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End of the road for the Thunderbird line?

86K views 354 replies 65 participants last post by  steve59 
#1 · (Edited)
While I was hanging out waiting for my new tires to be installed, I chatted up the Sales Mgr. He essentially said it was the end of the line for the Thunderbird. Not that it won't be reincarnated in some manner down the road but he said he expects the TBird line to go away for a while since none in the pipeline for 2017. He stated the Storm was the most popular Bird for their shop, but the Commander and LT were not good sellers. Keep in mind he was not dogging the TBird, just saying not a great seller in his region and Corporate emphasis is on the modern classics.

Interestingly enough, he said the new T120 and Thrux were flying off the floor but not so much the Street Twin. He's been dealer trading Street Twins for T120s.
 
#192 ·
If you have the stock parts and swap them back on the bike I expect the dealer will give you the same for your trade and you can recoup some of the acc money. I know dealers locally pay nothing for acc's.
 
#193 ·
Same here. Dealers pay nothing for accessories. I do have all of the stock parts. My problem is that I need to stay away from dealers. I actually love my bird.. but every time I go to a dealer.. I get the bug for something new. Lol. If only I could find a way to convince the wife that I "need" a second bike. :neutral_face:
 
#194 ·
Same here. ..... If only I could find a way to convince the wife that I "need" a second bike. :neutral_face:
Well, yeah!!
As my brother once told my wife, "You have to have stuff to sell off when you need the money!"
(it's only common sense, dear!)
How much for the chrome wheels?
 
#198 ·
Speaking of Indians...

I test rode a Chieftan Limited a couple months ago at a demo event. I say test rode, but the Indian dealership around here had a really lame route for the test ride. I got out of third gear once. I don't think we went over 40mph the whole time. So it was more like a test crawl. They aren't that far away from some highways so they could have probably done better.

The bike is nice... some of the controls feel a little cheap but the handling seemed great. I felt almost like I was riding a 300 pound bike, it was that easy to maneuver at low speed. I love my TBird but it seems like you really have to muscle it around compared to the Chieftan.

My other qualm with the Chieftan is that that since it's air cooled those engine jugs get HOT. About burned my damn leg off. Granted if we could have gotten those bikes up to 60 like they were built to run at it might have been a different story. But I wouldn't want to get caught in traffic for long on one of those things. I believe the newer HD touring frame bikes will actually shut off one of the cylinders at low speed if the engine gets too hot. Would probably be a nice addition to the Chieftan.

Great bikes, just can't justify the expense. (And boy are they expensive)
 
#200 ·
I don't know what it is about the tbird but rolling it around in my garage would make me check to see if the tires were flat? I can't do the creamsicle colors on the indians and the roadmaster is waay to much money.
 
#204 ·
Even if the Bird is gone, I'll keep the bike. As mentioned, it wouldn't fetch too much as a trade in with still new models available at a big discount.

In general, I hope cruisers aren't finished at Triumph because the T-Bird handles and rides great. Probably one of the best under-rated big cruisers...ever. I know the new Harley Milwaukee 8 is supposed to be a good engine, but then I'd have to stow or give up all my Triumph riding gear;) lol
 
#205 ·
It would be sad to see the Big Birds go, but ultimately it doesn't really effect my choice to own one. Turning a negative into a positive at least there wouldn't be a new model to make me feel mine is somehow inadequate :). Given the small slice of the US market left when Harley Davidson is done that everyone else fights over it seems Triumph needs to keep cruisers in their lineup. The Thunderbird is still plenty good enough to compete and a few tweaks and styling changes could keep it going for a while. The 1200 engine used in the Bonneville also seems a natural for a smaller companion in the range. Triumph wouldn't be the first manufacturer to not build or import certain model years into the States due to unsold units. I think a few years back Suzuki didn't build one current year bike for the US due to a sales slump and backlog.

I have never once seen a Thunderbird at my nearest Triumph dealership, the response to my bike from people when I stop for fuel or lunch etc. is always very positive, but you really can't expect to sell them if people don't see them. I'd reckon most people buying a cruiser probably have no idea they exist, that is the bottom line of the lack of sales IMO. It's a catch 22 when you don't have the sales to fund the necessary marketing.
 
#206 ·
I went to the local HD dealer. Pulled up on the 2015 T Bird LT. I test drove the 2018 Herratige Classic. The LT was much better in terms of comfort, less wind and smoothness. Then I test drove the 2017 107 Road Glide Special.

Bought it!! Awesome bike...Huge difference in a cruzer like my LT...and touring bike like the RGS. It was a lot of money...but worth it. Took a bath on the trade of my LT...but the way I look at it...its going to be worth less next month...so i pulled the trigger.

Anyway love the Harley.
 
#209 ·
Basically, HD will shop your non-HD trade to wholesalers and allow you whatever they can get...which isn't much. No matter how nice, it is unlikely to ever be included in their used inventory.

