More Triumph trouble for Garner...

Saw the Thruxton R last night at Triumph of Seattle. It has a comfortable seat and a less extreme riding position than my Vincent Special or the 955 Daytona, both of which I can ride long distance without being crippled afterward.
Hard to fault the styling and finish of the bike, it's near perfect, amazingly good for a mass produced piece of machinery.


There is an absence of ugly wires and hoses around the engines of all the new Bonnevilles, in fact the entire bike is this way. Someone has taken a lot of care in arranging /hiding things in the neatest possible way. I went through that procedure when building my Special and it is a mental struggle.
I don't know if there is another new bike that is as neatly put together as these new Bonnevilles are.
Can hardly wait until April when I get to see how it rides.

Glen
 
I think the design team knew that with the new radiator up front people would be looking to denigrate the other new features on the bikes, so they took their time and got just about everything else perfect, at least style wise. I went over the bikes again and again at the shows looking for something that was obviously out of place on these classics. The only thing that I could come up with was the “box” that houses the instruments. From in front of the bike, it’s obvious that the Tach and Speedo are just circular segments on either side of a plain plastic box housing, not separate “buckets”. It’s not a big deal, but really the only thing I could see that I wasn’t liking.

I never liked the faux carb throttle bodies on the EFI Bonnies, but I do like the ones on the 1200’s. Very ornate, with raised lettering cast into the side covers, and a fake brass colored ring on the top. They do add a nice accent to the bike even if they are not real carbs.

If Triumph delivers the bikes to customers with the quality, fit and finish like that of the show bikes, they’ll sell boat loads of bikes.
 
I've had it out on the roads for a few days now and what a machine. As Nigel pointed out way back in October, it has a big flat torque line like our old 850 Commando engines- if you bolted two of them together:)
That high torque from 2500 rpm on does not disappoint.
I expected it would be a powerhouse, but the handling is the real surprise. It reminds me the the Featherbed 650ss, very light in feel. It's as good thru the bends as my Sportbike but much better than the Sportbike for low speed handling (sub 50 MPH).

Fueling is perfect, which is a relief as some of the T120s have been experiencing a 2-3 second throttle lag. Totally different mapping on the Thruxton with it's higher tuned engine and so far it's good. Still RPM limited for a few more days.

BPHorseguy, have you taken delivery of your Thruxton R? I recall you ordered just about the same time as I did?

Glen
 
So finally, the HP outputs are posted for the new Trumpets. 80 for the T120 and 97 for the Thruxton R. I got to play around with the T120 Black in the showroom, started it up. Although I didn't like the matt graphite paint, its a nice bike. Good luck with your new Thruxton R. I'm sure you'll have a blast. DId it come with a rear set for 2 up riding?
 
Just set up for solo as delivered.
The passenger pegs and dual seat are available as options.
The only bike my wife will ride pillion on is the 47 Vincent and on that she is happy to do a 3,000 mile trip, leave tomorrow sort of thing. It has a comfy curved backrest on the top box, so she feels quite secure on there.
So it looks like this Triumph will stay a solo setup.
I have some Triumph luggage ordered for it but it won't be available until June. They have a nice looking set of oval nylon panniers with quick detach mounts that are made for this bike. I suspect they could also work on the 961 Norton.

Glen
 
Glen,
Congrats on the bike.
Is there any chance of you posting some pics of it here ?

thanks
sam
 
Glen,
Congrats and good luck. I saw one at a Triumph display at a bike rally the other day. I think they were asking 14k USD and some change for it. Did not check on availability, they only had that one for a couple of days. They are real nice. Trying to talk my son into getting one. He is leaning toward a Victory right now. Oh well one could hope he makes the right call. LOL. Keep us posted on further reviews.

Pete
 
I think this thing would leave a Victory for dead on a curvy road. Too bad there are very few or possibly none available for demos yet.
Here's a photo of it along with the Vincent Special. The bikes are similar in wheelbase but the Vincent is quite a bit lighter.
On the other hand, the Triumph turns in a bit quicker due to the sharp head stock angle.
I copied Terry Prince and Fritz Egli with the 26 degree head stock angle. Terry told me that they copied the Norton Manx , a known "handler"


I believe the Triumph is 22.8 degrees. It really handles but isn't at al twitchy.

