Triumph Thruxton

Hi there,I bought a brand new triumph thruxton in 2006 and was initially pleased but after riding for a few months found the riding position especially round town really hard work mainly on the wrists I think later models have updated the riding position.The triumph was always reliable and really looked the part, the exhausts gave out a funny whistling sound and started to blue at the head maybe due to an emission device blowing air into the exhaust.I only kept the bike for a year as I needed something lighter and more economical for my commute this bike managed 50mpg and weighed 200+kg.After 8 months I found the finish on the engine cases stared to corrode which the dealer replaced and the bike was always garaged and kept clean so overall I wouldn't buy another especially at £6000 I did expect more.

The Thruxton is basically a cafe racer version of Triumph's retro classic, the Bonneville, but with tweaked suspension, brakes and steering geometry, clip-on's, megaphone exhausts, a ‘shorty’ front guard and a seat hump, the latter is simply a cover that comes off to reveal space for a pillion. Looks much better with the rear footrest's taken off and the rear hump left on though...

Some people will moan at the lack of a kick-starter, but it's so nice to push that small red button and see the Thruxton readily fire and quickly settle into a steady, throaty burble, many thanks to the "not for road use" pipes.

On the road its a modern day bike – its preload adjustable suspension does a good job of smoothing the bumps, its disc brakes haul it down from speed well and it tracks a line through a corner beautifully.

I lost my grin factor in the early 90's when I sold my Ducati 900 Supersport. I'm happy to say that stupid grin of mine is back and here to stay.