Triumph Thunderbird Storm

Thunderbird Storm. Rolling thunder.

Introduced to critical acclaim, Triumph’s Thunderbird has set new standards in the cruiser class.

Powered by the new 1600cc T-16 parallel-twin engine, the Thunderbird delivers class leading power, torque and economy figures, with a refinement previously unheard of in the mainstream cruiser market.

A welcome addition is the Thunderbird Storm, a punked up attitude filled Thunderbird with a raw edge and exciting new look.

Meet the Thunderbird’s punky cousin. Dechromed. Stripped down. More attitude than before. Distinctive twin headlights. Straight bars. Any colour you like, as long as it’s black. This is the Thunderbird Storm, the same great chassis as the award-winning Thunderbird, with more power as standard and a harder edged and more distinctive look.

With the award-winning Thunderbird as its base, it’s no surprise that the Storm comes highly specified as standard.

The edgy, stripped down, styling is complemented perfectly by the iconic twin headlights, made famous on Triumph’s legendary Rocket III and Speed Triple models, give the Thunderbird Storm a street rod look straight from the box.

And while the look may be pared back, the spec sheet certainly isn’t. With a 1700cc parallel-twin at its heart the Thunderbird Storm is a power cruiser that packs a mighty punch. The tank mounted speedo includes a small built in tacho and on-board computer which includes clock, two trip meters and a fuel gauge. The low maintenance belt drive system delivers the torque smoothly and cleanly, while the cycle parts ooze class and quality. Anti-lock brakes are also an option for the Thunderbird Storm, offering extra security and safety to the rider and passenger.

Triumph Thunderbird Storm Features and Benefits

Fuel Efficiency: 38 MPG City / 56 MPG Highway

Engine: 1699cc Liquid-cooled, DOHC, Parallel-twin, 270º firing interval

Instruments: Analogue speedometer featuring integrated rev counter, scroll button on handlebars, LCD trip computer, fuel gauge and clock

Exhaust: Chromed twin-skin stainless steel 2 into 1 into 2. Tandem large-volume catalysts in centralized catbox, chrome-plated exhaust

Triumph Thunderbird Storm Key Features

ENGINE
At the heart of the Thunderbird Storm is the 1600cc T-16 parallel-twin engine, a unique feature in a class of V-twins. The character-laden engine features a 270-degree crankshaft and delivers a mountainous 110 ft.lbs of torque at just 2750rpm.

Powered by a big bore, 1700cc, version of Triumph’s acclaimed T-16 parallel-twin engine, the Thunderbird Storm Storm’s massive 107mm pistons pump out a muscular 97bhp, with a meaty 115 ft.lbs of torque at just 2950rpm.

CHASSIS
Triumph has used the knowledge gained developing class-leading sports bikes like the Daytona 675 and Speed Triple to endow the Thunderbird Storm with levels of control and precision previously unheard of in a cruiser. The tubular, twin-spine steel frame features chunky 47mm forks up front with five-way adjustable twin shocks at the rear, which can be adjusted to cater for everything from spirited solo riding to two up touring. Powerful twin 310mm floating discs up front are grabbed by powerful four-piston brakes for
progressive stopping power, with ABS for increased rider security.

TRANSMISSION
Each gear change with the six-speed box feels precise, smooth and satisfying. The first belt driven Triumph since 1922, it grabs all that torque and plants it on the road. Low-maintenance rear pulley is durable and clean running.

INSTRUMENTS
Class-leading instruments, tank mounted. Large speedo, tacho, two trip meters and fuel gauge in a chromed nacelle with unique Thunderbird Storm logo.

SEATS
Just 700mm off the ground. Cruise alone or with a partner and still plant both feet on the ground. Well padded and comfortable with a range of seat accessories for even more comfort.

FUEL TANK
A large, 22 litre fuel tank has been fitted to the Thunderbird Storm which, when combined with fantastic fuel economy, ensures that long rides in the low and comfortable saddle will not be interrupted by inconvenient fuel stops.

