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| wcgreen | | Set |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2015 | | Posts | : | 10 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 03:07 Post title : Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm | | | Hey folks! I am 50 yrs old, owned 5 different jap cruisers, my last one being a Suzuki M109R, and now starting grad school out of state and away from my family. Looking to save some money and have fun again. I have been a bike-only person in the past, and this would be the case again... with the bike as my only transportation. My question is, how reliable is the Storm/Thunderbird? And would you be comfortable if you were in this position? Looking to purchase used, about 2011-2013, depending on price. Things to look out for? Consider? Appreciate all your thoughts.
PS- I have roommates that I can rely on for grocery trips, so storage is not an issue... just reliability.
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| peteronkarra | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/04/2012 | | Posts | : | 834 | | Location | : | Karragarra Island, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 07:37 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: wcgreen) | | | I have had no reliability issues myself. 75000 km I couldn't see it being a problem being bike only. I have been for a year and a half so far.
| I sometimes wonder what I"ll do when I grow up.... but not very often 
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| Irish | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 28/10/2013 | | Posts | : | 854 | | Location | : | New England, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 07:40 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: wcgreen) | | | Hi wcgreen The thunderbird/storm are as reliable bike you can find, my Storm is a 2013 model with 59,000 kms on the clock, and apart from consumables it hasnt missed a beat. am very happy with it.
If your last bike was a M109 {a wicked machine too] you will also find that the build and finish is top notch on the triumph. ah fuck it, i'll say it the triumph is a much more satisfying ride, and superior in performance.
good luck with your decision and let us know how you get on
Dermot
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 07:43 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: peteronkarra) | | | 40000 miles on my last one. Would have kept it and done more but a good deal on a new one came up. It never let me down, and I ride all conditions and all year. Once had a clutch cable go, but repaired it on the roadside.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| Linkdog | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 3,002 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 11:00 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: mat1600) | | | If your buying used chances are the little glitches have been worked out ( coolant leak,MAP sensor hoses) I'm at 40,000 mi. and no major issues.
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| bnz433 | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/06/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,843 | | Location | : | Clifton Park (Upstate), NY, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 11:16 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: wcgreen) | | |
wcgreen wrote:
Hey folks! I am 50 yrs old, owned 5 different jap cruisers, my last one being a Suzuki M109R, and now starting grad school out of state and away from my family. Looking to save some money and have fun again. I have been a bike-only person in the past, and this would be the case again... with the bike as my only transportation. My question is, how reliable is the Storm/Thunderbird? And would you be comfortable if you were in this position? Looking to purchase used, about 2011-2013, depending on price. Things to look out for? Consider? Appreciate all your thoughts.
PS- I have roommates that I can rely on for grocery trips, so storage is not an issue... just reliability. |
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Where are you located? There's a Tbird listed in the Classified sections (repost from eBay) for $6000. I'm at about 30k miles and ride the snot out of mine (don't really baby it ever), and other than a few of the small items (which are DIY-able), it's strong, stout, comfy and quick.
The only downside is the limited supply of aftermarket accessories, etc. Even for a 5 year old model.
Jamie
| Bennington Triumph Bash - 31May-2June 2019. Home of the (tied in '14 & '15) US RECORD T-BIRD FLOCKING!!!!!
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| wcgreen | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2015 | | Posts | : | 10 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 16:23 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: Irish) | | |
Irish wrote:
Hi wcgreen The thunderbird/storm are as reliable bike you can find, my Storm is a 2013 model with 59,000 kms on the clock, and apart from consumables it hasnt missed a beat. am very happy with it.
If your last bike was a M109 {a wicked machine too] you will also find that the build and finish is top notch on the triumph. ah fuck it, i'll say it the triumph is a much more satisfying ride, and superior in performance.
good luck with your decision and let us know how you get on
Dermot |
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Thanks for that! Yes, loved the M109R, but the fit and finish are not the greatest... Really wanting to move to the Storm.
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| wcgreen | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2015 | | Posts | : | 10 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 16:24 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
40000 miles on my last one. Would have kept it and done more but a good deal on a new one came up. It never let me down, and I ride all conditions and all year. Once had a clutch cable go, but repaired it on the roadside. |
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Good to know!
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| wcgreen | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2015 | | Posts | : | 10 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 16:25 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: Linkdog) | | |
Linkdog wrote:
If your buying used chances are the little glitches have been worked out ( coolant leak,MAP sensor hoses) I'm at 40,000 mi. and no major issues. |
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That's my hope! The small tweeks have already been corrected on a used model.
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| wcgreen | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2015 | | Posts | : | 10 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 16:26 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: bnz433) | | |
bnz433 wrote:
wcgreen wrote:
Hey folks! I am 50 yrs old, owned 5 different jap cruisers, my last one being a Suzuki M109R, and now starting grad school out of state and away from my family. Looking to save some money and have fun again. I have been a bike-only person in the past, and this would be the case again... with the bike as my only transportation. My question is, how reliable is the Storm/Thunderbird? And would you be comfortable if you were in this position? Looking to purchase used, about 2011-2013, depending on price. Things to look out for? Consider? Appreciate all your thoughts.
PS- I have roommates that I can rely on for grocery trips, so storage is not an issue... just reliability. |
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Where are you located? There's a Tbird listed in the Classified sections (repost from eBay) for $6000. I'm at about 30k miles and ride the snot out of mine (don't really baby it ever), and other than a few of the small items (which are DIY-able), it's strong, stout, comfy and quick.
The only downside is the limited supply of aftermarket accessories, etc. Even for a 5 year old model.
Jamie |
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I am in Tuscaloosa, AL... but not gonna be purchasing till about the end of January.... hopefully, a good time to purchase here in the states!
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| wcgreen | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2015 | | Posts | : | 10 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 16:26 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: peteronkarra) | | |
peteronkarra wrote:
I have had no reliability issues myself. 75000 km I couldn't see it being a problem being bike only. I have been for a year and a half so far.
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Thanks!
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| wcgreen | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2015 | | Posts | : | 10 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 16:28 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: wcgreen) | | | PS- Thoughts on the ABS? I would prefer it, due to having to ride in all conditions and only having the bike for transportation... as well as a bad wreck on wet roads on a Vulcan years ago! ABS wasn't implemented as an option until what year? 2013?
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| metalb00 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 02/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 343 | | Location | : | union, nj, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 16:48 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: wcgreen) | | |
wcgreen wrote:
PS- Thoughts on the ABS? I would prefer it, due to having to ride in all conditions and only having the bike for transportation... as well as a bad wreck on wet roads on a Vulcan years ago! ABS wasn't implemented as an option until what year? 2013? |
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pretty sure abs was standard 2013 up and optional before
| 2013 Thunderbird ABS Caspian Blue and Black Meercat crossover, D&D slipons, Black Wrapped Pipes, K&N air filter, Avon Grips, Hardstreet Slimline bags, Long haul dualseat, QR Sissy Bar
2012 Victory Cross Country Tour World Rally Blue Pearl and Obsidian Black Pearl
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| ST675R | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2015 | | Posts | : | 42 | | Location | : | San Diego, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2015 - 17:57 Post title : Re: Old cruiser rider looking to move to a TBird or Storm (Re: metalb00) | | |
metalb00 wrote:
wcgreen wrote:
PS- Thoughts on the ABS? I would prefer it, due to having to ride in all conditions and only having the bike for transportation... as well as a bad wreck on wet roads on a Vulcan years ago! ABS wasn't implemented as an option until what year? 2013? |
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pretty sure abs was standard 2013 up and optional before |
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At least on the Storms, ABS was standard starting in 2012.
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