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2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander Overview
Triumph Thunderbird Commander is a custom / cruiser motorcycle, displacing 1699 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, 270° firing interval engine. On the performance side, it delivers 70.1 kW @ 5400 rpm of peak power and 146 Nm @ 2750rpm of torque. On the road, the 2016 Thunderbird Commander tips the scales at 339 kg, carries a 22-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 702 mm and spans a 1615 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 38.4 kg heavier than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. The full 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2016 Thunderbird Commander - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 70.1 kW @ 5400 rpm and 146 Nm @ 2750rpm of torque on tap, the Thunderbird Commander is no slouch for its class.
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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Accessible seat height: A 702 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
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Large fuel range: A 22-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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Low-maintenance final drive: Running Toothed belt final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the Thunderbird Commander - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Cooling system servicing
Thunderbird Commander'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.
Fuelling & injector care
The Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI on the Thunderbird Commander needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2 x 310 mm floating discs, Nissin 4 piston fixed calipers, ABS - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The Thunderbird Commander's suspension runs Showa 47mm 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 Commander runs belt final drive: no lubrication or frequent adjustment like a chain, though belt tension and wear are worth a periodic look.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Tubular steel, twin spine, swingarm twin sided, steel, the Thunderbird Commander's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
339 kg puts the Thunderbird Commander 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 Commander - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy Thunderbird Commander should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a Thunderbird Commander's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the Thunderbird Commander needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander have?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander uses a Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, 270° firing interval. engine with 1699 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.
How much does the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander weigh?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander weighs 339 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander make?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander produces 70.1 kW @ 5400 rpm of power and 146 Nm @ 2750rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander has a 22-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 366-440 km between stops.
Is the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander suitable for shorter riders?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander has a seat height of 702 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.
What brakes does the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander have?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander uses 2 x 310 mm floating discs, Nissin 4 piston fixed calipers, ABS at the front and Single 310 mm fixed disc, Brembo 2 piston floating caliper, ABS at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander use?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander runs 140/75 ZR17 front and 200/50 ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander have?
The 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, 270° firing interval.
Power
70.1 kW / 94 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque
146 Nm / 14.9 kgf-m / 107.7 ft-lb @ 2750rpm
Top Speed
Not published by manufacturer
Fuel Capacity
22 Litres / 5.8 gal / 4.8 Imp gal
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Full 2016 Triumph Thunderbird Commander Specifications
Year
2015 - 16
Make Model
Triumph Thunderbird Commander
Seat Height
702 mm / 27.6 in
Wheelbase
1615 mm / 63.5 in
Height
1120 mm / 44.1 in (without mirrors)
Length
2340 mm / 92.1 in
Width
880 mm / 34.6 in (Handlebars)
Dry Weight
317 kg / 699 lbs
Fuel Capacity
22 Litres / 5.8 gal / 4.8 Imp gal
Oil Capacity
4.2 L / 1.1 US gal / 0.92 Imp gal
Wet Weight
339 kg / 747 lbs
Displacement
1699 cc / 103.7 cub in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, 270° firing interval.
Bore x Stroke
107.1 x 94.3 mm
Cooling System
Liquid cooled
Exhaust
Chromed twin-skin stainless steel 2 into 1 into 2, tandem large-volume catalysts in centralized catbox, chrome-plated exhaust
Fuel Induction
Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI , progressive linkage on throttle
Ignition
Digital, inductive type via electronic engine management system
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate
Final Drive
Toothed belt
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Tubular steel, twin spine, swingarm twin sided, steel
Suspension - Front
Showa 47mm forks
Suspension - Rear
Showa chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload.
Rake
32°
Trail
151 mm / 5.9 in
Wheel Travel - Front
120 mm / 4.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
95 mm / 3.7 in
Brakes - Front
2 x 310 mm floating discs, Nissin 4 piston fixed calipers, ABS
Brakes - Rear
Single 310 mm fixed disc, Brembo 2 piston floating caliper, ABS
Tyres - Front
140/75 ZR17
Tyres - Rear
200/50 ZR17
Wheels - Front
Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke 17 x 3.5 in
Wheels - Rear
Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke 17 x 6.0 in
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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