Motorcycle specifications Triumph1200 Thruxton RS 2024 Racing in the rear-view mirror

With the Thruxton, you enter the retro world of sports bikes, the world of the big café racer, the racing madness of the Joe BAR Team and the gentlemens of the arsouille. An interpretation.... no, a modern transposition of the English racing cars causing terror on the streets of London.

Its 1200cc engine has found more vigor, and the Thruxton R's passion for sport has asserted itself sufficiently for it to become an RS. A symbol that exposes some Triumph motorcycles to the full, when adrenalin flows from the front to the brakes. 1200 Speed and 765 Street are designed to be slider-flush; the Thruxton 1200 RS soaks it up to refine its playground.

We don't approach this bike as a modern sports bike, even though its soul tends towards performance. It is by no means a Daytona, nor a replacement, nor a missile for the track. No combarde, no chrono, no Alfano. To honor the half-guidelines, it's a black leather jacket, characterful trajectories and the applause of history echoing in the helmet. The Thruxton R spun happily into this ether, with its impeccably stitched cafra suit; now that it has become an RS, there are only cosmetic alterations on the surface to retain the difference.
Laying its depth of edge across, the black undertakes the engine casings, the spoke rim and hub, and the shock absorber springs.

the evolution to RS allows the in-line twin-cylinder to regain its health. Firstly, to pass Euro5, and secondly to make a break for the Speed Twin, which is a little awkward in terms of power, as it is powered by the same engine as the standard and R Thruxtons. By increasing the compression ratio, then introducing high-compression pistons, a reworked cam profile, a crankshaft with less inertia and by shifting the red zone by 500 rpm, Triumph has found an extra 8 hp. The British block now delivers 105 hp at 7,500 rpm. This maximum is 750 rpm higher than that of the previous R. On the other hand, the unchanged torque of 11.4 mkg is available a little earlier, at 4250 rpm. These figures bring the bike closer to the late BMW R NineT Racer.
More watts weren't the only improvements. Engine redesigns have reduced inertia by 20%, for faster revs, while modifications to the clutch, alternator, magnesium cylinder head cover, thinner crankcases and balance shafts have reduced weight. The new battery, too, and the brake calipers just a tad lighter. A result of 6 kilos can be deducted from the total weight.

The Thruxton 1200 has spent time in the sports saddle to earn its RS. More potato, less biass. More dynamic, it will also be better calmed (if need be) by its Brembo M50 jaws. They bite larger 320 mm discs. The tires have also improved, with Metzeler Racetec RRs. The rest of the chassis remains unchanged from the R model, with its tubular steel double-cradle frame, 43 mm Showa inverted fork and Öhlins amortos - adjustable from all sides, of course.

beneath its retro look, the Thruxton RS has managed to hide its electronic assistances superbly. The three riding modes ( Road - Rain - Sport ) have been updated, each modulating throttle response and traction control levels in its own way. The latter can be disconnected if it gets too much for you.
Front and rear headlights are LED, as is the daytime running light. A USB socket will be appreciated by many, especially the telephone. However, all this will soon be forgotten by the eye when it appreciates the scent of the double needle speedometer, the superb polished aluminum tee, and the delicacies that boost Triumph's premium appeal. It's hard not to be curious about the metal strap on the fuel tank, or the imitation Monza cap, the level of finish, and the delightfully selfish configuration of this machine.

By the way, where does this name come from, half unpronounceable and uttered like a piece of paper in your mouth? It's a village in Hampshire (England), where a circuit has been built on the remains of a former military airport. After a short series of 9-hour Endurances on this track, the Thruxton 500 Miles was born in 1958, and Triumph won this first edition with a 650 Bonneville. In 1965, a special Thruxton-specification version of the Bonneville, the T120 R, was produced. It was to be the model of choice for editions from 1965 to 1969.

This past is now reflected in the metal of this 1200 RS. It's far from a total overhaul, as Triumph has taken care to retain the essentials while enhancing its capabilities. By simplifying as much as possible, we've tapped the engine, strengthened the brakes and lightened the grinding wheel - exactly the same approach as preparing a motorcycle when you've got the chequered flag in your eyes.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos