Triumphrat

sid_farkus · 03-25-2005

just a quickie.......if you still have stock airbox and pipes, CHANGE THEM IMMEDIATELY! doesn't matter what brand, (predators, k&n's here) JUST DO IT! it will transform your bike. seriously, it's like you have something else between your legs. it's going to be a GREAT summer!!!

Mancha · 03-26-2005

Year: '05
Color: Black
Mileage: 100
Overall Rating: Extremely Satisfied

Modifications: Removed AI, D&D mufflers, black front fender, assorted newbonneville doo-dads, other stuff on the way

5'10 / 175 lbs

Problems / Resolutions:
none.

Owner Review:

Hi All,

I wanted to share my experience of the Thruxton. It might interest prospective buyers to know that I also ride an ’02 Suzuki SV650s, and love it. I can’t help but compare the Thruxton to the SV. Having bought the Thruxton about a month ago, last Sunday I was finally able to find the time to make the trip to Albuquerque to pick it up. It sat in the garage for three days, and about mid-week I got on it for the first time.

Interestingly, I was initially a little disappointed. Comparing it to my Suzuki SV650s, it came up short at first. I thought the Suzuki was a crotch-rocket, but the Thruxton has an even more forward, resting-on-the-wrists riding stance. I finally began to understand why some Thruxton riders turn around and mount higher bars. Taking it on the highway reminded me of how protective the Suzuki's half fairing is. The wind was hitting me right in the chest, and after a while I started to appreciate how low the bars are, just to protect me from blowing off. The seat, quite frankly, has got to go. It's the hardest thing I've ever sat on, and lots of SV riders complain about THAT seat.

Continuing to compare it to my Suzuki, however, I began to appreciate the torque of the lower gears. It just GOES. I had aftermarket D&D pipes installed, and they sound just amazing. Makes me wonder how I've been putting up with the stock pipes on my Suzuki for so long. Finally, having test-ridden a Buell about six months ago, I was expecting the Triumph to be sort of similar; clunky shifting, lurching power, and an awkward riding position. I'm glad to report that the Triumph is about like the Suzuki in these respects. It's very smooth, shifts without a hitch and, once you get used to it, the riding position seems more natural. Saying that the Triumph is AS GOOD as another bike may not sound like much, but I've been very happy with the Suzuki.

Finally, there is an élan to the Triumph. It just felt COOL to be riding it. The Suzuki rarely gives me that feeling of being special. On the way back from the Thruxton's maiden trip we (myself and a Bonneville rider) passed a couple of other motorcyclists on the road. In this town of Japanese sport bikes and HD's, I was surprised to see that they were also riding British bikes. They turned around and caught up to us at the next light. Signaling us to pull over, it turned out they were riding an OLD and pristine AJS and a new Royal Enfield. We exchanged numbers and I hope to hear from them soon. I've always enjoyed the "brotherhood of the motorcycle", which ensures a wave from most passing motorcyclists, but this experience of being pulled over was something new.

So in short, I'm loving the Thruxton.

Jason

watchdog · 04-04-2005

Year: 2004
Color: Black, baby
Mileage:2800
Overall Rating:98%

Modifications

TOR pipes
airbox mod
AI removed
HELI bars

This is the best bike I've had in a long line of good bikes! It really comes alive with the airbox mod and the pipes. Lots of power right on up the rev range. My only complaint was with the riding position and the fatigue that would set in after a short while. I installed the Heli bars over the weekend and wow!!! now it might be perfect. I highly recommend them if you're old like me, or if you just want to sit a bit more upright. They're adjustable somewhat for more sport or more upright so I think they'll still be ok for a track day. There are a lot of great bikes on the roads now but nothing is better looking or more fun to ride. My old friend said it right, this is a real Triumph!
Just added a 19 tooth countershaft sprocket and once again, WOW it still takes off like crazy and now it's mellow on the top end too!! At 60 mph it was turning a lazy 3500 iI think. Each time I add someting to it it just gets better! :-D :-D :-D

[ This message was edited by: watchdog on 2005-05-23 22:04 ]

SLAPSHOT · 05-01-2005

Year: 2004
Color: black
Mileage: 3000
Overall Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Modifications: Fly screen, bar ends mirrors, fat grips, Staintunes, AI removed, fork gators, L.E.D winkers, fender removed - new tail light, Monza cap and side car added - no I'm lying about the side car.

Owner Height/Weight: 6-0, 175

Problems / Resolutions: Aside from having to add resistors to run the L.E.D.'s - none.

Owner Review: My last bike (over ten years ago) was a slightly chopped low riding, ape hanging '66 Harley. A cool looking bike, but only half of it worked half the time. I thought I was done riding after getting rid of it until I saw the Thruxton. Being a huge fan of Cafe bikes (and all bikes for that matter) I realized I could get one at a good price and it would be mechanically sound and dependable - and no more stinking kick starts! I've ridden just about every bike out there - to me the Thruxton is the funnest ride. This, to me, is really what it's all about. I dig the riding position, the buttery shifting, and the power (after the Staintunes/AI removal) is good enough for me. I'm not crazy about the front end around the curves, but there's a fix for that - or maybe my front tire needs some air? Aesthetically, between the choppers and the sporties, the bike is unique on the road - and that's real cool.

