Triumphrat

longjohns · 07-24-2008

Year:2008
Color:Silver w/red stripe
Mileage:560
Overall Rating:10/10

Modifications: Napolean Bar End Mirrors, Knee Pads, Norman Hyde TX Fairing (coming soon!)

Owner Height/Weight: 5'6"/170lbs

Problems / Resolutions: No Problems What so ever

Owner Review:
I love the bike. coming from a cafed '73 cb350 this bike is a little bit bigger. at my height it is a bit tall for me but it is no problem moving the bike around. the gearbox is like butter and the clutch feels real smooth. the bike definately needs a steering dampener because at high speeds it can get a little squirrely (sp). if you are looking into getting one id definately take one for a test ride to see if you can deal with the clip-on handlebars.

Pancho 3030 · 07-24-2008

I'm in the market for another bike and the Thruxton is the only one of all that is out there that makes my heart race. My only concern is that I would want the bike to be able to take me on medium long trips. Nothing Iron butt but at least 8 to 12 hundred miles. I've not read all of the reviews but so far most that I have read are owners with less than 2000 miles on the odometer.
I'd like to hear from owners that have put miles on their bikes and what modifications they feel are needed to make the bike reasonably comfortable for long rides. I realize it's not a Gold Wing, I don't want a Gold Wing. In five years I've put 20,000 miles on my 74 Norton Commando so just for grins on a scale of 1 to 10 the Norton is a 5 as a trip bike. How would owners rate the Thruxton.

grailer · 4 Weeks Ago

Hi Pancho, et al.

I've lurked here for a couple of months. After reading your post, I thought sharing my experience might help you and others.

I'm the second owner of a 2006 Thruxton with the usual mods (AI elim, FEK, TORs, etc.). She had 3,400mi and now has 8,600mi. It's my first bike. I'm 41, 5'10", 155lbs, and in pretty good health.

My experience riding the Thruxton over long rides is that it depends on your expectations: how many miles you want to cover a day, how often between stops, etc. I can ride 350mi or so without undue fatigue, stopping when I'm tired and need a rest (or a smoke).

I live in Portland, Maine and bought the bike used in Denver, CO. In late May, I flew to Denver to pick up the bike and ride it back to Portland, having passed the BRC only two weeks before, and never having ridden a bike on public roads or out of 3rd gear.

The trip covered 3,000 miles and took me two weeks. I took it easy, paying attention to my body, and gave myself plenty of time. I rode over back roads and old, concrete two-laners, no major interstate highways, and included a longer-than-anticipated layover in Indianapolis to reconnect with old friends. I brought with me only what I could carry in a backpack.

The bike was great and I cannot imagine a better way to travel. I've now put over 5,000mi on the bike.

Is it fatiguing over long hauls? Sure, it's not a tourer. If I wanted to run 350+ mi or 12+ hours per day, I'd pick something else (BMW r1200gs anyone?). However, for the sheer joy of riding, connecting with interesting people along the way, and joy of ownership, I cannot imagine a more satisfying bike.

Though I'm totally open to the fact my lack of experience may be clouding my judgement. =:-)

Pancho 3030 · 4 Weeks Ago

Grailer, Now that's the kind of review I like to hear. Your inexperience as a rider doesn't bother me a bit. If your first bike had been a tourer you might have had a different opinion but no one looks at a metric rider on a long trip and offers a nod and a smile.

grailer · 4 Weeks Ago

Pancho,

Glad the information was helpful. You're dead-on, the thumbs-up and conversations with others made the trip on the Thruxton most worthwhile.

A note about riding positions... It's sort of like doing yoga. I found a good half-dozen or so positions on the Thruxton, balancing muscle groups, loosening some & tightening others. The passenger pillions come in handy, as does resting your chest on top of the tank to relieve the arms/shoulders/wrists. You'll discover these as you ride.

All in all, a very ride-able bike over long distances if you give yourself time and rest between tanks.

Pancho 3030 · 4 Weeks Ago

Speaking of riding position, I'm in the market for a Thruxton because I just totaled my V-Rod (my only departure to the dark side) after an 8 hour ride from Cincinnati to Southeastern Tenn. The V-Rod's seat is comfortable for about 200 miles but from there on it is misery. There is no alternative seating because the seat is form fitting and it has forward controls so you can't even stand on the pegs to relieve the butt muscles. At 300 miles I was wishing for my Norton with the long seat and conventional pegs.

OZRatRider · 4 Weeks Ago

Year:
2006/07

Color:
Tornado Red/White Stripe

Mileage:
10245 (Klms)

Overall Rating:
Stock 7.5/10 Minor Modded 9.5/10

Modifications:
AI removed (first thing anyone should do).
Mufflers. First fitted Norton Commando Peashooters (way too loud, great looking tho') then Emgo 26" Reverse Cones with adapters (much nicer volume and very nice tone for the price).
Air box freed up and snorkelectomied, then fitted with Unifilter foam job.
So far sticking with the CVK's unless I feel compelled to fit CRII's, as I really would prefer to stay with a standard air box and single large filter. Main jet 115. Pingel petcock.
Norman Hyde steering damper.
Thruxton colour keyed flyscreen (yes that is the way to spell color! Currently changing to colour coded BellaCorse Cafe screen).
Key relocation kit.
New Bonneville FEK (currently changing to colour keyed BellaCorse setup with LED tail light) with small chrome indicators.
19 tooth front sprocket.
Ikon progressive front springs with Ikon 7614 black coil rears.

(optional): Owner Height/Weight
5'8" 150lb

Problems / Resolutions
Initially the nervous steering was a real let down, but even this can be sorted with heavier than normal spring settings on the stock gear and tyre pressure fiddling (yes, we spell tyre this way too!). Not ideal, but workable.

Tank size can be an issue for longer runs, might look at a NH aluminium.

Owner Review:
Superb value for money, not a real racer off the floor, but what a nostalgic bastard of a bike. Would not part with it now.

With suspension upgrades and tweaks it is better than my old Trumpys were, but it feels right.

It has the right feel just a bit beefier (what we dreamed of back then), and it starts'n'runs all the time.

It doesn't disgrace itself on the garage floor.

With exhaust and breathing sorted it sounds right.

If I really needed a fast adrenaline hit I'd be on the Daytona 675, not this.

s-flow · 3 Days Ago

Triumph Thruxton -08 EFI
Silver with red stripe
2500 km

No modifications yet, pipes are to come.

I am 178 cm weight 75 kg

Owner Review:

Very happy with the bike. Did not know how I would adjust to the lesser (by about 125 hp) power coming from a -07 ZZR1400 but I feel the different construction, tiny wheels and lack of fairing makes it at least as fun as the Kawasaki to ride actively.
Then, in the city and on twisty countryroads the Thruxton is superior, best bike I have owned for various daily use.

The FI works very good and the clutch is great, as the gearbox.
Ergonomics are spot on for me.

I have took it for vacation on a couple of 500 km trips with passanger and that worked fine (most of the ride was in quite heavy rain so I was worried as I have read some reports about these bikes could have trouble in rain, no problems though).

I am enthusiastic about the bike and hopefully the relation between us will be long.

Greetings!
Daniel

Pancho 3030 · 3 Days Ago

As a new Truxton owner the only complaint is the stock exhaust. It is too quiet and it chirps like a bird. The previous owner bought a set of D&D slip on's that came with the bike. He thought that the bike was too loud. This weekend I'll be putting them on and deciding for myself. According to the D&D factory instructions the slip on's don't require re-jetting. Any comment on that would be appreciated.