Triumphrat

Doc45 · 06-07-2009, 12:12 PM

Greetings group, got recommended here by a shop in Denver, been lurking a long time, figured it was time to join up and start asking some questions.

I've been riding for 40 years, had a '69 Bonnie a life time ago, looking at coming back. Currently ride a Honda Sabre 1100, one of my sons bought a Street Triple last year and I'm taking care of that while he's deployed to the land of sand.

I'm looking at a 2010 Thruxton. Has anyone flipped the factory bars to get more rise? If so how much of a difference does it make? I can't ride the Striple very long (riding position) and would need to be more upright. What does the Thruxton seat look like w/o the cowl? How big a pain is it to put on gaiters or should I have the dealer do it at time of purchase?

My days of long distance riding are over, looking for something more fun for short around town hops and runs up to the mountains around Denver (300 miles round trip max). The shop recommended British Customs for parts & accessories. Good company?

Anyone in the Denver area with feedback on the local dealers (only 2 that I know of) please shoot me an email at doc4545@msn.com

The reason I picked the Thruxton is the appearance of the brushed engine cases as opposed to the polished ones of the T100 and the slightly more powerful motor. I like the rearsets just fine, it's the handlebar that I'm concerned about.

Looking forward to learning more about these machines, thanks for the info.

Billbikes · 06-07-2009, 12:48 PM

Just a FYI, the new Thruxtons are 1" bars like the Bonneville. This means that any aftermarket bars that fit the Bonny, fit the Thrux, as long as the cables reach.....

davidc · 06-07-2009, 12:49 PM

Have an 2009 Thruxton and flipped the bars - way better for my 56 year old frame. Move up or down for comfort - I adjusted about five times until I found the "spot".
Seat sans cowl:

And with smaller mirror - I like this set up.

This motorcycle is certainly fun to ride - but more "work" than a Bonneville to maintain comfort. Just have to use stomach muscles. Took the bike from NJ to Vermont soon as I got it.

epynt1050 · 06-07-2009, 01:03 PM

Be careful of the satin/brushed cases on the Thruxton. Can be affected by corrosion. Better off with either the chrome or black finish cases on other models if you do not particularly need the thruxton.

Buckshot · 06-07-2009, 01:26 PM

Have you considered the Bonnie/SE? I have an 09 SE and I'm very happy with it. The tubeless tires are what sold me, and the ease of wheel cleaning is a definite bonus. I put the fork gaitors on yesterday, and they weren't too difficult. They come with very good instructions and there are a couple of threads here dealing with installation should you get stuck. You will need a set of metric sockets, allen wrenches, a torque wrench, and a lift. If you have all of that stuff I would recommend doing it yourself, It was actually kinda fun. Good luck to you, I don't think you can go wrong no matter which bike you choose.

Russ

Sofiaspin · 06-07-2009, 02:29 PM

DavidC - I am interested in your flipping of bars experience.
What angle were they at prior to flipping - ie - did you have them on the horizontal or angled down?
What angle are they at now? And how much raise do you think there is?
The pic is useful but leaves me wanting a bit more info!
If you dont mind the question - what height are you?
I have mine about 5 degrees below horizontal but am thinking of experimenting with a flip to give a bit more relaxed ride.
Thanks

davidc · 06-07-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sofiaspin

DavidC - I am interested in your flipping of bars experience.
What angle were they at prior to flipping - ie - did you have them on the horizontal or angled down?
What angle are they at now? And how much raise do you think there is?
The pic is useful but leaves me wanting a bit more info!
If you dont mind the question - what height are you?
I have mine about 5 degrees below horizontal but am thinking of experimenting with a flip to give a bit more relaxed ride.
Thanks

Not sure of the angle, but the stock bar has a dimple in it that alignes where the bracket halves meet; it can be found on the bar between the brackets. After flipping them and messing about, I find that the dimple is in nearly the same location - only with the bar reversed.
I am 6" 2" and have pretty long arms. This position helps me keep my wrists from undue pressure. Try it!

Doc45 · 06-07-2009, 08:32 PM

Davidc thank you very much for the pics and input. Hearing about the stomach muscles concerns me as I recently had abdominal surgery and that wouldn't be a good thing.

I actually felt a little twinge in the stomach when I was on the test ride last week.

Actually I wish the Bonnie Black in the original configuration was still available. Don't care for the look of the wheels of the SE, as I do prefer the black cases best.

Hmm, we'll see.

davidc · 06-07-2009, 09:16 PM

Why not get a Bonneville, Doc? They are nimble - and far more comfortable.

MuckSavage · 06-07-2009, 09:36 PM

Just bought my SE from Erico Motorsports downtown about a month ago. I was pretty happy with them. I haven't ever bought a new motorcycle before, so I didn't haggle or anything. In the end I probably could have paid less. But my father has bought two Triumph's from them and is pretty pleased with them. They pushed the accessories a little hard, and as much as I'd like a 500 dollar jacket, it isn't in the cards just now.

The only other Triumph dealership I know of is close to my house in Lakewood, off of wadsworth and colfax. The selection is good, but I always have a weird vibe when I go in there. Kind of a stuffy atmosphere, not sure. Just a weird vibe.