Thruxton Thruxton R - Few Questions

Hi Guys,

Had a Thruxton for a few days now enjoying it. Bit slower than what I was expecting it to be, being a 1200cc twin, but still a lot of fun and puts a smile on my face. I've only had the bike in standard mode so far, does sport make it snappier?

Going to take it for its first service imminently as the service light has just come on.

It pops a lot on the off throttle (has Vance & Hines EU pipes) - does it need a remap - or is that just how they sound?

Also the standard seat is really hard - does the comfort (dual) seat improve things significantly or not, also does anyone have any pictures of their bike with the comfort dual seat on at all? And/or the small tinted fly screen to see if it improves the look of the front

Thanks in advance.

 

I've had mine almost a year and have come to the conclusion that the standard mode is just fine for urban riding and the sports mode should be called "Open Road". the throttle is aa lot more responsive.

I ride with ear plugs, so that makes the V&H pipes sound great: have to say without them they are very noisy. I think the dealer does a re-map when the pipes are fitted, but I might be wrong.

I have the small tinted fly screen and think it looks cool, it also makes riding at speed almost effortless. I can't comment on the other seats, the stock single looks so good. Depending on your weight it might be worth altering the rear suspension a bit.

 

A quick check of the specification would have shown that it wouldnt be sportsbike fast, 96 bhp compared to a litre sports bikes 180 bhp plus - not rocket science BUT because the torque is high and it has the gear ratios to suit then it has plenty of shove for a road bike up to 90mph.

It looks lovely, goes lovely and sounds lovely, I use mine at every opportunity, including sunny commutes to work

 

Hi Guys, thanks for your comments all taken on board.

With relation to this, yeah you're quite right, I was just expecting more from the 1200cc in terms of outright power. I've been on 1000cc twins that are much more devastating than the Thruxton is.

Having said that, its the most fun I've had on a motorbike in a very long time so regardless of the power or lack thereof, its the best thing I've ridden and look forward to riding in years - so I guess that speaks for itself.

Thanks for the tinted fly screen pictures, I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger on that one and keep searching for pictures of the dual comfort screen.

I've already got the tail tidy, V&H EU pipes, LED indicators, metal & leather tank protector & grey handlebar grips (basically track pack minus front fender which I personally don't like the look of).

Thinking to get the knee rests for the tank, fly screen and mounting kit + double comfort seat + rear pegs.

Any other suggestions ?

Thanks in advance !

 

Hi D M
Yes I have a dual seat lives on the bike 98% of the time, as her in doors loves being on the back, but always says its not as comfy as k and q on bonnie, Triumph say 'comfort' seat but they need to look that meaning up in dictionary.
I have remodeled mine 3 times creating an extra 50 mm for her to sit on but does make it tight with grab rail. Size wise she is 5 ft 1 and size 10, if you go over size 12 then, arse is going to be hanging over back of seat, if thats the case knowing some of this lot they will want you putting up your own pics
I will try and get some pics up, as bike is now just need to find them.

 

Having ridden a Thruxton R demo with EU V&H cans and now my own R that for the moment is on standard cans, in my experience, yes, the motor pops and bangs on the overrun far more with the V&H's; sounds lovely! Yes, too, when the V&H's are fitted the motor needs to be remapped; mine will have this done with the V&H's arrive from back order.

Hope this helps.

CR

 

Hi Pottsy thanks for this I'm getting some stuff together to put on it as we speak !

Thanks CR - maybe it was mapped properly then I just thought a lot of popping used to mean it was running too lean but maybe with EFI its different.

Will get them to check it anyway when it goes in for the bits and its first service !

Trying to get some feedback on Greater London dealerships, so far the only place that hasn't had any bad reviews is Carl Rosner in Croydon which is a mission for me to get to compared to say Jack Lilley in Ashford or Bulldog Triumph or Hughenden M40 - but they've all got bad reviews knocking about here and there so I might just play it safe and go to Carl Rosner.

 

Ok so here is some pics of what I have done standard seat re modeled and the slightly taller screen which works well for its size.

 

If you have a look at the Plymouth triumph web site they have a thruxton with standard dual seat, if its not on there give them a calll and Iam sure they will send you a picture, it was there yesterday.

 

Ah cool thanks for idea - Plymouth didnt have any on show but Autotrader did - I'm undecided now as it doesn't look as good as I thought it would :-(




Will have to think about that or look at the single comfort seat option.

Do you know what the smallest & best looking legal plate size you can put on the Thruxton ? Want to take a slightly smaller one than the one currently on there.

 

On the popping with a closed throttle...I've been given to believe that they don't need mapping once the EU V&H slip-ons have been fitted??

I'm going to Three Cross Triumph tomorrow, I'll ask them while I'm there I think.

High on my list of things to do is changing to Remus slip-ons, X pipe and Power Commander with custom map. I think Triumph, like others, have struggled with Euro4 compliance.

