Triumphrat

9264 · 08-13-2006, 12:59 PM

How do you get on with it?

I love the looks, but I'm not sure if 70bhp is enough for a main bike. Currently I have a Sprint RS, which although more than capable is rather characterless.

So....is the Thruxton useable as a serious motorcycle or is it just a pretty toy?

1stgarry · 08-13-2006, 02:11 PM

I've got one.
Had it for about 2 months now.
Wouldn't want it as an only bike - those clip-ons are a killer if you're doing a lot of town riding.
But it is such a cool bike to ride, especially with the silencers changed to summat more fruity sounding!
You really get into character when out on it, and it certainly has bags of character of its own!!

70bhp doesn't sound much, and wouldn't be much use if the Thruxton was a sports bike.
But it isn't!
It handles well enough and brakes are up to the job, but if you want to use all those horses you'd have to think about upgrading them.

Have you ridden one yet?

9264 · 08-14-2006, 05:16 AM

Thanks for the feedback Garry.

I've not ridden one yet...local dealer has a demonstrater but I'm going to wait til the atrocious weather here has passed before I book a test ride. I really want to be able to do it justice.

Have you had any problems with it?

EnglishWombat · 08-14-2006, 06:32 AM

I don't own one......but I have had one a courtesy bike and done serious miles on it.

After the America I found it a pig around town. I'd get off and my back and arms would be killing me...

But

Then I rode it from Bristol to the Ace... I had problems keeping slow enough for my mate on her TT to keep up!! And it was fun on the straight roads, and duel carrigeways. 110 mph and there was more available.... It's so light it doesn't need more power. Well light compared to an America anyway...

When I take my America in for it's service - guess what I'm asking for!

Just don't get a yellow one......I'm not sure that bike was built for yellow...

Gina

And just to convince you even more look in the Twin Talk Hangout - there's a bloke put in a pic of how he loaded it up for touring...

9264 · 08-14-2006, 06:37 AM

Thanks Gina.........this test ride is getting closer!

1stgarry · 08-14-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Have you had any problems with it?

Martin - none at all!
But I haven't had it that long!!

Get your test ride ASAP, the weather isn't going to get much better as summer draws to a close!!!
Let us know how you get on with it, eh?! :-D

JohnRimmer · 08-15-2006, 12:35 PM

Martin you're right in that the RS is a good bike but characterless.I've had 5 Hinckleys and enjoyed all the others more than the RS.Depends what you want from a bike and how much you want to spend.For me the Thruxton is a niche bike,it was ok to ride but would not make a practical choice for big trips and of course it doesn't have the power of a triple.What it does have is good looks and a retro feel,especially with loud cans. If you want a bike that can do anything and is fun then I would recommend aTiger.Comfy,fast,tour,commute,scratch,take a pillion and excellent value. Downsides are it's not sexy to look at and it's big and heavy but you get used to it. The basic decision is whether you want a twin or a triple.A test ride should inform you.Ask for a go on a Speed Triple as well.

Cedric · 08-20-2006, 06:41 AM

I'm just back from a 2500 miles 10 days trip on my Thruxton. During this trip I participated to the Centopassi, a motorbike rally in Italy. What I can say is:
- as soon as the road start twisting it holds its ground with even the more powerful bikes. I completly smoked things like a 900 Monster, a 1400 FJR. Even my mate with is SV 1000 said he was going to built a monument for me. Of course I was not the fastest. But I had my thrill and I was not last.
- it's so much fun to ride that the issue of power becomes irrelevant. Had a CBR600 F before and sure it is faster. But it is so good that it makes the overall experience either more boring or more dangerous (as you go faster). And as far as comfort goes, much to my own surprise, I like the Thruxton better. I'm less cramped and mu butt hurt less.
- it's obviously not the most comfy bike around but let's stop all this touring nonsense. You've got the right to tour on whatever bike you like. I put two panniers on the back of my Thrux and went for 10 days of riding. Motorways are boring, like with any other bike, but A roads are ace, like with any other bike. Might add that at more than 70 MPH the wind relieves the pressure on your wrists, without making your arms or neck ache.

What's important are not the stats but how you fill. My mate with his SV 1000 would give anything to have his Bandit 400 back. The SV is more scary and a lot less nimble. He was faster on the Bandit (and he is fast) i.e. capable of carrying more speed in the corners. Which at the end of the day is what makes the difference. There's nothing fun about drag races.

EnglishWombat · 08-20-2006, 06:57 AM

Ok. I haven't posted anywhere on here about the airbox exploding on my America...but it has. What's that got to do with Martin wanting a Thruxton....???

Cos my choice of courtesy bike was to get the Thruxton back again...

And ride it to my parents today and come back tomorrow.....

See I'm still thinking it's fun. Even though I'm back to a sore back and arms... I'll get used to it again.

Have you had the test ride yet???

1stgarry · 08-20-2006, 12:55 PM

Cedric posted

Quote:

My mate with his SV 1000 would give anything to have his Bandit 400 back. The SV is more scary and a lot less nimble. He was faster on the Bandit (and he is fast) i.e. capable of carrying more speed in the corners. Which at the end of the day is what makes the difference.

You've hit the nail on the head there, Cedric.
I don't know why folks get so caught up in the "must have the latest, fastest, biggest, most powerful bike" thing.
99% of us can-not ride these bikes to their limits.
Is it a penis / envy thing?!!!

The Thruxton is modestly powered, and that is actually not a bad thing!
You can ride it to its limit without scaring youreslf silly.
You can easily keep up with the majority of sports bikes on the twisties, cos you can stay on the power whilst they have to play brake throttle brake throttle.
Twisties are an absolute joy!!
But, and this is important, you MUST have the right attitude to truly enjoy this bike.
Leave your Rossi head at home!

[ This message was edited by: 1stgarry on 2006-08-20 10:58 ]