Triumph Thunderbird: Specs, Features, Background, Performance, & More

When it comes to buying a reliable motorcycle that delivers, the Triumph Thunderbird is a top choice among American cruiser enthusiasts. With a sleek silhouette, sporty engine, a comfortable saddle, and elevated handlebars, the bike is the personification of elegance.

Another advantage would be if this bike can be customized for tours and camping trips by installing motorcycle luggage and other essential aftermarket parts.

Unfortunately, this perfect ride couldn’t meet emission standards and was discontinued in 2018. But there is still hope that the Thunderbird will make a thunderous comeback with better fuel and exhaust systems.

In the meanwhile, you can enjoy thrilling rides on the Triumph Thunderbird by renting or buying it from the second-hand market. Read this article to learn all the necessary information, including detailed specs, performance, background, and more.

The first production phase of the Triumph Thunderbird dates back to 1949. The production of the 650 cc bikes lasted for 17 years, until the Triumph Thunderbird was discontinued in 1966.

In 1995, the cruiser market saw a resurgence of the Thunderbird 900 as Hinckley engineers redesigned the engine with a vintage look and better torque at low rpm range.

In 1998, a sportier version of the bike, designated as the Triumph Thunderbird, was also launched so that riders could enjoy a more aggressive ride.

The standard variant of Thunderbird was discontinued in 2003, and the Thunderbird Sport was discontinued in 2004.

The Thunderbird variants introduced between 1995 to 2004 were either roadsters or sports bikes. These heavy bikes were a mix of sportbikes and tourers and featured a 320 mm front disc brake with twin-piston calipers, non-adjustable front suspension, and a 16-inch wide rear tire. The bikes had an overall weight of 525 lbs and had slow handling due to their heavy weight.

In 2009, Triumph reintroduced the Thunderbird that boasted a 1597 cc motor. The liquid-cooled DOHC engine featured a six-speed transmission and an efficient belt final drive. The Thunderbirds produced during this time were classified as reliable cruisers with a relaxed seating position.

For the first two models of the lineup in 2009 and 2010, the motorcycle company promoted a shiny chromed cover for the clutch system with the original Thunderbird logo.

In 2011, the Thunderbird Storm variant with blacked-out parts and 1700 cc engine was launched. The Thunderbird Storm’s clutch cover had the same paper dart emblem, but it also featured the word “Storm.”

2014 marked the launch of the Thunderbird LT and Commander models.

The details of all bikes are provided in the chart below:

Though new variants of the Thunderbird were introduced to the market, the bikes didn’t undergo any significant mechanical changes.

From 2013 onwards, the Thunderbird featured a standard ABS system.

Other than this upgrade, the changes were restricted to new color schemes. Here are the details:

All Thunderbird motorcycles were discontinued after 2018.

One look at the Thunderbird’s heavy chrome details and sophisticated engine will enchant you. From non-inverted front forks, headlight nacelle, handlebars, mirror, engine covers, and side covers, everything is covered in shiny chrome.

The teardrop fuel tanks and fenders are color matched. The highly finished paint jobs complement the bike’s superior build.

The Thunderbird is a beast with its 1600 cc parallel twin engine. Though the engine is liquid-cooled, the cylinder heads feature cooling fins as a stylish design.

The double overhead camshafts (DOHC) allow for larger generation of power.

The chromed engine covers enhance the bike’s appeal by hiding the liquid-cooling system. With a torque of 149.5 Nm at 2750 rpm and 84 hp, this bike’s stunning engine boasts astonishing performance statistics.

The electronic fuel injection works well. Large pipes are attached to the cylinder heads for increased air flow and greater engine power outputs.

When introduced in 1995, the Thunderbird was a sporty bike. But after 2009, the Thunderbird was introduced as a cruiser with sporty attitude. However, they are more agile and offer exceptional maneuverability.

The six-speed transmission smoothly translates the engine’s power to the rear wheel via a belt final drive made of Kevlar.

The Thunderbird is equipped with the world’s best Showa suspensions. But some riders still complain that the suspensions don’t handle bumps well. The only explanation is that the Thunderbird is a cruiser and is designed for a riding experience distinct from sports bikes.

The Thunderbird’s brakes are reliable as the 310 mm double disc at the front and a single disc at the rear brings the bike to an immediate stop with their Nissin and Brembo piston calipers. The later models came with a standard ABS system for maximum braking power and stability.

The Thunderbird makes contact with the road with its large cast aluminum wheels covered with tubeless tires. The 120 mm front tire and the 200 mm rear tire give this bike stability and a dominant cruiser look.

The laid back handlebars and elevated rider seat bring out the sporty character of the bike. On the other hand, the forward-mounted foot pegs suit its cruiser frame.

The Thunderbird offers a comfortable riding position and a plush, well-cushioned seat. You can easily travel up to 100 miles on this bike without getting sores and aches. However, if you want to modify this bike to go on longer routes, then you may find its level of comfort lacking.

This bike is equipped with basic analog instruments such as a clock, speedometer with an integrated rev counter, a fuel gauge, and LCD tripmeter. All these instruments are tank-mounted. The motorcycle is also equipped with a bar-mounted scroll button.

For visibility, the motorcycle is fitted with a simple headlight, turn signals, and a tail light. The single headlight offers limited night time visibility as it does not allow you to see farther down the road.

The Triumph Thunderbird motorbike has an estimated top speed range of 120-124 mph.

The Triumph Thunderbird possesses a powerful engine that displaces 1597 cc.

The Triumph Thunderbird’s engine can generate a maximum horsepower of 97 hp.

The Triumph Thunderbird is a middleweight cruiser that weighs 679 lbs on an empty fuel tank.

Due to its six-speed transmission, fuel injected engine, two-into-one exhaust, and DOHC configuration, the Thunderbird is a fuel-efficient bike. It has an average mileage of 38 mpg.

After 2017, Triumph discontinued the production of its Thunderbird models as they failed to meet strict emission standards.

The Triumph Thunderbird 900 was a roadster while the Thunderbird was a cruiser. For details, see the table below:

The Thunderbird is a reliable cruiser motorcycle with adequate touring capability. This naked bike comes with a 1597 cc motor that generates large amounts of torque for relaxed urban and highway cruising.

However, a few add-ons are required to make this highly adaptable commuter into a tourer. The bike lacks luggage racks, saddlebags, fairings, crash bars, sissy bars, and rider and passenger backrest. You can customize it for touring by adding these extra parts.

Moreover, the forward mounted footpegs and high handlebars can make the ride uncomfortable after 100-200 miles. This can be fixed as you can replace the original handlebars with aftermarket ones. The footpeg position can also be adjusted.

Once you take care of the luggage and riding position, the next thing you need to change is the rider and passenger seat. The Triumph Thunderbird was designed for daily commutes. And the driver and passenger seats serve that purpose well. However, they fail to meet the touring comfort levels, so a replacement may be necessary.