Thunderbirds Are Go

[Stichill_imp]

There's a thread in the Other Stuff / Motorcycling - General area called "If You Could Own Just Three Motorcycles..." where I posted [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=12131&pid=195038#pid195038]my list. I cheated and picked four. Well, today I acquired the third of four on the list. It's a 2014 Triumph Thunderbird ABS with just 5,000 miles.







Why a heavy cruiser? Why a Thunderbird? As I explained to Mrs. Stichill, "The Thunderbird stole my soul in [url=https://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/285057-The-Cheese-Weasels-Do-Death-Valley]Death Valley." Near the end of [url=https://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/285057-The-Cheese-Weasels-Do-Death-Valley?p=2466153&viewfull=1#post2466153]this post I describe some of the objective reasons I was impressed with it. But honestly, the Thunderbird simply delights with its character and charisma. When I'm in the saddle the bike makes me literally giddy. I feel like I'm on top of the world when riding this exceptional machine.

In the photos, the bike is still dripping dry after a quick wash. I got up early and left home this morning at 5:30 AM to drive north to the Triumph dealer in Cleveland where the Thunderbird was being offered for sale. Its condition exceeded expectations and the price was right. The test drive (in the rain) was flawless. The sale was executed and I proceeded to trailer it four hours back home in horrendous downpours while dodging the giant potholes on I-71 between Cleveland and Cincinnati. Tremendously nerve-wracking drive. When I arrived home at 6:00 PM, the bike was absolutely covered in road grime...oh the humanity! I did a quick wash and blow dry and parked it for tonight because I had to go inside and finish getting ready to catch a 6:00 AM flight to Arizona for a week of vacation! Then the next week I fly to Germany with only one day at home in-between. With any luck the weather will be nice and I'll get in a little more seat time that day.

[LongRanger_imp]

Wow, congratulations! You've been clinging tight to this desire for a number of years -- very glad you made good on your promise to yourself! She's a beauty! Do both your CBR250R and F800GT survive?

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hey, congratulations Stichill on the T-Bird. I am a big Triumph fan and if I consider modern cruisers, the Thunderbird would be top of the list. It is a solid choice. The Rocket III would be another, but your choice is the classier one.

[Stichill_imp]

Thanks, LR! Yes, it takes me a long time to line things up.

The jaunty little CBR250R is a lifetime keeper but after four years of looking for love in all the wrong places, the F800GT will depart the stable. You and I have talked about it...the GT is a bike that seems perfect on paper but in the end it just doesn’t stir my soul. The rational mind tells me it’s a great middleweight sport tourer but the emotional mind tells me...nothing. Nothing except, “Let’s ride something else.” It comes down to the engine as the fundamental determinant of a bike’s essence. In the GT, the 180-deg firing order and bizarre vestigial connecting rod balancing system delivers the eerie sensation of a giant iPhone set on vibrate. The cam hit that happens over 5500 on up is “thrilling” but can’t and shouldn’t be deployed frequently enough to maintain interest.
Thanks, GO. The T-bird is like a little locomotive. You can feel the weight and momentum but it’s all under control like it’s on rails.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Thanks, LR! Yes, it takes me a long time to line things up.

The jaunty little CBR250R is a lifetime keeper but after four years of looking for love in all the wrong places, the F800GT will depart the stable. You and I have talked about it...the GT is a bike that seems perfect on paper but in the end it just doesn’t stir my soul. The rational mind tells me it’s a great middleweight sport tourer but the emotional mind tells me...nothing. Nothing except, “Let’s ride something else.” It comes down to the engine as the fundamental determinant of a bike’s essence. In the GT, the 180-deg firing order and bizarre vestigial connecting rod balancing system delivers the eerie sensation of a giant iPhone set on vibrate. The cam hit that happens over 5500 on up is “thrilling” but can’t and shouldn’t be deployed frequently enough to maintain interest.
Thanks, GO. The T-bird is like a little locomotive. You can feel the weight and momentum but it’s all under control like it’s on rails.

There is no doubt.

At nighttime replaying such an engine throb in my head puts me asleep in less than a minute (this is a very good thing). For some, an analogy is like rain on the roof top at night = therapy.

[pdedse]

The bike looks great! But I'm really excited about that garage!!

[Cormanus]

Congratulations, Stichill. Lovely looking bike.

[Rocky_imp]

Great looking bike

[Stichill_imp]

The bike looks great! But I'm really excited about that garage!!

The building of that garage is the main reason for the delay between wish and fulfillment that LR mentioned! Finally got it finished and electrified at the end of 2018.

Thank you, Cormanus. It’s not a Honda CB1100 but at least it’s red and shiny!

[Lord Popgun]

Congrats Stichill!!

Did you get a hot puppet chick to ride on the back?