Triumph Thunderbird Set To Soar?

TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD SET TO SOAR?

ROUNDUP

A NEW TRIUMPH, THE 900cc Thunderbird, will join the lineup

when the revitalized marque spreads its wings in America later this year, according to Motor Cycle News.

A source says a bike photographed while undergoing factory tests in England is close to the production version, but Triumph says otherwise.

“We work on the basis that there is often a photographer out there,” says Michael Lock, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. sales and marketing manager. “The bike is not necessarily representative of what the finished product will look like.” Lock did say the Thunderbird will not be a traditional cruiser. “When I say that, I mean something with a low seat, pull-back bars and a kicked out front end, something that doesn’t go around corners or stop very well,” he says.

Such a bike would not fit in with the Triumph line, Lock says. Would a standard-style motorcycle fit in better?

“Perhaps,” he says.

Don Brown, an industry analyst and former vice-president of BSA’s U.S. branch, says the bike should offer confidenceinspiring performance.

“With the quality and the dedication of the engineers Triumph has, my belief is they won’t compromise with it,” he says. “With the forks the way they are, there’s no reason it wouldn’t steer well.”

Performance aside, styling is a key element in bikes of this nature. Brown says the new Triumph should score well in that respect also.

“It reminds me of an old Thunderbird I saw once that a dealer had customized,” he says. “That bike was gorgeous. I like this new one, too.” It is not clear when American riders will get a first-hand look and form their own opinions about the new Thunderbird. Lock would not confirm that the Thunderbird is a 1995 model. The matter will be resolved at the Cologne Show in early October, where Triumph will introduce its 1995 line, which Lock says includes two new motorcycles. Triumphs should arrive at U.S. dealers about two weeks after the show, he adds.

Robert Hough