Triumph shows big cruiser

New Triumph Thunderbird 1600

Triumph has shown its U.K. dealers several 2009 models, including a Thunderbird 1600 cruiser with a belt final drive and a six-speed gearbox.

The Thunderbird’s 1594 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin will make about 100 hp. There are large twin discs up front, a big disc in back, twin shocks, standard forks, a 120/70-19 front tire and a wide 200/70-18 rear tire. Other details have not been released.

The Thunderbird’s styling takes some cues from the Bonneville America, but places its single instrument, a large speedo, on the fuel tank, similar to Harley-Davidsons. The bike won’t reach dealers until 2009 and may be called a 2010 model. No word yet on Canadian availability, but there’s no reason not to expect it to come here.

Bonnie’s 50 – and orange

Triumph also showed its dealers an improved Daytona 675 with component upgrades taken from World Supersport bikes and a new nosecone, and a new Street Triple R with brakes and suspension off the Daytona and a matt graphite/orange paint scheme.

Meanwhile in America, the company will show its 50th anniversary Bonneville at the mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

Based on the standard Bonneville T100, the 50th anniversary model is painted to remind us of the 1959 Tangerine Dream Bonneville — those of us who are old enough to remember and still young enough to know it, that is.

We’ll pester Triumph Canada for more details and will get the goods to you with all due haste.