By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser
Triumph Thunderbird Storm (MY2011) vs Thunderbird (MY2009)
You'll roll on the Triumph Thunderbird Storm and it's already shoving hard from low revs, smooth under a deep exhaust note. The 2009 Triumph Thunderbird loafs through town in sixth on a whisper of throttle. More throttle, and it pulls clean without a downshift.
So which one do you buy?
The Thunderbird Storm has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: Thunderbird Storm
On upkeep, the Thunderbird Storm asks a bit less of your wallet. The difference won't change your life.
The 2009 Thunderbird has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: 2009 Thunderbird
Through a string of corners, the 2009 Thunderbird feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The lower sticker price on the 2009 Thunderbird doesn't settle which one is the better buy. Neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Thunderbird Storm
There's a heap of torque at just 2,950 rpm on the Thunderbird Storm, with a stepped seat that braces your lower back for long days. Mid-corner, the chassis stays put. The footpegs scrape early, and they're what sets your pace through a bend. The brake lever reins in all that bulk.
2009 Thunderbird
A lively pulse runs through the 2009 Thunderbird's grips, and it doesn't turn harsh or rattly over a long day. Corner entry stays neutral, with no push from the front tire. Slow bends don't faze it. The rear tire leaves a dark streak on the pavement.
Nils rode the 2009 Thunderbird in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 2009 Thunderbird has the lower wet weight: 679 lb (308 kg) vs 747 lb (339 kg).
- The Thunderbird Storm makes more peak power: 97 hp (72 kW) vs 85 hp (63 kW).
- The Thunderbird Storm makes more peak torque: 115 lb-ft (156 Nm) vs 108 lb-ft (146 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Wrong tool: Thunderbird Storm
There's no daily-ride verdict for the Thunderbird Storm. Getting to work isn't its job.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
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
Thunderbird Storm
What owners say
Strengths
- Monstrous torque and smooth power delivery
- Surprisingly agile handling for a big cruiser
- Aggressive blacked-out styling
- Comfortable ergonomics for long days
Trade-offs
- Very heavy, difficult to manoeuvre at low speeds
- Limited cornering clearance
- Missing modern amenities
- Stiff suspension transmits bumps harshly
2009 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
Thunderbird Storm
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
2009 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 a 14-year-old Thunderbird Storm with a 14-year-old 2009 Thunderbird.
- Thunderbird Storm
- about $5,500
- 2009 Thunderbird
- about $4,000
At 14 years old, the Thunderbird Storm runs about $5,500 while the 2009 Thunderbird sits near $4,000. That's a $1,500 gap in the older bike's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 27.6 in (700 mm)
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 5.8 US gal (22 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Belt
- Front tire
- 120/70-19
- Rear tire
- 200/50-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Thunderbird Storm | 2009 Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 747 lb (339 kg) | 679 lb (308 kg) |
| Thunderbird Storm | 2009 Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1699 cc | 1597 cc |
| Power | 97 hp (72 kW) | 85 hp (63 kW) |
| Torque | 115 lb-ft (156 Nm) | 108 lb-ft (146 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 2,950 rpm | 2,750 rpm |
| Thunderbird Storm | 2009 Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 45 mpg (US) / 5.2 L/100 km | 35 mpg (US) / 6.7 L/100 km |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Thunderbird Storm | 2009 Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option (from 2012) | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
