I just got back from a 40 mile loop through the Altamont hills and back home. It's twisty all the way although there are also lots of 70-80 mph turns as well (draggin' foot pegs). My new Thunderbird with 440 Progressives doesn't need anything else! It's a handling dream, at least as stable as my Bonnevilles. Lowering the center of gravity made it more fun to ride as well as giving it the "look" it needs. I've got lots more I'm gonna do to this one...
From the reports, it sounds like the Triumph engineers hit pretty good with the t-bird in regards to handling.
Thanks!
When I mentioned draggin' foot pegs I didn't mean to imply I was dragging them frequently. I only hit the right one once and never on the left. I ment we were riding quite agressively and I was really getting into cornering hard with the Thunderbird, This bike has a lot more clearence than my Jap cruisers. You are really getting over before it drags!
I've ridden a Vegas, 2 Visions and one other Victory motorcycle and although I feel they are superior to harleys I am not inspired by them. They are just too slow. Having ridden many miles on Jap cruisers like the VTX 1800 and Zuki M109 they do not compare. I like the way a Vegas handles better than a VTX but the VTX (1800) is much faster and a M109 flat runs away from a Vegas.
I've ridden several S&S powered production as well as custom built choppers and their power was not what they claim, ay least when compared with the big Jap cruisers. They claim 140hp but I'd like to know what they were smoking 'cause they don't begin to make that kind of power!
One of the things I'm so impressed about the Triumph Thunderbird is how few areas need attention. I'm working on a new rear fender and raked triple trees for it which should be in production by next spring....No doubt the Tbird is an excellent bike but there are too many things about it I would have to change. I like cruisers but they are about style and they have to be raked out and clean.
The fairing is a vintage BMW R90S with original (working) ammeter and clock. Reproductions have been made over the years but I don't know if they are still in production.
Thanks for sharing your perspective Grant as you really know about all different kinds of bikes. Your praise of the Tbird suggests to me it must be a whale of a motorcycle. I sure never felt like the Vegas was slow...mine was stage 1 tune and would turn the quarter at 12.5...certainly faster than our EFI Bonnies. Would really like to know if a Tbird would outrun it but suffice to say both bikes are fast enough or could easily be built to outrun one another. Don't know what S&S bikes you have raced but I do know in the right tune some are wicked fast. A raced such a bike with my Vegas and it wasn't even close....124" S&S. He pulled me like I was riding a moped but then he had about $10K in that motor.
Please try again now.
