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Triumph Thunderbird Sport test

Yellow stunner

No cafe racer: the high-torque retro classic from Triumph is far too good for short trips to the next ice cream parlor.

Looks like Triumph exaggerated British understatement. The only real novelty that the British presented this fall is what they call a niche model. Official language: cafe racer. But already on the side stand? You are looking in vain for a main stand ?? The Thunderbird Sport comes out as a successful mixture of a 1960s look and contemporary technology.
For example, the technicians at Sport rely on a fully adjustable and appealing front fork. The British replaced the central spring strut, which the original T-Bird was heavily criticized, with a stiffer version with more spring travel. The front 310 double disc brake is completely new.
People who feel connected to the classic really go into raptures when they look at the rear wheel mudguards and the three-in-two exhaust system: skillful design combined with good workmanship. And pragmatists are happy at the latest when the bearish 900 three-cylinder engine sounds. It has almost the same set-up as the treble of the Enduro Tiger and is equipped with an unregulated Kat for the German-Austrian environmental conscience.
It is precisely because of this nominally 78 hp engine that Triumph mit der Sport seems to have hit the jackpot. No more trace of the bad response of the old Thunderbird or bad cold start properties. The change of carburetor supplier actually works wonders. In the test, the engine lifted 85 hp and also had exceptional power delivery: the maximum torque of 84 Newton meters was already just over 2800 rpm. Together with the safe and amazingly manageable chassis, this makes for a great road vehicle ?? despite the at least 244 kilograms of weight. Only the brakes, which are almost too committed, take some getting used to.
It is even easier to drive if instead of the original Avon tires ?? it was specially developed for the sport ?? the also homologated Dragon GTs from Pirelli are assembled. The Avons have enough grip, but they need a strong hand when turning. In addition, they are uncomfortably noticeable due to a strong pitching moment when braking in an inclined position, which is almost completely foreign to the Dragon GT. When the tires are changed, the Sport can be steered more easily and neutrally in bends, whereby in right bends with an overly brisk pace, a discreet exhaust manifold acts as a lean angle meter. Another plus point: The Pirelli tires weaken a phenomenon that Triumph justifies with the heavy exhaust system? the sport pulls slightly to the right.
The high fuel consumption of the original Thunderbird has now also been brought under control in Hinkley: a good five liters of super unleaded average consumption are an honorable result on brisk country roads. This makes the T-Bird Sport, which is easy to drive, almost a touring bike despite the small 15 liter tank, only the softly padded seat and a handlebar that is too weakly cranked could spoil the driver’s fun in the long run.
D.it may also be lost to the German importer: According to reports, he ordered a little too cautiously with a good 400 T-Bird Sport. Too much understatement sometimes hurts.

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