Triumph Thruxton...school me

[Davo-55]

Tell me your opinions and experience with the new Triumph Thruxton. They appeal to me, thinking about an addition to the stable.

[plodalong]

Had one for 4 years, only bike at present. Motors are bullet proof, Suspensions basic but nothing a few dollars can't improve with new shocks and fork springs and emulators. Heard them described as sports bikes for cruiser riders which is probably an apt description although I've never owned a cruiser. Not very fast, but your current stable has that covered and sometimes it's good to have the pressure off. When I'm on a fast bike I tend to feel the need to keep my speed up, on the Thruxton not so much. Can put up a good showing when set up properly or stock if the roads are smooth. The carb models could be a bit flighty over bumps at speed thru corners, but the efi one's (post 2009) have a longer swing arm which has calmed them down, so they tell me. They're a good bike if you like to personalize it with plenty of scope for improving looks or performance.

[Master]

Just bought one, planning to build a proper café racer out of it.
Lovely bike for some customizing.

[NakedRider]

Originally Posted by plodalong

Had one for 4 years, only bike at present. Motors are bullet proof, Suspensions basic but nothing a few dollars can't improve with new shocks and fork springs and emulators. Heard them described as sports bikes for cruiser riders which is probably an apt description although I've never owned a cruiser. Not very fast, but your current stable has that covered and sometimes it's good to have the pressure off. When I'm on a fast bike I tend to feel the need to keep my speed up, on the Thruxton not so much. Can put up a good showing when set up properly or stock if the roads are smooth. The carb models could be a bit flighty over bumps at speed thru corners, but the efi one's (post 2009) have a longer swing arm which has calmed them down, so they tell me. They're a good bike if you like to personalize it with plenty of scope for improving looks or performance.

I have long thought that's one of the best looking bikes on the market.

[cascadetiger]

Originally Posted by Davo-55

Tell me your opinions and experience with the new Triumph Thruxton. They appeal to me, thinking about an addition to the stable.

I bought one about a month ago. I have 1,100 miles on it. The build quality and finish is excellent. I read various forums about how slow it is and how bad the stock suspension is. Not true. The bike has good torque down low, nice pull out of turns. It makes very usable power for the street. It lacks a top end rush, feels like its close to being out of power at 85 mph, takes longer to get up to higher numbers. The gearbox is great, shifts beautifully.

Suspension wise, its good. Better rear shocks would make likely improve things, but as is its not as bad as I thought it would be. The riding position is good for me (5'6'/175 lbs). I have not done any long trips. For 60-90 minutes nothing hurts or aches. Can't say the same for my 04 VFR. The fuel light comes on at 130 miles which is approx 44 mgp.

Stock exhaust is muted, there is a nice sound in there but you cant hear it past about 25 mph. I am putting BC Predador exhaust on it later this week. All in all I am slowly bonding with the bike.

This bike is not for everyone, for those who appreciate it for what it is, it is great.

[Davo-55]

Originally Posted by plodalong

Had one for 4 years, only bike at present. Motors are bullet proof, Suspensions basic but nothing a few dollars can't improve with new shocks and fork springs and emulators. Heard them described as sports bikes for cruiser riders which is probably an apt description although I've never owned a cruiser. Not very fast, but your current stable has that covered and sometimes it's good to have the pressure off. When I'm on a fast bike I tend to feel the need to keep my speed up, on the Thruxton not so much. Can put up a good showing when set up properly or stock if the roads are smooth. The carb models could be a bit flighty over bumps at speed thru corners, but the efi one's (post 2009) have a longer swing arm which has calmed them down, so they tell me. They're a good bike if you like to personalize it with plenty of scope for improving looks or performance.

That is a beautiful bike. I no longer feel like I need the fastest bike out there. Getting bored with inline 4 cylinders. Love my KLR. I think a new Thruxton would fit in nicely.

[Davo-55]

Originally Posted by cascadetiger

I bought one about a month ago. I have 1,100 miles on it. The build quality and finish is excellent. I read various forums about how slow it is and how bad the stock suspension is. Not true. The bike has good torque down low, nice pull out of turns. It makes very usable power for the street. It lacks a top end rush, feels like its close to being out of power at 85 mph, takes longer to get up to higher numbers. The gearbox is great, shifts beautifully.

