Triumph Thunderbird Sport review by NOT The all year Motorcyclist

[@greywolf9292]

I tried to pay tribute to one of KZbin' nicest Moto Vloggers TAYM who's been very supportive to all other channels including my own. Sadly with so much to concentrate on, I failed miserably at capturing his charm and unique mannerisms. Please read the description/more column for lots of information regarding this bike, its history and my thoughts on owning it previously.

[@TAYM]

Thank you so much 😊 very kind 😊 i am feeling all embarrassed 😊

[@TAYM]

Marvellous bike and definitely a sherbet lemon 😊😂😂😂

[@greywolf9292]

@@TAYM Thanks TAYM and sorry for not doing you justice 😢 I watched your review videos over and over, learned all your quint little idioms and mannerisms, yet faced with reacquainting myself with this bike, keeping an eye on the roads and traffic etc, it all went out the window. The bike on the other hand was faultless, which is why I decided to post the video. Hoping people would concentrate on the bike and not the nut holding the handlebars

[@TAYM]

@@greywolf9292 😂😂😂😂 it was marvellous 😁 and the bike is stunning 😁 amazed triumph haven’t brought this one back 😁

[@greywolf9292]

@@TAYM I thought they'd bring it back too but I guess they'd be competing against the Bonneville range which was introduced just before the Thunderbirds ceased production.

[@Banditmanuk]

Congratulations on the bike. It looks in fantastic condition. You're so lucky to have all that gorgeous Scottish countryside on your doorstep. Sounds great as well. Cheers and take care

[@greywolf9292]

Thank you Richard and Carol yet again for your valued support and comments. I appreciate you enjoy warmer climates but even abroad you can't guarantee not to get a soaking as your recent trip to Italy proved. You really should try to make it North of the border to explore more of Scotland's beauty for yourselves, I'd love to accompany you both and show you some hidden gems. There's no tolls as yet but ULEZ is sneaking in to several towns and cities 😤 gut instinct tells me we won't have these freedoms for much longer 😕

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Beautiful bike and scenery. Brings back memories of my 1999 TBS and a little of my 1996 Tbird.

[@greywolf9292]

It was memories from my past ownership which led to me buying one again, possibly one of the best bikes Triumph ever made and amongst the last to be built in Hinckley. I mentioned your TBS with its three into three exhaust in the video. I forgot you'd sent me photos, I could have posted one for viewers to see. Thanks for your valued support 👍😀

[@michaellilley6725]

I'm so happy to have this bike back, not the same bike but identical to the one I owned in 2000/2001 😊 I have many happy memories of riding around up in Ross-shire amidst equally stunning scenery, the exhaust note reverberating around the hills and mountains 😘

[@kimetogo]

Looks in perfect condition extreemly well cared for, very nice to see a bike of that standard. Great riding video. Thanks for sharing.

[@greywolf9292]

Thank you so much for playing catch up with my videos, I'm trying to do the same with yours. The Thunderbird Sport was a bike I previously owned, identical but not the same bike. I intended to keep it untill retirement but circumstances forced it's sale. I'm so happy now to have one back in the stable, the last of the Hinckley built Bonneville's

[@blearyview2254]

That is one of my favourite roads, it is simply stunning. When you think how much money you have spent on the other bikes in your stable, you are having as much fun, if not more on the TT Sport and for a fraction of the cost. Great to hear you loving it to bits.

[@greywolf9292]

Cheers Alex, yes the Sma' Glen tends to be my first choice when trying out a new bike, due to its familiarity and stunning scenery. The other bikes are as much an investment as well as pride of ownership, apart from the KTM which is purely practical for unkempt roads. I have many very happy memories of my past ownership of this bike, it's handling and the sound it makes bring joy to my old heart. That said, nothing can compare to the adrenaline rush I get when letting the engines breathe on both the ZZR and the Rocket 3 and the sweet music to my ears each gives me when I do 😘 Sorry the expectation of rain prevented our meeting yesterday, along with your chance to try the TBS for yourself. I know from past experience the alloys adorning the TBS find British weather disagreeable, also I think we need a day to do justice to our presentation and nail the audio etc. All the best Michael, speak to you again soon 👍😀

[@BeansOnToast_YT]

That was me at 4:47, sorry forgot to wave and go meep meep 🤣 When you stopped at the gate I thought of Saddlebags then you mentioned him. I understand he's the goto gate expert 👍 Scotland cleans up nice in the summer, looks like it's foxglove season 😎 The sound of the bike has a nice character, out of your stable of bikes for me this would be the keeper if I could only have one, none of the others are yellow so I don't know what happened there, no sherbet 🤔

