I don't know about the yamaha. But i started riding in '69 and i will tell you, the Tbird is honestly the best handling bike i've owned and in fact the BEST overall bike i've owned. I seriously doubt you are going to find anything about any yamaha thats better. Certainly not the overall package. Did you read the cycle work issue? The named it cruiser of the year and said it won "by a wide margin". Add to that the fact that to a man almost, everyone that has tested or bought one has raved about it and many have raved about the handling citing it's handling as being as good as a bonneville and another guy saying as good as the sportbikes he's ridden. the brakes are also incredible, another detail agreed upon by everyone. The thing cruises at an indicated 90 MPH at 3.5k RPMs, 105 MPH at 4k RPM's. The overall feel is just perfection. It feels as nimble and light as anything i've idden even much smaller.

I could go on, but in short it's simply an incredible bike in many ways and i cannot imagine another cruiser that would match it. Apparently neither could cycle world ! Just test ride them both then decide. All you're going to get from us is raves, so go see 4 yourself.

 

The raider is for posing the tbird is for riding. The stretched out raked frame of the raider makes it a pig in the twisties. Sad part is that giving up handling doesn't end up earning it a win on looks either. The raider is a jumble of design ideas. There are parts of it that look nice but as a total package it seems to of had no real direction. It all starts and stops with no consistent design. The fit and finish is well below the Triumph as well.

Oh and if posing is part of the picture.. Triumphs get respect from everyone, Asian, European and American riders. The Asian bikes... not so much.

To me it's an easy choice but then again I bought it for a reason. I doubt you thought you'd hear a different opinion on a Triumph board though. Best of luck in your choice.

 

Liquid cooled-Air cooled. No contest.

 

Triumph - Yamaha. No contest!

 

There is only one answer . You have to ride both and see what you like best . Simple as that . What is good for me might not be good for you. Good luck with your choice .

 

Well said and very true.

 

get a Yamaha I am still waiting for my Tbird and another new buyer makes mine less exclusive, i dont want the whole world riding one!

The Tbird is an awful bike, cant handle, useless brakes, no power, rusts like hell and has a brandname that quite honestly has no history or heritage...oh and if anyone says it has won awards they are on a triumph sales retainer

 

get a Yamaha The Tbird is an awful bike, cant handle, useless brakes, no power, rusts like hell and has a brandname that quite honestly has no history or heritage...oh and if anyone says it has won awards they are on a triumph sales retainer

Allyj : I know you're kidding but our puzzeled friend should consider these facts:

1883 - Triumph Established

1889 - Triumph started manufacturing bicycles

1902 - The first Triumph PRODUCTION motorcycle was built

2002 - Triumph celebrates their 100th aniversity

2009 - Triumph makes public the first 98CI (1600cc) parallel
twin in the world.

The T-Bird is just right! Very dependable, latest technology, not too flashy, not too plain, and is very unique! I think they know what they are doing in this market. They make nothing but motorcycles, period. The Jap companies put out a good product but their cruisers only inmatate the efforts of Triumph and Harley's long and proven track record.

Don't take a popsicle stick to a sword fight!

It certainly is not the best handleing bike because it IS a cruiser, but its certainly the best handleing cruiser I've ever driven.

Yamaha - onlookers will say, "Thats a Yamaha?"......oh!
Triumph - onlookers will say, "Thats a Triumph?".......wowwww!

Birdy: I think you're eating too many Pork Pies.....

 

Actually - come to think what Allyji said:
- Yeah, get a Yamaha!

When talking with the ladies, it's better to be mistaken for talking about musical instruments rather than deluxe women underwear!

 

Rayzor shoooooossshhhhh!!! we dont want everyone in the world riding a Tbird

 

now thats the end of it... the Tbird is the worst bike ever made the end

 

The new TBird is a dog . Especially the blue one with the white stripe. What a pig of a bike .

Yamaha now theres a great machine its japanese after all . Go for it get a yamaha , what's it called again?

 

They do a fine selection of drum kits as well.

Where as Thunderbird is the drink of the wino's and tramps on the streets . As described here

 

Birdy -- now thats what I'm talking about.......

 

WoW!

No joke I was just thinking about the same comparo. All though I'm not sure what kind of answers you are expecting on a T-Bird board

 

If you buy a Triumph or a Harley, there are lots of neat rider groups to belong to. The Yamaha is prolly cheaper.

What would you rather see when you open your garage door to go for a ride? Can you really see yourself spending any serious time shining a Yamaha?

Just my .02