Suspension wise, its good. Better rear shocks would make likely improve things, but as is its not as bad as I thought it would be. The riding position is good for me (5'6'/175 lbs). I have not done any long trips. For 60-90 minutes nothing hurts or aches. Can't say the same for my 04 VFR. The fuel light comes on at 130 miles which is approx 44 mgp.

Stock exhaust is muted, there is a nice sound in there but you cant hear it past about 25 mph. I am putting BC Predador exhaust on it later this week. All in all I am slowly bonding with the bike.

This bike is not for everyone, for those who appreciate it for what it is, it is great.

Those are my thoughts almost exactly. Not looking for the fastest thing out there, hell I ride a KLR most days. Question, how does the Predator exhaust compare to the factory offered Arrow exhaust?

[squish]

English looks made... oh make that "assembled" in Thailand, for a Made in England price.

Engine is the most powerful of the retro line but is a little character free and a touch boring.
The sporting riding position doesn't live up to the performance of the bike

But overall an easy to ride own and live with bike. There's a metric tonne of stuff for these bike.

In my eyes the perfect older hipster dad bike, a bike for someone who wants a bike that is fun to ride, a bike that doesn't need a lot of fiddling is not that hard to ride and can sit for a few weeks between rides and still start.

Or a retired guy who just wants a functional bike with a little bit of style.

[t6pilot]

Tried a thruxton, riding position not that comfortable for a old fart, bought a Bonneville perfect companion to my 1200gs
Built quality appears excellent on all the classic triumph models

[Roadscum]

Originally Posted by plodalong

Had one for 4 years, only bike at present. Motors are bullet proof, Suspensions basic but nothing a few dollars can't improve with new shocks and fork springs and emulators. Heard them described as sports bikes for cruiser riders which is probably an apt description although I've never owned a cruiser. Not very fast, but your current stable has that covered and sometimes it's good to have the pressure off. When I'm on a fast bike I tend to feel the need to keep my speed up, on the Thruxton not so much. Can put up a good showing when set up properly or stock if the roads are smooth. The carb models could be a bit flighty over bumps at speed thru corners, but the efi one's (post 2009) have a longer swing arm which has calmed them down, so they tell me. They're a good bike if you like to personalize it with plenty of scope for improving looks or performance.

Nicely done! What seat is that and how do you like it?

Regards, Paul

[sargev55]

i really enjoyed that bike when i test rode it years ago. same with the bonneville.

the first gen had lower bars and they hurt my wrists pretty bad after an extended test ride. i think the 2nd gen thruxton has bars that are around 1 inch higher and its more comfortable to me.

the bike gets some big gains once you put a real exhaust on it, change the air filter up, and retune it.

i really want a thruxton or a scrambler currently.

[fyr]

Beauty.
Ive had 2 Bonnies and the first I made up to look a Thrux.. But I needed the bike for all day, everyday riding... Sold it and bought a bunch of other bikes... Sold them and am back to a Bonnie.. Looked at the Thrux but same rules applied.. Need the bike to do everything.. Bonnie suited the bill, but hey, they are both the same bike... Tons of aftermarket stuff to suit both... Do it..

[Voltaire]

I've got a 2004 with aftermarket mufflers and Ikon shocks. Handling is ok but would benefit from a Racetech fork upgrade.( got one of these in my BMW track bike and they are good)
Power is fine for most riding, I've had mine on the track and 600 Jappers will eat it on the straights.....but on a good winding road very nice.
I have Michelin Pilots on mine and I can scrape the pegs of a good corner...( not on the road though...there I ride like a Nana).


Performance is about par with a BMW R90/100....Norton Commando, Ducati Darmah....without the worries of it blowing up.
.I swapped a 1999 Ducati 900ss for mine.... less power but more fun.

[plodalong]

Originally Posted by Roadscum

Nicely done! What seat is that and how do you like it?

Regards, Paul

The seats a corbin gunfighter, an older model as they're changed them a bit. Its pretty firm but comfortable so long as the roads not too bumpy. Being firm it gives good feedback as to what the bike doing, same as the alloy footpegs with no rubber on top, wouldn't think it would make a difference but (or butt) it has a positive effect on the amount of feedback the bike gives.

[bfd70]

had an 06 bonnie and foolishly sold it. replaced it with and 06 thruxton and couldn't get used to the clip ons and rear sets for any substantial length of time. Best looking bike I've ever owned, but at this point I like a little comfort. I reccomend getting a standard bonnie and going cafe light.