Thinking Of A 900

I picked up my '00 Legend Deluxe back in 2014 (I think) . At the time I paid $2600US for it. They DO seem to be going up over here. This is a dealer photo.of it.the day I bought it. They are a nice little ride. Too many people hacking them up to make cafe racers out of them. I plan to leave mine alone. ...J.D.

 

Hi Chris, you could go for an older 900, Trophy ,Sprint etc my 93 Trophy is still going strong at 126,000 miles and is worth about £500 but priceless to me.
Welcome to the forum, there will be more replies shortly I am sure.

 

newT120
Welcome to the family. You got the urge the wrong time of the year. Prices seem to creep up some. But its only money and that can't equal the smile you get from a new bike sitting there waiting for you to mount and own it.
Regards
Joe.

 

900 Tridents are great (better?) value for money at the moment, although they are now holding their value quite well, with the added attraction of more power/torque. Thunderbirds are more classic/retro styled and look very nice but at a premium. I've never been fortunate enough to ride one but they are well loved by their owners, and yes, I would love one myself, if only for their (good) looks. If you can find one at a decent price then go for it. I doubt that you will be disappointed - unless you are wanting a Fireblade or similar!
My '95 Trident 900 has done almost 54,000 miles since I bought it new, and has been toured extensively both at home and in the foreign. Still can't think of a good reason to sell it!

 

The big difference between the Trident/Sprint/Daytona/Trophy chassis and the 900 Thunderbird/ Legend chassis is size. My Legend feels like a toy after riding my 900 Sprint. I think there is a difference in wheel size between the Thunderbird and the Legend. My Legend has 17" wheels on both ends. Turn in is quick and even an old man like me can get his knee down low if you have some good rubber on the ground. The Legend is a bit small for me but it is a real blast on the backroads. Really a lot of fun, even stock. ...J.D.

 

@newT120 the 900 Triumphs (885cc) were discontinued circa 1998 , after this they were fuel injected not carbureted. The differences between the models from 1991 to 1998 were mainly cosmetic, with the exception of different cam's and carburettor jetting,and on the speed triple better grade suspension and brakes.

Cheers capt previously a 1994 trident owner

 

The carburetted 885cc carried on until I believe 2001 (maybe 2002) in the Thunderbird, Thunderbird Sport, and Legend. All carburetted. My Legend is a 2000 model. The standard Thunderbird is more soft where as the Thunderbird Sport is racier. I find my Legend a good compromise.Same engine as the standard T-Bird, less chrome, less racy suspension, but the 17" wheels like the Sport. Also cheaper on the used bike market. You pay your money and take your choice. Always have appreciated Triumph for giving a good selection. ...J.D.

 

The Legend was produced with a lower seat height (not sure exactly how this was achieved) to appeal to those of a shorter stature and lady bikers - allegedly! Paintwork and overall appearance was slightly subdued compared to the rest of the Thunderbirds but it was also the cheapest version. Swings and roundabouts!

 

The best 'cam' was the early trident motors , it was a good all round , it was also the best for low and top speed's . My trident was good for 240/250 klms hr. You could take off at idle with a gentle clutch release and it would travel at 1/2 walking pace No throttle.

 

Got to agree. Just plain fun. ...J.D.

 

I've only had my licence a couple of years and have only ridden a few bikes, so I don't have much to compare my TBS too.

But, it's easier to ride than an MT07 (the bike I used for my DAS).

It's an incredible all rounder compared to a Guzzi V7, it has the weight to be stable on motorways, but also seems to be agile through the twistys.

It is "torquey" as already said and will pull from low revs if you want to be lazy.

Everyone on this forum who has one says that they'd never sell it, everyone who's had one says it's the bike they most regret selling. I think there's a lot to be taken from that.

As for the prices...there's a lot of them for sale (thunderbird sport) at high prices "because these bikes are going up in value".
Thing is, they haven't yet and the bikes with high asking prices aren't selling.
There are ones for sale at realistic prices if you keep a look out.

And then there's that distinctive deep raspy growling sound of the triple!

I doubt that you'll regret owning one.

 

Another point is that the earlier TBSs had aluminium alloy wheels of better quality than the later TBS chromed mild steel ones. However, the earlier TBS had twin mufflers up the R/H/S which make for high and uncomfortable pillion pegs, whereas the later bikes have a muffler on each side and correspondingly lower pillion pegs. So if you carry a pillion either go for the later TBS or stick with a non-sport model.
All TBSports have rebound and compression adjustment on the front forks. They also have quite good double disc brakes as against the standard Thunderbirds lack of suspension adjustment and single front brake disc. .

 

Funny In 1998 i first rode the new model thunderbird, my dad bought one 6 months old, unfortunately he died and my uncle took ownership.
Today I've had first refusal to buy it back.
Decisions decisions..... as i already have an absolute minter in the garage.

 

You have to have your dad's old bike!!!!

 

I bought it dbh ...... I'll post pics when i get it, hope it fits in the garage with the other hahaha
☆☆edit☆☆ OTHERS!

 

Nice looking T-Bird. I would love to have a nice shiny T-Bird to park next to my nice unshiny Legend, but there in no more parking available. You can't have one of everything. Too bad ...J.D.

 

I bought a lovely black '96 last month for £2800 with 37000miles. on the clock. It's immaculate and only done 7000 miles in the last 12 years!
The dealers are charging 4000+ but they are often really good low mileage examples. I don't think you'd lose money on one. The only stumbling block for me is it doesn't comply with the emissions for ULEZ in London where I live, meaning a £12.50 charge to enter central London.

 

Goodness. I didn’t realise motorcycles had to be emission tested to get off congestion charges. A MOT doesn’t test so how do they know if your bike is compliant?