In 2009, the British motorcycle manufacturer launched the Triumph Thunderbird, a large displacement cruiser motorcycle made at the Hinckley factory in Leicestershire, England. The cruiser motorcycle featured a large 17-inch 200 mm wide rear wheel and was designed by Tim Prentice in California.
In 2009, in addition to the standard model, the maker released The Triumph Thunderbird SE, essentially a base version with extra touring-oriented accessories that enhanced its overall touring capabilities.
The 2009 Thunderbird SE had a detachable large windscreen for better wind protection, a passenger backrest for more comfort, a luggage rack with side-mounted leather panniers for extra storage, a more comfortable seat, and floorboards for both rider and passenger.
Besides that, the bike packed standard features, such as a large round headlight, a one-piece dual seat, a teardrop fuel tank, chromed engine covers, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, a side stand, and five-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.
The bike was built on a tubular steel twin-spine frame, packing a 47 mm Showa telescopic fork on the front with 120 mm wheel travel and five-position adjustable twin Showa shocks on the rear with 95 mm wheel travel.
In the performance department, the 2009 Triumph Thunderbird SE had its soul brought to life by a 1,599cc four-stroke parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine fed by an electronically controlled fuel injection system, boasting 85 hp at 4,850 rpm and 146 Nm (108 lb-ft) torque at 2,750 rpm.