So it was a half-way nice day here in DC and my buddy dropped by with his new to him Triumph Thruxton. Nice looking bike with aftermarket pipes so it sounds nice too. He talked me into a ride, even with my current cold, and I rode the Triumph and he road my S2R 800. Wow. Glad I own a Ducati. It had the airbox delete which had an odd whistle on acceleration. It made at least 15hp less than the monster and, while I couldn't put a finger on what bothered me about the handling, it just inspired less confidence. Also, my knees rest right on the heads - HOT, even on a cold afternoon.
Glad my cafe project will be based on a Ducati. Just saying.....
thruxton... reminds me of the sport classics
(http://www.canim.net/motors/resimler/Triumph_Thruxton_2007_03_1024x768.jpg)
scrambler...
(http://motopassione.blogosfere.it/images/triumph_scrambler_1.jpg)
i kind of dig the scrambler.
scrambler...
(http://motopassione.blogosfere.it/images/triumph_scrambler_1.jpg)
i kind of dig the scrambler.
[/quote]
I really like the look of the scrambler and considered getting it when i was shopping around. But when i sat on it, it was really big and heavy... the quality of the finishes also aren't that great when you see it up close, and the 1000cc engine brings it up into insurance hell.
The Black Thruxton is a pretty bike. Looks like it has the same wheel base as a S*R Monster and weighs 450 lbs. dry. I'm sure you could get the weight down with some effort and some $$$. Wheels are too small and the suspension sux. But if you had a Triumph thing ... and you just had to have one ..... maybe cause a kid in high school back in 1967 you were so jealous of, had one - and it just killed you every time he went by - on that beautiful British racing green 650 Bonneville. Anyway, nice bike, but definitely not in the same category performance wise as the Ducati Sport Classics.
Nice looking bike though. [thumbsup]
Judging by a friends yellow Sport Classic (with the Termi kit) if you based a cafe project on a Sport you wouldn't have much left to do.
LA
I had a Thrux before I got my s2r 1000. They're nice bikes, fun and easy to ride, and get LOTS of attention around town. Very pretty to look at. But nowhere close to the handling or performance of the Duc.
I had an opportunity to ride my old bike about a month after I'd traded it in (the Monster needed some work done, and Pro Italia still had the Thrux for sale on the floor.) I took it up Angeles Crest (great highway with lots of twisties.) I couldn't believe the difference - the Thrux felt sluggish and spindly, and even though I was going much slower than I would have been on the Monster, it seemed waaay less stable. Definitely less confidence on that bike (which i had been quite comfortable on previously.)
They are fun to ride, you just can't push them as hard (unless you spend some serious money on aftermarket upgrades, and even then...) That said, I REALLY want to get a cream/tangerine Bonneville for my wife to tool around on...
This was my bike before my Monster. I used to have an old 1957 Triumph T110 Chopper that I built and I had an old 1975 Honda CB550 cafe bike. When I saw the Thruxton it was over - I had to have it. Not a touring bike. Old-styled and modeled suspension, breaks, tires, engine. Not enough power for a daily rider. I did a D&D 2-into-1 on it, ripped of the rear fender, etc... I did like it. I like my Monster more.
Sounded great, though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKYDobAsEa8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKYDobAsEa8)
When I first saw the Thruxton I was in love. I had a picture of one on my desktop and couldn't stop looking at it. One weekend the local Triumph dealer was sponsoring the company demo truck, and I went out to ride a few Triumphs, including the Thruxton. I REALLY wanted to like it, but I didn't. The bike is essentially a Bonneville with some minor cosmetic changes. The problem with that is that the bike suffers for not being an original design. When you ride a standard Bonneville, your back is comfortable, your shoulders are comfortable, and your knees fit right into the sweet spot on the gas tank. With the Thruxton, the bars are very low, forcing you to bend forward. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; you do this with any sport bike, right? The problem is, on a sport bike you can bring your knees into the tank to support your torso. Not so on the Thruxton, because they moved the foot pegs back from their position on a standard Bonneville to give you that "sporty" feel. Unfortunately, your legs are so far back your knees only begin to approach the rear of the tank if you pull them in, and if they get close to the tank, they get close to the top of the motor as well. This means burned knees. Of course, this isn't easy to do, because the Thruxton's pegs are also shorter than those on the standard Bonneville, so you have to move you boots half off of the pegs just to get your knees in a position that allows them to get anywhere near the tank. (With the smaller brake pedal compared to the standard Bonneville, this move makes it nearly impossible to operate the rear brake.) Essentially, you end up on a bike that has you bent over, with all of your body weight on the low handlebars, since you can't unload your arms using your legs against the tank. This means that you transmit all of your body movements into the handlebars, dorking up your steering, and develop some seriously sore shoulders and wrists, since they are the only things holding your leaning body upright. In short, the ergonomics of the bike weren't thought through and they just don't work. They make the bike harder to handle than it should be, and leaves you sore and frustrated. Pass.
