Review of the Triumph Thruxton 900

Just as much as it is a motorcycle in its own right,is the order of the day.
Triumph's Thruxton is a time machine. JustFor the nit-pickers, there are still a few Thruxton
admiring a Thruxton from afar will get images offoibles. Firstly, in an absent-minded moment it's
black Brando jackets, oil-spattered leather bootspossible to cook your left knee on the cylinder
and striving to break 'The Ton' flitting throughhead, although this isn't such an issue if you're
your mind, while actually taking one for a spinwearing leathers.
gets the nostalgia flowing in a torrent.Secondly, the separate steering lock means it's
The low-set clip-on 'bars, the gleaming chrome ofpossible to ride off with the steering lock on. Just
the bullet headlight and the rasp of the taperedlike the old days, granted, but we've moved on in
silencers all play their part in sending you backthis respect for good reason.
through the decades, when the term 'CaféFinally, the tank filler cap isn't lockable. Maybe not
Racer' was born on London's busy city streets, insuch an issue back in the day, but perhaps a little
biker haunts like the Ace Café and the Busytoo tempting these days for some light-finger
Bee.with too much time on their hands, even if their
Fortunately, although its styling harks back to theaim is purely to cause annoyance and
days when the British bike industry was king, theaggravation...
Thruxton has its wheels planted firmly in theFor those with an affinity with café
present.racer-style bikes of the 60's and 70's, the
With an electric start, disc brakes front and rearTriumph Thruxton 900 offers a truly modern
and modern suspension, this retro street racerpackage with the style and edge of yesteryear.
gives you all the thrills with none of the heartacheIt's a potent combination, and one that I'm sure
- if you're a true purist, you'll even have to placewill keep the café racer ethos alive and well
your own pool of oil under this one...for many years to come.
Launched in 2004 and named after the historicSPECS: Triumph Thruxton 900
British circuit, the Thruxton is basically aEngine: 865cc, air-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC,
café racer version of the marque's leadingeight-valve, parallel-twin
retro classic, the Bonneville, but with tweakedBore and stroke: 90 x 68mm
suspension, brakes and steering geometry, clip-onCompression: 9.2:1
'bars, megaphone exhausts, a 'shorty' front guardFuel system: twin Keihin carburettors
and a seat hump, the latter simply a cover thatPower: 69bhp @ 7200rpm
comes off to reveal space for a pillion.Torque: 72Nm @ 6400rpm
The faithful will scorn the lack of a kick-starter,Transmission: five-speed
but a press of the button sees the ThruxtonFrame: tubular steel cradle
readily fire and quickly settle into a steady,Front brake: single 320mm disc with twin-piston
throaty burble, care of the optional factoryNissin caliper
silencers our test bike came fitted with.Rear brake: single 255mm disc with twin-piston
On the road its manner are pure modern-day - itsNissin caliper
preload adjustable suspension does a good job ofFront suspension: 41mm forks, adjustable for
smoothing the bumps, its disc brakes haul it downpreload
from speed well and it tracks a line through aRear suspension: twin shocks, adjustable for
corner beautifully.preload
It won't keep pace with the big multi-cylinders, butWheels: spoked alloy
its 69 horses are respectable enough, especiallyTyres: Metzeler ME33 Laser; 100/90-18 front, 130
when compared with the outputs of the bikes80R17 rear
upon which it's been styled.Seat height: 790mm
Its carburetion is clean, and although redline is anWheelbase: 1490mm
indicated 7500rpm, there's no need to reachClaimed dry weight: 205kg
these heady heights - riding its meaty mid-rangeFuel tank: 16.