2014 Triumph Thunderbird Test Ride at Daytona Bike Week

In sea of cruiser crusaders, the 1699 cc Triumph Thunderbird LT fits right in with its North American counterparts and adds a much needed European flare to American biker culture. Yesterday, at Daytona, I had the opportunity to take it for a test ride.

Visually, the Triumph measures up so closely that when I returned from my beachside table at the Ocean Deck restaurant (after having devoured the best Mahi Mahi burger in memory), in the glare of glistening chrome creatures sunning themselves on the blacktop, I almost misplaced my ride.

My fully dressed European touring treasure is easily mistaken for the American Road King with its trio of headlights - one main and two auxiliary, the world's first radial white wall tires on wide wire-spoked rims, heritage style front fender and removable windshield, especially if its immediate neighbours are full fairing Road Glides. Standing in front, they look like they are from the same family.

I threw my leg over this low ride, turned the key and the differences soon took over - that is after I stopped two big burly bikers and offered to trade my parking spot for help in getting my bike out from between the book ends currently holding it hostage.   I suppose I could have removed the saddlebags, but then I wouldn't have been able to thank the gracious bikers for lending me a helping hand.

How She Rides

At Daytona, there's plenty of bikes moving down Main Street,  I often wonder where I am in the pack. I was mid pack, then with the change of the traffic light, I was leading the pack, soon to be followed by pulling up the rear of the pack all the while being entertained by the characters and chaos that lined both sides of the street.

Moving slow or fast, I was comfortable. The rider seat of the Thunderbird LT is redesigned and now offers ample touring comfort with more padding and low back support.  I settled back and extended my tour time thanks to the added floorboards and highway pegs.

The all new Triumph is powered by the world's largest parallel twin engine that has become Triumph's signature trademark. Cruising with the power of a1699 cc engine made riding as smooth and controlled as it can be especially navigating these grooved concrete highways designed for maximum water drainage from tropical rain storms.

I found the belt driven transmission paired with the low RPM torque, provided a smooth immediate response. However, as I return to the mayhem of Main Street and the low RPM torque, I was lucky to leave the first of six gears. Thankfully my fingers survived the test of clutch control (a lady's issue perhaps more than a man's).

I cruised the Thunderbird through the constant thunder and rumble of Reinhart, Vance and Hines. Despite my choice to wear a full face helmet in the land of free flowing locks, I received a welcomed honk of horn in admiration of my ride from a fellow Triumph cruiser in the pack.

With a thumbs up to he and his lady, Triumph also gets a thumbs up on their newest cruiser entry.