Thunderbird Storm
Triumph’s iconic twin headlights, made famous on the Rocket III and Speed Triple models, and drag bars adorn the Storm and are complemented by the gloss Jet Black or classic Matt Black paint options, matching blacked out engine cases and black Showa spring twin shocks / black fork lowers. For those wishing to stray away from the all black look, the Thunderbird Storm Storm is additionally available in a Matte Graphite colour option for 2013. 

Review

When too much power is not enough, the Triumph Thunderbird Storm is just the muscle cruiser for you.

It’s basically a liquid-cooled Thunderbird 1600cc bored out to 1700cc with 107mm pistons pumping out to 73kW (98ps).

Leaving Oliver’s Motorcycles in Moorooka, I let the clutch out into a slim gap in the afternoon commuter traffic and the bike lunged at the space.

Luckily the brakes are also really effective, especially the rear brake, perhaps the most powerful I’ve experienced. I stomped on them a couple of times and the ABS comes on quickly and effectively.

Thunderbird hit the streets in 2009 and two years later they unleashed the Storm which instantly became a hit, proving that power is king.

Unlike most cruisers, it’s not powered by a V-twin but by a parallel twin which Triumph prefers.

While the thumping vibe of a big V-twin is addictive, the parallel twin has its own appeal. I love its characteristic broad sweep of midrange torque and this is no different.

There isn’t the low-down grunt you expect from a big cruiser, but a surge of 156Nm of torque from 3000 revs through to the red line.

It’s addictive in its own way and you have to use the gears just a little more than you normally would to avoid a slight lag around 2000-2500rpm.

Thankfully the gearbox has become a little slicker over the years since I first rode a Thunderbird.

Neutral is easy to find and the gears lock into place without much mechanical noise to drown out the macho purr of the megaphone style exhausts.

The Thunderbird is a wide and low beast. You sit with your legs wide around the fat tank and your hands down low on the slightly bent beach bars.

Ahead, all you see is the blurring road and white line.

They’ve even managed to keep the mirrors low without sacrificing vision around your arms into the quickly diminishing traffic behind you.

The seating position is quite high but comfortable. You feel like you are sitting on it, rather than in it.

There is an easy reach to the forward controls and a firm, but fair 700m-high seat dished out to the shape of your backside. It’s comfortable for the full duration of a 22-litre tank of fuel, or almost 400km, depending on your riding style.

Assembling and manufacture of some components in Thailand has improved build quality. The cabling is tidy, the edges such as around the fuel filler are nicely finished and the welds are clean.

Triumph loves tradition, so they have kept the side-mounted ignition switch which is just behind the right leg.

They have also retained the traditional tank-mounted instrument panel, but with a comprehensive and modern LCD display that shows fuel, odo, two trips, clock and range which you can toggle through via a convenient “info” button on the right switchblock. A gear indicator would also be handy.

I like the auto indicators. They’re safe, modern and should be mandatory on all road bikes.

Styling is equally traditional with blacked-out engine and the frog-eyed twin headlights like their Rocket III and Speed Triple, or Harley’s Fat Bob. Looks aside, they certainly deliver a well-blended spread of light for night cruising.

A good combination of medium-sized tyres and a decent suspension system make it a reasonable handler in the traffic with fairly humble change of direction and easy feet-up u-turns.

Out on the potholed urban landscape, it trips up a bit in the rear with a bouncy shock, while the front seems very planted.

At high speed, it’s quite stable and the clean air from the low scuttle means there is little buffeting.

However, the windsock effect will mean your arms start to tire after long bouts of high-speed cruising.

It has generous clearance for a cruiser which allows you to settle into a nice rhythm in the twisties. If you want to go harder, you will have to rely on the strong brakes for late corner entries and the stonking engine to pull out of the corner.

It might seem like a minimalist muscle cruiser, but it has awesome performance, quality build and you can personalise it with more than 100 factory accessories.

Source: Mark Hinchliffe, Motorbikewriter