2016 Triumph Thunderbird 1700 LT

Its distinctive, charismatic parallel twin engine and class-leading chassis can turn every journey into the trip of a lifetime. The new 2014 Thunderbird LT will transport you with effortless power and style to new adventures with the easy-going, laid-back vibe of a premium classic touring cruiser.

Style, performance and control. Its a classy combination, but it only takes one look at the Triumph Thunderbird Range to instantly know theyve got the lot. From making big miles disappear to dominating the urban landscape; whichever you choose, the worlds largest parallel twin engine has every answer.

The Triumph Thunderbird Commander and Thunderbird LT share an underlying chassis and are powered by the same massively torquey 1699cc parallel twin engine, but theyre two very different breeds of muscle cruiser. The Thunderbird Commander has the essential power-cruiser style and broad, dynamic riding stance to utterly dominate any road and ride. Meanwhile the Triumph Thunderbird LT is loaded with the easy-going, laid-back vibe of a premium classic touring cruiser, as well as a host of long-distance accessories.

The Triumph Thunderbird engines look every cubic inch a classic cruiser motor, designed with Triumphs unique, big-bore parallel twin twist. But dont be fooled by the air-cooling fins. Because inside is a modern, high-performance, water-cooled power plant with sophisticated electronic fuel injection and engine management, built with Triumphs cutting-edge quality and durability.

• Configuration

With forged pistons the size of saucers, the Thunderbird Storm, Commander and Thunderbird LTs 1699cc, eight-valve, water-cooled parallel twin is engineered with a 270 firing interval for a chunky, charismatic power delivery. Twin balance shafts soothe low frequency vibes, allowing the Thunderbirds pulsating torque to be felt across the rev range.

• Performance

At a colossal 1699cc, the worlds largest parallel twin engine powering the Triumph Thunderbird Commander and Thunderbird LT packs a mighty big punch, pounding out a remarkable 94PS and truly staggering 151Nm at 3550rpm. This barn-storming low down performance makes it the perfect engine for anything from effortlessly relaxed cruising across entire continents on the Thunderbird LT to cutting a domineering dash along todays roads on the Thunderbird Commander. But with phenomenal overtaking power always on tap whichever gear youre in, your Thunderbird is never found wanting.

Meanwhile the 1699cc Thunderbird Storm engine thumps out a fulsome 98PS and a simply colossal 156Nm of torque. It means the Thunderbird Storms low down power deliveries are specifically engineered to suit the chilled-out cruising vibe, but come fully armed with serious performance under the tank to lay down the law when action is called for.

• Gearbox-Transmission

The Triumph Thunderbirds smooth, six-speed gear ratios deliver every ounce of the engines torque-rich performance, from the intense thrust of first gear right the way to an overdrive top gear for relaxed cruising and exceptional fuel efficiency. But with phenomenal overtaking power always on tap whichever gear youre in, the Thunderbird is never found wanting.

• Belt Drive

The Triumph Thunderbird belt drive, with carbon fibre in the belt and a tungsten carbide treatment on the rear pulley, has a higher tensile strength than steel and ensures snatch-free transmission with high durability and almost no maintenance compared to chain-drive. And it doesnt need oiling.