2004
as black,as it could be!
2890 km
9 on the 1-10 scale
barend mirrors,extr.loud Highway Hawk tubes,custom flyscreen with the "race-flag",160/80/17 Avon rear,120/80/18
Avon on the front wheel,chromed chain guard

I'm 192 cm and 108 kilos
no pobs with it...(not yet)

It's a real cafe-racer,so I just love it!

Hot beavers and cold beers,

Joe from Budapest

2004
as black,as it could be!
2890 km
9 on the 1-10 scale
barend mirrors,extr.loud Highway Hawk tubes,custom flyscreen with the "race-flag",160/80/17 Avon rear,120/80/18
Avon on the front wheel,chromed chain guard

I'm 192 cm and 108 kilos
no pobs with it...(not yet)

It's a real cafe-racer,so I just love it!

Hot beavers and cold beers,

Joe from Budapest

This bike freakin rocks. I think I'll ride down to Brighton and show some Mod scooter sissies who'e boss, then hit the Ace.

In other words, this is a terrific bike, a delight to ride, and lets you daydream about the glory days of British motorcycles when you are not leaned over 40 degrees around some twisty turn.

We likes, we likes! My precious!

__________________
So long, and thanks for all the fish!

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!

One year on:

Year: 04
Color: black
Mileage: 2600
Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Modifications: Home made brackets for passenger seat bag strap

166cm/64kg (sorry can't remember the imperial numbers)

Problems / Resolutions: Rear shocks recalled, down pipes replaced under warrenty as blued up


I ordered it in Sept/Oct 03 as soon as heard Triumph where going to make a classic cafe racer. It is fantastic and exactly what I wanted not sports bike fast but just great to be on.

Took it to Mallory Park for a track day last summer - where I had ace fun beating of the sports bikes by being able to get the power down earlier. It even ran better on the way home!

Took it to Isle Mann for Classic TT got loads of interest.


Mods intending to do: different silencers, bar end mirrors.

Year: 2004
Color: red w/black side covers
Mileage: 3,600
Rating: very satisfied
Height/Weight: 6'4" 180lb
Mods: TOR's, AI removed, Ikon black/black shocks, Daytona 600 bar-end weights, Daytona 955i footpegs, Kawasaki Meanstreak mirrors, Buell XB turnsignals, T100 tank badges
No problems, a very entertaining motorcycle.

[ This message was edited by: MrH on 2005-02-07 18:11 ]

Year: 2004
Color: Black (is there any other)
Mileage: 3200
Overall Rating: 9/10

Modifications: D&D pipes, fork boots, removed turns and rear fender, custom rear tail with light, removed emisson and air box, NARK, re-jet, locking gas cap, bar end mirrors, tank badges, front and rear sprocket and chain

Owner Height/Weight/Age: 6' 0". 225 lbs, 26 years old

Problems / Resolutions: Blowen fuse (wouldnt start) and rear shocks, all happened at the same time and all under warrenty

Owner Review: I love this bike, it is so loud and cool looking I get more people stopping to look and talk about it. And I have had more dates because of this bike. But comming from a guy who ha rode bke his whole life THIS IS FAVORITE, and because of that dont buy this bike I like being different and knowing that mines better than yours.

Erling S. Kristiansen
Oslo - Norway
37 years


2005 Thruxton
Black.

Mod;
Racecan's
No mirrors.

The most beautiful bike in the world.

Others; BMW F650 CS Scarver

Freelance custom bike journalist

Year:2004 Color: Kandy teal/silver Mileage:3500 Rating: 9 out of 10 Mods: Kandy paint, AI removal, D&D's, Nark kit, chrome chainguard, chrome engine cases, flyscreen, CRG mirrors, gaiters, Norton Granturismo grips, Kuryakin LED turnsignals, rejet Height and weight: 5'10"/175lbs All in all an excellent bike with the retro look and feel, not overly powerful but for an old codger like me a very pleasant maneuverable ride. It is so far a very reliable bike having virtually no problems like parts loosening up and falling off. Also, a very good bike for urban commutes do to its narrow, light weight. Fuel capacity could be a bit more as I'm getting only 120 miles before reserve but it probably would not be as attractive and nostalgic. The brakes are adequate however, maybe a 4 piston caliper on the front wheel would improve the braking quite a bit. I get quite a few complements on the look of the bike form a variety of people. So, if your looking for a lightweight, maneuverable bike that is not as powerful as the sportbikes but handles quite well, try a Thruxton.

Year: 2004
Color: Black is Black
Mileage: Still too low, Need longer weekends!
Overall rating: 9/10

5' 10" 165 pounds

Mods (to bike not to me!): AI removed, Norman Hyde pipes, Rear Fender eliminated and new small turn signals, CRG LS bar ends, fork gaiters, painted front fender matching black, SS bolt kit on carbs.

Best looking bike outside of the Barber Museum!
Handles well enough for me although I will probably change the rear shock sometime in the future.
Everyone likes to come take a closer look, Harley riders give me the 'thumbs up!'

__________________
"My name is Ozymandias, King of kings" - but not forever!