I am looking to buy a new Thruxton and would like some advice. I have located one I would like, but it is a couple of states away and am trying to weigh my options. It would be a new bike with warranty from a dealer. I am thinking of purchasing it and having it shipped to me. Based on research I can have it shipped cheaper than I can drive down and bring it back. Has anyone had any experiences to share, good or bad, that have done this. I would think being a new bike would eliminate some issues that buying a used bike this way would present. Thanks in advance for any advice.
You should be good buying a new bike that way. I think your biggest concern would be damage during shipping. Have they sent you pictures of it? It would suck to think that you bought a black bike and a red one shows up at your house.
There are pics on the website, but I would be planning on having them send me several more close-ups and disclose any cosmetic issues as this bike is prior year leftover. As fun as it sounds, to be honest, it will be my first bike and I don't think I would be that comfortable riding 10 hours home Plus I think my wife would put the brakes on me doing that even if I thought it was a good idea.
Are you buying it from this dealer because one in your state can't get it? Or is there no dealer near you? I ask because what will you do if you need work done under the warranty?
Thanks for the heads up. I am in pretty good shape, but I do figure I would have to be broken in to the riding style and may feel it for a few days. Just like getting used to doing any new activity I guess.
Are you buying it from this dealer because one in your state can't get it? Or is there no dealer near you? I ask because what will you do if you need work done under the warranty?
Valid question. It is a left over years model and it is the color I want. However, I do have a local dealer where I could go for factory warranty service if/when needed.
I just would not be comfortable not seeing the bike in the flesh before purchase.So many things can go wrong in shipping, damage wise , if you do go this route get shipping insurance.
If you and your wife arent comfortable with the ride option, and frankly I dont think its the best way to be learning or getting used to the bike, ( long hours on unfamiliar interstates with trucks etc)
why not make it a pleasant couple of days vacation with your wife
and bring it home on a trailer? If you dont have a trailer no doubt you could hire one from a national company near the dealer and hand it back in your state.
Have you ridden a Thruxton? They aren't really a learner bike. The ride position is too sporty, & that makes low speed handling a bit delicate. A standard Bonnie/T100 is a much better first bike IMO. You might not have any trouble adapting to a Thrux's quirks, & you probably think it's killer looks are worth the discomfort. But I'd at least go & ride the bike before buying it. It's too late once you've paid for it, & you'll lose a lot of money if you have to sell it.
I agree with Scratchy, a Thruxton isn't really ideal, in fact I would say any brand new bike isn't ideal.
Get something cheaper to ride around on while you learn.
You will drop it, it will get dinged, so possibly better if it's not brand new....?
Yeah doggie, you go son! Although, i rode mine away from the dealer, 20 km trip,5 km away from home it started to surge. Turned out to be a blocked filter from the tank. Sort of a love quickly turned to hate relationship. Pushed the bloody thing. Thank god i didnt buy a tank.
This thread is better than I thought it would be! Lots of good advice!
Here's my contribution:
Your first bike should something that you're not afraid of dinging up because as gn2 said, you're bound to drop it in a parking lot. A used bike is much more practical and bikes are selling like hotcakes on Craigslist and EBay at incredible prices.
Also, you should begin your motorcycle career in a standard, upright position so that you can learn the mechanics of operating the bike first. The more sporty "bent over" position allows you more authority on the inputs to the bike and when you're first learning the correct inputs, you're bound to mess up because you don't know what to do with that authority yet! (Bonnie is more standard positioning.)
Also, your arms are likely to be tense (your whole body even!) and the Thruxton is not the bike for tense arms. To ride bent over, the arms need to be loose and bendable, with no weight on the wrists. This is paramount not only for comfort and physical well-being of wrists and shoulders and triceps, but proper technique will ensure safety in your riding. Like Steventhechef said, strengthen your core.
Ten hours is too long for beginners and especially in a bent over position such as on the Thruxton. Physical and mental fatigue can set you up for a disaster! (I am assuming here that you've taken a course or had some solid instruction on riding.)
Do like Markstark said and make an adventure shared with your wife! Make it special and something y'all will remember together.
You didn't tell us what your riding experience is or where you are located. If you're inexperienced, you shouldn't be trying this, both for your own sake and for the bike's sake. If you're experienced, it's your call.
