Triumph Modern Classics- The Thruxton

**Voltaire** · 13th August 2011, 20:58

I recently swapped my Ducati 900ssie for a Triumph Thruxton as I never really took to the more modern sporty Ducati, being more of an older bike fan.
Fitted new tyres a couple of weeks ago and rode it down Sh 22 and the next day up to Warkworth..even did a bit of gravel to Puhoi. After that new shocks were on my to do list...
Bought in a set of IKON's from Aussie for around $530 and fitted them on yesterday.
Today after the fog lifted a great riding day presented it self and I headed off the motorway at Papakura, skirted around Pukekohe and on down SH22 picked up a mate on his Guzzi and did Heatherington Road accross to TeKauwhata and back to SH 1 via Meremere.
The Thruxton is a great all rounder for me, really suited to tight winding roads as well as more open sweeping roads. Sure it's only supposed to have 65 HP but then thats more than my other two old bikes, and its where I want it, in the 0 to 140 kmph range with lots of mid range stomp.
I took a Demo Bonnie out for a test last year and I was disapppointed....too quiet,too upright,and the power was lacking, but this bike has a more 'sporty' riding position but less aggressive than the SS, and nice loud exhausts.
The Bonnie/Thruxton range is strangled by emissions and noise junk, there is a huge aftermarket in exhausts, air box removal kits, suspension parts etc....

Probably look at replacing the fork springs with a Racetech spring/emulator kit and that would be about it for the chassis.
Booked a day at the California Riding School to improve my 'style' as I'm building a classic racer to play with.

**Kickaha** · 13th August 2011, 21:22

Originally Posted by Voltaire

and on down SH22 picked up a mate on his Guzzi

Was that the mate who said this

So the only answer is that the modern classic bike owner is a soft cock.

**Voltaire** · 13th August 2011, 21:36

Yeah...its a Guzzi thing....they do spot checks at Guzzi Rallys....its the only way they tell the new from the old...

**Motu** · 13th August 2011, 22:23

The Thruxton always looks good in Black...Nice choice of bike.

**Voltaire** · 13th August 2011, 23:25

Yeah...another bike named after a ractrack. S'pose at least Triumph did acutally win some races there...

**Road kill** · 14th August 2011, 14:49

I understand the only real difference between the Thruxton an the Bonnie is the cam.
I also believe you can gain another 10-15 horses with a few simple exhaust,air box,ignition,carb or injection up grades from Newbonneville.com in the states.
They also stock some nice shinny stuff as well.

**Edbear** · 14th August 2011, 15:24

Now, everyone should know by now that pics are a necessity!

**Voltaire** · 14th August 2011, 16:59

Originally Posted by Road kill

I understand the only real difference between the Thruxton an the Bonnie is the cam.
I also believe you can gain another 10-15 horses with a few simple exhaust,air box,ignition,carb or injection up grades from Newbonneville.com in the states.
They also stock some nice shinny stuff as well.

When the Thruxton came out it was a larger engine, different cams, different steering angle and riding postion.
Yes you can gain extra HP with a few easy mods.
I didn't like the Bonnie riding postion too upright.

**Voltaire** · 14th August 2011, 17:02

Originally Posted by Edbear

Now, everyone should know by now that pics are a necessity!

Too busy ridin' to take pics....heres one from the week I bought it. Needs a bit of work but hey its only my modern everday bike....

The coin get spent on the classics.

Plenty fast enough for me and the handlings ok for 60 ish HP.

**Ixion** · 15th August 2011, 13:25

Originally Posted by Motu

The Thruxton always looks good in Black...Nice choice of bike.

Originally Posted by Voltaire

Yeah...another bike named after a ractrack. S'pose at least Triumph did acutally win some races there...

They only came in black AFAIK. The Thruxton was called thus to commemorate the occasion when Velo took 3 Venom Clubmans to Thruxton race track. And rode them non stop (except for brief stops to refuel and change riders) for 24 hours. Flat tit. All three completed the 24 hours and all three *averaged* (including fuel stops) over 100mph (mph not kph) for the 24 hours. AFAIK the record still stands. Not bad for a 500cc designed 80 odd years ago.

**PeteJ** · 15th August 2011, 17:45

Ahemmmm.

1 Velo Thruckies also came in blue frame with silver tank/gold pinstriping; at least 2 in original livery of that colour are still in NZ.

2. Yup, named after Thruxton Circuit. First Velo Thruxton endurance race win in 1965, at Castle Combe for the Thruxton meeting.

3. Yes, held world record 24hr for 500s, but just one machine. At Montlhery. 100.24 mph???

4. Which explains your confusion. Triumph took Thunderbirds to Montlhery when they were new, a team of 3, aiming to have all 3 achieve 100mph average as part of a Maudes Trophy attempt.

AFAIK.

**Motu** · 15th August 2011, 17:59

And so we have the new Triumph Thruxton....it gets the name how?

**FJRider** · 15th August 2011, 18:05

Originally Posted by Motu

And so we have the new Triumph Thruxton....it gets the name how?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_Thruxton_900

**Motu** · 15th August 2011, 18:56

Uh,oh right - named after Edward Turners 650 twin which has nothing to do with the modern bike. I like the bit about the original bike having a top speed of 230kph.the modern one 190kph. The old Triumph and the Velo earned their Thruxton tag...this new Triumph just paid for a name tag.

**Edbear** · 15th August 2011, 19:00

Originally Posted by Motu

Uh,oh right - named after Edward Turners 650 twin which has nothing to do with the modern bike. I like the bit about the original bike having a top speed of 230kph.thee modern one 190kph.

Is that sorta like, "a rose by any other name" in reverse..?