The big 4 Japanese companies havn't really manage to make too much impact on the cruiser market in the USA. The tradition and heritage of the mighty HD badge just isn't an easy thing to overlook for this part of the market... Hell Yamaha even changed their name to try and sell some (weird move if you ask me but oh well, I (thank god) am no marketing/pr guy). So how do you make inroads then... perhaps with another olde worlde brand with bucket loads of history and a name recognised by pretty much everyone. Thats right Triumph Motorcycles are having a serious punt at the heavy metal market with it's 2010 range of Thunderbird machines.

Sounds good in theory, the bike sure looks the part with as much chrome as you like along with enough optional chrome, billet and leather bits available to keep most easy riders more than happy. The bike features a big 98cu (1597cc) parallel twin engine and belt drive pushing out just off 85hp and 107ft/lbs of torque plus the option of a 1700cc big bore kit increasing that by 17 odd percent... they reckon it's quick and even handles.... at the very least there is the option of ABS to hopefully stop your forward momentum if needed. How much a dent they put in Harley's domination we shall soon see as the deliveries on the pre-ordered machines started a month or two ago... good luck to them.

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