- 2,234
- 28 below average
- 10,999 fair
- Marietta, GA
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- carsforsale.com
28 below average
On the move there’s no getting away from the fact this is a big old girl – all bikes in this class are. The handling is neutral, stable and predictable and certainly never gets out of shape like pushed Road Kings of the past were liable to (although the latest versions are much better). The brakes are beyond criticism, its comfort truly impressiveThe LT uses the enlarged, 1699cc version of the Thunderbird’s familiar liquid-cooled parallel twin (the world’s largest, Triumph is proud to boast). The eight-valve, DOHC lump produces 91bhp at 5750rpm plus a whopping 111ft-lb of torque at just 3400rpm and all transmitted through a six-speed gearbox and belt final drive. It also has a machined finish on the cylinder fins that extends right down the block (as also used on the 2014 Bonnevilles), LT-specific chromed engine covers and exhausts with neat ‘tri-oval’ section silencers which are aurally tuned to sound as good as possible. The LT’s finish impresses as well. The whole front end, with its wire wheels and whitewalls, lashings of chrome and riding lights, and with all the wiring neatly routed through bars for an uncluttered look, is as mouth-wateringly good as any. The standard, metallic, two-tone paint (an extra on some rivals), either in bright ‘ice cream van’ white/blue or more traditional burgundy and black, glistens and gleams. The variety of metal and fabric finishes, the special LT badging on engine cases and tank, the white piped seat and the neat, ‘Tri-oval’ profiled silencers, all emphasise how much effort has gone in, and engender great pleasing pride in its rider as a result. Reliability is another matter. The bike’s too new to be judged yet and MCN has no knowledge of issues affecting the Thunderbird. But on the strength of its build quality, there should be no concerns.
2234 Miles✔ Belt Transmission✔ Twin✔ Four-stroke Engine✔ Liquid Cooling System✔ 6-speed Gearbox✔ Engine cover