Triumph Thunderbird

Triumph Thunderbird

To say we were a bit disappointed when the Triumph Thunderbird 1600 was revealed would be an understatement. Now, it seems that Thunderbird’s depressingly mediocre nature is all part of Triumph’s plan; they want customers to be lured by the potential of a 1600cc bike that’s neither Japanese nor a Harley, but necessitate the purchase of expensive aftermarket accessories in order to get it to look and perform like it should. Taking a page directly from Harley’s playbook, Triumph will offer in excess of 100 add-ons for the Thunderbird, available directly from dealers or a website specifically created for the purpose that will launch next month. In addition to the usual selection of handlebars and exhausts, there will also be a kit to take the engine out to 1700cc, or as Triumph would like us to call it, 104ci.