Later today I'll take a better photo of it on it's own and without the front wheel chopped off.

More Triumph trouble for Garner...
 
Glen,
He has a ZX-6R now, I think he is looking for a long(er) haul bike. How do you think the "R" will do for a cruiser/sport.
Pete
 
I'm going to ride it from Vancouver to Missoula in July so I'll find out. The riding position is very comfortable for me at 61 years of age,so he won't have any trouble with that.
The fuel tank is small, although they claim it gets better mileage than the old 865 Bonnie and has a slightly better range. I still think it is going to be about 125 miles between fillups to be safe.
The Triumph pannier setup is only 30 litres but that should do for a week of solo riding. For longer trips, or if you haul camping and cooking gear, they also offer a rear rack for a top box or tailbag to sit on. Then there is the tankbag option as well. All in all you could squeeze 100 litres or so of luggage on there if need be.

There are some compromises to tour with something like this vs a heavy touring bike, but well worth it IMO just for the improved handling alone.

Glen
 
Thanks. Looking forward to hearing about you riding impressions. Good luck on your trip.
Pete
 
Worntorn my Thrux came in Thursday. I did not pick it up but I did ride it Saturday with my stepson and the Norton. It shifts crisper then the Norton and steers quicker as both bikes delivered stock, that can be easily changed with fully adjustable suspensions. The Norton will never need a steering damper not so sure on the R. The clipons are higher then the Norton CR so the bike is more comfortable, more like the Norton SE or SF. Powerwise we did several 30 - 60 and 40 - 80 rollons and whoever hit the throttle first usually won, neither bike is superbike fast but they are in that sweet spot where makers like Ducati have their Monsters outsell their Superbikes 5 to 1, They set you back in the seat easily.

The Norton sounded way better but had after market pipes, stock the Triumph would definitely sound better. Handling wise I would give both bikes a 9 with the Triumph having better steering, and the Norton more stable in fast sweepers ( again with stock settings ). I would rate the brakes as superb on both bikes! The Triumph engine was definitely smoother even though the Norton had thousands more miles! It will be the better sport tourer if you like smooth.

The biggest disappointments for me were that the gorgeous top clamp was marred ( by a soft keyfob ) and so were the gorgeous headers by wiping off burnt bugs with a terry cloth towel, this after a 45 minute ride!!! We did ride it harder then most would though. After the ride I discovered that several people had already reported this, wish I read that first and could have tried to take precautions!!!

On the street, gas stop, and especially The Triumph dealer, both bikes turned heads, and drew a crowd with the edge definitely going to the Norton, but to be fair it does cost 7k more!
 
Once you get the Thruxton broken in so the full rpm range can be used, I really don't think the roll-ons will be much of a contest. I'm assuming you are following the 4 k Max for 300 miles then 5k and so on. I know, tough to follow that program!

Inevitably the two bikes will get well tested against each other somewhere and sometime (the Norton and the Thruxton R)


The Thruxton is completely smooth when cruising or adding small amounts of power, but the power pulses do get thru on hard acceleration, especially in Sport mode. I don't find it at all bothersome, it's just enough to remind you that internal combustion is happening in a rapid way.



Glen
 
Wasn't following the 4k max and don't buy these kinds of bike for acceleration anyway, just a footnote. I only tried the bike in sport mode t and found it plenty smooth, guess it depends on your referance points! They will sell all of these they can make.
 
Strangely enough I did buy this bike ( in part) for it's acceleration. I know there are much quicker bikes in terms of 1/4 mile etc, but for roll on power from 3 k most of those are quite wimpy. Even the current 200 hp GSXR or R1 only makes about 45 HP at 4 k revs whereas this 1200 Thruxton already makes over 60 bhp. Around 4 k and below is where most bikes run most of the time on the road.

