So many NOOBs, always the same questions.

These bikes are well designed and built. I'm convinced a cared for bike goes 100,000 without major work. When I bought mine used bikes were not that common, but I would only buy used today because of the great value.

I commute, play in traffic on the interstate, take long weekend jaunts, and spend time on the track now and again. The ONLY time I the Thruxton feels underpowered is at track day playing with the liters. I'm only 5'10, but know a handful of guys bumping 6'2" and they are fine on the Thruxton. But it ends up being about the style you prefer. I had the Tiger with the fairing and windshield and hated all that crap between me and all the fresh air.

Don't worry about buying a ninja first to start out. Get the Thruxton if you like it. I'll probably end up with another bike to satiate power lust, but I'm keeping the Thruxton. Its just great fun. As you'll see if you look around, the twin can be turned into a pretty bad boy if you're interested.

I agree with everyone that suggests that you take the MSF course again. I waited only about a month after taking the class to buy my Bonneville, and I was surprised how rusty I had become in just a month. Truth be told, the MSF course is great, but the total time on the bike is not that much.

I found a dealer with a nice used Bonneville, and they let me take it for a test ride. I rode it around the block a few times, but it scared the heck out of me at first. It was so much heavier and more powerful than the little Honda 250 Rebel that I rode in the MSF course. I nearly dropped it the first time I stopped. It was embarrassing, but after a few laps around the block, I was more comfortable and smoother on the controls.

I decided that I could get used to the bike pretty quickly, so I decided to buy a Bonneville. I did not care for the color of the used bike I rode, so I ended up buying a new 2007 model. I rode it carefully around the country rodes near my house until my skills got better.

I am extremely comfortable riding it anywhere now, on highways or city streets or backroads. I have absolutely no regrets buying a Bonneville. It is big enough and powerful enough that I do not feel like I need to move up to another bike, and I did not waste money on a learner bike that I would never ride again.

The Thruxton should be very similar. If you refresh your skills, you should be fine on a Thruxton. As always, be careful.

Buy One

I bought a brand new thruxton for my first bike. I think it makes more sense to buy a brand new one from a safety standpoint (this coming from a safety engineer). Who knows what a person did with the used one, and you are not familiar enough with bikes to figure it out.

I like the Thruxton as a first bike because its not too powerul for a first bike, but its also not too small and weak, so you won't be sick of it in 6 months.

I went through Triumph Financing because that have a 3.8% interest rate special on all leftover 2008 models.

My insurance in Massachusetts is around 35 a month, full coverage just to give you an idea. I also received a 45 a month quote with a little better coverage (medical payments).

Hope this helps

I am going to add another "Buy It" to this thread. The Thruxton has been my first and only bike (exception of a Vespa) and I always have and always will love it. I usually shy away form buying a starter bike just to go through the hassle of trying to get rid of it so you can get what you really want. I say just get the bike you really want first and save the trouble. Then respect that bike and don't be a j*ck*ss for a while till you are completely comfortable.
Also, I usually go for new, but you can get a good used one with some mods that you will probably want to do and save a few bucks. Just don't be in a rush. Here in Austin, just recently I have notice used Thruxtons starting to pop up on Craigslist.
Plus getting a used one means you can get an 04-06 that doesn't have raised bars. I am 6'2" and love the aggressive riding position. Granted, it is not the most comfortable on long rides, but you have to stop for gas sooner or later.