Triumph Thruxton - Opinions?

[londonbabe]

In March my licence will be unrestricted and I am pretty much set on a Triumph Thruxton 900. I'm into the retro look far more than sportsbikes, cruisers and whatnot (and cafe racers in particular). I love the sound of the 900 twin (with decent pipes anyway) and I love the look of them.

First question is does anyone own one, has owned one? - what are they like as a practical everyday proposition? I'd anticipate this being my only bike, and a 12 mile commute twice a day on it. I'm used to the dependability of Hondas and the chronic unreliability of Vespas so as long as it leans towards the honda end then great. What's the fuel consumption and accelleration, handling and performance like? Which bits of me will hurt the most after a spirited ride?

Secondly I want the older model with carbs and clip-ons rather than the current one with the carb-shaped throttle bodies and flat bars. Would I be losing out on anything significant between say a 2004 model and a 2008?

cheers in advance.

[robstvr]

Hello,

Well, I'd say not much is likely to hurt, and certainly not after 12 miles. It'd be like a floaty dream... No, really. I've not owned one, but have them as loaners when my 675 get serviced. The accelleration isn't going to pull your arms off, but it's brisk, i suppose. If you're stepping up to it, it'll certainly be fun. They are quite heavy, but as you know, the weight is all down low.

I find them fun for a day on UK roads, but would have to have one as part of a 'stable' of bikes here. I can't speak for the reliability of 2004 Triumphs, but i have had no big issues with my 2007 bike.

[robstvr]

Oh dear, Bedford. That's a dude, dude.

[Chilli]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Didn't check the feet did you? Always check the feet.......my mum told me that.....least I think it was my mum.

[carlosvalderrama]

I've had one for a couple of years now after living on sportsbikes. I decided that flying about at 100mph plus was only going to end badly. With the thrux I can push it hard and feel like I'm doing 200mph, when it's only doing 75.

Since getting it I've heavily tweaked it. There is a HUGE american tuning market, so fancy parts are cheap even with transatlantic shipping. It has a high level Zard exhaust, a set of Kehin racing flatslide carbs, no airbox, new shocks, fork springs, and mods to the lights, adjustable bars and all sorts.

It's been totally solid. Regular servicing and not so much as a bulb has blown. The only problem I had was when my cheapo trickle charger toasted the battery last winter.

The only bad points were an initial missing of the power to overtake, but I'm used to it now. Also, without the new bars, the old ones were a bit uncomfortable, not that you had too much weight on them, just an odd angle.

And as far as I know there is almost no difference between all the carbed thruxtons.

Go for it!

[RemaL]

Triumph = cool.

I love em all

[londonbabe]

Yay, sounding good ;-)

and @Bedford Rascal, wrong on the gender but you got the unspeakably hot part right ;-)

[mywifeshusband]

I've just had an 03 Bonnieville America in the garage and it has responded very well to a change in pipes and re-jetting. Now its quicker and more relaxing to ride.
I appreciate that it has the 270 crank and is only 790cc but the potential to improve a Thruxton is there. Have a look at Jenks bolt site for pipes/air fliter/jet advice. I've talked to Peter Jenks and he's very switched on.
I must say that a Scrambler / Bonnie / Thruxton are top of my shopping list so get one.

[Rubin215]

There's a feature on the traditional Triumphs in this months Ride magazine.

Thruxton is a lovely bike, but not a winter commuter (too many nooks and crannies to clean).

There's what looks like a bargain on ebay just now too.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...