[@tojj29]

Nice to see a bit of hooning going on😉😉👍👍

[@BeansOnToast_YT]

@@tojj29 Yep, they always bring a smile to my face 👍😊

[@greywolf9292]

That MT07 of yours can't half shift, I wasn't exactly sticking to the speed limit when you passed me 😮😯😌 Yes "a view with a gateway" rather than "a gateway with a view" 360° view with a gateway 😊 I knew I'd miss spelled Sherbet when I saw the upload, too late to edit it, auto correct works overtime when you don't need it and not when you do 😂 Yes the other bikes are missing yellowness, though the KTM was overly Orange until I gave it a decal kit makeover.

[@greywolf9292]

@@tojj29 My own hooning is kept for off camera, winds over 100mph are deafening 😣🙉🙊😂

[@BeansOnToast_YT]

@@greywolf9292 Yes that's what I think I look like on the bike, customers experience may differ IRL 🤣

[@ladyjrider666]

What a lovely location. I lived in Scotland for 5 years. Dundee and worked in Perth. I didn't ride back then so missed out on wonderful scenery. Thanks for sharing.

[@greywolf9292]

It's a lovely area, such a pity you never got to explore it on a bike.

[@ladyjrider666]

@@greywolf9292 hopefully one day I will. 😀

[@MerciaMoto]

Wow! Now I know what they mean by Thunder in the Glens! What a fabulous sound that machine makes! 😃 Fabulous landscape to complement the Thunderbird soundtrack. Love what you did with the walk around and how you’re using the 360 camera especially during the opening scene 👌🏻cheers mate 👍🏻

[@greywolf9292]

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, it's great to get such positive feedback 👍😀 I've just bought the new DJI Action 4 so that should add yet another perspective. The sound was my fondest memory of my past ownership of the Thunderbird. In this video I clipped a Rode Wireless mic to the seat strap with the dead cat on it, sadly it was still exposed to too much wind, yet it still captured the essence of the exhaust note 😘

[@MerciaMoto]

@@greywolf9292 wise move going for the Action 4. I switched from GoPro Hero 10 to the Action 3 and it was the best move I could have made. Tempted to sell my 3 and buy the 4 but struggling to justify if I’m honest. Keep smashing those videos out mate

[@greywolf9292]

@@MerciaMoto There's not a great deal of difference between the 3 and the 4, a bit better low light capability but that seems to come with ghosting from the Rock steady. I've yet to try it but should get out this weekend weather permitting.

[@DrasticHorace]

Great bike & colour, love the twin pipes similar to the Hurricane of old. 👍

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching and for your comment 👍😀 Yes of all the variants of this bike, this one in yellow with the three into two exhaust is the most appealing. The old Hurricane is certainly up there in looks and style too, I'd love to own one but they're a bit more rate and pricey.

[@johndiehardmclean23]

I did think for a minute that you were just teasing us & not going to show us the bike, but then you did! 🤣😎👍 It's a top shelf stunner! 👍❤️😬

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks John, I could have edited the bike camera footage out and inserted the walk round but I wanted to show the process and keep folk guessing 🤔 I guess it worked 😂

[@johndiehardmclean23]

@@greywolf9292 Well at my end...Definitely mate! 🤣👍 So is it as good as you remember? 👍😎 I passed by Powmill earlier, where you & Alex had went in your previous vid, on the way back from the out-laws caravan in St Andrews & reckon Cowmill Milk Bar would be a waaaaay better name! 🤪👍

[@greywolf9292]

@@johndiehardmclean23 The Thunderbird Sport is awakening some memories and fun, if not a little more sedate to ride in comparison to the big beasts. It seems a bit slower and less loud than I remember but then bikes weren't so fast then and nor did I wear earplugs. Also I'm carrying several stones in extra weight now, so only a diet will help make a fair comparison. I'm enjoying it for not egging me to give it more beans all the time. Next time your close by give me a heads up, I'd love a meet up 👍😀

[@Saddlebags73]

Gorgeous scenery and roads. Definitely a view with a gateway as opposed to…well, you know 🤣 Thank you for that. Matey was getting a lick on as he passed you 💪🏼 I really do love the sound Mr Wolf. I could listen to that all day 👌🏼

