Triumph Thunderbird sport

[rdltmc3]

Was wondering if I could get some input on these bikes? i was always under the impression the thunderbird was a cruiser but this is looking more like a street fighter in a way....

[Ogre_fl]

Thats not a T-bird Sport, thats a regular Thunderbird 900.
Kind of a Bonnie look a like.

This is what the sport looks like and yes it has a bit of a street fighter/cafe look and more sporting parts.

I have never rode one, but love the look and always on the look out for one.

[Heyload]

I had a '96 T-Bird, it was a very nice bike. Plenty of torque, very smooth, and that iconic three-cylinder sound. I wish I still had it.

I gave it up for a woman.

Yeah...I'm stupid like that.

[Bloodweiser]

I had a '95, non-sport for a few years.
Treated me well for the time I had it.
Never quite fit me though.
I'm 5'9" and it was a bit too tall,
and fairly top heavy.

Got loads of compliments on it though.
IIRC there are issues with the sprag clutch.

[rdltmc3]

so whats the difference in the standard/sport?

dual front brakes and exhaust?

were they all 900cc?

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by rdltmc3

so whats the difference in the standard/sport?

dual front brakes and exhaust?

were they all 900cc?

Fully adjustable suspension.

[drhach]

He may be thinking of the newer Thunderbird. There have been 3 fundamental iterations of this bike.

[rdltmc3]

Originally Posted by Ogre_fl

Thats not a T-bird Sport, thats a regular Thunderbird 900.
Kind of a Bonnie look a like.

This is what the sport looks like and yes it has a bit of a street fighter/cafe look and more sporting parts.

I have never rode one, but love the look and always on the look out for one.

what years where these in production?

[JerryH]

The T-Bird Sport was an early 2000s bike. It looks great to me, and according to the magazine road test I read on it, it was a great bike. I also liked the original T-Bird triple. I think the current T-Bird is ugly. Triumph got it right the first time, with the original T-Bird, the Adventurer, and then the Sport.

[bk brkr baker]

I flew to California and rented a T-bird in '97 for a week. It was an entirely adaquate motorcycle.
I camped at Laguna Seca one night and as I rode to the top of the hill the T-bird fooled some guys into thinking it was old and beautifully restored. They came up , beer cans in hand asking "Wow what year is that ?"
I quickly let them down telling them it was a '97 and pointing out the radiator.
As I rode through the California twisties I started going over what i would change to make it really suit me. Then a couple of months later I saw pics of the T-bird Sport. Beautiful , I couldn't wait to ride one. Then I got my chance at a Triumph Demo Truck that came to the local dealer. First I rode the Sport then I rode the Speed Triple and other than the great looks of the Sport , it was over for me . The Speed Triple was far beyond the T-bird based bike.A few years later i got a ride on a 1050 triple , mo bike mo better again.

[JerryH]

Based on pure functionality, I'm sure the Speed Triple was a better bike. But the Thunderbird Sport would have almost certainly performed well enough for me, and it was absolutely beautiful. I actually think I like it's looks better than the Bonneville.

Back in '02 I had to choose between a new Vulcan 750 or the new W650. The Vulcan was way more bike, and far more functional. And I have enjoyed it immensely. But I still think I may have made a mistake. I thought the W650 would be a major success, and I would be able to buy one later. It wasn't and I didn't.

[ScEd]

Originally Posted by Anorak

Fully adjustable suspension.

And a six speed tranny.

[birch]

Originally Posted by rdltmc3

Was wondering if I could get some input on these bikes? i was always under the impression the thunderbird was a cruiser but this is looking more like a street fighter in a way....

Took that bike on a short test ride. Surprised it was still for sale.

[Thatch]

Originally Posted by ScEd

And a six speed tranny.

And a blacked out engine. The sport is worth the extra if you can find one.

I have the new third (1700) and it is a great bike, but I do wish that triumph still had the triple bird, or one like it available ( though I never thought the third name was right for the triple, maybe trident instead). There is some hope that the rumored upcoming performance bonnie will fill the void. We shall see.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by rdltmc3

what years where these in production?

Originally Posted by JerryH

The T-Bird Sport was an early 2000s bike.

Introduced in 1997. Available in USA 1998 through 2000. Then again in 2004, for one year, as I recall.

The early bikes were either Yellow with black panels, or red with black panels. The 2000s were white with orange panels (really pretty), and standard dual exhaust instead of the two on one side design of the early ones. 2004 bikes were black with yellow panels, but otherwise same as the 2000 model bikes.