Take a first glance at the new Triumph Thruxton and you’ll have troubles spotting the essence of the 2010 model year not only because the bike looks just like it did in 2009, but also because the fuel injection system is beautifully camouflaged in a pair of carburetors and so retains the Thruxton’s legendary racing look.

The racing bike from Triumph’s glory days, now a combination between the café racing style and modern engineering, the 2010 Thruxton is a direct hit into any nostalgic’s sensible heart. Let’s see what more.

2010 Triumph Thruxton / Special Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Triumph Thruxton / Special Edition
  • Engine/Motor: Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360 degree firing interval
  • Horsepower: 68bhp @ 7,400 rpm
  • Torque: 51ft.lbs @ 5,800rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

 

Introduction


Like on all their Modern Classics, Triumph uses the consecrated air-cooled, 865cc, DOHC, parallel-twin motor which is fuel-injected for those same models, including the Thruxton. What’s the best of this bike is the racing heritage that comes with the name. That same heritage determined British engineers to get the most out of the engine – 68bhp at 7,400 rpm and 51ft.lbf at 5,800 rpm – and call this their sportiest timeless machine.

The engine carries on being mated to the five-speed gearbox while the right rider side X-ring chain is no only one of the manufacturer’s characteristics, but also the appropriate type for a motorcycle claimed to perform as good as it looks.

Both the frame and the swingarm are made out of tubular steel so at least we have what to blame for the 506 lbs wet weight of this piece of history. The standard spoked 18-inch front, 17-inch rear wheels remain faithful to the 1960s style, but the braking system featuring a 320mm floating disc and two piston calipers and a single 255mm disc with two piston caliper is as modern as they get.

We could just say that about the suspension package as the 41mm preload adjustable forks are anyway but vintage, while the chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload sure look like total opposite, but still get the job done. Thruxton’s sporty handling is ensured by a 27 degree rake and 97mm trail, but the bike’s low center of gravity and the 84.6 inches overall length are no disadvantages either.

What’s the best of this bike is that it has been looking and performing like this for decades, the only things that Triumph took care of through years being easily called details.

While maintaining the standard Thruxton on the production line, Triumph’s 2010 lineup features a Thruxton SE limited edition model that the British motorcycle manufacturer has also created with the café racer style in mind.

Already an attractive motorcycle reminiscent of the classic sportbike style, the standard Thruxton is powered by an 865cc air-cooled parallel twin and it is based on a steel tubular frame. While these will also be the main features behind the 2010 Triumph Thruxton SE, the exclusive new bike comes in Triumph’s new Crystal White paint scheme with a red stripe. The sportier look is also enhanced by the presence of the new headlight cowl and red powdercoated frame but let’s not forget about the black engine cases, which contribute as well.

We totally dig the British idea of a special edition model and, if we look at the Triumph Daytona 675 SE, it’s easy to see they’re making a tradition out of turning standard bikes into exclusive units.

History

 

Competition


Back in 2007 when Ducati introduced their Sport Classic lineup, the Ducati Sport 1000 was exactly what the Italians needed in order to give Triumph a hard time, but meanwhile this model has evolved into Sport 1000 S, which distinguishes by featuring an early style upper fairing and windscreen, but doesn’t compete with the Thruxton any more.

Ducati’s GT 1000 though is the closest thing you’ll find to the Triumph Thruxton. This bike too is inspired by past legends of the track so it features classic lines, standard spoked wheels and the Thruxton-like exhaust although we’re aware that this is not the ideal looking thing. Still, it gets the air-cooled, 992cc, L-twin engine with two valves per cylinder Desmodromic developing 92 hp at 8,000 rpm and 67.3 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. The Ducati uses a Marelli electronic fuel injection with 45mm throttle bodies while the gearbox is a six-speed unit so the maximum speed and the rest of the performance figures are clearly superior, but style isn’t and that’s what these bikes are all about.

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Exterior


When Triumph set out to create a modern interpretation of a big piece of their past, they had where to inspire; the Thruxton racing bikes from the 1960s, machines that lead to the café racing frenzy gathering an incredible number of fans in their way. Originally, this is how the British idea of a sports bike looked like and while it wasn’t bad at all, time saw Triumph lining up to the modern tendencies in this domain and Thruxton remaining a bike for the versant.

Also with time, refinements became more impressive than ever before and the bike still retains most of the original look and feel so I guess we can say it is now lost on the thin line between old and new. This is Thruxton’s main advantage, the British old school look with the spoked racing wheels, round headlight and instruments and especially the low bars with the mirrors positioned at each end. All these features have everything to do with the aggressively positioned forks.

The gas tank is mounted down on the frame both for a low center of gravity and that race bike look. Down under, the two air-cooled cylinders look like still being carbureted despite the fact that fuel injection is by far the most important change that the bike got last year. With polished engine heads and side cases, those carburetor-looking injectors don’t look out of place just like the Thruxton characteristic exhaust don’t do either.

Café racer seats aren’t quite known for comfort, but in this case the situation isn’t going to get dramatic in any way. The chromed rear suspension springs are a nice distinctive touch, but allow the bike to look its best only when the rider is actually sitting on it. That’s when the rear fender looks better too, not to mention the passenger’s place.

Triumph definitely got the recipe right from the very beginning as the main idea – also reflected by the 2010 Thruxton – is to have a bike that is long, low and as aerodynamic as possible even if that means to sacrifice the rider’s jewels. This last aspect is not retained by the modern bike.