Quote from: DucSeason on February 02, 2009, 06:32:12 PM
When I first saw the Thruxton I was in love. ..... Unfortunately, your legs are so far back your knees only begin to approach the rear of the tank if you pull them in, and if they get close to the tank, they get close to the top of the motor as well. This means burned knees. Of course, this isn't easy to do, because the Thruxton's pegs are also shorter than those on the standard Bonneville, so you have to move you boots half off of the pegs just to get your knees in a position that allows them to get anywhere near the tank.
Exactly. I really like there look, but I could never get the weight of the bars by holding on with my legs, at least not after it warmed up. Definitely nice looking bikes though.
A bunch of my buddies have Thruxtons and I cant get myself to like them.
I would rather have a sport classic anyday..
I took test rides on a Thruxton and a Scrambler the last time the Semi-Truck-Full-Of-Triumphs was in town (did the Rocket III too). I liked the Thruxton and feel that I could have fun on one, even if it isn't as fast as a Ducati. I didn't like the Scrambler, even though I had high hopes for it. That bike was significantly down on power relative to the Thruxton and didn't sound nearly as good. When I was riding it, I was thinking that other than style, you might as well get a KLR650 for what the bike can do.
Love the styling of the Scrambler and the Thruxton. I'd have to change out the bars on the Scrambler to comfortably & safely control it. It was too much of a reach for my torso & arms. The Scrambler & Thurxton share the same motor, but I'm guessing it's re-tuned/cammed or something else. The Scrambler makes more torque and a lot lower in the revs than the Thruxton, but only makes 55HP (that's less than my M750!?!). The Thurxton makes its peaks a lot higher in the revs & is up in the high 60's IIRC for HP numbers ~
JM
I crashed my s2r1000 and replaced it with a Thruxton. I like it in many ways. Yes it is down on power, has lacking suspension, etc. But it was much cheaper to replace, has tons of character, and is much "easier" to own FOR ME. The reason I say that is the nearest, decent Ducati dealer is two hours away. The Triumph dealer is 5.5 miles away. My service on the Ducati at 3k miles was over $600. My first service on the Triumph was $62 and the 6k mile will be the same. Then the 12k (I will never get there) will be $299. Parts are cheaper, my dealer is willing to cut breaks (seems Ducati shops aren't), and it is just a better fit....FOR ME.
It is a good fit for me. Yes I miss the Duc but there will be another one some day.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/timmer357/Email004.jpg)
That Thrux is a really good looking bike, and if it is what ouy like Timmer, than screw the rest of em!
My SO traded his FJR1300 in for a Bonnie, and he luvs the contrast in rides between it and his Speed Triple.
Here are some pix before he has semi-thruxton-ized the Bonnie
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg55/heathergln/Bikes/NewBonnie003.jpg)
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg55/heathergln/Bikes/NewBonnie013.jpg)
A friend of mine has got one, had it now for about 4 months, sold his ST4s for it! yeah so he's alot slower these days when we go out riding [roll]. We just did a track day here and he pushed the bike to it's max scraping feet and pegs and he had a blast, he has upgrade the rear springs and done the exhaust, has yet to put the carb kit and air box mod on and the bigger rear tire, a 170 for the back and harder front springs etc to go in. Not a bike for me, is fun and a change to ride from the Monster and ST2, but that's all it is for me, must admit he wasn't the slowest guy around the track, he was doing well to keep alot of the Japer's at bay. I like the look and style of the old school cafe racer look, but not for riding them ;)
http://hardout.webs.com/redlinetrackdays.htm (http://hardout.webs.com/redlinetrackdays.htm) that's a link to his bike, scroll down and you will see him, the only one there!
