Reviews/ Triumph/ T-bird Storm
Triumph T-bird Storm
7.5/10 Cruiser

Triumph T-bird Storm Review

"A genuinely characterful cruiser that rewards buyers who do their homework."

Experienced riders wanting a credible Harley alternative $6,500-$10,500 used 2011-2016
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Used Buyer Review

The Thunderbird Storm is Triumph's attempt at a proper muscle cruiser, and honestly, they largely pulled it off. That 1699cc parallel twin thumps out torque like it owes you money, and the blacked-out, aggressive styling still turns heads a decade on. It's genuinely different from the Harley crowd, which is either a selling point or a dealbreaker depending on your tribe. Handling is surprisingly competent for something this heavy — Triumph clearly remembered they build motorcycles, not furniture. On used examples, watch the final drive belt religiously — neglected ones snap without much warning. The throttle-by-wire system on later models occasionally throws gremlins, so check for fault codes before handing over cash. Service intervals are reasonable but Triumph dealer labour rates aren't cheap, so verify the history book is complete. Fuel consumption is thirsty by any measure, and that tank range will have you planning stops more than you'd like.

Pros

+Massive torque delivery everywhere
+Distinctive non-Harley personality
+Solid build quality throughout
+Surprisingly capable cornering ability
+Strong parts availability still

Cons

-Thirsty fuel consumption always
-Belt drive needs close inspection
-Heavy at low speed manoeuvring
-TBW gremlins on later bikes
warning
Avoid if

You want cheap running costs or light weight

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