Triumph Thunderbird - 2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600cc Motorcycle

I've owned and ridden Harleys exclusively since I was 22 - and not until now have I even been tempted to ride anything else. That’s how good I think the T-bird cruiser is!

2010 Thunderbird overview

The 2010 Triumph Thunderbird is apparently 99% brand new - it only inherits about 1% of it's build from its big brother, the Rocket III.

The T-bird is powered by a parallel twin 1597cc, (98 cubic inch) water cooled engine. The motor produces almost 85bhp @ 4850rpm, and almost 108ft.lb @ a very low 2750rpm (63.2kw and 146.1Nm). The Combustion gases are expelled through a very long (and wide) exhaust system, which is rated at 92dba (legal level in NSW is 94dba). Triumph also have available a shorter and slightly louder system available as an option. Read about my two favourite aftermarket Triumph Thunderbird exhaust mufflers.

The transmission has six gears, or really, 5 with an overdrive top gear. Slip into sixth, drop the revs, and the bike smoothly rumbles along the highway, even at higher speeds. The bike also uses the first belt drive to appear on a Triumph since 1922. Triumph say the belt will last the life of the bike, but the rear pulley, strangely enough, only lasts about 60,000 miles.

The dash mounted instrument panel tells you more about the road, as well as your journey, with class-leading functionality. The tank has a large speedometer, integrated tacho, two trip meters and fuel gauge, set in a chromed nacelle and proudly bearing the unique Thunderbird logo. This detailing is carried through to the indicators, which have clear lenses so as not to spoil the monochrome look and are self-cancelling - because you’d rather just concentrate on enjoying the ride. The fuel tank under the dash holds a useful 22 litres.



The standard seat is nice and low - a mere 700mm off the ground. But as expected from Triumph, this class-leading low clearance isn’t at the expense of padding. Cruise with a partner in comfort - or alone - and still plant both feet firmly on the ground at lights. The seat seams are also taped to avoid soaking up any possible rain you might get caught in.



The front wheel is a 19 x 3.5 inch cast aluminium, and the rear is 17 x 6 inch. Both wheels have spokes which are machined with such precision, you can see your face in them. Even the tyres are new. The Thunderbird team worked with Metzeler to develop bespoke profiles, with the rear being engineered to give it a look that means business at no expense to that trademark Triumph handling.

Specifications - 2010 Triumph Thunderbird

Click to enlarge:






Standard Thunderbird about AU$23,000 incl on road
ABS Thunderbird about $24,000 incl. on road
Ask your dealer for exact prices.

ENGINE

• Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, Parallel-twin, 270º firing interval
• Capacity: 1597 cc 98.0 Cubic inch
• Bore/Stroke: 103.8 x 94.3mm
• Compression: Ratio 9.7:1
• Fuel System: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection, progressive linkage on throttle

TRANSMISSION

• Primary Drive: Gear
• Final Drive: Toothed Belt
• Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
• Gearbox: 6-speed constant mesh, helical type
• Oil Capacity: 4.2 litres 1.1 US gallons

CYCLE PARTS

• Frame: Tubular Steel, twin spine
• Front Wheel: Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke 19 x 3.5 inch
• Rear Wheel: Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke 17 x 6 inch
• Front Tyre: 120 / 70 R19 Metzeler Marathon ME880
• Rear Tyre: 200 / 50 R17 Metzeler Marathon ME880
• Front Suspension: Showa 47mm forks, 120mm travel
• Rear Suspension: Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload. 95mm rear wheel travel
• Front Brakes: Twin 310mm floating discs. Nissin 4-piston fixed calipers
• Rear Brakes: Single 310mm fixed disc. Brembo 2-piston floating caliper
• ABS: Optional, dual-channel ABS
• Instrument display/functions: Tank mounted instruments assembly with large speedometer and integrated tachometer; Includes LCD to display Odometer, Trip 1, Trip 2, Fuel Gauge, Range-to-empty & Clock; Integrated instrument scroll button on handlebars; Display: Clock / Trip 1 / Trip 2 / Odometer / Fuel Gauge / Range to Empty; Warning lights Indicators / High Beam / Neutral / EMS / Fuel / Oil Pressure / Alarm / Water Temp
• Headlight: H4 60 / 55W, single reflector
• Rear Light: LED
• Indicators: Clear-lensed, self-cancelling

Excellent review by Jay Leno:


DIMENSIONS

• Length: 2340 mm 92.1 inch
• Width: (Handlebars) 880 mm 34.6 inch
• Height: 1120 mm 44.1 inch
• Seat Height: 700 mm 27.6 inch
• Wheelbase: (mm/inch) 1615 mm 63.6 inch
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 litres 5.8 US gallons
• Vertical Ground Clearance: 140 mm 5.5 inch
• Dry Weight: 308 Kgs 678 lbs
• Weight in running order: 339 Kgs 746 lbs (full tank of fuel)

PERFORMANCE (Measured at crankshaft to 95/1/EC)

• Maximum Power EC1: 86.0PS / 84.8bhp / 63.2kW @ 4850rpm
• Maximum Torque EC1: 146.1Nm/107.7ft.lbf @ 2750rpm
• Colors: Jet Black, Pacific Blue / Fusion White, Aluminium Silver / Jet Black

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