New Thunderbird Commander
Triumph’s new 2014 Thunderbird Commander plants its fat bum in the “fat custom” sales arena. Pitching against the purveyors of fat, Harley Davidson. A 1699cc engine is claimed to be willing so it’s already beaten its American competition right there.
The Commander features a improved seat design for better comfort and perhaps more important for us loony sportsbike riders, the high quality foot-boards have replaceable skid plates, so you can grind them in to the floor like a hero.
Further practical touches include a coded key immobiliser, self-cancelling indicators, a massive 22 litre fuel tank with off-centre filler cap and a well-appointed, tank-mounted dash console including classic analogue-style speedometer.
Propelled by the World’s largest capacity parallel twin motorcycle engine, the new Commander generates a torque-rich riding experience. Powered by a pair of saucer-sized forged pistons, the 1699cc eight-valve, DOHC engine’s uneven 270° firing interval and long-stroke design produces a potent 94PS (93bhp) at 5400rpm and a huge 151Nm (111lb.ft) of torque at just 3550rpm. Again it’s beating its American opposition with ease.
Revised steering geometry to accommodate new, ultra-wide, 17 inch tyres, the new Thunderbird Commander should even handle well. Is anyone at Harley Davidson taking notes.
The bike’s handling is further enhanced by a chassis specification worthy of sportier bikes; featuring shrouded 47mm Showa forks, twin 5-way preload adjustable Showa rear shocks, Nissin calipers on 310mm floating discs up front and a single Brembo caliper and 310mm disc at the rear. Triumph’s anti-lock brake system comes as standard.
The Thunderbird Commander comes in two, two-tone paint options – Lava Red / Crimson Sunset or Phantom Black / Storm Grey and will be available in authorised dealers in Spring 2014.
New Thunderbird LT
Triumph has produced an LT version of the Thunderbird. Light Touring in case you were wondering.
Plenty of chrome and Broad chrome embellishers on the deep, two-piece front and rear mudguards, generous chrome highlights around the windshield and yokes, single front headlight and auxiliary spot lamps and massive wire-spoked wheels are just a few of the style motifs of the new LT.
The LT cruiser boasts some custom features too, such as one-off Triumph tank badges, white piping around the seat, a 1930s art deco-style rear indicator and LED tail light assemblies. Twin hand-painted coach-lines decorating the two-tone tank and mudguard paint schemes.
A pair of removable leather saddle bags, auxiliary spot lamps and the World’s first white-walled radial tyres riding on wide, wire-spoked rims, all come as standard item on the LT.
The LT comes with a look-over windshield made from 4.5mm thick, Quantum-coated polycarbonate developed to minimise buffeting. The shield is secured firmly in place by spring-loaded retainers yet, when unlocked, can be detached by hand in a matter of seconds to give a completely different look and feel to the bike.
The LT’s spec is similar to the Commander, with the same engine, but 16inch wheels and different brakes grace the end of the springy bits.
Available from authorised Triumph dealers in Spring 2014, the Thunderbird LT is available in Caspian Blue / Crystal White or Lava Red / Phantom Black.
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