Cruisers, sitting on the diametrically opposite side of supersports category in the biking realm, lend themselves to the gracefully graying, retired gentlemen. The guys who fancy themselves on these machines are generally well traveled, and lay more emphasis on experiencing the journey than reaching the destination. They have made their money, so they are not in a hurry. And they have paid their taxes, so the government better have made some long tarmac roads for them.
Words: Dhairya Gupta
Images: Bobby Roy
The last Triumph motorcycle we tested was the very British Thruxton. That bike represents the biking culture of café racing which originated in Britain. Thunderbird, the cruiser, however, is a British kid with an American origin. Americans love wide, open, straight roads. Traversing the Western wilderness on an arrow straight highway with a distant din of country music is what American biking dreams are made of.
While the Indian bikers have always had a liking for the laid back REs, of late they have also developed a taste (and wallet) for bigger, more luxurious and more expensive cruisers. Harley Davidson has been a great success story in India, purely because of its cruiser range. Numerous Harleys riding around Indian metros every Sunday is a common sight nowadays. Triumph is also eyeing a share of the pie; which is a rather big pie, and the Thunderbird LT is the knife it plans to cut itself a slice with. So, can the British beat the Americans at their own game? Let’s find out.
Design and appearance
“This thing is the two-wheeled equivalent of the Mammoth” was my first thought when I saw the Triumph Thunderbird LT for the first time at its launch in September last year. The sheer enormity of the machine is monumental. The fuel tank, the headlight cluster, footboards, seat, handlebar and the panniers make it look like something the Incredible Hulk would likely ride. Just paint it green and it would be ready to haul the burly, indestructible, mutated hero in the next installment of the Avengers series.
As we entered the Triumph’s Service Center in Gurgaon to pick the bike, it stood there smugly among a slew of other Triumph motorcycles. It clearly stood out in a company of machines which would have won some beauty pageants (body building championships in some cases) themselves.
The LT moniker stands for ‘Light Tourer’ – we think it has been named like that with a pinch of humor. At 380 kg, it is anything but ‘light’.
Soon, the good blokes at the Triumph service station took it away for a wash, and we are glad they did, for if we were to clean it, we would’ve lost the slanting morning light taking the muck off those beautiful panels.
As it came out of the wash and stood outside, the heavy chrome almost blinded us as even in the morning, a splendid Delhi summer sun reflected on acres of chrome. We can only imagine the amount of elbow grease required to keep this bike looking spic and span. You better order cartons of motorcycle polish if you are planning to buy the Triumph Thunderbird LT.
Now, we aren’t exactly cruiser lovers but this bike does change the way we think about them. Be prepared for a lot of attention while riding this bike.
We loved the white walled tyres, mounted on 16 inch spoke chrome wheels, which take you back a couple of decades.
The white walls gelled extremely well with Crystal White strips on the Caspian blue paint on the beautifully sculpted fender with chrome tips. Other colors available are Lava Red Phantom Black and Jet Black.
These beautiful wheels are mounted on 47 mm Showa Forks which provide 120 mm of travel. The chrome shrouds enhance the cruiser look.
The headlight cluster is huge with a large round lamp flanked by spot lamps on both sides, and turn signals hanging below them.
The touring windshield not only gives it a serious cruiser look, it is practical as well. However, if you do not like to ride with the wind shield, it can be removed easily and stowed away.
Fuel tank is wide and as visible in the side profile, it sweeps into the large padded seats.
The name “Thunderbird” weaved in the lumbar support is a nice touch.
Instrument cluster with chrome surrounds houses a large Speedo Meter with digital trip meter and analog fuel gauge. Cruisers do not need tacho meters.
The parallel twin engine with machine finished fins sits pretty on the block with beautiful chrome engine cover.
Coming down to the foot board, it is large and looks like a plot of land covered in rubber.
The triangular shaped twin chrome exhausts are aesthetically positioned and we like them.
The standard fitment saddle bags enhance the cruiser look and spacious enough for carrying enough luggage for two people for a long weekend.
The switchgear is of a decent quality. Not the best out there, but doesn’t leave much to complain about. The horn button was a bit of a stretch to access.
That’s quite a long description for a bike’s appearance, but we think the LT deserves all the adulation for the way it looks.
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