Triumph creates a new version of the Thunderbird: The Storm

Posted on by admin

Test: Triumph Thunderbird Storm

Martial black version "Storm" of the cruiser Thunderbird

Triumph has the martial black version of the Cruiser Thunderbird "Storm" created, with double headlights, 1700 cm3 and 98 hp.

The first lesson is learned quickly: achromatic does not mean inconspicuous. On the contrary. The always black Triumph Thunderbird Storm is astonishing, almost completely without chrome. There is no stop without interested passers-by.

E.in black beauty with a bad image? Fits, because this power cruiser is simply different, English, warlike. He eats Harleys for breakfast and is still pious. With an identical chassis – wheels, frame, brakes, suspension elements – Triumph has conjured up the astonishingly independent Sturm sister from the Thunderbird with 1.6 liter displacement. With the brand-typical Fliewatut double headlights, straighter handlebars and square meters of black paint.

And with the greatest of all series wins: It has the fattest production motorcycle pistons in its huge cylinders: a full 107.1 instead of 103.8 millimeters bore with an unchanged 94.3 millimeter stroke result in 1699 cc. And a driving experience at its finest – big bore, big fun. The clutch is surprisingly easy to pull and dose well. Okay, sometimes it clones out of the gear box, so what? It belongs on a motorcycle. Even at idle, more than 100 Newton meters hammer the 17 kilogram crankshaft. Their 270 degree crank pin offset makes the long exhausts sound like a 90 degree V2. The ship’s diesel is sonorous. A subtle rumble of thunder, dull, deep, bassy, ​​sovereign.

Bilski

Typical of Triumph: Double headlights à la Rocket III and Speed ​​Triple. The T-Bird Storm power cruiser is characterized by wide handlebars on high risers.

The water-cooled Dohc engine with two vibration-reducing balance shafts thunders, deeply relaxed, in the deep-speed basement. A blink of an eye later it lifts a mighty 151 Newton meters with only 2900 turns. A clear steam announcement. Even more than the 98 hp rated power. The driving pleasure is as high as the speed level is low. Already with a switching speed of 3000 things really get down to business. It’s wonderful how the 1.7-liter engine completely outstrips the 1600, pushing the 342-kilogram chunk. The petrel is a bull from a motorcycle.

Its chassis is also impressive. The road cruiser masters curves with precision, stability and surprisingly handy. He gratefully accepts course corrections even in deep lean angles and yet always remains predictable. It’s good that Triumph opted for a moderately wide 200 mm rear tire and put the easy-to-grip and neutral Metzeler Marathon ME 880 on the six-inch rim. The elegant, solid 47-millimeter fork is a fulfillment, not just for cruiser conditions. It couldn’t be better. Okay, the stereo struts should be a bit more comfortable and could quickly filter out the following asphalt bumps more finely. But, hey, that’s not a Virago 535. It’s a men’s motorcycle!

Bilski

Speedometer on the tank with fuel gauge, small on-board computer and rev counter.

The powerful four-piston calipers at the front can be dosed in a wonderfully transparent way, keeping the seven-hundred-weight colossus in check. ABS costs 600 euros extra. The sitting position is relaxed. The buffalo horn from Lenker is really close at hand. So you can endure it forever in the extra-wide saddle, you don’t even want to get off. Light-footed like a normal motorcycle, not sluggish like most cruisers, the Triumph swings itself through serpentines. See you soon the not too far placed footrests start to sparkle: kkrrkkk, kkrrkkk.

Only when maneuvering do you suddenly feel the full 342 kilos. Damn fat thing, you need strength in your arms. The T-Bird Storm feels great, looks absolutely valuable. What looks like metal on it is also made of it, right down to the turn signal housings and fenders. Klong, klong – every knock test is a pleasure here. The Storm costs 15,740 euros, 1,650 euros more than a standard 1600 thunderbird. But it is no longer available ex works with the bearish 1700 big bore kit. Afterwards, around 2000 euros are due extra. One more argument for the strong storm.

Noticed:

positive

  • Performance: A lot of pressure from the bottom
  • Chassis: Accurate, stable, handy
  • Sitting position: cool, comfortable for a long time
  • Brakes: powerful, ABS is optional


negative

  • Weight: a whopping 342 kilograms
  • No lean angle: keys down early

Chopper / cruiser

Driving report Triumph Thunderbird

New twin cruiser

read more

Technical data: Triumph Thunderbird Storm

archive

Power on the crankshaft; Measurements on Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%.

engine:
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke engine, two overhead camshafts, four valves each, injection, Ø 42 mm, mechanically operated oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, toothed belt, bore x stroke 107.1 x 94.3 mm, displacement 1699 cm³.
rated capacity 71.0 kW (97 hp) at 5200 rpm
Max. Torque 156 Nm at 2950 rpm

Landing gear:
Double loop frame made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 47 mm, two-arm swing arm made of steel, two spring struts, double disc brake at the front, Ø 310 mm, disc brake at the rear, Ø 310 mm, tires 120 / 70 VR 19; 200/50 VR 17, tires tested by Metzeler ME 880.

Dimensions + weights:
Wheelbase 1615 mm, steering head angle 58.0 degrees, caster 151 mm, spring travel f / r 120/95 mm, seat height * 700 mm, weight with a full tank * 342 kg, payload * 228 kg, tank capacity 22.0 liters.

Driving performance:
Top speed 185 km / h, acceleration * 0-100 km / h 4.9 sec, 0-140 km / h 8.7 sec, pulling power * 60-100 km / h 5.3 sec, 100-140 km / h 6, 1 sec, 140-180 km / h 10.7 sec, fuel consumption * country road 5.3 l / 100 km, theoretical tidy * country road 415 km.

guarantee: two years
Price / additional costs: 15,390 euros / around 350 euros

Manufacturer’s information, * MOTORCYCLE measurements

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *