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Here's my quickie review...
The first thing that most people react to is the riding position...as in,"Ouch. That's gotta hurt". I must admit, I had the same concern myself after viewing photos in magazine tests. However, as usual, I make purchases with my heart & anything my brain tells me gets swept under the rug. After a 5 day, 1050 mile tour of the Lake District, I'm happy to report that, I felt no extraordinary aches or pains after successive 8 hour days in the saddle. I'm 6'2", weigh 250 lbs. & have longish arms so, maybe that helped me reach the clip ons. The first time you sit on it, you're struck by how slim the bike feels. The narrow parallel twin engine & the tear drop tank aid the impression. The seat is rather plank-ish but, again, I had no major complaints. Maybe I have a hard butt. The instrument panel is retro all the way with just the basics. Speedo, tach, neutral, oil, battery & brights lights. Don't even ask about heated grips. This ain't no girly man bike. This is motorcycling minimalist art.
The first thing I'd probably upgrade is the suspension. It can be described as squishy. Maybe a nice set of Ohlins on the back would look fetching. At mature riding speeds, the suspension is adequate, just barely. Maybe if I lost a little weight that would help. The single front disk provided adequate stopping power for my style of riding which is about 7/10ths.
The engine is a real joy. Torquey yet smooth. The power delivery was perfect for the tight twisty UK backroads. The exhaust note sounded vaguely like a Harley V twin but more of a jackhammer to the Harley's potato-potato. The sound it made while powering out of a corner or passing a car was a joy to behold and adds a great deal to the riding experience, thanks to the accessory "offroad" pea shooters. On the last day of my trip, I started her up in the hotel parking lot, setting off a car alarm in the process. This firmly cements the Thruxton in the hoodlum category. It seems a bit lazy when compared to a modern inline 4 but, on the tight backroads it was really in its element. While riding with some friends on big inline 4s, we got on the motorway for about 50 miles. I thought they were going to take off & leave me. Mercifully, they kept their speed at about 90 mph. Any faster wouldn't be comfortable as there is no fairing to deflect the windblast. While they fiddled with their stereos, I clung to the clip ons & gritted my teeth with an expression of deathly determination. The engine tops out at about 120 mph but, how long you could maintain that speed is another question.
Handling can be described as neutral. The first day aboard the bike, I felt as if the bike wanted to fall into corners and wondered if raising the forks might make it more stable. However, as the days went by I got used to its handling. It might be that I'm not accustomed to riding such a light bike (450 lbs).
All in all, I thouroghly enjoyed it as a sport touring machine. Granted, I stuck to tight and twisty roads for the most part. This should weigh into your decision. If you live in the flatlands, a long ways from any twisties, a Thruxton probably wouldn't be practical. More of a toy than a practical means of transportation but, toys are great fun!
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