The Thunderbird: a mythical bird from North American folklore capable of generating thunder just by flapping its wings. Triumph first used the name for its 650cc parallel twin of 1949, which was designed to appeal to the American market, but it was never more apt than when applied to the new Thunderbird of 2009.

The new Thunderbird was an Anglo-American effort and it shows. The work of Californian industrial designer Tim Prentice, Triumph was seeking to capitalise on the market for cruisers, a fundamentally American formula for a large, comfortable long-distance bike which has enjoyed a more international appeal since the mid-1980s.

At 1597cc or 97 cu. in., the Thunderbird’s dohc eight-valve parallel twin is enormous by British standards but, amazingly, it joined the range as a smaller and more economical companion to Triumph’s other cruiser, the Rocket III with its 2240cc inline three. 

So as not to lose part of the appeal inherent in traditional American cruisers, the engine was designed to emulate the sound and feel of a V-twin, and overall power output was 85 bhp.

Entering production in 2009, the Thunderbird was praised by Motorcycle News, which commented that its handling and braking were significantly better than American and Japanese rivals, while American magazine Cycle World awarded it the Best Cruiser title for 2009 and 2010.

Better was yet to come, though, with the Thunderbird Storm of 2011. This edition featured an even larger 1699cc (103.7 cu. in.) engine as standard, twin headlights and a number of parts painted black which would otherwise have been chromed. To quote Troy Siahaan of Motorcycle.com, it’s ‘a certifiable badass’.

The Thunderbird was purchased new by the vendor in June 2011 from Destination Triumph of Washington, West Sussex. Painted Jet Black, it was specified with long silencers.

The vendor is a longstanding motorcycle enthusiast and collector, and since its purchase the Triumph has enjoyed light use, and when not being ridden has occupied garage space alongside some of the finest names in British motorcycling from the 1920s to the present.

With a dozen or so motorcycles at his disposal at any one time, all maintained in running order as far as possible, the Triumph has generally just been used for pleasure, hence its low mileage of around 7500 miles.

The vendor retains an attachment to all his bikes, but the decision to start a new life in Sweden means the collection has to be sold.

In addition to its current V5, the paperwork file includes much of the original factory and sales literature. The Owner’s Handbook  is present, as are the pre-delivery inspection and various papers from Destination Triumph including the original sales invoice.

In 2018, after 4500 miles, the Triumph was presented for its scheduled maintenance checks, which were undertaken comprehensively as confirmed by the completed check sheet.

There are also M.o.T. certificates from 2017, 2018 and 2020. On purchasing the Thunderbird, the vendor joined the Riders Association of Triumph and the Welcome booklet is included in the file.

It is the vendor’s commendable view that motorcycles exist to be ridden, rather than over-polished and then trailer around. Consequently, although he keeps his bikes looking very smart, he prioritises keeping them running well for use at a moment’s notice, rather than fussing over whatever little bits of wear and tear they might pick up while being ridden.

With the Thunderbird, this amounts to a bike which looks pristine from any angle, but with just a few minor cosmetic blemishes becoming apparent under close inspection. 

After 11 years and 7500 miles, it is quite natural that the bike should have picked up a few marks on its paintwork, seat, and metal and plastic parts, but when all is said and done cosmetic wear has been kept to a minimum and one does have to look hard in order to pick faults. 

For an 11-year-old bike its condition could hardly be much better, and it shouldn’t take much more than a quick detailing session to get the Triumph looking showroom-fresh.

With the whole bike finished in black right down to the wheels and engine, it creates quite a menacing vision out on the road, and the Thunderbird is sure to command respect at any motorcycle meet.

Having received all the necessary and appropriate care over its life, and seen only very light use, the Thunderbird remains in fine mechanical fettle. Having been presented for its scheduled maintenance in 2018, we are satisfied that all due care has been taken to keep it running as well as the day it left the factory.

Designed with two spark plugs per cylinder for improved fuel consumption, reduced emissions and extra power, the Thunderbird also has sufficient stopping power by way of twin discs with four-piston calipers at the front and a single disc with a two-piston caliper at the rear.  

Since the vendor owns numerous bikes and cannot ride them all at once, the Thunderbird has not been used on the road since June 2021 when its M.o.T. expired.

Nevertheless, it has still been properly maintained and we have seen it run. While the absence of an M.o.T. means we can make no guarantees about its roadworthiness, it passed its test in 2020 with no advisories, so we don’t envisage any problems being identified when you present it for its next test.

Large, powerful, comfortable and menacing, the Thunderbird has a lot going for it as a long-distance motorcycle. If you’ve ever fancied seeing Britain by bike, the Thunderbird is probably the way to go. 

The big 1.7-litre twin is lazy enough for the bike to amble along while you take in the scenery of country roads, but there’s plenty of power in reserve for when you take to the motorway and want to get from A to B as quickly as possible. 

There’s much to be said for the soft seat and riding position – aching joints and numbness should be a thing of the past.

If you enjoy social motorcycling, you’ll enjoy the Thunderbird, too. It’s essentially Britain’s answer to a Harley-Davidson, and it has all the presence of a Harley-Davidson, so if you want to stand out at a café get-together, with the Thunderbird you will.

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