Congrats on the new HD! I like a couple of bikes in their 2018 line up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#211 ·
Well there it is. When you connect with a bike like that, and you have the means, it's time.

A bike is a (mostly) emotional, impulsive purchase.

I am eyeing the HD 107 Road Glide Ultra, and the Yamaha 113 Star Venture Transcontinental (when it arrives).

I took the 107 EG Ultra for a 3100 mile tour last month. Smooth, all-day comfortable, heavy to be sure, but my only real issue is looks. I don't like the batwing on Street / ElectraGlides. I much prefer the frame mounted Road Glide fairing.

I like the feature set of the Yammy, looking forward to a test ride / sit & fit when it arrives soon.

Mine 1600 Bird is paid off in the spring, and it'll be a decision on ride her one more year or move on. HD Dealer's last sight-unseen offer was $5k, so I'll probably sell privately first, with all the add-ons / mods I have done. Maybe I'll find the "right" buyer for what she's become. Because of bigger, more expensive trips planned I'll probably keep for one more, but I'm hoping for that kind of emotional connection with the next bike that you had with your new ride.

Congrats, and ride safely!
 
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#220 ·
Well spoken redhawk4 and one would say you nailed it perfectly.
My T-Bird cost me 5,200 used w/2500 miles with a trade of my 07 Stratoliner S. That bike was to be the Flagship of Yamaha in 06 when the entire market took a dump and was discontinued in 2014.

So one advanced 7 years to ABS brakes, a much more comfortable ride and above all a Triumph. Some of the engine noise was troublesome but found to be loaded with carbon deposits. I can deal with and accept the "normal OHC" noise and hope my situation is nothing more than that.

Have an old riding buddy who is "obsessed" with miles to the tune of 45k every 15 months. Used to ride a Valkyrie....that had 117K miles now a Harley dude. Due to the miles and warranty he is basically forced to trade.....so he continuously makes obscene monthly payments to satisfy the obsession. Add to that maintenance and tires.....and he is mechanically challenged.

Yamaha discontinued the RSTD, Road Star and Stratoliner now the T-Bird is in question.....4 bikes where value has plummeted.
 
#222 ·
Back in the 70-and 80's old 650's were poor mans sportster in fact a club I rode with members addressed my 650 as a sportster and I don't really think that's changed in the cruiser market. 1 riding buddy bought a R3t only because HD couldn't get him financed(long story). I still look at all these cowboys, pirates, whatever, and wonder where they came from? we're all around the same age and none of these "hardcore bikers" were anywhere to be seen until one day they decided to trade their golf clubs in on a harley and start playing dress up. These people buy harleys because that's what everybody else is doing and triumph, just like every other manufacturer is not a harley and thus undesirable to the masses. That's a good thing! Triumph doesn't need the cruiser market to remain healthy and that means better prices for us consumers and low resale only hurts if you bought the wrong bike but for those that want a tbird it's great.
 
#223 ·
I agree with VA Bird, Triumph should have put more effort into accessories, the buying public was crying for hard bags and a more touring orientated model. a frame mounted fairing on the T bird would have been awesome.

My take is triumph never fixed the "chitty-chitty, bang-bangs in the engine. Cylinder knocks at low rpm's, and noise in the top end scares away buyers, and contributes heavily to loss in values. I owned a 2014 LT and sold it after 16 months for 75% of retail value. I purchases a 2016 LT about 12 months ago and its current trade in is worth $7.5K, less than 40% after one year. When you don fix issues like this and bikes that are under warranty take forever to get resolved. Value suffers. Even the Triumph dealers can't value their product for trades on another model. This issue is far more important than marketing the models people want. Consumer Trust is important.

The dealers are forced to stock and sell what the people can ride and trust. Believe it or not we are mostly a community of working folks. Even our motorcycles are an investment of hard earned cash. When folks don't trust a model, no one aspires to own one. The dealer ceases to stock them because the margins are low and they simply cannot afford it.

So no matter how good it appears to be, almost no one knows they exist. Which means there's practically no one looking for a used one. So they sell because of the value lost and lack of trust of the manufacturer. Cut their losses!

Overall for all manufacturers in the US competing with Harley Davidson, it is virtually impossible. Not only do they dominate the market, but the buying public has somehow come to trust that Harley is big enough and reliable enough to handle the problem.

The problem, doesn't rest with a complicit motorcycle media, but with a complicit motorcycle manufacturer that doesn't respect its customer base.

I really liked the T Bird in all configurations. However something is truly wrong when a T Bird with 1,800 miles is only worth $7.5k after a single year. I hope triumph holds together, it seems their other models don't have so many issues; and I wish them well. But the buying public has borne the burden of a housing crisis, poor economy, and demises of companies like Victory. Enough is enough, success is directly proportional to the respect and service given to the folks that buy your product.
 
