Triumphrat

Jamo · 08-12-2005

I've just been a Tiger owner and a Speedmaster drooler and I never really learned anything about the bikes in this section. Are they triples? I had been thinking they were twins. Could someone tell me everything there is to know about the 'Hinkley Classics'? Maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a used one. WHich is the best? why were they discontinued?

JWoodsie · 08-13-2005

900 cc Triple, all carburetted. The TBS IMNSHO is the more desirable.
I Have an 02 Tbird with 50,000 klms on it, nary a problem with it. The seats are hard and uncomfortable, I just had mine restuffed. Early model had starter clutch problems.
They sere discontinued because they were not selling well. Triumph says they were discontinued because the tooling was worn out and that the model had run its course anyway. The red ones go faster. Not mush else to add except the TBS has 17inch wheels, much easier to get tyres for. And they aremore comfortable, with a few more ponies than the stock TB.
Heres some pictures of mine.Jims TBird

glgavin · 08-13-2005

Aloha Jamo.

The original *Classics* were the Thunderbird, Adventurer, Thunderbird Sport and Legend in that order. All were 885 carbie triples based on the T3 modular motor. The current *Classics* are the Bonnie variants which are twins.

The official reason for the retirement of the Classic Triple was worn out engine tooling and sluggish sales compared to the Bonnie. The 2004 TBS was the last of em. Basically it was the end of the T3 885 motor that was (IIRC) used in the entire triple line.

The TBS is the sportier version of the family, as the Thruxton is to the Bonnie family. With the 98/99 TBS one gets Ankrot alloy rims. The steel rims of the Legend are used on the 2000/03/04 models.

The 2000 on models have a dual exhaust system with a silencer placed low on each side of the bike. The 98/99 bikes had a dual silencer placed X75 Hurricane style on the right side of the bike. If you ride solo the 98/99 bikes (red or yellow) are the bomb. Packing? The 2k plus bikes are better (white, orange or black).

The 98/99 bikes incorporated a sport bike style grip with (IMHO) little comfort but feedback while the 2k plus bikes use a grip introduced on the Legend. Better comfort, less feedback. I still use the Legend grip.

I don't know when it happened but the finish on the frame changed from gloss to matte.

On some 98 and maybe 99 bikes the engine clutch cover may have Triumph in the casting while others are smooth. An aftermarket chrome cover was available with Triumph cast in it for the Thunderbird and Adventurer. It also fits the TBS and Legend. My guess is that some of those castings were power coated for the early TBS mills.

98/99 TBS bikes had Avon tires that stuck to the ground but were scary in the wet. Again, don't know when they changed but the 04 has Metzeler MEz4 tires which provide great all around performance in all conditions and longevity.

Two of the T3 issues that plague some of the T3 Classics involves the alternator impeller bolt and coils. The bolt may break and the coils may fail.

That's the best I can remember. With 81k miles on my 98 TBS (red) I won't let it go. I ride a 2K Tiger (885i) for commuting and when the weekend arrives it's still TBS time.

TBSstunta · 08-13-2005

If any of the TBSes are going to be collectable, its going to be the 98/99 models with the two pipes on one side. The 2K+ bikes are considerably more comfortable for the passenger, but at the cost of some attitude.