Not to be confused with earlier Triumphs of the same name, the Thunderbird 900 was a more modern take on a classic formula, recalling the looks and style of a classic touring bike with more modern mechanical components.

Manufactured between 1995 and 2004 at Triumph’s Hinckley factory in Leicestershire, the Thunderbird 900 was designed to look like an air-cooled triple despite being water-cooled, leaving the radiator to sit incongruously on the front of the frame. 

It was a big, heavy touring bike weighing over 200kg, but it also offered excellent stability, comfort and performance and was broadly well-received by the motorcycle media as a result. 

This example is particularly interesting as it’s one of the earliest examples, registered in August 1995.

The current owner has had the Thunderbird for 10 years and has used it sparingly – it has covered barely more than 1,000 miles in the past decade. 

Prior to that, it had eight previous keepers, but was always a low mileage bike, as proven by its service history and MOT record. 

It was supplied new August 1995 by Eddy’s Motorcycles in Leeds, before migrating to Kent, Hertfordshire and – ultimately – Cambridgeshire.

The bike also benefits from new parts fitted as part of servicing recently less than 500 miles ago unless stated:

• New front fork seals and bearings at 24000. Miles

• Adjustable brake and clutch levers

• Neutral switch

• New chain and sprockets

• New front brake pads, seals

Supplied with the Triumph are a comprehensive set of old MOT certificates going right back to its first test in 1998, corroborating its mileage and light use. 

It also has its original owners’ manual, dealer wallet and a collection of old tax discs, along with a service book stamped from the first service up to 12,298 miles in 2006. It comes with two keys and its original tool kit, mounted inside the seat.

It comes with a full UK V5 in the name of the vendor, a few other bills and receipts and an MOT valid until September 2022.

This is a great looking bike that is in superb overall condition. It has been impeccably maintained by its current owner and is presented in absolutely spotless condition with no noticeable wear, no damage and no significant marks. The tank is in fine order and is beautifully presented in maroon and cream two-tone paint.

The handlebars and saddle are in excellent order, the frame is unmarked and the numbers all match, while the forks are in excellent condition, as are all of the brake components and visible engine parts.

It has been fitted with heated grips by the current owner – a welcome boost for anyone planning to use the bike in cold weather, or for early morning commutes. In addition, the bike does have a set of nylon panniers which can easily be fitted and removed.   

The stainless steel exhausts were once chrome plated, but because the chrome had tarnished the owner stripped them back to stainless steel. They look great regardless.

The Triumph is in fine mechanical order and the vendor says that it rides extremely well – heavy but smooth, with tractable performance and impressive comfort.  

The suspension is in good order, and it as upgraded Billet-6 brakes, which the vendor reports have good performance. 

He has serviced the bike regularly during his ownership in his own garage, using genuine Triumph parts.

This is a fine example of one of the best of the Hinckley Triumphs, with great cruising ability and exceptional rider comfort. 

As a collector’s piece, it has a lot to recommend it. A genuine low mileage, a record of diligent maintenance and the cachet of being one of the very first Thunderbird 900s.

It’s in fabulous condition overall and must be one of the best examples on sale today.