Triumph announce new Thunderbird 'Commander'
With styling clearly inspired by the Rocket III, the new Thunderbird Commander features a twin-headlight front, wide wheels and tyres, wide and low seating, footboards, 'drainpipe' exhausts, and generous use of chrome.
Key to the new model is an all-new steel tube spine frame, which features optimised geometry to maintain consistent, manageable steering characteristics while enjoying the dramatic look of fat-section 140/75 17-inch front and 200/50 17-inch rear tyres running on cast wheels.
Handling is further enhanced by a chassis specification that includes shrouded 47mm Showa forks, twin 5-way preload adjustable Showa rear shocks, with optimised dual-rate springs, four-pot Nissin brake calipers on 310mm floating discs up front and a single Brembo caliper and 310mm disc at the rear, with Triumph's ABS as standard.
Powerplant is the same Triumph 1699cc parallel twin used in the Thunderbird Storm, that in the case of the Commander, delivers 151Nm torque at 3550rpm. The eight-valve, DOHC engine's uneven 270-degree firing interval and long-stroke design produces a potent 94PS (93bhp) at 5400rpm, which combined with the meaty torque figure, gives the Commander abundant twin-cylinder character, made audible through a specially-tuned exhaust note.
Wide header pipes flare out from the cylinders before folding back into twin, straight-cut drainpipe silencers, evoking Triumph's parallel twin heritage. Engine styling touches include machined engine fins, with chrome engine covers juxtaposed against deep black barrels and crankcases.
Development work by Triumph's engineers ensures the Commander delivers its performance through a seamless, snatch-free transmission. A progressive throttle linkage, cutting-edge sequential fuel injectors and a positive six-speed gearbox deliver that power to the 200/50 rear rubber via a belt final drive for low maintenance and long life.
With cruising firmly in mind, the Commander's seat is reshaped, with double the foam thickness of other Thunderbird models, to bring a new level of riding comfort to custom cruisers, while maintaining a low seat height. Lowering the seat was achieved through the aforementioned new frame, coupled with revised steering geometry to accommodate the ultra-wide tyres.
Despite the low slung appearance, Triumph says the new Commander still offers excellent handling and manageability, adding that handling control was a priority, not an afterthought. Despite the chunky tyres, steering is described as being light and neutral, while engine weight distribution means the centre of gravity is focused in front and below the rider's knees, giving the Commander a gentle, even tilt into turns rather than a laboured heave. Upgraded suspension keeps the rider isolated from bumps, but still in touch with the road, and the ABS-assisted brakes ensure stopping is quick and efficient.
At the Commander's front end is a massive polished top yoke and polished stainless steel fork shrouds, twin headlamps and bespoke Commander badges. Chromed aluminium foot-boards feature replaceable skid plates and an adjustable heel/toe gear lever. At the rear, Art Deco LED tail light and rear indicator assembly combine to deliver a low, fat cruiser look.
In terms of ergonomics, the rider's seat has been especially shaped with wide, flared sides and a lumbar support to provide maximum comfort. The cover material contains a degree of elasticity so that it 'gives' as the seat compresses, maintaining the ideal shape and reducing uncomfortable pressure points. The handlebars sweep back to give a wide yet natural-feeling hand position, with wiring routed through the bars for an improved rider's eye-view and a clean, unfussy look to the front end.
Other features include a coded key immobiliser, self-cancelling indicators, 22 litre fuel tank with off-centre filler cap and a well-appointed, tank-mounted dash console including classic analogue-style speedometer, fuel gauge and an LCD with range-to-empty, twin trips, odometer and clock functions, scrollable via a handlebar-mounted button.
Available colours are two-tone Lava Red/Crimson Sunset and Phantom Black/Storm Grey, with a wide array of accessories available to tailor the bike to individual tastes.
As with all new Triumph motorcycles, the Thunderbird Commander comes with an unlimited mileage, two year factory warranty.
UPDATE: Triumph Australia announced at the Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Show that local deliveries of the Thunderbird Commander are expected in April, 2014.