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching and commenting Mr Saddlebags. Yes matey took me by surprise and I wasn't exactly sticking to the speed limit when he flew past. I agree the sound of it is enthralling. I was tempted to put some music to break the video up a bit. In the end I thought " no, let's just stick to the bikes sweet music instead" 😊

[@BMCMOTOUK]

Lovely looking bike and cracking scenery. I was planning on heading up your way this weekend but the weather is pants 😢

[@greywolf9292]

Cheers Sean, yes the weather is a bit inclement to say the least, dry one minute persisting it down the next 😕 I had planned to meet up with Alex (Bleary View) for a bike swap but as he had a lunch appointment with his wife and there'd been heavy showers I called it off. Please give me a heads up when your heading up, I'd love to show you around my channel email is in my about column. All the best Michael 👍😀

[@BMCMOTOUK]

@greywolf9292 cheers Michael, I will do. Its always the same when I have a weekend off. It rains lol

[@greywolf9292]

@@BMCMOTOUK Yes the weather these days is all by design, to keep us from enjoying ourselves and from natural vitamin D 🌧️🌦️⛅🌤️☀️🌫️♒♒✈️😎

[@WolfyFam]

Amazing scenery - would be so nice to live near there 👌

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching and commenting, I really am so lucky to have such stunning roads almost on my doorstep 👍😀

[@BlakesPipes]

I love the NOT review. Perfect road for that bike and again, out playing in the rain again. Nice!

[@greywolf9292]

Cheers Blake, I had planned to copy TAYM'S mannerisms and add a bit of humour but with so much to concentrate on I lost the plot 😮😊 I said the ride home looked ominous well it was, heavy rain then a hailstorm, I had to stop timing to protect the equipment I've drowned a Ride mic once before 😕 Typical Scotland, four seasons in one day 🌤️⛅🌦️🌧️🌨️

[@R6_Monkey]

That triumph is a nice bike and the colour is just perfect on it really jumps out at you, some great roads around that way too

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching, subscribing and commenting 👍 The Thunderbird Sport was a past love a bike I intended to own into retirement, I'm so happy to have an identical one and now it's part of a varied stable. I sold my Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad, which was a stunning bike but not my favourite and very heavy to handle. Yes there's some great roads almost right on my doorstep 😀

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching, subscribing and commenting 👍 Yes the Thunderbird Sport is a past love which I've been lucky enough to rekindle, it sounds terrific and handles well.

[@Trail-TBirdSport]

Nice bike ! 👍 I've a TBird Sport '98 grey/black (Mecatwin paint) with Mecatwin exhaust pipes and the sound is incredible !

[@greywolf9292]

Thank you for watching and commenting 👍 your own TBird sounds interesting, they certainly are a very well put together bike.

[@Saddlebags73]

Oh my! That bike sounds delicious 😍

[@greywolf9292]

That's what I remembered about my last one, that and how well it cornered. I had a friend who lived about 7 miles away in the countryside. When I visited him in the evening he used to say he could hear me coming from four miles away 😊🤣

[@ruahinesrider]

What a great bike you're very lucky.I went on run in weekend & there were 2 newer Rocket 3 & one was 2500cc & had "YEAH" on side of tank.

[@ruahinesrider]

Far out 11500miles is low km example.

[@greywolf9292]

Yes it's a lovely bike and very low milage for its year. I get the reasoning behind the "YEAH" on the side of the Rocket tank but I don't think I'd spoil mine by doing something like that, a personal plate perhaps but not covering the paint work.

[@ruahinesrider]

@@greywolf9292 Alot of people put clear wraps on their bikes maybe it was a wrap.Another is a wrap the same colour as tank.

[@ruahinesrider]

​@@greywolf9292I did have a video of that Rocket 🚀 3 2500cc with Yeah on tank I've put it up.

[@greywolf9292]

@@ruahinesrider Thanks I'll take a look later after work 👍😁

[@robedwards782]

Love it my friend you take care 👍❤

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching and for your support 👍😀

[@BlakesPipes]

I am always amazed by the miles and miles of rock wall that was built so many years ago by man. And to think of the work that had to be done back then and the perfection as they still stand today.

