going down in BHP
 

Owing to one thing or another I've had a strange year, from a 139 bhp speedtriple I when onto a 100bhp TT600, not a bad change as the little lightweight was so different the two were hard to compare, but braking and performance (top end) were close, handling and acceleration were good on both although in a totally different way.

Anyway from that I had an enforced "rest" for 9 months before riding a scooter (12.24 bhp) which simpley was a nightmare,not so much the power (or lack of) but more the delivery, but then on to a CB750F2 (71 bhp) it was heavy but predictable, went well enough (about an indicated 130-40 or so) didn't feel anywhere as nice as the triumphs but way more comfy, now I've got the Thunderbird sport, another triple, with proper suspension (90 bhp) it goes great and handles better than my old Speedtriple did before I re-built the thing, I've always been addicted to the powerful mid range of monster engines ( the lump in the re-built Speedtriple has been dyno'd at 152 bhp :smt103 ), but somehow the T'bird doesn't seem to need it, even to the extent of being over geared (on purpose) cracking the throttle open to just hear the lump digging in and the exhaust bark it's .50 cal imatation, rather than dropping a cog and getting the performance I could ?

Guess it must be me, but I seem to be happy with the power it's got, getting old and slow, (see the insurance people did get it right ;) ).

Cheers Mark.

Re: going down in BHP
 

You said it mate ;)

Re: going down in BHP
 

Glad to hear you're enjoying it. Maybe you need the forthcoming 210hp V-Max next. an 1800cc V4 ought to sound good too ;)
Maybe it's just more satisfying to know your getting the engine working properly rather than nannying it like you must have to do on a 150hp naked!
Has the tbird got standard pipes on?

Re: going down in BHP
 

:D no

Re: going down in BHP
 

Re: going down in BHP
 

It's alright Paul mines got two advantages, it's owned by me and it's not a duca** :D

Re: going down in BHP
 

ANOTHER bike Rictus?!

You trying to outdo my record?

Sounds like you have the perfect balance for what you want now. Glad to hear you're enjoying being back on 2 wheels again.

Dan

Re: going down in BHP
 

think you'll have a way to go before owning as many Dan (think 56 at last count), but then again I've had a little more time than you ;) .

Yeah always liked them, sort of retro cool, with sports bike handling and a bit more power/brakes.

Cheers Mark.

Re: going down in BHP
 

Why did you choose that one over the thruxton? They look gorgeous in the flesh...erm...metal...

Re: going down in BHP
 

the Bonnie range (Bonnie/thruxton/scrambler) are much the same as the standard thunderbirds and have limited power (read 60 bhp or less) and basic suspension (preload only adjustable) and adequate brakes (single disc), where as the thunderbird sport has less chrome, twin front discs, speedtriple fully adjustable suspension and 90 bhp, so it's a step back from the performace thresh hold, just not a very big one ;)

Cheers Mark.

Re: going down in BHP
 

my friend had a thruxton and put track pipes on:) sounded great.

Re: going down in BHP
 

ah ok. I thought the thruxton was a beefed up bonnie. I'd love to get one and get it tuned up. I remember reading about examples in mcn that were producing oodles of power of standard ones. It's be great to go out sportsbike bashing on one of those ;) The tbird a kneedown kind of bike or a little more leisurely?

Re: going down in BHP
 

Basically the original Hinkley Bonnie was a 790cc machine, they produced the Thruxton with a slightly longer stroke to up the cc's and power a bit (don't get to excited, not alot), then a revised Bonnie came out (T100) and has the same engine as the Thruxton now as does the scrambler, even a well tuned Thruxton isn't going to be a sportbike killer, the engine frame and suspension just aren't of that quality, nice and feel fast (with a little playing that is) but feel fast rather than being fast, suppose with the right engine work/ frame bracing/ fork change & rear shock/ brake upgrade you could get close, but then the T'bird sport already has all of that, so why bother ?

the T'bird sport can be hussled about and no doubt you could easily get you knee down on it, although not an option for me as I can't take any corner weight on the bad one or even use it to hook on to the bike the other way, but it's really planted in the corners so lean angles aren't a problem at all (that'll be the sportbike suspension then).

Re: going down in BHP
 

i found the thruxton to handle really well all things considered, it did feel down on power tho for such a heavy bike.

Re: going down in BHP
 

I love those... I chased one of those from Gala to Moffat once, I don' think he knew the road so I could keep up, but he just looked so much cooler than me while he was doing it... And the noise! Fantastic. Not all that authentic I suppose, but who wants authentic? Old bikes were rubbish!

Re: going down in BHP
 

They don't make that model now do they ? So when were the last ones available ?

Does look nice I must admit...

Re: going down in BHP
 

mines a 98-99 model (only availible in red or yellow)

http://home.nordnet.fr/pbrissez/100C...r/DCP_0005.JPG

http://magasi.net/catalog/grafikk/Tr...Sport-1998.jpg

99-01 model
http://82.131.181.197/web/spoiler/ke...rd%20sport.jpg

2002-03
http://www.brabantmotors.nl/Accessoires_files/A153.jpg

2004-05
http://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/T...t_RHF_1024.jpg

2005-06
the last had the yellow tank incert in black as well, production finished in 05, however a few 06 reg bikes are still to be found.

Basically all they changed was the colours and the twin stack pipe to one each side.

Cheers Mark.

Re: going down in BHP
 

That one in black is just ace. Stick a Remus powercone exhaust on it, and it's finished...

Re: going down in BHP
 

Cool bik.:cool: :salut:

Re: going down in BHP
 

Black one is gorgeous! I really fancy one of these old schoolers myself. Keep the SV as a workhorse. However a thunderbird with clipons would be gorgeous!

Re: going down in BHP
 

My thoughts too. Don't know why Triumph did not bring a cafe racer version. Not too difficult?

Big heavy bikes with clip-ons take a bit of heave-ho to get them turned . :pig:

Fun learning tho'!:riding: :D

Re: going down in BHP
 

the Thruxton is the clip on cafe racer, the T'bird sport was based on a flat tracker, got narrow flat bars.

Cheers Mark.

Re: going down in BHP
 

That yellow bike you have in your avatar?

Did you win it on ebay buy any chance? Sure my old man was watching a yellow one of those not long back.

Re: going down in BHP
 

was on Ebay yes, but I just made a silly offer for it and they excepted, never know if you don't ask :smt102

Cheers Mark.

Re: going down in BHP
 

My old man had that on watch list. Small bit of damage to the tank?

I'll tell him someone off the SV site bought it. He was very very tempted :lol:

Re: going down in BHP
 

Yellow too.......

Re: going down in BHP
 

Na, not a scratch on it, must have been another one, this ones mint.

Cheers Mark.