So the instantly available passing power without shifting down 4 gears is much greater with this 1200 than with my litre sportbike. It's big block power.
That and the handling are what I'm really enjoying. Went out last night and put some more miles on, now OK for 5 k revs.
 
I've had my Thruxton R for a couple of weeks, a great bike everything I hoped the Norton would be.

Incidentally this is about the same time my 961 has been with the dealer sorting out the gear selector that left it unable to change out of neutral.

The 961 is going up for sale, sod it I want a bike not a stationary art piece. I need to get rid of one anyway, the 09 anniversary Bonnie is my go to work bike rain and shine the 07 carb Thruxton is too much fun as my short trip hoon bike (flat slides, big brakes etc) and the Thrux R and the 961 Cafe are too close only the Triumph runs.

Skiddy (bitter much?)
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
Worntorn my Thrux came in Thursday. I did not pick it up but I did ride it Saturday with my stepson and the Norton. It shifts crisper then the Norton and steers quicker as both bikes delivered stock, that can be easily changed with fully adjustable suspensions. The Norton will never need a steering damper not so sure on the R. The clipons are higher then the Norton CR so the bike is more comfortable, more like the Norton SE or SF. Powerwise we did several 30 - 60 and 40 - 80 rollons and whoever hit the throttle first usually won, neither bike is superbike fast but they are in that sweet spot where makers like Ducati have their Monsters outsell their Superbikes 5 to 1, They set you back in the seat easily.

The Norton sounded way better but had after market pipes, stock the Triumph would definitely sound better. Handling wise I would give both bikes a 9 with the Triumph having better steering, and the Norton more stable in fast sweepers ( again with stock settings ). I would rate the brakes as superb on both bikes! The Triumph engine was definitely smoother even though the Norton had thousands more miles! It will be the better sport tourer if you like smooth.

The biggest disappointments for me were that the gorgeous top clamp was marred ( by a soft keyfob ) and so were the gorgeous headers by wiping off burnt bugs with a terry cloth towel, this after a 45 minute ride!!! We did ride it harder then most would though. After the ride I discovered that several people had already reported this, wish I read that first and could have tried to take precautions!!!

On the street, gas stop, and especially The Triumph dealer, both bikes turned heads, and drew a crowd with the edge definitely going to the Norton, but to be fair it does cost 7k more!


Good to hear that the 961 did not get trounced !
 
Re the gorgeous top clamp getting marred- that's life with polished alloy. It just part of maintenance. A jar of Mothers and a soft cloth works wonders to bring things back to mirror finish in a few minutes.
I have a lot of square feet to polish, especially on the Egli with alloy everywhere. A company called Aircraft Spruce sells a product which they developed for polishing the acres of alloy an old DC3 that they were restoring. It works even better than Mothers and comes in a large tin.
But a small tin of Mothers would suffice for the bit of alloy polishing needed on the Thruxton r

For the headers I might try some cleaner/ polish I have here for use on brushed stainless appliances.

BTW- for full roll on power, ( in addition to completing the break in) , shut the Traction control off, but keep the bike in a straight line. I noticed the traction control doing it's thing beautifully yesterday when I opened the throttle a bit too far coming out of a tight 90degree corner in 2 nd gear. The front wheel lifted a couple of inches momentarily, power lagged a bit, wheel back down and power on.
So I tried it in a straight line with the TC off. It is quite hairy in first with the front end coming up too quickly if you are abrupt with the throttle . It also likes to lift the front end in second with the TC off, but that was controllable.

Because these Thruxton R s as they come are fairly quiet, it's easy to underestimate speeds and acceleration rates.

As far as admirers coming over to talk at gas ups etc.- I haven't had a single person interested so far and it's a bit of a relief.
On the Vincent you almost have to be rude to get away from interested folks, many who claim Great Uncle Jeffrey had one, but it was the 3 cylinder model, or it was the Vincent made in Spain, whatever.
On the Norton Commando, the Super Rocket or 650SS I get a lot of interest from older guys who actually did own one in their youth, again almost have to be rude to get away.


So it's kind of nice to just ride in, fill her up and go, same as on the Daytona, no one cares.
 
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