It’s Monday, and at the Car Loan Warehouse that means it’s time we gave you the ultimate cure for the Monday blues: a closer look at the 2014 Triumph Thunderbird LT. Talk about motorcycle history – the first Triumph Thunderbird was produced in 1949 and stayed in production in various different forms for 17 years. It has been revived several times since, but the version we’ll be taking a closer look at in today’s Triumph Thunderbird review is the new 2014 model. Let’s get cracking!
Design
When you see the Triumph Thunderbird, you’ll immediately realise that Triumph Motorcycles has issued a challenge to its market rivals. With its leather panniers at the back, windscreen on the front and classic American style parallel twin cylinders, you might think the Thunderbird LT was actually an American design – but we’re pleased to say the Triumph Thunderbird LT is 100% British engineering. The wheels come with a beautiful white wall, which instantly gives the Thunderbird LT a very classic and elegant look. Add to that the liberal use of chrome plating on the fenders, engine cover and exhaust and you have yourself a rather beautiful tourer.
Performance
The LT in Triumph Thunderbird LT stands for Light Tourer and that’s precisely what this bike is meant for. The twin engines provide 93bhp and max out at 111lb/ft at just 3,400rpm. Comfort’s what this bike is all about – with a lovely seating position that makes sure you sit perfectly upright. The bike handles smoothly – as you’d expect from anything produced by Triumph Motorcycles – it’s very stable, both at low and high speeds, and absorbs shocks very well. Put simply, it’s the perfect bike for some lazy Sunday touring, although it will certainly give you speed if you feel like it.
Features
The Triumph Thunderbird LT comes with plenty of features too. The panniers and screen are included no matter what kit you choose, and both do what they’re meant for. The screen does a fantastic job of keeping the wind off you, even at top speed, and the lovely leather panniers offer plenty of storage space for daytrips. If storage is still an issue, though, there’s a great looking chrome luggage rack available on top of that. In fact, most of the optional goodies come in chrome and look amazing – so keeping a bike this good-looking polished certainly won’t feel like a chore. Non-chrome optional goodies include a leather tank cover, a taller screen and heated grips, all of which are equally stunning.
There are plenty of reasons to get yourself a Triumph Thunderbird LT if you’re looking for a classic tourer. It handles amazingly well, has decent fuel economy and its starting price is quite a bit lower than its closest competitors’. For as little as £13,999, you can find yourself a brand new Thunderbird. And if that price still a little too steep for you, head on over to our dedicated motorbike finance page. At the Car Loan Warehouse, we specialise in motorbike finance – and we can help you find a finance plan that suits your budget. Try our nifty motorbike loan calculator for an instant quote.
