Thunderbird Sport, doesn't follow the crowd (Triumph Thunderbird Sport)

Member Name: Vee Reece

Product:	Triumph Thunderbird Sport
Date:	04/10/07 (895 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good Power with Excellent Handling

Disadvantages: Poor Mirror position and could use a better Seat

The Thunderbird Sport is one of my all-time favorite motorcycles. It has classic looks, good power, excellent handling, and is just a bit different from what most other people are riding. Wherever I go my Sport garners much attention with it's red and black paint scheme and painted-on silver pin stripes.

The build quality of this Triumph is very good with seemingly alot of attention given to detail. The relaxed seating position is comfortable for me with it's flat handlebars and it's footpegs being almost directly under me. (I'm 5'9" tall and weigh 195 lbs).

The seat is a little uncomfortable after more than 150 miles but by that time the T-bird is ready for some gas and you'll welcome the chance to get off and walk around a bit. It has a tendency to slide you forward toward the gas tank so watch out for the crown jewels when braking hard. The seat is also extremely difficult to take off and put back on.

It thrives on twisty roads, carving corners as well as many sportbikes and will outrun most crusiers. It revs strong starting around 4000 rpm up to the redline and puts out that great Triumph-triple sound while doing so. I've also found the brakes to be quite adequate.

The mirrors aren't very good unless you enjoy staring at your own shoulders and could stand to be a little wider.

The Thunderbird Sport is a "missing link" of sorts. Crusier lovers saw it as more of a sportbike with it's in-line triple instead of a vertical or or V-twin. Sportbike people viewed it's styling as a classic crusier a were scared off by that.

If you are not someone to follow the crowd and had rather stand out in one instead, consider tracking down a Thunderbirt Sport. You will then have a bike capable of passing most all the crusiers and even surprising a few middle-weight sportbikes. It's a great little motorcycle.

Summary: If you can find a good one, buy it!

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