New Triumph Thunderbird Storm

[Rincewind]

Source:

Triumph Thunderbird Storm: the Rocket III’s mini-me

The 2.3-liter inline-three in the Triumph Rocket III too much for you to handle? Pansy. Having said that, Triumph’s just made a bike for little girls like you. The Triumph Thunderbird Storm looks like a Rocket III, but uses the ever-so-tiny 1,700cc version of the Thunderbird’s parallel-twin, good for a pathetic 115lb/ft of torque. If you can stand the emasculation, read on for full details of, you guessed it, another leaked bike.

Over the standard Triumph Thunderbird 1600, the Storm gains blacked-out looks, drag bars, and, most importantly, twin headlights just like those on the Rocket III. The larger bore, 1,699cc version of this parallel-twin is good for 98bhp at 5,200rpm and the aforementioned 115lb/ft at 2,950rpm. With a full tank, the Storm weighs a positively limp-wristed 339kg/747lbs.

We suppose one could argue that the Storm is a far more practical vehicle than the 807lbs, 163lb/ft Rocket III Roadster, that’d be equally capable of of pulling your face off with torque while simultaneously failing to break your ankles with its sheer weight at standstill, but that’d really be missing the point of these gigantic penis substitutes, wouldn’t it?

Looks like a Fat Bob...

[Rincewind]

[GerryPetrecca]

WTFO!!!  looks like Triumph is trying to  become the 'new' Harley.

Go to see the new 2011 Sprint yesterday.  SWEET, SWEET looking bike.  gotta say that it's not for me.  Don't see the point in going to a bike that's bigger, heavier, and taller than my '01 ST.

BUT.....It's soooooooooooo beautiful.

Gerry

[bomber]

Doesn't do a thing for me, but I'll bet they sell a bunch of em . . . ..

[Tar Snake]

I like it!

They could call it the Rocket Wee! although 1700cc hardly seems small. Actually it's 100cc biggger than the engine in my car  

[MadOzodi]

I wonder if Triumph played around with the idea of producing a smaller longitudinal inline-3 motor.  Personally, I'd never consider a Thunderbird as long as the Rocket III Roadster is around.

[Poweranger]

WTFO!!!  looks like Triumph is trying to  become the 'new' Harley.

 
Gerry

I would like to see my local Triumph dealer take over the local Harley dealer's showroom. With all these new models coming out they could use the additional floor space.

[JReazor]

They could call it the Rocket Wee!

Nah, they should call it the "Rotund Robert".

[crispiegee1]

I think it looks nicer than a Rocket, actually. The longitudinal triple looks too much like a Cummins diesel to me... in fact, it behaves like one too.  

I'm not enough of a cruiser guy to buy either one, but I like the smaller engine. Anyway, with 98 hp and 115 ft. lbs. of torque, I won't be much slower than the big Rocket.

Maybe the smaller one could be called the "Rockette."

[Rabidsnipe]

I think it is a neat treatment to the original Thunderbird which, IMO, was a pretty sharp looking cruiser to begin with.

[MadOzodi]

I think it is a neat treatment to the original Thunderbird which, IMO, was a pretty sharp looking cruiser to begin with.

Are you talking about the first parallel twin TBird, the Hinckley Tbird 900 inline triple, or the one from the 1950s?

[Rabidsnipe]

Are you talking about the first parallel twin TBird, the Hinckley Tbird 900 inline triple, or the one from the 1950s?

'Original' was a poor choice; 'regular' or 'current' was probably more appropriate.  I meant within the context of the current Thunderbird offerings.  In other words, I think the Storm is a cool aesthetic treatment to the current 1600 Thunderbird.

[Gray Dragon]

I like it!

They could call it the Rocket Wee! although 1700cc hardly seems small. Actually it's 100cc biggger than the engine in my car  

I resemble that remark

[falconati]

I think they'll sell a decent amount - the Thunderbird has been a really popular model

[Croak]

It's all clear to me now.  The reason the 2011 Speed Triple has wonky headlights is because they need the round ones for the Storm.  Which might outsell the Speed Triple in the US by a pretty good margin, sadly.

[falconati]

Oddly, the more I look at it, the more I like it.  

[Jeff]

For a cruiser, I dig it. I'd ride one if I had the chance but wouldn't buy it.

Anyone else notice the right headlight in the above pic is lower than the left?
Jeff

[falconati]

That's called British charm  

[McHack]

Hmm,  why do I feel dirty for wanting to have a fling w/ this cruiser?

[Oilhed]

add a little flyscreen, small backrest and some hard bags like the Corbin beetlebags and I'm sold!