Roadster – Triumph Thruxton 1200 R test: Racy coffee – Dynamics: rather modern vintage racer

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Triumph Thruxton 1200 R test: Racy coffee

Roadster - Triumph Thruxton 1200 R test: Racy coffee - Dynamics: rather modern vintage racer

The flagship of the Triumph Modern Classic range, the Thruxton symbolizes for many the Cafe Racer par excellence. Still derived from the Bonneville T120, the English cafra gains in power and aroma, especially in its delicious R version tried by MNC.

Dynamics: rather modern vintage racer

Like the, the Thruxton benefits from modern technologies such as an electronic ride-by-wire accelerator, a disconnectable anti-slip system and even an anti-dribble clutch..

She also has a "Sport" driving mode in addition to the only "Rain" and "Road" modes of her organ donor. Still standard, the Thruxton inherits a disconnectable ABS braking system, a headlight with additional LED daytime running lights and an anti-theft immobilizer with transponder.

There’s even a USB plug under the seat, while optional heated grips and cruise control are available. Still optional: a two-seater seat (!) And passenger footrests, not supplied as standard with the Thruxton R.

When taking a seat, we are first of all surprised by the relative firmness of the single-seater saddle and its protruding edges. Not great for comfort, especially since the driving position is relatively tilted forward, resting on the half-handlebars due to the rear footrests. Fans of the genre will not be disoriented !

The ergonomics are however not as extreme as with real handlebars bracelets but require to be taken into account, in particular in the optics of a daily use … The knees however find their place well on both sides. other of the notches of the tank and the legs are not too bent.

The saddle height goes from 785 mm on the Bonneville T120 to 810 mm on the Truxton, but the overall finesse still allows a 1.78 m rider to put his two boots on the ground..

The view of the tank and the cockpit is superb: the on-board instrumentation – very similar to that of the T120 – is distinguished by its white meter backgrounds. On the left, the tachometer graduated in miles / hour (and in kilometers / hour in the inner circle) is placed next to a multifunction digital dial (odometer, trips, average and instantaneous fuel consumption, gear engaged …).

On the right, we find the tachometer and a second digital dial regrouping fuel gauge, remaining range and driving mode chosen (Road, Rain or Sport).

The controls naturally fall to hand and prove to be functional. On the left are the buttons for changing driving mode (on the right on the T120), to choose the information to be displayed on the digital dial, as well as the LED daytime running light / conventional low beam switch. A trigger at the index activates the full headlight.

On the right, only the starter button and the warnings command remain. But above all, now is the time to try it all !

A more lively and agile behavior

By lifting the Thruxton from its side stand, you can already feel a serious weight gain compared to the T120: 21 kg separate them, a straw! At start-up, the parallel twin delivers a more virile sound than that of the "sausage" pots and already seems more quick to take turns with each gas stroke. Very auspicious !

From the first few meters, the modifications made to the chassis distinguish this Truxton from the T120: the wheelbase is indeed shorter (by 30 mm) and the caster angle goes from 25.5 to 22.8 °, with a drag of 92 mm instead of 105.2. Values ​​close to those of a certain one, whose wheelbase is even a bit longer (20 mm). Suffice to say that the "Trux" is more of the agile type !

A light stroke of the handlebars or a little pressure on the footrests is enough to register the bike in a curve and to switch quickly from one angle to another. A good thing, except in an urban cycle where the relative firmness of the suspensions significantly affects the steering, especially at low speed on poor road surfaces..

The slightest shock is in fact enough to disrupt the trajectory, which means that you have to hold the handlebars well and anticipate possible sources of deviations. Due to the ergonomics, the lower back and wrists also suffer at this time….

As soon as the pace picks up – and the asphalt gets smoother – things return to normal: the Thruxton displays good overall stability, as well as precise heading. The suspension absorbs the constraints soundly and works correctly in hydraulics.

However, the bike remains sensitive to imperfections in the coating and makes its rider feel at the rear, far from the padded comfort of the Bonneville T120. This inconvenience is evacuated over the kilometers, swept away by the flavor of neo-retro "cafra" and its dynamic qualities far superior to those of the Bonnie..

The Thruxton R actually requires engaged and diligent driving to perform at its best. Once understood this manual, it shows a formidable efficiency and easily accepts a fast and muscular driving if desired. And even in this case, the average fuel consumption remains reasonable (between 5 and 5.5 l / 100 readings on the dashboard during our test arsouille).

The parallel twin is also waiting for that, ready to do battle as soon as the opportunity arises. Regardless of the driving mode chosen and the gear engaged, the response to acceleration is always lively, followed by a rapid, powerful and vigorous increase in revs as soon as the initial engine speed exceeds 3000 rpm.

In fifth, we cruise at 100 km / h to 4000 rev / min with a good revival capacity. On the last report, the instrumentation indicates around 5,200 rpm at 150 km / h … and the vertical twin still has quite a few under the handle, the Thruxton can easily exceed 220 km / h !

On small roads, we play with the selector to maintain a favorable revs speed, but also to take advantage of the engine braking before a slow curve and set off again hard. The hoarse exhaust sound flatters the ear and contributes to driving pleasure. For its part, the anti-slip system (disengageable) is very discreet.

Powerful and sharp enough for sporty driving, the braking is in perfect harmony with the performance of the Thruxton: at the front, a finger is enough to actuate the double Brembo disc with 4-piston radial calipers, or two if you prefer to keep the possibility to "hit harder" in if necessary.

The mass transfer under braking is fairly well managed by the fork, but the private parts do not take long to yoyo against the tank when the brake and accelerator are played alternately, because of a slippery saddle on which we are constantly looking for our position.

The gearbox works perfectly, despite a somewhat long selector stroke. Same positive approach to clutch control, which requires low lever effort and is both smooth and progressive.

Disconnectable, the ABS is forgotten most of the time but takes care of the grain efficiently if necessary. Finally, the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tires seem to fit like a glove to the Thruxton, both in terms of grip and dynamic behavior..

Verdict: back in the race !

At the end of this test of the Thruxton 1200 R, we have to admit that the British Cafe Racer has recovered and that there is no shortage of arguments to seduce. In addition to its pedigree, the Thruxton can now count on a sharper mechanics and standards, as well as on its superb quality of finish and its seductive look..

The Thruxton 1200 R will be available in early April in the pre-order for € 14,990 (€ 12,900 for the standard version). Some 160 accessories are already planned to personalize it, as well as three very attractive "inspiration" kits: the Track Racer kit (2400 €), the Cafe Racer kit (1800 €) and the Performances kit only reserved for the circuit and whose price is not yet known (details of the kits below).

"Inspiration" kits

  • Track Racer Kit (2400 €): vintage fork crown, painted mono seat cowl – standard on the R – brace half-handlebars, rear fender removal kit with small light, black Vance & Hines exhausts and leather tank strap.

  • Cafe Racer Kit (1800 €): rear fender removal kit, aggressive Vance & Hines exhausts, tinted fork crown, painted mono seat cowl – standard on the R -, Triumph branded protective pads and leather tank strap.

  • "Performance" kit: for riders, a "Factory Race" kit will be offered during the year to boost the potential of the Thruxton R (Kit can only be used for competition on closed circuits).

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