Norton and Triumph in MCN

Designed in Great Britain, built in Thailand, components from all over the world ( eg. R model brakes and suspension, Brembo monblocks, Ohlins, Showa big Piston USD forks)

Glen

That's what I thought

I didn't test ride the Thruxton R. I'm sure I would have loved it. There's not much on two wheels I don't like riding. I did however, do a side by side comparison. The Thruxton fells a little too high for me. The Norton, aesthetically, was just nicer. Better bits, cables, rear sets, use of carbon fiber, quality dials (less info, better bodies), paint, striping, seat build and material. The Norton just feels like it should. Hand built retro. If the Thruxton were out first, that might have been my choice because of cost and performance. The Norton just has a better "wow" factor. There will always be better performing bikes at a lower cost, ie. Ducati Monster 1200S, which neither can hold a candle to and costs between the two.

grandpaul said:

When you get serious about long-term comparisons of:

- Handling / braking / performance
- Touring capability
- Mechanical reliability / warranty issues
- Overall looks (subjective)
- Purchase price
- Life-cycle cost (10 years)

My guess is the Norton loses everywhere but looks (Thruxon is flat UGLY), unless you handicap the engine displacement. 200+ ccs is significant.

The Thruxton is a mass-produced bike, the Commando is essentially a hand-built niche market special. So, the comparison is somewhat flawed.

Really, what is out there in 2016 that the Norton could realistically be compared to?

Click to expand...

Ugly?

The Thruxton, to me, looks to FAT, all over.

Maybe I'm just too biased toward the classics with skinny tires...

The only thing fat on the Thrux R is the powerband.....and maybe in my case, the rider

Glen

I’m definitely prejudiced towards the Norton because I feel it is a truer, purer recreation of the classic Britbike.

However, I also find the new Thruxton to be an attractive modern classic in its right.
For me the only styling issue on the bike is the radiator up front, and this is an unfortunate concession to modern emission regulations.
The Thrux's new primary, timing covers and narrow tank are quite attractively styled.
Both the Norton and Triumph celebrate the history and evolution of the vertical/parallel twin with slightly different interpretations.

I can’t wait for the new BSA to be introduced.
Then we can all argue about 3 different modern classics. :lol:

Are the Boy Scouts of America coming back out with a new bike?
I'm interested!

The above bike is a real beaut.

The bike in the picture had many thousands of dollars spent to get that look and mine looks nothing like it. The bike in the picture reminds me of a Paul Smart Duc 1000 so I can't say it's not pretty but again nothing like I bought.

It's got some white and blue paint and some black paint on the wheels, other than that I see a stock bike. Not crazy about the paint scheme, the black wheels don't do it for me, but to each his own.
I used to paint my pitted chrome wheels black when I was a broke teenager, that's probably where that bias comes from

So if your Triumph doesn't look pretty similar to the one in Dave's photo, then they've left some parts off and they owe you!
I like the Factory Diablo Red and polished alloy wheels over the custom white blue and black job. The factory Silver is nice too. I don't get Matte black though. Once again it looks like one of my early rattle can paint jobs that didn't turn out well!

Glen

I agree that's a nice looking bike.

I wouldn't trade it for the Norton tho...

I second that !

I bought a British bike because I wanted a bike made in Britain not Taiwan

What bike that is built in Taiwan were you avoiding?

Glen

What I mean is, I like the triumphs but I chosen the Norton because almost all of it is made in Britain. I know the suspension and brakes are not and I imagine a few parts here and there might be outsourced, but it's mainly done in house.

Perhaps Simon will clarify the UK content question. My understanding is that the very early 961s were built from UK sourced components wherever possible. I think it is fair to say that this policy did not result in a trouble free machine.
I have read that the later bikes are using more and more items from all over the world including Asia. I have also read here and other places that the later bikes are more likely to run properly.
So which is perferable, a bike that runs perfectly and reliably or one that has problems but has a "Made In England " label on all components, even those that might fall off and kill you?(starter ring gear)

I have one Triumph here that was built in England and one that was built in Thailand. Both use components from all over the world including Japan, Germany, Sweden and USA. I would happily get on either one today and ride across the Continent without fear of breakdown. I don't carry any tools or parts on those bikes and likely never will in my lifetime.
After years on Vintage bikes, which were remakably reliable but always had me worried, it's nice to tour on something that will run and run for perhaps 100,000 miles with only basic maintenance. Where the parts were built or the bike was assembled is the furthest thing from my mind when rolling along far from home.

Glen

I have not researched in depth, but understand prices on new Triumph big twins are now over $15K?

Yikes.

Correct my precious comparisons to reflect the fact that (in my opinion) the Bonneville/Thruxton is NOT a better value for the price.

Sorry for my ignorance, I made an assumption that prices had been relatively flat on them for years. I guess the significant increase in PRICE came with teh increase in DISPLACEMENT (makes sense that way)

Bonneville 1200s are about 11 k us, Thruxtons 12,500, Thruxton r 14,500. Prices in Canada are much lower ( in US $) for the Triumph. I paid just over 10 k US for the Thruxton R. The Norton is very expensive in Canada for some reason.
The Thruxton R with it's high grade components is a bargain compared to the regular Thruxton.
But yes, there are cheaper bikes with more HP( but a lot less torque!), however they all look like transformers, so no interest here!

Glen

Well, heck. My bike is running so dry now and perfectly, even w/o the ignition upgrades, I'm done comparing. I've been really racking up the miles. Enjoy your bikes, fellas, regardless of what you prefer. I am considering adding that T120 though. Nice 2 up gentleman's bike.