#226 ·
I owned a 2014 LT and sold it after 16 months for 75% of retail value. I purchases a 2016 LT about 12 months ago and its current trade in is worth $7.5K, less than 40% after one year. .
I bought a LT as a keeper so resale value means nothing to me. Who buys a bike based on resale value? If that was the case we'd all buy Harleys. My LT was better than any comparable HD at the time and remains so today. Maybe the M8 engine might have swayed me if it was around in 2014 but it wasn't, plus the price premium would still make it too expensive for what you get (in these parts anyway).
 
#224 ·
Reality is perception, or, the reality of a situation with a company is the way it is perceived by its customers.

There are a number of things that affect a bike's sales numbers. Lack of accessories was a real issue for me. Triumph knows bikes are in good part about their specs & features, about their capabilities, but also about accessories & customizing. They made a big deal about how there were "hundreds" of accessories - until they discontinued them all, that is. Aftermarkets go where the numbers are - money and quantities. Only those with a love of the product will invest themselves & their time & money into a bike, unless there is a large enough following to make it profitable in a big way.

It was an uphill battle against the gorilla in the room (HD), with Triumph getting into big cruisers. The largely American market for cruisers meant taking on the establishment. If another American company (Victory) had issues in the beginning, OF COURSE Triumph was going to struggle. It needed to be a ten year commitment in time, design, accessories (until the sales numbers came up enough for the Aftermarket to see it through). The first year, maybe two, would be exciting - the new kid on the block - but it was destined to drop off. They needed to have Revision 2 (not just 100cc bump & a color change) ready in year 3, maybe year 4 at the latest, roll out the touring frames as they did with Revision 3 at year 6 (but the lost Rev2 gave up the new kid momentum & spotlight long enough that the LT / Commander was lost in the shuffle).

Clutch cable snaps on an international trip with me as the road captain, within the warranty period. Cheap part. Opportunity to foster big goodwill - overnight it, have the local dealer make a spot to install it ASAP. Better - overnight it to my hotel so I can install it myself. Nope, has to go to a dealer, who's a 200 mile tow away. DAYS lost, others thrown into disarray because the guy who planned the trip is sidelined & had to hand the maps down the food chain while I wait for international shipping, customs, and the uppity dealer to be darned good & ready to help.

But later, out of warranty, they'll replace a hugely expensive gas tank for nothing. *shakes head*

They needed to have a buyback / loyalty trade in program - buy Rev 2, get 75% trade value - etc. to enhance longer term brand loyalty, get the cycle turning over. From a dealer perspective, they just can't try to dictate what a dealer should have on the floor, how many bikes they should have in inventory, or to be able to assess dealers' finances. Poor business practices. If a blue Bird sits on the floor at a certain for two years, you can't expect to ram another blue Bird down the dealer's throat to "maintain inventory" - you go with what's selling, mix it up. And if a dealer isn't moving cruisers but is moving Bonnies... well, you sell Bonnies!

I bought the Bird as "not-HD", like buying my old 911 was "not-corvette". Something you didn't see 10 of every day.

I sold my old 911 5 years & 50k miles later for EXACTLY what I bought it for. Not counting the extras, maintenance, tires, paint matched hard bags & top box, I'll be lucky to get 50% of my initial (discounted, leftover new) purchase price back.

I'll always have great memories of my Triumphs - as so many people who "had one in the 70's" have told me at fill ups. But, for me, this has been a learning experience in what I do, and don't want from a bike - and from its manufacturer.
 
#225 ·
When considering Triumph Thunderbird secondhand prices we shouldn't be too hard on them because if you look at all the other non HD cruisers, their used prices are all in the toilet too. I looked at a lot of brands and models prior to buying my Tbird and every one had a huge drop between new and almost new with really low miles. HD used prices can be a little misleading as the new price with all the accessories and dealer fees can be way above what you might think the price is as a casual observer going from an MSRP. The bike you see for $15k which you think was $22k new might have cost more like $30k.

The Bonneville range used to be very cheap used too if you go back 8 years or so at least in my area, but now people are asking about twice as much, I don't know if they are getting it, but they are asking about twice as much. It's probably because they have achieved some sort of following since they were first released and so you have buyers actively looking for used ones.
 
#231 ·
I wouldn't say that. We saw the mule and it's simply not a cruiser. It has the standard bonneville stance and rake and size with only the seat and possibly peg position as cruiser like. Nothing else. In other words, they just used the name but this time it's not a cruiser. Triumph has done that many times. Look at the thunderbird 1600/1700. It's as cruiser as cruisers get, yet neither the 1st thunderbird in the 50's nor the 90's thunderbird triple were cruisers. They were standards. The new speedmaster will also be a standard from the mule pics. It's a bonneville variant, and a very slight variant from the looks of it except for the bobbers mono shock. Not even remotely a cruiser in the way the previous speedmaster or america or Tbird.
 
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