[@greywolf9292]

Yes Drystone walling and old stone construction were an art form and built to last. I did a short three day coarse on how to build Drystone walls, the most important thing I learned was it's impossible to get away from the Midgies 😦 Oddly enough I thought of such things falling into decay, when ordinary workers are prevented from travel outside their home towns and cities. The UK High Courts have just ruled in favour of expanded ULEZ ( Ultra Low Emissions Zones), owners of older vehicles face a £12.50/$15.00 daily charge for each Zone they enter or leave. Sadly our freedoms are disappearing and our lives are not our own anymore 😤😢

[@BlakesPipes]

@@greywolf9292 I have a spare bedroom here on the beach of Norfolk, va. And have plenty of room for motorcycles in the yard. But I will say it will take the rest of my life for them to attempt that here. We are just too large of land and space to make that a thing here yet! We are aging and the young will have to deal with their own people that make these crazy rules. They are not laws, as it comes with jail time, it's taxing the common man/person for his own progress. Who would have made a rule for what type of transport you use to get to town 50 years ago. Sad that people have voted these people in. I wanted to move in May this year to Tennessee to get away from this silliness we have going on in the states. But the injury made that not possible for a year or two. Keep riding my friend

[@greywolf9292]

@@BlakesPipes People here tore down the cameras, councils took the London mayor to court and lost. It doesn't matter who we vote for they've all been bought by the bankers. Klaus Schwab proudly boasts of agenda 2030 when you will apparently "own nothing and be happy". Recently he said 50% of Trudeau's government are from his " young world leaders of the future" program. Already in the UK and other countries a move to ban household Gas is being implemented, homes will require to be fitted with heat exchangers costing tens of thousands and very inefficient. It'll be impossible to sell a home unless it conforms to new regulations, that's how they plan to achieve it, it's all going to go a little Mad Max very soon. Let's just hope there's a force of good to conquer the evil which for now prevails.

[@tojj29]

Lovely bike Mike, lovely looking, lovely sound and coloured like a Sherbit Lemon. Has to be one of Triumphs best ever over the years. Stay safe.

[@greywolf9292]

Cheers Nige, yes it certainly marks an era never to be seen again, it's a bike I've always felt Triumph should reinvent. On the day my previous one was delivered the dealer said " You're going to be sick, I've just taken delivery of the new Bonneville" to which I replied " I'm not sick at all, I'd far rather have this one. If I wanted a Bonneville I'd rather have an old one" despite being Twenty Four years old the Thunderbird Sport still outshines the modern Bonneville's 😊

[@tomtaylor6163]

I’ve had 3 of these bikes. They just never were popular here in the states. You can get them really cheap. The Twins are far more desirable to these

[@greywolf9292]

Thank you for watching and commenting with this interesting info 👍😊 I'm surprised at the twins being more popular, for me there's something special about the triple engine. This bike also has more power than the modern 1200 twin as well as better suspension, fully adjustable forks and a mono-shock rear.

[@tomtaylor6163]

@@greywolf9292 Power isn’t the issue. Power delivery and retro coolness seem to be a contributing factor on these models. The 900 triples are way underpowered anyway in comparison to other makes and models . The twins , even the early 800 carbed models are way more desirable in the American market. These motors are basically a Kawasaki ZRX less one cylinder. They don’t have retro coolness or power. But they are nice bikes

[@greywolf9292]

@@tomtaylor6163 Each to their own I guess, I bought this TBS to replace one which I owned back in 2000 and had intended to keep until retirement.On the day it was delivered the dealer said " you're going to be pig sick" I asked "Why?" " I just took delivery of the new Bonneville today" was his reply. "I much prefer this one" was my reply " If I wanted a Bonneville I'd rather an old one". It was the perfect bike for where I lived at the time in the Scottish Highlands, it carved those twisties like a dream. A friend used to say he could hear it coming from four miles away. Unfortunately circumstances led to me having to sell it. Now I also own it's Big Big brother the Rocket 3 GT, it's an absolute beast of a bike and it handles way better than you'd expect.

[@TheTigerman62]

Surely you don’t like using the mirrors.

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching and commenting, mirrors are of some use but cannot be relied upon. Often something passes me at speed completely unawares. I'd still rather have them than not have them, as an aid to knowing what's behind me. I've encountered enough drivers who haven't used theirs or even looked to know it presents imminent danger to myself.

[@Mike-er7ym]

It's such a pity that Ican hardley hear what you are saying! :-(

[@greywolf9292]

I'm sorry about that, I've been trying my best to improve the audio and I'm now using a different set up. I've also been editing on my phone up untill now, I've bought a laptop and will use DaVinci Resolve which should allow me to get better audio adjustment. Thanks for watching and for the constructive feedback 👍😀

[@seppokajanus3039]

❤🇫🇮

[@greywolf9292]

Thank you 😀👍

[@PaulsMotoZen]

Zoom

[@greywolf9292]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Zoom indeed 👍😁