Triumph Thunderbird Commander
°
The Thunderbird Commander combines custom cruiser styling with a strong willing engine, refined chassis and a broad riding position, without compromising any of the values normally associated with the segment.
One ride tells you that they are about surprising levels of agility and performance in a bike that can deliver an engaging ride every day. They just happen to do it with that pure classic cruiser style.
|
Styling Along with the rest of the Commander, this engine was designed to have impact on the eye as well as the road, with machined engine fins and chrome covers contrasting against deep black barrels and crankcases. The Thunderbird Commander is bold all over. We took the engine’s dominant styling and continued the theme across the entire bike with the quality and level of detailing you’d only expect from a Triumph cruiser. A massive polished top yoke and polished stainless steel fork shrouds, signature Triumph twin headlamps, bespoke Commander badges and Art Deco LED tail light and rear indicator assembly all combine for a powerful, low, lean, sleek custom cruiser look. Engine This is the largest capacity parallel twin motorcycle engine in the world. Based on the original Thunderbird parallel twin, the beating heart of the new Commander generates an organic, torque-rich riding experience unmatched for sheer grunt and ease-of-use. Being a Triumph, the Thunderbird Commander is packed full of modern engineering. We added double overhead camshafts and a crankshaft with 270 degree firing intervals, to give you an engine with authentic cruiser character. Whilst the fuelling is looked after by a sequential fuel injection system and progressive throttle linkage so your engine delivers its torque exactly the way you expect. Belt Drive We gave the Commander a belt final drive for low maintenance and long life. Performance Powered by a pair of saucer-sized forged pistons, the 1699cc eight-valve, DOHC engine’s uneven 270° firing interval and long-stroke design produces a potent 94PS (93bhp) at 5400rpm and a huge 151Nm (111 lb.ft) of torque at a lowly 3550rpm, giving the Commander bags of twin-cylinder character. Transmission Developed and refined by our engineers so that the Commander gives you performance through a seamless, snatch-free transmission. Chassis There’s no handling compromise when you choose a Triumph cruiser, and the Thunderbird Commander is no exception. Engineered to be responsive, agile and deceptively easy to turn, even at low speeds, the Commander marries tuned geometry with a low centre of gravity to make it steer as beautifully as it looks. Frame A dynamic engine with dynamic styling demands an equally dynamic chassis; one which reflects our belief that every bike, whatever its style, should be agile yet stable, have predictable, neutral steering and superior suspension and brakes. The Thunderbird Commander is no exception to that rule. Wheels and Tyres Fat-section 140/75 17-inch front and 200/50 17-inch rear tyres running on diamond-turned cast wheels. Suspension The Commander’s handling is further enhanced by a chassis specification worthy of sportier bikes. It features shrouded 47mm Showa forks, twin 5-way preload adjustable Showa rear shocks, with optimised dual-rate springs, keeping you isolated from bumps but in touch with the road. Brakes Dual four-pot Nissin callipers on 310mm floating discs up front and a single Brembo calliper and 310mm disc at the rear, in conjunction with latest generation Triumph ABS, provide efficient performance and effortless braking control.
Handling From the moment you roll forward on the Thunderbird Commander, you’ll notice that handling control is a priority, not an afterthought. Light, neutral steering belies the width of the tyres, gives the rider form and function in one package. The parallel twin engine’s compact weight distribution means the centre of gravity is focused in front and below your knees, giving the Commander a gentle, even tilt into turns. Footboards The Thunderbird Commander gives you high quality foot-boards made from chromed high-pressure die-cast aluminium, featuring replaceable skid plates and an adjustable heel/toe gear lever. Seat Rider and pillion seat foam is a double-layer, dual-density material, soft and receptive on first feel but compressing to give a firmer, supportive yet pliant ride. The rider’s 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. Tank A massive 22 litres fuel tank with off-centre filler cap. Instruments Tank-mounted dash console including classic analogue-style speedometer, a fuel gauge and an LCD with range-to-empty, twin trips, odometer and clock functions, conveniently scrollable via a handlebar-mounted button. Silencer Twin, straight-cut drainpipe silencers so wherever you ride you’ll be accompanied by the Commander’s stirring exhaust note, specially tuned for pitch perfect progress. |