[ This message was edited by: SLAPSHOT on 2005-05-01 14:01 ]

UncleBlue · 05-06-2005

05
Blue
54 miles
Bone stock

Rating: wowzer

I am 6'3" 210 lbs with long appendages.

Just got back from my first ride, put in 54 miles. The seat is harder than a church pew, the handlebars were KILLING my hands, little ticky ticky noise on clutch-in revv decel, front damper WAY too soft, brakes a bit too grabby up front with little modulation, traffic will kill your wrists can't write no more can barely hold beer now. Will try gel padded gloves tomorrow. So, in short:

:-D I FRIGGIN' LOVE IT! :-D

rickykarate99 · 05-07-2005

Bike: 2004 red, 2000 miles (been commuting on the bulletproof and already-rusty CB650 in our Oregon winters, so low miles on the Thrux)

Modifications:
AI removed
Staintune pipes
tank pads
dumped clip-ons for Southbay Triumph handlebar kit 200 mi. ago
ditto stock seat for Corbin's bonnie replacement "lady & gunfighter"

5'11", 185 lbs
problems / resolutions:
kickstand grinds on corners, now bent a bit
shocks replaced on recall
ran out of gas at 128 miles once (resolution: pulled off side of highway, cursed, opened tank cap in case there was a venting problem, cursed, swished bike from side to side, could hear some gas, miraculously started up again and got me the 2 miles to the gas station) (global resolution: treat reserve as "emergency gas to get you to gas station. Now."

Overall: Great bike. You don't see many red ones, which is cool. I don't mind the bluing of the pipes. Seems like that's really a personal thing -- I understand the chrome-types like T-100s maybe not likeing the blue, but for our predominantly black / non-chromse 1960's era race-replicas, I think it fits the bike perfectly and adds some much-needed rawness.

You may note the "comfort" accessories such as handlebars and corbin seat. I used to ride sportbikes and push the limit but I've slowed down with age, marriage, kids. The latter seem to like having me around (against all better judgment) so I'm doing my best to stay alive. I agree with the other posts that you can totally grow accustomed to the stock ergos, but even when I first bought the bike I wanted handlebars. I just really really like the look of classic Triumph-style bars. And for legal or slightly extra-legal speeds, the upright seating position is fine (if you like to go 90+ keep the clip-ons -- they'll keep you out of the windblast).

I'll echo everybody else: immediately dump the AI and get some after-market pipes. Makes the bike 10x better. Power is fine, but not terribly threatening. It's kind of fun to have a bike you can crack to full throttle w/ no fear. On that point, I used to ride a Honda CBR929. Even pushing it on the street, I felt like I was using maybe 10-15% of the bike's potential. On the Thrux, you can really give it a good thrashing.

I've got no issues with the stock suspension. Bike tracks well in corners. Add a set of soft saddlebags and it's a great tourer.

The poor gas mileage is, I suppose, the downside of fitting freer flowing pipes, adjusting the carbs to suit, and removing the AI. The mileage improves astronomically at sustained speeds of 60 mph+, like from 30 mpg to 50. On long trips I don't mind the tank range b/c it gives me an excuse to stop and stretch my legs / get coffee / et al. Around town / commuting duty it can be a pain b/c I want to get home / to work and am often cutting it close timewise w/ either work / the wife.

The thrux is a better bike than the bonnie for the cold and rain b/c the rearsets put your legs and feet out of the elements for the most part. The pegs, however, get slippery. As a result, I plan to replace them with bonnie bits at some point. I never touch the pegs down anyway, although I've ground the kickstand on left hand turns many times, occasionally with such force that I had to jump on the stand to make it come down when I did stop. In light of that clearance problem, I would not recommend a center stand. Unless you ride pretty straight up. This bike will put a smile on your face and start lots, lots of conversations with total strangers. :chug:

05-12-2005

I am thinking about buying a Thruxton. What is an IA? Do any of you have the Heli-bars installed and if so can you recommend them?

DrEnglish · 05-13-2005

AI is air injection. It does not affect performance but it does make the pipes go blue faster. It also decreases emissions by burning unburnt fuel in the pipes as the exhaust gases are ejected.

I have the Heli-bars and I like them. To me the more upright seating position gives a good feel for the front end, and the improved visibility is a big bonus. Plus I don't get tingling in my hands after riding for two hours.

BTW, since this is the reviews section:

"It's a bloody good bike!"

05-15-2005

I rode my friends Thruxton last weekend. It was a delight.
The looks are just a big bonus.

Bart.

05-15-2005

I rode my friends Thruxton last weekend. It was a delight.
The looks are just a big bonus.

Bart.