Review of the Triumph Thruxton 900

Just as much as it is a motorcycle in its own right,heady heights - riding its meaty mid-range is the
Triumph's Thruxton is a time machine. Just admiring aorder of the day.
Thruxton from afar will get images of black BrandoFor the nit-pickers, there are still a few Thruxton
jackets, oil-spattered leather boots and striving tofoibles. Firstly, in an absent-minded moment it's
break 'The Ton' flitting through your mind, whilepossible to cook your left knee on the cylinder head,
actually taking one for a spin gets the nostalgiaalthough this isn't such an issue if you're wearing
flowing in a torrent.leathers.
The low-set clip-on 'bars, the gleaming chrome of theSecondly, the separate steering lock means it's
bullet headlight and the rasp of the tapered silencerspossible to ride off with the steering lock on. Just like
all play their part in sending you back through thethe old days, granted, but we've moved on in this
decades, when the term 'Café Racer' was born onrespect for good reason.
London's busy city streets, in biker haunts like theFinally, the tank filler cap isn't lockable. Maybe not
Ace Café and the Busy Bee.such an issue back in the day, but perhaps a little too
Fortunately, although its styling harks back to thetempting these days for some light-finger with too
days when the British bike industry was king, themuch time on their hands, even if their aim is purely
Thruxton has its wheels planted firmly in the present.to cause annoyance and aggravation...
With an electric start, disc brakes front and rear andFor those with an affinity with café racer-style
modern suspension, this retro street racer gives youbikes of the 60's and 70's, the Triumph Thruxton 900
all the thrills with none of the heartache - if you're aoffers a truly modern package with the style and
true purist, you'll even have to place your own pooledge of yesteryear. It's a potent combination, and
of oil under this one...one that I'm sure will keep the café racer ethos
Launched in 2004 and named after the historic Britishalive and well for many years to come.
circuit, the Thruxton is basically a café racerSPECS: Triumph Thruxton 900
version of the marque's leading retro classic, theEngine: 865cc, air-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC,
Bonneville, but with tweaked suspension, brakes andeight-valve, parallel-twin
steering geometry, clip-on 'bars, megaphoneBore and stroke: 90 x 68mm
exhausts, a 'shorty' front guard and a seat hump, theCompression: 9.2:1
latter simply a cover that comes off to reveal spaceFuel system: twin Keihin carburettors
for a pillion.Power: 69bhp @ 7200rpm
The faithful will scorn the lack of a kick-starter, but aTorque: 72Nm @ 6400rpm
press of the button sees the Thruxton readily fireTransmission: five-speed
and quickly settle into a steady, throaty burble, careFrame: tubular steel cradle
of the optional factory silencers our test bike cameFront brake: single 320mm disc with twin-piston Nissin
fitted with.caliper
On the road its manner are pure modern-day - itsRear brake: single 255mm disc with twin-piston Nissin
preload adjustable suspension does a good job ofcaliper
smoothing the bumps, its disc brakes haul it downFront suspension: 41mm forks, adjustable for preload
from speed well and it tracks a line through a cornerRear suspension: twin shocks, adjustable for preload
beautifully.Wheels: spoked alloy
It won't keep pace with the big multi-cylinders, but itsTyres: Metzeler ME33 Laser; 100/90-18 front, 130
69 horses are respectable enough, especially when80R17 rear
compared with the outputs of the bikes upon whichSeat height: 790mm
it's been styled.Wheelbase: 1490mm
Its carburetion is clean, and although redline is anClaimed dry weight: 205kg
indicated 7500rpm, there's no need to reach theseFuel tank: 16.