For 2010, the color schemes don’t change, so the Jet Black with gold stripe and Tornado Red with white stripe remain the shiny racing colors ensuring that the bike continues to stand out. The special edition is the one representing this model best this year and it is all about that small fly screen and the way the Crystal White paintjob with red stripe matches the red powder coated frame and black engine covers, all giving the Thruxton SE a much more appealing look in comparison to its sibling.

Press Reviews


"Triumph had made an effort to give the Thruxton a bit of engine character by altering the crank to a 360-degree firing interval over the Bonneville Scrambler's 270-degree but it's all a bit muted. There's no thrill or excitement hinting at a racy past and where the Sport 1000 makes genuine rapid progress the Thruxton just ambles behind." – visordown

"The motor felt crisp and flexible, pulling from below 2000 rpm in top gear. Midrange response was good, and there was a slight kick right above 5000 rpm. And the balance-shaft-equipped twin was smooth all the way to its 7500-rpm redline." – motorcyclistonline

"The Thuxton shines most brightly in easy riding cityscapes and sweeping canyon environments. Its nimble handling comes from narrow-for-today tires (100/90 x 18 front, 130/80 x 17 rear) carried on spoke-wheels, yet the steel-tube cradle-type frame provides good stability, and ample ground clearance is available from footpegs with a higher, sporty-riding bias." – motorcycle

“To the uninitiated the Thruxton is perhaps best explained as a cross between a sporting cruiser and a nakedbike. The way the engine operates is a little lazy, like a cruiser, but the riding position, sporting potential and all around ability of the Thruxton puts it many steps above any cruiser when it comes to sporting pleasure” – mcnews

Price


Even though having virtually no competition, the Triumph Thruxton comes with an MSRP that starts at $8,799, which is close to a Japanese supersports motorcycle. Yet, it sells well, which means it has left many riders intrigued about this unique idea of a sports bike. The price of the all-new 2010 Triumph Thruxton SE is to be announced.

Conclusion


If it wasn’t for modern legislation requirements, Triumph would have most likely kept the Thruxton engine carbureted for years and years, but a fuel injection system modified so that it would look like a pair of carburetors is just as good. The special edition model is in essence what the bike brings new compared to the previous model year, so I guess we’ll be seeing it changing only color schemes from now on.

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SPECIFICATIONS

 

Engine and Transmission

 

  • Type: Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360 degree firing interval
  • Capacity: 865cc
  • Bore/Stroke: 90 x 68mm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.9:1
  • Fuel System: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI
  • Final Drive: X ring chain
  • Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
  • Gearbox: 5-speed

 

Performance (Measured at crankshaft to DIN 70020)

 

  • Maximum Power: 68bhp @ 7,400 rpm
  • Maximum Torque: 51ft.lbs @ 5,800rpm

 

Chassis and Dimensions

 

  • Frame: Tubular steel cradle
  • Swingarm: Twin-sided, tubular steel
  • Front Wheel: 36-spoke, 18 x 2.5in, aluminum rim
  • Rear Wheel: 40-spoke, 17 x 3.5in, aluminum rim
  • Front Tyre: 100/90 18
  • Rear Tyre: 130/80 R17
  • Front Suspension: Kayaba 41mm forks with adjustable preload, 120mm travel
  • Rear Suspension: Kayaba chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload, 106mm rear wheel travel
  • Front Brakes: Single 320mm floating disc, Nissin 2 piston floating caliper
  • Rear Brakes: Single 255mm disc, Nissin 2 piston floating caliper
  • Length: 84.6in
  • Width (Handlebars): 32.7in
  • Height: 43.1in
  • Seat Height: 32.3in
  • Wheelbase: 56.7in
  • Rake/Trail: 27 degree/97mm
  • Wet Weight: 506lbs
  • Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.2 US gal

 

Features & Benefits

 

Engine

 

  • The Thruxton’s 865cc, air-cooled, twin cylinder power plant, the most powerful of Triumph’s twin cylinder line-up, has a peak power output of 69bhp delivered at 7,400rpm and peak torque of 52ft.lbs arrives at 5,800rpm. The engine shares the same 360° firing interval as the Bonneville, as well as featuring ‘hot’ camshaft profiles and a compression ratio of 9.9:1.

 

Fueling

 

  • The Thruxton features a fuel injection system designed for clean running and to meet Euro 3 legislation.  The retro styling remains uncompromised though, as fuel injectors are cleverly concealed by throttle bodies designed to look like traditional carbs.

 

Handlebars

 

  • The Thruxton's handlebars are one-piece tubular chromed steel bars and are set to give a sporty riding position.  The stylish bar-end mirrors, engineered specifically for the Thruxton, come as standard.

 

Chassis

 

  • Wrapping the motor is a precisely crafted chassis that inspires confidence; its harder edge delivering real sporting character. The sturdy, preload adjustable 41mm telescopic forks and twin rear shocks give superb suspension action and compliance while sharper steering geometry, a wheelbase of 56.7in and 18 inch aluminum-rimmed front wheel all aid steering input. 

 

Brakes

 

  • A fully floating 320mm front disc and twin-piston brake caliper provide powerful, but sensitive, braking performance.

 

Triumph Thruxton Special Edition distinctive features

 

Engine Covers

 

  • The Thruxton Special Edition comes complete with blacked out engine cases.

 

Frame

 

  • The Thruxton Special Edition has an eye catching red powder coated frame.

 

Paint Scheme

 

  • The Thruxton Special Edition debuts stunning Crystal White bodywork with red stripe.

 

Fly Screen

 

  • A color-matched factory fitted fly screen adds to this bike’s sporty look.

 

Decals

 

  • The Thruxton Special Edition decals have been designed specifically to complement the bike’s overall scheme.