Triumphrat

Bodger · 08-04-2005, 05:34 AM

I am of the opinion that the Thunderbird Sport would be better served in the Sports and Touring section because the set up, ie. suspension, engine power mods and riding style are more akin to the bikes in that section.

What do you think?

I also think that it would easier to disseminate the information for bike mods for those who want to make there Tbirds more like TBS's.

vonbonds · 08-04-2005, 09:35 AM

Most sport-touring bikes have three things over the TBS. Most if not all ST bikes have fairings that protect the rider from the elements, most have larger fuel capacities than the TBS and finally most have hard luggage available as an accessory if not part of the bike at sale.

zimtok · 08-04-2005, 09:56 AM

Vonbonds has a point that I think puts the TBS more into the sport Genre.

But being a TBS owner I also know that this is not a full sport bike in todays thinking. I can see how Bodger would want to put it into a ST class. I think of it more as somewhere in between. Kind of like a naked ST/cafe style.

This is the reason I decided on the TBS, it is sporty and I can still sit upright when I get tired of leaning over. (which seems to happen more often as I get older)

Saigon5 · 08-04-2005, 10:38 AM

The TBS may be sportier than the Thunderbird but I think that one has to be realistic. The TBS is quite far from a sport bike or a tourer. I like to dream and try to enhance the performance of it but I do not have the impression that it will ever be a sport bike.

For touring, I own a Sprint ST, not really in the same class.

Bodger · 08-04-2005, 04:15 PM

The problem is no one knows what to call these type if bikes.
Reading reviews on other bikes, GSX1400 and Bandit 1200. the reviewers call them "naked big engine bikes" and then go on to describe the low to mid engine grunt, good handling and comfortable ride. Well suited to touring, commuting with some sporty performance.
A sports tourer?
You can slap a fairing onto any bike if you so wanted. Hard luggage and racks are abundant. I ride with two GSX 1400 and a 1200 bandit, not to mention a couple of Ninjas and a GSXR something. Except for the silly flat out banzai blasts over the Mendips, i can keep up with all these bikes with a bit of effort.
My beef is the TBS being classed as a cruiser, you know like a Harley, and there are lots of posts about Tbird's suspension and set up etc, but trying to find the mods that pertain to the TBS re. suspension set up, is time consuming. When you find something good, and then try to find it again, well if i had any hair it would be pulled out. And don't talk to me about Goggle, i don't think it does the posts, AAAARRRRRR.

Apart from that, this is a brilliant forum!
I just wish the info was more categorized.

FDTrumph · 08-04-2005, 08:24 PM

Please dont throw me out I like it here........
Most of the time when I ride with other people it's the cruiser harley crowd. And it is a Hinkley Classic and brother to the Thunderbird, Legend, Adventurer etc..

idahotb · 08-04-2005, 08:56 PM

When my TBS was my only bike and I started doing a fair bit of touring; I outfitted it with risers, a windsreen, tank and tail bags, etc. to make it better for touring. And it did okay. Then I got my Sprint with the hard luggage and started using it for long trips, and man it eats up the miles. After a while I took all that stuff off of my TBS and it got more and more fun to ride. It will do it all, but to me it is really a great "day bike", and just a hell of alot of fun to ride. That's what sold me on it in the first place.

vwvectors · 08-05-2005, 02:01 AM

My 00 TBS is a fantastic ride but my 04 ST is like being pushed by a British angel . It's an apples to oranges comparision IMO .

bigeffinpimp · 08-08-2005, 09:23 AM

I am going to have to agree with most of the folks in the forum. The TBS as well as the T-bird, Legend, and Adventurer are classics and shoudn't be classed differently just because it would be easier to find info on mods and such. I love my bike both for a "day bike" and for a "tourer", but its no ST. I say keep them the way they are supposed to be; sporty classics. Besides, they get more look than Bandits and the other wanna-bees.

Bear · 08-08-2005, 09:31 AM

I have my Harley for serious rideing, my TBS for day trips and short overnighters to some good roads..I would never do any long distance tours on the TBS, just not configered enough for a 6' 240 lber. and just who coined the idea that it is a classic?? When I think of Classic I think of a bike 25 years old or older?? Just me that thinks like that?