Triumphrat

Tigeralorange

I think we know what the result will be anyway!

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Orange 2008 Tiger 1050.

Black & yellow 2003 Thunderbird Sport.

Black 1995 Mk. 1 Speed Triple registered in 1997.

Cyclepath

To be clear, the earlier design with the two pipes on the right side were all 1998s and 1999s. The later design was built on years 2000, 2003, and 2004. There were no 2001 or 2002 TBSs. If you prefer the later version (as I do) it then comes down to color choice. The 2000s were all white w/tangerine accents (cream sickle) the 2003s were all Tangerine w/black accents, and the 2004s were all black w/yellow accents.

As to the Thrux, I have ridden them both back to back. I have a car business, but I do buy and sell a fair amount of Triumph and BMW motorcycles. I've sold many Thruxs, and have had ample opportunity to test ride them. Not to crap on the Thrux, or to start a forum war, but the Thrux comes stock with "value" based suspension front and rear. I do not find the same confidence inspiring handling when i ride them. I'm sure you can throw enough $$ at it and improve that, but you'd still have a 59 hp twin rather than an 82+ HP triple pulling you out of the turns.

Hope this helps.

Birch

Thanks, Cyclepath. It sure does. Stumble across a good one and I fly and ride would be in my future !!

And thanks for the heads up on the years. I would love a later version for sure, and my only real reason for considering a Bonnie/Thrux is just there's more of them to be had.

I ran a spread sheet and I could have two TBS's for the price of one modded Bonnie/Thrux. Again, not starting a war here. In fact, if I was 5'10" instead of 6'3", I'd have a Bonnie in the garage today. I discovered TBS's while looking at Bonnies.

I have I guess months and months to hunt a TBS down now that winter is here. Hopefully patience will pay off.

petermholmes

You're definitely in the majority when it comes to riding position. My complaint with that position is that, by the time I get to about 80mph, I feel as if I have to hang on to the bars for dear life to stay on the bike.

I prefer what I call the "classic European" position, which is how the Tbird Sport is setup. Slight forward lean, and at about 60mph the wind takes the weight completely off my wrists. I find it very comfortable over the long haul, even at high speeds.

Black engines on a retro bike? Depends on which direction you retro...





That having been said, I think polished aluminum looks better too.



I just hate keeping it clean and polished.

Maybe yes, maybe no. When I sold it this past summer, the powdercoat on my 13 year old TBS still looked like new. The paint on my '00 TBS is in the same condition. It's pretty darned tough stuff.

Birch

Peter... I agree with the position. I'm wondering if I put rear sets and clubmans or S3 bars on, will I get to that type of potsition?

petermholmes

One word of advice; the good ones go in a heartbeat. I put my '99 on Craigslist with an asking price of $4250 (plus $250 for a sissy bar and luggage rack which I knew I wasn't going to get). Two days later it sold it for $4000. The guy agreed to buy it from looking at the pictures with the caveat that he wanted to test ride it first (fine by me, as long as I've got the money in hand). He picked it up that weekend.

For what it's worth, Googling:

Thunderbird Sport site:craigslist.org

will get you the list of bikes for sale on Craigslist for the whole country.

Good luck!

petermholmes

I'd try a stock TBS first. You may find you like it just fine as is. I did.

Army Mom

I have a 1999 Legend if you want the sporty bike. It's the naked sport version of the T-bird, flat black engine, 900 triple, in obsidian black. This bike is a bit too fast for me; I'm being told I need to speed up and keep up the RPMs, so I've decided to sell my Legend and get the slightly slower Speedmaster. Let me know if you would be interested in it. It's in excellent condition and only has 15,000 miles on it. I'm located in Dawsonville, Georgia, so you'd have to come after it, but since the Legend is a rare motorcycle, especially one in this condition, you wouldn't be disappointed in it.

BigAl8295

Just keep the Legend and grow into it. You'll get tired of the Speedmaster and wish you still had the Legend.

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FCR-39 Carbs, Sprint Cams, British Customs Predator Exhaust, K&N Pod Filters, Nology Coils, Ignitech Ignitor, Progressive Fork Springs, ZX-6R shock, and one bad ass Horn Cover!
Charm City Mods vs Rockers Rally

lovecuba

+++ 100 on that!