By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser
Indian Chief (MY2014) vs Triumph Thunderbird (MY2009)
Indian Chief vs Triumph Thunderbird: style matters. So does everything underneath.
Rolling away from a stop sign at walking pace, the Indian Chief's big twin pulls hard off idle and doesn't buzz through the bars. The Triumph Thunderbird's sixth gear works as a real overdrive, and through a small town it's barely asking for throttle. From there it's pulling clean with no downshift.
So which one do you buy?
The Chief has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: Chief
For the money you spend after the purchase, the Chief nudges ahead. The gap is too small to plan a budget around.
The Thunderbird has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Just a touch.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
The Thunderbird costs less, but that gap doesn't make it the better buy. Neither bike is the clear winner on value.
What makes each one tick
Chief
There's thick torque from the Chief's Thunder Stroke engine right off the line, and it stays smooth as it hauls up to highway speed. Shifts snap home with precision. Corner entry is where the stiff aluminum frame earns its keep; the chassis doesn't squirm as the bike leans over.
Thunderbird
Within the lean the floorboards allow, the Thunderbird's front drops into a bend with no push and stays precise through slow, tight corners. The engine's pulses reach the seat as a live hum without anything harsh in them. The exhaust's got a throaty bark.
Nils rode the Thunderbird in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Chief has the lower seat: 26.0 in (660 mm) vs 27.6 in (700 mm).
- The Thunderbird has the lower wet weight: 679 lb (308 kg) vs 831 lb (377 kg).
- The Thunderbird makes more peak power: 85 hp (63 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Not suited: Chief
Weekday traffic isn't the Chief's world, so it isn't rated here.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
Count character as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Chief
What owners say
Strengths
- Mighty Thunder Stroke 111 engine
- Surprisingly agile handling
- Outstanding fit and finish
- Smooth, positive transmission
Thunderbird
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Stripped To Pure Thump
- Alive, Never Numbing
- Carves Above Its Weight
- Sixth Gear Loafs Along
- Configure It Any Direction
Trade-offs
- Front Brake Wants Muscle
- Fine Details Slip
- Belt Can Wear Early
- Chrome Pits And Peels
Known problems to check before you buy
Chief
- VCM connector failure causing loss of forward lighting Recall 22V635000 The electrical connection for the Vehicle Control Module may fail, which can cause loss of forward lighting. The high beam indicator will flash if this occurs. A recall (22V635) was issued for 2014-2020 models to inspect the VCM connector and update software.
Thunderbird
- ECU/fuel-injector recall (2014-2015 models) Recall 14V694000 NHTSA recall campaign 14V694000: on certain 2014-2015 Thunderbird models the engine control unit can improperly activate the fuel injectors, which may cause a sudden loss of engine power and raise crash risk. Dealers modify the internal ECU hardware.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 11-year-old Chief with an 11-year-old Thunderbird.
- Chief
- about $9,400
- Thunderbird
- about $5,300
At 11 years old, the Indian Chief sits around $9,400 while the Triumph Thunderbird lands near $5,300. That's a $4,100 gap in the Thunderbird's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Belt
Where the spec sheets split
| Chief | Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 26.0 in (660 mm) | 27.6 in (700 mm) |
| Wet weight | 831 lb (377 kg) | 679 lb (308 kg) |
| Chief | Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1811 cc | 1597 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 85 hp (63 kW) |
| Torque | 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) | 108 lb-ft (146 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,000 rpm | 2,750 rpm |
| Chief | Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (20.8 L) | 5.8 US gal (22 L) |
| Chief | Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 300 mm | 310 mm |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 | 120/70-19 |
| Rear tire | 180/65-16 | 200/50-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Chief | Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
