First Ride 2013 Triumph Storm

First Impressions 2013 Triumph Thunderbird Storm

I have to admit it has been a few years since I rode a cruiser.  At one point in my life I could not imagine riding anything else, this was also about the time I was going through my Harley phase.  I packed up moved to the bright lights took a job at an HD dealer and got the tattoo along with a hard lesson about what it means to really ride.  These days I find myself looking for more power, more lean angle, more comfort than anything HD offers.  The Triumph Storm however could change that.

The Storm is the slightly bigger “punky” cousin of the Thunderbird.   Instead of 1597cc’s of the Thunderbird, the Storm has the Triumph “Big Bore” option which yields 1699cc’s or 103.7 cubic inches.  At a stock 85 brake horsepower (95 at the engine crank) this cruiser is no slouch; you would have to spend more than a few thousand bucks in modifications to get this sort of power out of a Twin-Cam®.  With an MSRP of $14,499 (Phantom Black) you are in a place where few motorcycle manufacturers offer so much for so little dough.  

The Storm is distinctively different from the Thunderbird with its dual headlights, absence of chrome and high pull back riser with wide drag bar.  The bike I rode had the Triumph factory performance pipe upgrade with engine remap.  The sound of the Thunderbird and Storm are different from the typical Triumph.  The traditional Triumph uses a 360 degree engine, both cylinders firing at the same time, the Thunderbird and Storm use a 270 degree firing motor which Triumph claims give them more a V-Twin sound while maintaining the Parallel-Twin configuration.  I don’t know why this 270 degree configuration works but the sound from this motor is crisper, throatier and doesn’t have the high pitched “thrapppp” found in a piped Harley.  I really enjoy the sound this machine makes.  What you do hear is more mechanical noise from this engine due to the chain driven overhead camshafts but rolling on the throttle and letting the engine growl will bring a smile to the face of and diehard cruiser rider.

Rolling on the throttle of the Thunderbird and Storm is an experience in itself.  You can feel all 85 horsepower at the rear wheel in an instant; brake stands are far too easy despite the 200 series rear tire.   Riding was predictable and the bike does not easily getting sideways when cracking on the throttle even when cornering.  Acceleration from zero to 110km/hr is quick.  Initially I found the transmission limiting my acceleration but after adjusting the clutch set up and putting a few miles on the machine it seemed to come around nicely.  In my midlife I find any cruiser tough to ride without a windscreen, I was surprised that I really didn’t feel the need to have one until I was riding much faster than what the legal limit allowed on the Storm.  I think it is was the tall pull back rise of the handlebars that helped take the wind off the chest of the rider, regardless I enjoyed riding the Storm on the highway.  Around town it garnered enough looks and thumbs up that let you know that you are riding something anyone can appreciate.

At the end of the day there are more motorcycles in the cruiser segment than anywhere else.  Another cruiser, why bother?  That’s because enough manufacturer’s still don’t have the cruiser done right.  Everyone models themselves off of the big HD but what you wind they turn out of the factories can leave you wondering if your machine was really a “good buy” since your buddies and you all know at best it’s a copy of what you really wanted.  The Triumph is distinct on its own merits.  Triumph is the cool “zag” when everyone else on a cruiser is doing the “zig” and “zig” wannabe ride.  Triumph makes its own way in the world, you have the tradition and heritage dating back to 1902, and a Triumph sets you apart as a rider.  This brand associates itself with long time Triumph enthusiast and American acting legend, Steve McQueen.  One of the cool things about Triumph is that it doesn’t need to copy anyone else, they are a Motorcycle Company in their own right with a lineage, style and uniqueness all of their own.  Ride one and experience it for yourself.  Own one and be a part of the Triumph legacy.