Triumphrat

06-29-2006

I am now an official owner of a 2002 Triumph Thunderbird, and an official member of TriumphRat!! Looking forward to learning a lot about the bike. I will be putting the "Search" function to work for what you all have done as far as a bit more comfortable seat....I noticed that Corbin does not sell a seat of this year of bike (I have a Corbin on my R1150GS).

Brian
Granville OH

Rincewind · 06-29-2006

Welcome to the world of Triumphs! That's a very nice garage you have there with the Tbird and BMW GS, Brian.

On the seat issue, if you send Corbin your seat, I think they'll build off of the existing seat pan. There's also the Triumph King & Queen seat available which gets good reviews here.

I just got my stock seat back from Peter at Butt Buffer. He scooped out some foam and inserted two Butt Buffer pads, which are made of a medical-grade gel material developed to prevent bed sores. I like the look of the stock seat and wanted to keep with that. So far so good - I'll know better how it works after this weekend's getaway.

MickMaguire · 06-29-2006

Options:

1. send it to Corbin or Sargent for a rebuild (I dont recommend the former - see other threads)

2. fit a Triumph king & Queen if you like the look (personally it looks too sofa-esque for me)

3. fit a Legend seat - straight bolt on that is more comfortable with a stock look.

4. Get a pug-ugly but very comfortable russell "day long"

5. Mod the seat yourself - jimmyj900 did some foam work on his Adventurer seat to improve the comfort - I'm sure he'd share some tips

6. Fit the TBS solo seat - requires work but it is a bit more comfortable.

Other options woudl be an air hawk or similar or good old bicycle shorts.

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2006-06-29 06:41 ]

Tre900 · 06-29-2006

Cool, another Ohio British bike guy!! Looks like your near Columbus and I'm on the west side of cleveland so just let me know when you need an excuse for a trip and we can meet half way along with the other Ohio guys for some bike ogiling.

If you check out the biker hang out thread there's an Ohio ride being put together for July 7th (I think) but I'll be out of town which sux!

As for the seat issue I have two points which I suggest you do an advanced search on using this forum (Hinkly Classic Triples).

1) Corbin, great seats the worst company to deal with.

2) If your issue is comfort consider at Hagon aftermarket rear shock.

Seat for the butt, Shock for the back.

Good luck and have fun riding that bad boy!! Also check the classifieds thread you might find a seat for that year bike there.

Jimmie

06-29-2006

Thanks for all of the suggestions on the seat issue. I have read some of the threads concerning the lack of customer service with Corbin....luckily, I have never had to deal with the CS reps there. I will be checking out my options....did read somewhere where someone used a latch from an older TBird and was able to hook up a Corbin....

I am always looking for a reason to ride.....I spend a good amount of time riding around the "Amish country" area in Holmes county (when I am not mowing grass or doing some other domestic chores)...Southern OH is not bad either (routes 555,26 and 664) are some of my favorites.

The GS is a great bike as well...I usually try to head out west once a year to ride through Colorado....this year was spent riding through VA, NC, TN. Great bike for long rides.

I am so excited about this bike! Always liked Triumphs, not sure why it took so long to get one....good to be here!

jp99tbirdnm · 06-29-2006

Welcome aboard, you'll really enjoy the T-Bird. Just be prepared to answer a lot of questions anytime you stop.

Mojoinco · 06-30-2006

Ah, I just went through some of the same country. But today I took a ride in the high country west of Denver. So nice. Such a great ride! If you come out, drop a line!