I have to disagree, the first bike I bought after passing my test was an SV650S, so a pretty bent over sporty position. It was a bit weird at first, but after riding it for a day or two it was fine. The Thruxton isn't that sporty compared to other bikes and it is in no way a difficult bike to ride, in fact I'd say for a beginner it's a pretty good bike, looks great, handling might need a bit of tweaking, and it isn't so powerful that you can really get in trouble.
It isn't what you ride, but how you ride it. You don't have to ride like a nutter and end up in a hedge, just ride it carefully for a while and build up your experience. I rode MrNickwiz's Daytona 955 occasionally, but I knew that my skill didn't match the bike's power so I didn't go mad on it. The only reason I wouldn't buy a brand new bike is depreciation, insurance will be higher especially for a new rider, and everyone's right I'm afraid, you WILL drop it (but that depends how precious you are about a few scratches, and you could always get some crash bars fitted for a while).
Ride what you want and what you can afford. The good thing about the Thruxton and the Bonnie is that you can really personalise them with extras and tweak bits to improve the handling. In my opinion if you're lusting after the Thruxton now and you go and buy a Bonnie, that lust will only get worse so you may as well go for it!
I've just read the posts again, and somewhere along the line we all seem to be presuming this is your first bike for some reason?! Is it?
I don't see why there should be a problem buying it, it's a new bike so there shouldn't be any problems, and you've a dealer nearby if there is. The only problem I can see with riding it home is that it's going to need running in properly and that means slow and steady for I think 500 miles (that may be different so check) and then an oil change, so you need to look at how many miles you would be doing and when that oil change needs to be done. I doubt you'd want to be doing it halfway home, so shipping might be an easier if slightly duller option.
I'd ride it home if I were you, at least if you have experience riding that is. If not then it's probably better to have it shipped. I bought a used Sprint last fall sight unseen about 650 miles away. I took a real chance on it since the pics weren't very good and the owner was out of town while we made the deal. Fact of the matter was the bike was priced very low and had very low miles so I figured I'd go for it. Flew from upstate NY to NC to pick it up. I did have the local dealer check it over since he had it in the shop for a new tire anyhow. The dealer gave it a clean bill of health but mentioned a few cosmetic issues. The ride home was the best part! As a matter of fact, a few weeks earlier I was looking at another bike in California. Not as good of a deal but I was really thinking about buying it, partly because of the ride home. That would have been taking a chance though since it was around Thanksgiving and the weather could have been a nightmare.
I say ride it home, just take your time and when you get back you'll know the bike and will have bonded.
I am sitting here shaking my head at some of this advice...
<sarcasm.
What should he do, get a bloody Honda 50?
</sarcasm>
About the only people on here who would have some authority to pass judgement are those who ride a Thrux. Read MrsNick's post again, it makes a lot of sense.
So what if he drops the bike at some stage, we probably all done it at some time, I know I have, it is called exploring the limits.
So we all sit here passing judgement telling someone how to spend their money... lets revisit the original post.
Can someone please point out exactly where the OP asked to be told they are stupid for wanting to ride a Thruxton straight up and should get a "beginners" bike. How frigging condescending.
I rode a Thruxton for 2 years, and I just sold it this past week to an experienced rider with 34 years experience on various bikes. I advised him about the posture and I spoke with him the next day. He had been able to get in 55 miles on his already beloved Thruxton the evening before, but he said indeed his wrists were sore the next morning.
Everyone is different but I separate the newbies from the experienced often by observing the tightness and straightness in their arms. The tighter and straighter, the less relaxed and more chance for early fatigue. And I insist that 10 hours is too long for a newbie right off the bat because of the dangers of physical and mental fatigue.
I've dropped a couple bikes. It is not fun and especially on a new bike, it is unnecessary. I still advise all new riders to spend some time on a used bike if not only for this reason. You get your money out of them usually upon resale, they're cheaper to begin with, and should you want to keep it, you always have a spare bike which is great for turning someone else onto riding!
I rode a Thruxton for 2 years, and I just sold it this past week to an experienced rider with 34 years experience on various bikes. I advised him about the posture and I spoke with him the next day. He had been able to get in 55 miles on his already beloved Thruxton the evening before, but he said indeed his wrists were sore the next morning.