 

Have a look at Fourdot plates. They're not cheap but they have plate designs that have the minimal allowed borders etc. I have one, and while expensive for a plate, they are beautifully finished. The quality is massively better than your typical alternatives. They're prominent so why not have the best appearance and finish you can get.

 

The specified size of a motorcycle registration number plate is 9" x 7". No ifs or buts. Doesn't matter how few letters and numbers make up the regn. mark, that is THE size of plate you must have. Anything else is I'm afraid, illegal.

Of course, that's just the overall size. The spacing, borders and even the exact font that must be used are all now specified.

This is all to make it possible/easier for automatic number plate recognition systems to read them. Whatever the reason though, sadly, that's the law as it stands.

Of course, you're welcome to ignore it if you so choose.

 

V&Hs and ECU remap now done to my R. Lovely popping and banging on the overrun without being antisocial, just like on the demo bike. Gratuitous piccie below of the bike with cans fitted!

 

I have the single comfort seat. It’s defbetter but still not perfect

 

MY R has a few mods.

Some matte carbon bits (front guard supports, chain cover, heel plates), wireless rear view camera (mini iPad on OEM mount), CNC clutch lever, brake lever, gear change and rear brake levers, black CNC front and rear pegs, black sprocket cover, OEM fairing with dark tint eagle screen, de-cat with Iron Cobras 2:1 exhaust system plus the usual rear fender elim and front fork clip on indicators.

 

I know this will seem pedantic and pettifogging but your statement is not quite true ...... there are ifs and buts. There is NO legally specified size for the plate BUT the plate must conform to the legal requirements for spacing, font and size of characters which, in effect, means that the plate will need to be a minimum size to conform, depending on the vehicle registration mark. So, for instance, if your bike is registered as AA 19 ABC the plate size required to conform to the law would be very different to the plate required if you re-registered the vehicle on a personalised plate with the mark ST 1 for example.

There are also requirements and restrictions for displaying things like British Standard marks for plate manufacturer and flag marks for country (e.g. GB).

As I say, I don't want to sound pedantic but you really don't need a windbreaking 9X7 inch plate as long as you can get the minimum size and spacing of characters in a smaller plate (and meet the other requirements) you'll be fine. I'm pretty sure that, unless you plan to visit Wales, you'll be entirely safe with an 8X6 as long as it doesn't take the proverbial with odd script characters and spacing. You'd be VERY unlucky to get a tug based on an 8X6 plate - but any copper with, say, a beef about your riding style/speed/behaviour might be inclined to shove a non-conforming plate on to the list of other offences.

The essence of the regulations is, of course, standardisation for ANPR. As long as your plate can be clearly read by an (English) ANPR camera and you're not being silly, you should be safe. Just don't go to Wales.

 

Aha, they changed again. The actual size was at one time specified but now, as you say, there is no longer the size stipulation so a shorter number can mean a narrower plate. In fact, looking at the latest specs, the height HAS to be at least 163mm (motorcycle plates HAVE to be on 2 lines) but the width depends on the number of characters. 4 full width (i.e. not 1 or I) characters mean a 228mm wide plate, whereas 3 characters would need a 174mm wide plate. Of course, those are minimum sizes and larger plates are allowed as long as character sizes and spacing is correct.

The actual font is now specified (a variant of Ariel I believe) and NO italics or other fancy stuff and just plain reflective backgrounds (no patterns).

So that represents a slight relaxation of the size regs since I last looked. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vehicle-registration-numbers-and-number-plates

This link is the .gov guide to number plates

 

Yes, you're right, they have indeed changed again.

If you followed the letter of the law there are only a few places 'allowed' to make/supply the plates. In reality, as I said, I reckon most cops wouldn't pull you or prosecute you for an illegal plate UNLESS it is clearly too small and risks being unreadable to ANPR; is offensive or attempting/liable to mislead, or is spaced in a clearly incorrect way. It seems that Wales Police - and North Wales in particular - have an entirely different view so all bets are off if you travel there with an illegal plate!

I see cars and vans on an almost daily basis with incorrectly spaced and "subtly altered" plates and often wonder why they aren't taken off the road or the owners impoverished by £1000 fines, but it's a numbers game, really - literally and figuratively. The odds of being caught are probably very low, especially if you stay away from ANPR camera locations - the cameras can raise alerts for dodgy plates!

P.S. for the original poster - if you get a smaller than 8X6 plate, keep your standard (legal) one for the MOT - an MOT test station might not want to risk their reputation and franchise by passing anything smaller.

Edit:- I estimate the minimum "normal" plate size for a modern bike would be 7.08 inches (180 mm) high by 8.58 inches (218 mm) wide .... but my 'rithmetic is notoriously awful so I'd advise you to use your own calculations to be certain!