Once all his mod's are done we will go back out on the track and see if it was worth it etc.
QuoteBut if you had a Triumph thing ... and you just had to have one ..... maybe cause a kid in high school back in 1967 you were so jealous of, had one - and it just killed you every time he went by - on that beautiful British racing green 650 Bonneville.
[clap] [clap] [clap]
Not sure many of the list members were around in 67. But I was and I knew the dude you are talking about. And Yeah, If I had had that bike
I could have gotten all the girls and maybe lost my virginity before I got to 40.
But now I have a 67 Bonnie and I got the girl too and all is good.
No need for a thruxton
[moto] [moto]
Quote from: V-twin on February 10, 2009, 02:47:45 PM
A friend of mine has got one, had it now for about 4 months, sold his ST4s for it! yeah so he's alot slower these days when we go out riding [roll]. We just did a track day here and he pushed the bike to it's max scraping feet and pegs and he had a blast, he has upgrade the rear springs and done the exhaust, has yet to put the carb kit and air box mod on and the bigger rear tire, a 170 for the back and harder front springs etc to go in. Not a bike for me, is fun and a change to ride from the Monster and ST2, but that's all it is for me, must admit he wasn't the slowest guy around the track, he was doing well to keep alot of the Japer's at bay. I like the look and style of the old school cafe racer look, but not for riding them ;)
http://hardout.webs.com/redlinetrackdays.htm (http://hardout.webs.com/redlinetrackdays.htm) that's a link to his bike, scroll down and you will see him, the only one there!
Once all his mod's are done we will go back out on the track and see if it was worth it etc.
Tim, my SO, did quite a few mods on his including airbox, exhaust, and gotta admit, I am liking it more n more since those now. AND he is enjoying railing it in the corners with our local sportbike riders! He is NOT anywhere near the back of this group on the Bonnie on these rides! It IS an "old skool" kinda bike to be appreciated for what it is, he enjoys being able to swing a leg over and flip it around so easily AND sit comfie, but not sure he could have JUST the Bonnie on its own and be without the Triple. Now he would be even happier if I would throw a leg over 'er and ride her for change also. In time, just enjoying my Beasite Boy too much still here.
Sold her to buy the 696. She was good, loud, and a looker. A bit portly though compared to the Monster. Would have kept the bike, but only have room for two.
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Triumph%20Bonneville/IMG_0183.jpg?t=1234310393)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hXLYnXdze8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hXLYnXdze8)
Quote from: Craig Thomas on February 10, 2009, 04:02:37 PM
Sold her to buy the 696. She was good, loud, and a looker. A bit portly though compared to the Monster. Would have kept the bike, but only have room for two bikes.
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/kf6vgz/Triumph%20Bonneville/IMG_0183.jpg?t=1234310393)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hXLYnXdze8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hXLYnXdze8)
A BEAUTY! Sorry not able to keep her. GOTTA show my SO-he will DEF appreciate her.
My SO actually claims his Bonnie will turn EZ and far easier than my Monster he says.....turning radius-wise. Just had this conversation today in fact....reminded me when you said "portly".
Should dig up a pic I have of Pink on her Bonnie also!
I was looking for a new bike, and I was very focused on the Thruxton. The bike's cafe style plays right into my lust for all things retro. It was pretty sweet looking and it's a Triumph; all I needed was a test ride to seal the deal. I was riding a Suzuki DR 650 at the time, so nearly any bike would have been an upgrade-- so I rode my DR half way across Ohio after work to a Triumph dealer on the east side of the state, where they had a black '07 on sale! It was a sign, I thought.
But.
