I don't think there were any secrets or subterfuge related to the market that Triumph was targeting with the Thunderbird series. Clearly, HD has long dominated this segment of the cruiser market from a share standpoint.
The Tbird's styling, engine displacement, and even the 270 degree firing interval were all designed to capture the cruiser feel, but with a parallel twin rather than just another V-twin approach. I was actually stunned to see the physical similarities in person when I saw my black Tbird next to my brother-in-law's black Fat Bob. It was also stunning to watch his engine vibrate so violently every time we came to a stop.
After a day of riding, he volunteered without prompting that mine seemed like a much better deal from a price and feature standpoint, but he really only looked at HD because there aren't any other MC dealerships in his part of TX. Even the HD dealer is 30 miles away from him.
But folks should buy what they like. I went mostly by head-to-head online reviews, and sitting on/starting the bikes at various dealers, trying to get a feel of the personal fit. I've never ridden a Harley, but I have felt the ridiculous vibrations and watched the mirrors blur while sitting at idle in the showroom. Also, I'm always caught off-guard when HD riders walk up to me at service stations and quasi-biker hangouts, asking if that's the new Triumph, and telling me how much they like my bike. I would never buy one for that reason, but I feel like I made a great choice.
Ride and decide...
Jeff