Triumph Thunderbird Commander 2017 – OTR Price: £13,700
Colour Options
Lithium Flame / Frozen Silver (+£360)
Phantom Black / Storm Grey (+£360)
Jet Black
Engine
With machined engine fins and chrome covers contrasting against the deep black barrels and crankcases. Like the rest of the Commander, this engine was designed to have impact on the eye as well as the road.
Chassis
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.
Configuration
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.
Overview
The world’s largest capacity parallel twin motorcycle engine. As 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.
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.
Overview
We used all of our engineering expertise in making the geometry just right, so the Thunderbird Commander steers as beautifully as it looks. Even at low speeds. And it has to be extremely stable when going faster, yet amazingly agile when you ask it to change direction rapidly. So you get a bike that’s responsive, even in the tight, low speed manoeuvres.
There’s no handling compromise when you choose a Triumph cruiser. We built the Thunderbird Commander to look mean and as well as put a smile on your face.
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
Four-pot Nissin callipers on 310mm floating discs up front and a single Brembo calliper and 310mm disc at the rear.
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, giving 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.
Warranty & Service
Our confidence provides you with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty on your new Triumph and Genuine Accessories. Alongside the knowledge that we give you a 12 month unlimited mileage warranty on replacement parts.
The Thunderbird carries 6,000 mile (10,000km) service intervals.
Engine and Transmission
Type | Liquid-cooled, DOHC, Parallel-twin, 270º firing interval |
Capacity |
1699cc
|
Bore |
107.1mm
|
Stroke |
94.3mm
|
System |
Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection, progressive linkage on throttle
|
Exhaust | Chromed twin-skin stainless steel 2 into 1 into 2, tandem large-volume catalysts in centralised catbox, chrome-plated silencers |
Final Drive | Toothed Belt |
Clutch | Wet, multi-plate. |
Gearbox | 6-speed constant mesh, helical type 2nd – 6th |
Oil Capacity | 4.2L |
Chassis, Running Gear and Displays
Frame | Tubular steel twin spine |
Front Wheels | Cast aluminium alloy, 5 spoke, 17 x 3.5 inch |
Rear Wheels |
Cast aluminium alloy, 5 spoke, 17 x 6.0 inch
|
Front Tyres |
140/75 ZR17
|
Rear Tyres |
200/50 ZR17
|
Front Suspension |
Showa 47mm forks. 120mm travel
|
Rear Suspension |
Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload. 109mm rear wheel travel
|
Brakes Front | Twin 310mm floating discs. Nissin 4-piston fixed calipers |
Brakes Rear | Single 310mm fixed disc. Brembo 2-piston floating caliper |
Dimensions and Capacities
Length | 2442mm |
Width handlebars | 990 |
Height without mirror | 1225mm |
Seat height | 700mm |
Wheelbase | 1665mm |
Rake | 30.1º |
Trail | 135mm |
Tank capacity | 221 |
Wet weight | 348 kilo |
Performance
Max Power EC | 94PS @ 5400 |
Max Torque EC | 151NM @ 3550 |