Triumph Thruxton

[applecrew]

I had the opportunity to ride a 2012 Thruxton this past Saturday. I have been thinking about my next bike, and frankly, a Thruxton was not in the picture. Until I rode one... hehe....

My neighbor across the street just got his license last fall, and had been debating on his first bike. He asked my advice, he's always wanted a Triumph - and I tried to suggest that he start small with a used bike for the usual reasons: gain the experience, don't want to drop a new bike, etc.

So, last Saturday, he comes over and asks if I want to see his new bike. Wow - it was beautiful! I loved the cafe styling! He told me he's only had it around the block. He's a little older than me, and is certainly NOT the kind of guy to let a responsive throttle and some horsepower cloud his judgement - he's a careful kind of guy.

So, because he knows I'm an experienced rider and have good judgement, well, he decides to trust me (the fool!) and asks me If I'd like to give it a test ride: I was back with my helmet, jacket & gloves before he could finish his sentence!

First off, I really liked how I sat & how the bike felt. It was surprisingly narrow on top, which I really liked. The seat was very firm (I don't know how that would translate on a long ride) and the riding position was a little more pitched forward - the handlebars are narrow & rather flat with a slight downward bend, bit not nearly as extreme as clip-ons would have been. I felt very comfy on it! I'm 5' 11" with shortish legs and a long torso if that helps you picture the ergos. My feet were a little further back than on my GS, which helped me feel I was pitched forward. I did not feel any pressure on my wrists.

The motor sounds great and has a very responsive throttle. Lots of torque! A good twist and you can be moving very quickly! The gearbox was good and solid with a satisfying clunk when shifting gears. Handling was good, it really loved to lean - but  it was not as flickable as my GS... but then again, it is heavier & bigger. No issues with the braking.

Overall, I LOVED the ride! The bike pulls really well and the ride was very smooth! At one point I was having so much fun I found myself very tempted to rev it up... but since it's still got less than 30 miles on the clock... and it wasn't mine... I had to limit the revs.  I found myself loving every minute of the ride, and was thinking if I ever had the chance to get one just for "fun" riding... I could do lots worse! 

Cheers to Triumph!  Nicely done!

[The Buddha]

I have always wanted the bonneville america, a parallel twin cruiser. Post 08 they are FI. Would be cool I think.
Cool.
Buddha.

[tt_four]

They're definitely great looking bikes. If I was ever going for that kind of bike I don't think I could pass up the opportunity to just make a project out of an old honda CB, but I always catch myself checking out the thruxtons any time I see one somewhere.

[Twisted]

The Thruxton was in my list of bikes to upgrade too from the GS. I took one for a run and while they're a beautiful machine it was not much of an upgrade motor/suspension wise I felt. I dunno, from a 900cc I guess I expected more. It still maybe a bike I come back to in the future but I ended up going with a Monster 1000 and absolutely love it.

[The Buddha]

The 2 cyls of old, xs650's, cb400's and other twins are getting turned into cafe's left right and center.
So much so, you can now get a thruxton from 4-5 years ago cheaper than an cafe's xs650.
Cool.
Buddha.

[tt_four]

The Thruxton was in my list of bikes to upgrade too from the GS. I took one for a run and while they're a beautiful machine it was not much of an upgrade motor/suspension wise I felt. I dunno, from a 900cc I guess I expected more.

I think people assume that since it's a modern version of a sporty style of bikes, that they're getting a sportbike styled like an old bike. It has some upgrades from an old cb750, but it's still definitely  a dated bike. That's the one thing that kinda kills it for me, you're paying a lot of money just for a shiny version of an old bike. Some people have more money to toss around so that's cool, but I really don't think it should be confused with other bikes you can get for $9k. You're seriously paying for the style, and that's about it.

[mister]

I have always wanted the bonneville america, a parallel twin cruiser. Post 08 they are FI. Would be cool I think.
Cool.
Buddha.

Triumph America. Yeah I rode one for half hour. If I was going to get a cruiser, that would be it. I couldn't fault it. Forward controls felt a little odd at first, but I quickly got used to that.

The gutlessness of the Thruxton is not only restricted to Triumph. The new W800 from Kawasaki also feels like riding a more retro looking GS500. It's 800cc but has about the same HP as the GS. Sure it's more torquey and the engine breaking is superb, but for get-up-and-go, the GS is probably actually better.

Michael

[The Buddha]

Ooo they are gutless ? WTH, They made a cafe twin and its gutless ... man that sucks.
Cool.
Buddha.