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Hey Guys,
I can't decide whether to buy a used older Thunderbird (maybe the Twinspark '08 - '12 models), or go in for the new Thunder bird 500. Budget is not really a constraint, however, the ride quality is.
I've ridden a colleague's 2013 TB 350, and although I did drool over the big tank, the headlamp and what-have-yous, it just didn't seem to have the straight-line stability that the older TBs have. I'm contrasting this with another friend's 2004 TB, which feels solidly planted and stable on a highway, albeit less maneuverable in city traffic.
I don't know if this is only in my head, or if there's an actual difference. Here's the difference in dimensions between the two:
Twinspark
Overall height: 1,080 mm (42.5 inches)
Overall length: 2,150 mm (84.6 inches)
Overall width: 820 mm (32.3 inches)
Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,370 mm (53.9 inches)
Current(2013)
Height 1205mm (Without Mirrors)
Length 2060mm
Width 790mm ( Without Mirrors)
Ground Clearance 140 mm
Wheelbase 1350mm
So, the length and the wheelbase for the current model is less by 90mm and 20mm, respectively. I have zilch technical knowledge, so I don't know if this could be the reason.
My questions are:
1.) Assuming I buy the new TB (500), will replacing the handle bar do anything to the stability ?
2.) Secondly, assuming that I buy a used TB Twinspark, can the touring goodies (big tank, projector headlamp) be installed on it, without much hassle ?
Looking to finalize this decision by the end of this month. Thanks in advance !
I can't decide whether to buy a used older Thunderbird (maybe the Twinspark '08 - '12 models), or go in for the new Thunder bird 500. Budget is not really a constraint, however, the ride quality is.
I've ridden a colleague's 2013 TB 350, and although I did drool over the big tank, the headlamp and what-have-yous, it just didn't seem to have the straight-line stability that the older TBs have. I'm contrasting this with another friend's 2004 TB, which feels solidly planted and stable on a highway, albeit less maneuverable in city traffic.
I don't know if this is only in my head, or if there's an actual difference. Here's the difference in dimensions between the two:
Twinspark
Overall height: 1,080 mm (42.5 inches)
Overall length: 2,150 mm (84.6 inches)
Overall width: 820 mm (32.3 inches)
Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,370 mm (53.9 inches)
Current(2013)
Height 1205mm (Without Mirrors)
Length 2060mm
Width 790mm ( Without Mirrors)
Ground Clearance 140 mm
Wheelbase 1350mm
So, the length and the wheelbase for the current model is less by 90mm and 20mm, respectively. I have zilch technical knowledge, so I don't know if this could be the reason.
My questions are:
1.) Assuming I buy the new TB (500), will replacing the handle bar do anything to the stability ?
2.) Secondly, assuming that I buy a used TB Twinspark, can the touring goodies (big tank, projector headlamp) be installed on it, without much hassle ?
Looking to finalize this decision by the end of this month. Thanks in advance !
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