Triumphrat

DOUBLEL · 03-02-2008

I heard on good information that the new 1700 Cruiser will be called Thunderbird! Anybody else heard this? I understand the Dealers will see it first hand in London this Summer. This sounds promising and supposedly, it won't look like the spy shots that have been kicked around.

Brooksie · 03-02-2008

I'm hoping that the T-Bird name comes back in some shape or form. It would make sense since it will be a beast of a vertical twin. I was thinking it would be Hurricane or Rocket II. Either way, it will exciting to see this beast of an engine. Matt Capri probably has a big bore kit and cmas in one that'll pull 135 hp.

road_dog · 03-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOUBLEL

and supposedly, it won't look like the spy shots that have been kicked around.

We can hope. But if it does look like the bike in the spy shots, they might wanna call it Blunderturd, not Thunderbird.

KingOfFleece · 03-03-2008

Yep, Thunderbird it is. Orders cannot be placed until the meeting in Great Britten.

Silverado57 · 03-03-2008

I heard it'll be a 1620 and called the Mayflower.

yonder · 03-03-2008

That's cool. They really need something between the uber-light Bonneville and the super-sized Rocket III. The spy pics may have just been of a test mule for the new engine so I wouldn't read too much into those.

One concern though is that I hope they don't try to make this a Harley ripoff. Somehow make it a decidedly British bike, even though it is a big displacement cruiser.

tc_dick · 03-03-2008

The picture from before kinda make it look like a UHK (Universal Harley Knockoff). I hope it looks better than that.

I guess it doesn't matter much either way, as I won't be swapping out my bonnie any time soon.

SMGray · 03-03-2008

I would like to see this bike look like a bigger version of the Bonneville. Triumph doesn't need a cruiser anywhere except maybe the United States, and even here in the US they would be going up against some strong competition.

I think of Triumph riders past and present more as purists. Function over form or something like that. Would a Harley or Jap cruiser rider visit the Triumph dealer and really consider the big parrallel twin if it was a cruiser? I think not. Would non-cruiser riders visit the Triumph dealer to get the big vertical twin because it had comfortable standard riding position and handled like a motorcycle should? I think so. Just my thoughts.

I've got an '07 Silverado that I wouldn't trade for a like-sized Triumph cruiser, but I would trade it for a HUGE Bonneville

Old Scratcher · 03-03-2008

I don't care what they call it, or how they tart it up. It's too big & heavy for me, so I'll never want one.
However, I sincerely hope that it's a raging success in it's target market. As that would give Triumph more cash to pursue what I'd really like to see them tackle. & that's a serious assault on Ducati & the Japs, in WSB & Moto GP.
That's the way forward for a racing marque like Triumph. IMO

SHILOH · 03-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scratcher

I don't care what they call it, or how they tart it up. It's too big & heavy for me, so I'll never want one.
However, I sincerely hope that it's a raging success in it's target market. As that would give Triumph more cash to pursue what I'd really like to see them tackle. & that's a serious assault on Ducati & the Japs, in WSB & Moto GP.
That's the way forward for a racing marque like Triumph. IMO

That would be great, Triumph on the podium again. In superbike, it could be a twin even, but Moto GP, I don't think so.

How is Triumph doing with their Supersport team racing the Daytona 675 in WSS (I think)?