door
for under list price. So there is some room to haggle with price.
My bike is powered by an 885cc inline triple. It has approximately
70 hp and weighs around 485 pounds without fuel. The tank holds
4 gallons of gas and I'm getting around 56 mpg on mostly country
roads cruising around 60 mph. The ride is firm but I wouldn't
call it harsh. The bike is very responsive to input on the handle
bar. It came with Pirelli radial tires and spoked rims. The
fit and finish of the bike is very good. As good as anything
I've seen. It starts quickly and runs smoothly. At speed there
is a slight buzz at around 3000 rpm but goes away moments later.
It has a 6 speed transmission and "snicks" through
the gears without missing a shift. It has a flat wide seat that
starts out being comfortable then becomes less than that after
around an hour and a half. I've taken mine on long trips to
include Interstate travel and two lane roads in the mountains
of North Georgia and I can tell you that the Interstate is not
what this bike was built for. It has more than enough power
to keep a grin on anyone's face and handles like it's on rails.
Accessories
are expensive for this bike. No one makes stuff for Triumphs
except Triumph. You can find the odd exhaust system out there
but the market is very slim. So it's very much like owning a
Harley when it comes to buying genuine parts. Everything is
"a hundred dollars" and goes up from there. I'm very
happy with my choice of ride and have had no problems or regrets
to date. It does have a chain to turn the rear wheel so there
is some maintenance that has to be done rather frequently. The
build is solid and straight forward. It's a throw back to an
earlier time without the oil leaks and carb problems of "the
good ole days".
Dennis
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Rider
Review: 2002 Triumph Thunderbird