Motorcycle specifications Triumph900 THRUXTON 2008 The spirit of the Joe Bar Team

triumph likes to revive the past, with a taste for nostalgia and the fun of those great years. after the legendary Bonneville, which returned after 30 years, now comes the Thruxton - a pure café-racer, a bit like the Norton 850 Commando ridden by Manchzeck in JBT vol. 1. Starting with the Bonneville, the British manufacturer has re-created the sports bike of the 60s. Back then, you took a motorcycle, a little graft of bracelet handlebars and set-back footrests, a saddle cowl... and you could show up in front of the Ace Café or rip it up with the furies. It's the same recipe for this 2004 Thruxton, which takes its name from a famous Bonneville T 120 R series itself associated with a legendary British race. The Bonneville, which served as the basis, has undergone a few modifications, especially the twin-cylinder, which has gained a few cm3, new camshafts and carburetors, and 8 extra hp as well as a good handful of torque. Since 2008, when the wristbands were swapped for handlebars, injectors have been powering the British twin - but don't worry, it's a cosmetic sleight of hand and still looks like good old carburettors. Hinckley has redesigned the suspension to cope with the extra power, with a preload-adjustable fork and new rear suspension units. Of course, this sporty machine has nothing to do with today's GSX-Rs, but its deliciously retro look and riding position are enough to send shivers down your spine. In short, a charming sports bike that doesn't shy away from repression.

a bad-boy motorcycle, with a rebellious character, uncertain reliability and pitiful comfort... These memories tingle your neurons at the sight of the Thruxton. But the ride reminds you that you're on a modern motorcycle. With its pleasant gearshift, smooth, docile engine and easy handling, this machine is no longer the worm of the '60s. While we may regret the twin's more subdued temperament compared to its distant ancestor, we're delighted by its reliability. No top speed here, but a charming ride. In fact, at high speed, this café-racer doesn't enjoy great stability. The fault lies with the modified geometry compared to the Bonneville. No matter! You're not riding an R1. The bike has neither the pretensions nor the discomfort of one. The riding position is sporty, like in the old days, but without excess. The suspensions, while not as soft as a Goldwing, provide decent comfort. Vibrations still exist, but they're not the same as they used to be for the London star. Here, we find it at high revs, and they're not necessarily pleasant. No, it's better to enjoy the mid-range and the sound of the superb exhausts. A good brakier (except from the rear), this neo-retro sports car can surprise with its agility and liveliness. Don't think of it as a magic wand for the chassis, but rather for the tire section. To GSX-R 1000 riders and their 120 and 190 tubular tires: "imagine the agility of a bike with 100 and 130 tires...!
The Thruxton is certainly a good idea; however, it deserves a more playful engine. The bottle is beautiful, but the intoxication may not live up to all expectations.

M.B
(test text inspired by C. Lacombe's article - Moto-journal n° 1 607
manufacturer's photos)