2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 Specifications

Name: 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600
Brand: Triumph

Custom / cruiser • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 Overview

Triumph Thunderbird 1600 is a custom / cruiser motorcycle, displacing 1597 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 9.7:1. On the performance side, it delivers 63 kW @ 4850 rpm of peak power and 146 Nm @ 2750 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 188.5 km/h. On the road, the 2012 Thunderbird 1600 tips the scales at 308 kg, carries a 22-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 702 mm and spans a 1641 mm wheelbase. The full 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 compared with other bikes in the Custom / cruiser category

We checked the recorded figures for the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 against up to 1569 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.

Only 87 of the other 469 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category have a higher top speed than the 189 km/h of the Thunderbird 1600.
With 146 Nm, the Thunderbird 1600 has the joint 233rd highest torque of 1053 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category, 42% above the category average of 103.2 Nm.
Engine displacement of 1597 cc is larger than that of 1154 of the other 1568 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category.
Narrowing the field to the 111 models within five model years of it, the top speed of 189 km/h is higher than that of 85 of the other 110.

Versus the 2010 model

The figures we track are unchanged from the 2010 model: peak power, peak torque, displacement, seat height and top speed all match.

2012 Thunderbird 1600 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: With 63 kW @ 4850 rpm and 146 Nm @ 2750 rpm of torque on tap, the Thunderbird 1600 is no slouch for its class.
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
Accessible seat height: A 702 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
Large fuel range: A 22-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a belt final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.

Considerations

Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the Thunderbird 1600 - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Cooling system servicing

Thunderbird 1600's Liquid cooled setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from 2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The Thunderbird 1600's suspension runs Showa 47 mm forks at the front. The rear uses Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The Thunderbird 1600 runs belt final drive: no lubrication or frequent adjustment like a chain, though belt tension and wear are worth a periodic look.

Handling the weight at a standstill

308 kg puts the Thunderbird 1600 toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.

Thunderbird 1600 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 with its 1597 cc custom / cruiser, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs belt final drive, so check belt tension and tooth wear - a cracked or glazed belt is a clear sign of neglect. Now 14 years old, this custom / cruiser is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy Thunderbird 1600 should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects the Thunderbird 1600's 1597 cc four stroke, parallel twin, dohc, 4 valves per cylinder. like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 9.7:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 have?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 uses a Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. engine with 1597 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.

What is the top speed of the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 has a factory-quoted top speed of 188.5 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 weigh?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 weighs 308 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

How much power does the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 make?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 produces 63 kW @ 4850 rpm of power and 146 Nm @ 2750 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 has a 22-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 366-440 km between stops.

Is the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 suitable for shorter riders?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 has a seat height of 702 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.

What brakes does the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 have?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 uses 2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers at the front and single 310 mm disc, 2 piston caliper at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 use?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 runs 120/70 R19 front and 200/50 R17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 have?

The 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.

Triumph Thunderbird 1600 Spec Evolution

The Triumph Thunderbird 1600 was produced across 5 model years (2009-2014). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2009	2010	2012	2013	2014
Suspension - Front	Showa 47 mm forks.	Showa 47 mm forks.	Showa 47 mm forks	Showa 47 mm forks	Showa 47 mm forks
Suspension - Rear	Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload.	Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload.	Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload	Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload	Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.

Power

63 kW / 85.6 hp @ 4850 rpm

Torque

146 Nm / 14.89 kgf-m / 107.7 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm

Top Speed

188.5 km/h / 117.1 mph

Weight

308 kg / 678 lbs

Fuel Capacity

22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal

Full 2012 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 Specifications

Year 2012

Make Model Triumph Thunderbird 1600

Seat Height 702 mm / 27.6 in

Wheelbase 1641 mm / 64.6in

Height 1216mm / 47.9 in

Length 2350 mm / 92.5 in

Width 947 mm / 37.2 in (Handlebars)

Dry Weight 308 kg / 678 lbs

Fuel Capacity 22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal

Oil Capacity 4.2 L / 1.1 US gal . 0.92 Imp gal

Top Speed 188.5 km/h / 117.1 mph

Max Power 63 kW / 85.6 hp @ 4850 rpm

Max Torque 146 Nm / 14.89 kgf-m / 107.7 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm

Standing Start ¼ Mile 13.1 sec

Displacement 1597 cc / 97.5 cu in

Engine Detail Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.

Bore x Stroke 103.8 x 94.3mm

Compression Ratio 9.7:1

Cooling System Liquid cooled

Fuel Consumption 7.0 L/100 km / 14.2 km/l / 33.4 US mpg / 40.1 Imp mpg

Ignition Digital, inductive type via electronic engine management

Lubrication Wet sump

Starter Electric

Final Drive Toothed belt

Gear Ratios 1st 2.9875:1 / 2nd 1.958:1 / 3rd 1.536:1 / 4th 1.219:1 / 5th 1.029:1 / 6th 0.909:1

Transmission / Drive 6 Speed

Suspension - Front Showa 47 mm forks

Suspension - Rear Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload

Rake 32°

Brakes - Front 2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers

Brakes - Rear Single 310 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Tyres - Front 120/70 R19

Tyres - Rear 200/50 R17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.