EICMA 2013: Thunderbird Commander and LT

Triumph has doubled the size of its Thunderbird cruiser family with the addition of the Commander and LT (Light Touring).

Both bikes are powered by the six-speed 1699cc parallel twin – the world’s largest in that configuration – producing 94hp at 5400rpm and a huge 151Nm at just 3550rpm. Final drive is belt.

The Commander has a reshaped and thicker seat “to bring a new level of riding comfort to custom cruisers”, while the bike has a revised steering geometry to accommodate ultra-wide 17-inch tyres -- 140/75 front and 200/50 rear – mated to cast wheels. There’s also a new steel tube frame.

The rider' seat has also been especially shaped with wide, flared sides and a lumbar support to provide maximum comfort even at the end of a long day's ride.

The Commander has 47mm Showa forks, and preload adjustable Showa rear shocks. There are four-pot Nissin calipers on 310mm floating discs up front and a single Brembo caliper and 310mm disc at the rear. Anti-lock braking comes as standard.

The bike has footboards made from chromed die-cast aluminium, featuring replaceable skid plates and an adjustable heel/toe gear lever. The handlebars sweep back to give a wide hand position, while the electrical wiring has been routed through the bars to give the rider' eye-view a clean, unfettered look.

Further features include a coded key immobiliser, self-cancelling indicators, a 22-litre fuel tank with off-centre filler cap, and a tank-mounted dash console including analogue speedometer, a fuel gauge and an LCD with range-to-empty, twin trips, odometer and clock functions, conveniently scrollable via a handlebar-mounted button.

Colours are Lava Red/Crimson Sunset or Phantom Black/Storm Grey.

THUNDERBIRD LT
The Thunderbird LT (Light Touring) is being pitched as premium classic touring cruiser, and items that come as standard include a pair of removable leather saddle bags, auxiliary spot lamps and the world's first real white-walled radial motorcycle tyres riding on wide, wire-spoked rims. The ergonomics feature a completely redesigned, reshaped seat, with deeper foam padding and lumbar support for maximum comfort, while maintaining a low seat height.

Machined fins pick out the distinctive parallel twin shape, while chrome engine covers are offset against jet-black barrels and crankcases. A pair of wide, splayed exhaust pipes dominate the LT's front three-quarter profile with their classic 'header-run' following a straight line from the throttle bodies through to the headers.

Details include broad chrome embellishers on the deep, two-piece front and rear mudguards, generous chrome highlights around the windshield and yokes, single front headlight and auxiliary spot lamps, massive wire-spoked wheels, one-off Triumph tank badges, white piping around the seat, 1930s Art Deco-style rear indicator, LED tail light assemblies and twin hand-painted coach-lines decorating the two-tone tank and mudguard paint schemes.

The 16-inch tyre sizes are 150/80 and 180/70 on wire 56-spoked rims, while the suspension and brakes replicate the Commander’s.

The LT also comes with a look-over windshield made from 4.5mm thick, Quantum-coated polycarbonate developed to minimise buffeting. The shield is secured firmly in place by spring-loaded retainers yet, when unlocked, can be detached by hand in a matter of seconds to give a completely different look and feel to the bike.

The leather panniers include metal buckles hiding quick release clips, waterproof inner liners with carry handles, provision for a 12v accessory socket and a waterproof inner pocket for documents and wallet. They can be quickly removed.

Colours are Caspian Blue/Crystal White or Lava Red/Phantom Black.

We’re awaiting word from Triumph Australia on local availability.