PHEW.....JUST MADE IT............................. UP"
I have a brand new set of Amal Premiers on my Commando, very well made.
But back on topic, I really like the Thruxton, alas I don't buy new bikes so will have to wait a few years.
DeMyer's Laws - an argument that consists primarily of rambling quotes isn't worth bothering with.
So - An update as I'm now up to 4000Kms and I've just visited the Robert Taylor and his team at Kiwi Suspension Solutions up in New Plymouth for some Ohlins rear shocks and new fork springs.
Chassis
The rear end feels more composed now with less secondary reaction to bumps as and when they are encountered. The ride is still fairly stiff but there's no bounce and the new shocks have better rebound damping. Having said that the standard items were quite good and the mods I've made are as much for the bling factor as for making the bike loads more capable.
The forks were pretty decent as standard. KSS fitted some slightly heavier springs and then reduced the preload a little to compensate. The result is good though I'd be lying if I said that I could feel a huge difference from before. In all the bike now tracks nicely and is good fun in the twists. Plus KSS set the rider and static sag for you with you sat on the bike so you know the settings are right for you.
Engine
I've left the motor totally standard, including the exhaust system as it sounds spot on with the standard system. As well as having plenty of mid range get-up-and-go the bike's quite happy pottering around, short-shifting at lower Rpm if you're in the mood. Having carried out a full-power trial I've discovered that it'll pull max revs in 6th gear giving you some 210-220 Km/hr with a touch more to go. At this speed the bike was pulling just over 7k Rpm so bang on the redline (I suspect the limiter cuts in around 7100-7200Rpm). More than fast enough for me and I like the fact that 6th is short enough to be really useable. If you want you can perform overtakes as low as 80km/hr in 6th and still get decent punch which makes open road riding, especially down here on the South Island, a lot more relaxing. Oh and I've managed 22Km/litre on a number of occasions too, and that's without trying too hard. It makes the 14 litre tank not too restrictive in terms of range and the fuel gauge is the most accurate I've ever seen on a bike. Even if it does have that Triumph characteristic of taking a minute or two's worth of riding to register as full after you've been to the petrol station.
Rest of the bike
It's chuffing brilliant! I love it. It's like my previous 2008-model 865cc Thruxton but more. More power, more chassis ability and more sound (From the standard exhaust at least). If you enjoyed the previous model Bonnevilles then you'll really like this.
Last edited by Navy Boy; 14th October 2018 at 06:05. Reason: Spooling errors
Such an awesome looking bike, love the green.
I wish they had made them slimmer looking.
Good to see you are enjoying yours - 4k on the clock - how's that rear tyre looking.
Another good thing about the standard Thruxton versus the R version is that it comes equipped with Pirelli Angel GT hoops (Their Sports touring tyre) rather than the Super Rosso Corsa ones on the R. These last longer and as such mine are looking good at the 4k mark.
This always makes me think of when I've been to the Ron Haslam Race School in years gone by (My last trip there was in 2015). All their bikes were fitted with Bridgestone's latest Sports Touring tyres (The T30 had not long been on the market at the time) as they reckoned that they gripped well enough for anything normal punters like me could throw at them going around Donnington Park and last longer than the sportier items. They were right and ever since then I've tried to fit Sports Touring tyres where I can.
I can't believe that's what the price difference is between the Standard and the R.. In the UK it's only around £1,200!
Nice bike though, probably one of my fave Trumpies
Done about 6k on mine since June 2017 and have similar experience to you. The tank is stupidly narrow, made worse by the width of the side covers which I have covered in clear film as my boots were scratching them.
I fitted Bitubos to the rear - improved the compliance at the back and adds a bit of bling! The Kayabas were too stiff for me - I am a lightweight and I had only 14mm of rider sag. I am going to try some lighter weight fork oil as a budget 'tune' for the front - cant afford much else and it seems pretty right anyway.
The 1200 engine has to be the nicest motor I have ever experienced - masses of torque everywhere yet happy to rev when asked. The Standard model seems to have the best gearing for it too.
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