I do appreciate all of the input from everyone and respect everyone's opinion on the matter, as I am sure most everyone has learned from their own experiences. I am a new to street bikes, but I have had experience on two wheels on dirt. I know that is different for sure, but I do have a good feel on a bike. I did recently take the MSF course and felt very comfortable riding. Also, I really don't see how riding upright will condition me to ever ride a bike with a sportier stance. And buying a decent used bike will really not be that much cheaper than the deal I am working on, plus I will have a warranty. To be honest, I don't care if I was buying a Honda Rebel, I don't think I would really want my first riding experiences to be on I-95 for 10 hours. No matter what I buy I plan on taking it easy around town until I get real comfortable. If I go through with it, I will likely ride down and bring it back on my truck. That way at least I can see it before I fully commit, even if it turned out to be a wasted trip, which I really doubt. I have researched the Thruxton for many months and have read many reviews of first time riders and how happy they are with it. I did consider a Ninja 250, but then figured I should get what I really want. At least we're not talking about a Street Triple as my first bike.
If I go through with it, I will likely ride down and bring it back on my truck. That way at least I can see it before I fully commit, even if it turned out to be a wasted trip, which I really doubt.
Smart move. If I95 is a highway you'll be using in the future on a Thrux, you better have a bunch of miles under your belt before you get on it.
I'd also suggest that have them start it up and, if they won't let you ride it prior to purchase, have their service manager run it around so that you can see and hear that the bike is OK. Why? Because when I went to pick up my 07 T100, I was told the bike was prepped and ready to go. Only the carbs were completely screwed up and the bike kept stalling out. Their mechanic couldn't fix it and I left without my brand new bike. It was only 8 miles from my house, but I was still upset. The sales guy delivered the bike to my house the following week with brand new carbs and my 500 mile service was free due to the inconvenience.
The new Thruxton does not have the extreme clip ons of the older carb model Thruxton. Its actualy pretty upright. So You'll find it plenty comfortable enough. and if you don't a 30$ set of handlebars can change that. So The argument you shouldn't get it because it'll be uncomfortable difficult to ride doesn't hold up.
I ride a Thruxton, the older model with a handlebar conversion. Weekend before last we did near 200 miles in a day and guess what I still have arms and hands that don't need medical attention
I bought it with 1400 miles on the clock. So nearly new. Just the running in had been done for me! First day I picked it up (I had an appendectomy two days before so shouldn't have been riding it anyway) I dropped it! no bother. Slight scratch on the pipe, and engine casing. The engine casing polished out and I only had to replace the peg. If your that worried get some engine bars fitted by the dealer before they deliver it.
Don't ride it home. It'll need running in so slow riding and an oil change after the first 500 miles. You say its two states away and I seem to recall a state is nearly as big as the whole country I live in So you'll need to change the oil before your halfway home. I'm not sure a motel will be happy about you dumping oil all over their parking lot!
So in a nutshell if the price is right get it. Get it delivered. Run it in. And Enjoy it. Its a lovely bike. just fast enough, but also forgiving. You'll have fun.
I'm confused. The same crew that believes in castration for using a cell phone while driving thinks it's a good idea for a newbie to take a 10 HOUR ride home on a brand new bike? Especially a leftover, whose battery may have gone south on whilst sitting.
I'm with Sparky675 on beginner bikes, but that wasn't the OP's question. If it was mine, I would ride because I have been riding and wrenching for 35 years, have plenty of long distance trips under my belt, am an AMA member with roadside assistance and have a high limit credit card. IOW, I'm pretty much covered no matter what. If you were my friend, I would say ship it, if you were my good friend I would drive down and toss it in my van.
IMO, telling the OP to ride it, given the parameters presented, is the equivalent of saying "Hey, lets just do 3 more shots then drive home".
My only point about the Thruxton's ride position is that it would be better to try it before buying, to make sure that it's not going to be a problem. Because it's too late afterwards.
I bought my Duke without riding it, knowing that the ride position would be challenging, which it is. But I also knew that I'd only be using the Duke in the twisties, where pain isn't a problem. & I was prepared to suffer going to & from the range roads, which I do. So I knew what I was getting into before I did it. & that's all I'm suggesting here. If you've had experience on dirt bikes, it's not your first bike. So you've no need to familiarise yourself with riding, which is why I suggested a Bonnie, especially if you've done a MSF course. But I'd still recommend taking one for a ride to make sure you like it. I know at least two people who absolutely hated the Thruxton when they rode it. 1) Me: I think the sporty ride position isn't justified by the insipid performance. & 2) my 999S riding mate, who just thought it was a slug.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Triumph Rat Motorcycle Forums
3.9M posts
167.7K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Triumph Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, racing, cafe racers, bobbers, riding, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!