When I told him that I wanted to ride it, he asked what I did for a living. I'm a high school teacher. Then he asked what I wanted to put down on it. I said a grand plus trade the DR if they'd have it. Meanwhile, my brother was looking at a Monster and being ignored. When the guy asked him what he did for a living, he said "student." He didn't have time to mention the whole "ex-army, GI Bill, plenty of money lying around" thing. By this time, the place was closing in thirty minutes, and the guy said we'd have to stop back by after the weekend to run some numbers and that if we could afford the bikes, he'd let us test our respective choices.
Miffed, we left and went straight to the Duc dealer about 20 miles away. My brother wanted to ride a "new" '07 SR2 800. Even though the place was shutting down in thirty minutes, the guy said "go for it." I asked if anything else was prepped so I could ride along; I wasn't even curious about the Duc until we left the Triumph guy. He had a used '06 620 dark ready to go, so I took it. He said that he'd stay at the shop until we were back and to take our time. After running them all over the Cuyahoga Falls area for about 45 minutes, we made our way back to the shop. I had to admit that I'd wasted about 44 1/2 minutesof the guy's time because I knew I was buying the bike as soon as I was out of the parking lot. The lord works in mysterious ways; I don't care if I never sit on a Thruxton again, and after reading many of your reviews on handling and performance, I'm pretty sure I won't.
Check out Flynbulldog's Thruxton. This may be the best looking new Triumph I've seen. I love the look of the polished alluminum that is also painted.
(http://www.ducati.ms/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=41120&stc=1&d=1229726107)
Thanks for posting that Travman. For some reason I couldn't make it work.
I know the Thruxton does not handle as well or have the power of an s2r1000 but the bike has a charm and character of it's own.
I've done quite a bit of work to this bike beyond the obvious and it does handle quite well for what it is.
Personally I couldn't compare my Thrux to a monster ( I just sold mine and I'm waiting for the streetfighter), in my opinion they serve different rolls.
I love this thruxton [bow_down]
Where did you get the tank and fenders? I assume they are handmade aluminum. Is there a thread which reveals all the work done on your Thruxton. If so, I'd love to read it.
On a side note, I wish somebody would put a polished aluminum tank and fenders similar to this on a Ducati Sport classic. The current wide plastic tank and tail don't do it for me. It would be cool to see a SC1000 that looked something like this:
(http://www.wilcoxmetal.com/images/850t.jpg)
Maybe it was at the tank shop
http://www.thetankshop.com/ (http://www.thetankshop.com/)
The tank and seat were hand made by the only guy (that I know of) in the US who still builds hand-formed alloy motorcycle parts - Evan Wilcox
www.wilcoxmetal.com (http://www.wilcoxmetal.com)
I have a thread on the bike on the Triumph Rat forum
You can read about it here: http://www.triumphrat.net/club-cafe/96033-not-retro-enough-i-m-long-winded-sob.html (http://www.triumphrat.net/club-cafe/96033-not-retro-enough-i-m-long-winded-sob.html)
You may have to register to see all the pics
Quote from: flynbulldog on February 11, 2009, 10:57:55 PM
The tank and seat were hand made by the only guy (that I know of) in the US who still builds hand-formed alloy motorcycle parts - Evan Wilcox
www.wilcoxmetal.com (http://www.wilcoxmetal.com)
I have a thread on the bike on the Triumph Rat forum
You can read about it here: http://www.triumphrat.net/club-cafe/96033-not-retro-enough-i-m-long-winded-sob.html (http://www.triumphrat.net/club-cafe/96033-not-retro-enough-i-m-long-winded-sob.html)
You may have to register to see all the pics
Thanks for the link to your Triumph Thruxton thread. It is a beautiful bike and probably the best looking cafe'd new Bonnie I've ever seen. It is the only one I have ever saved the picture with the exception of this Trackmaster-framed street tracker new Bonnie:
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/NewBonnieTrackmaster.jpg?t=1234487204)
Wow! :o
That bike is pretty gnarley - a little more radical than mine for sure
Actually it looks more like a different bike with a bonny engine, sweet though...