Triumph Thunderbird LT review, test ride

What is it like to ride?

Get moving and this Thunderbird seems to shrink in size. Large turning radius apart, it’s uncanny how manageable the LT is in city traffic. Sure, the big parallel twin (the world’s largest in fact) does tend to heat up at traffic halts but the clutch is light enough and thanks to a finely tuned fuel injection system power delivery is smooth too.

But to really enjoy the LT, you need to head out to wide, open highways. That’s when you’ll really experience the LT’s 94bhp and 14.9kgm. There’s so much pulling power that overtakings are a cinch, be it at 20kph or 120kph. The huge reserves of power also mean you don’t necessarily need to bang down the clunky six-speed gearbox (linked to a belt drive) to get the most out of the engine. Just open the throttle and wait for the surge to build up. The engine is smooth too with vibes at the handlebar only when you really strain the bike. A negative, however, is the level of noise. It sounds too timid with the stock exhausts.

As in the city, the LT manages to change direction at more serious highway speeds without the need to really wrestle the handlebar. What also works well is the suspension that is a combination of front telescopic forks and five-step adjustable shock absorbers at the rear. Ride quality is good with the chunky tyres further cushioning the blows.

Should I buy one?

The Triumph Thunderbird LT’s Rs 15.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) price tag puts it in the reach of a very small minority of cruiser enthusiasts in India. And that’s a shame because the LT is one of the best of its kind. Powerful and flashy, yet easy to ride and manageable, the LT offers everything good about cruisers with the sort of usability you’d seldom associate with something so large and extravagant. Undoubtedly expensive, the LT is still an indulgence you won’t regret.

NIKHIL BHATIA