2011–2018 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
The Blacked-Out Torque Monster
The Storm is Triumph's big cruiser with the lights turned off. Everything that shines on the standard Thunderbird goes black here, from the fork legs to the twin headlamps, and the result looks like a hot rod rather than a parade bike. At its heart sits a 1699 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with a 270-degree firing interval, so it thumps with the uneven pulse you'd expect from a V-twin. Peak power is 97 hp, but the real story is 115 lb-ft at just 2,950 rpm. Steel backbone frame, belt drive, a fat 200-section rear tire: this is a cruiser with its own British accent. Unmistakable!
On the road it carries its 747 lb (339 kg) with big-cruiser calm, and it steers more willingly than that number suggests. Forward pegs and wide bars set you up for long, lazy miles. The honest caveat: the suspension is firm, the fork has no adjustment at all, only the rear shock takes preload, and cornering clearance runs out early. This is no sports bike. It's for the rider who wants a heavyweight cruiser that doesn't look like everyone else's. Shopping used? Check early builds for coolant weeping and an erratic fuel gauge, and confirm whether the optional ABS is fitted. Character first.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 97 hp (72 kW) @ 5,200 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 115 lb-ft (156 Nm) @ 2,950 rpm |
| Displacement | 1699 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 |
| Rear tire | 200/50-17 |
| Wheelbase | 63.5 in (1613 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.6 in (700 mm) |
| Wet weight | 747 lb (339 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 gal (22 L) |
| Fuel economy | 45 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
Over the years I've heard a lot about the Storm: in paddock conversations, at club nights, in chats with owners, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture is consistent. Owners love how it pulls, steers, stops and carries them through long days. They grumble about the weight, the firm ride and a few missing comforts.
The engine's low-rev pull tops the praise. Right alongside it sits a chassis that stays composed mid-corner and talks back clearly, as long as you plan your line and ride smoothly. Long days come up often: owners mention a well-padded stepped seat that supports your lower back, and a 5.8-gallon tank good for more than 186 miles (300 km). Several riders also single out the brakes for strong stopping and good feel. Proper stoppers!
The weight draws the loudest complaints: walking it on a slope or turning tight in traffic takes real care. Keen riders find the pegs touch down well before the chassis runs out of ideas. On broken pavement the firm setup jostles you until you're shifting around in the seat. And on long highway runs, owners miss cruise control, a gear indicator and adjustable levers. Simple wishes.
Coolant leaks
A small number of owners report coolant weeping from top and bottom areas of the engine, often traced to gasket or hose clamp issues on early build units.
Erratic fuel gauge
Some owners report the fuel gauge reading dropping suddenly or being inaccurate, requiring a software update or sensor replacement.
Exhaust chrome piece detaching
A single complaint of a welded chrome trim piece falling off the exhaust indicates a possible quality control issue on early builds.
Where this Triumph Thunderbird Storm pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Thunderbird Storm is actually built for.
You want sound, presence and a bike that stands apart in a packed parking row. The Storm delivers all three, with a British accent nobody else at the rally has.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
If your idea of a trip is small towns at an easy rhythm, the torque and relaxed posture suit you. Just know it's a dark hot rod, not a polished classic.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
It's stable at speed and the 5.8 gal (22 L) tank helps, but there's no luggage, no cruise control and a firm ride. For long two-up hauls, look elsewhere.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Triumph Thunderbird Storm. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2009–2012
Dark Factory Custom, Maximum Attitude
Roughly $500 pricier used than this bike at 15 yr
Same Platform · 2015–2016
All Black, All Torque
About the same used price as this bike at 11 yr