Hi, I'm new to the forum, so apologies if this question has been asked hundreds of times before. I'm seriously considering a Thruxton 1200 R (2016ish) as my first "big" bike. I got my A license at the back end of last year and was learning on a Suzuki SV650 (similar weight to the Thruxton, ~30HP less). I found the Suzuki to be easy to ride and not intimidating (well, not once I'd got used to it!). Before that, and since, I've been tooling about on a Maeving RM1S (don't say it, I've heard it all before!!), but the time has definitely come for some more noise. I've read a lot about the riding position, and having sat on the Thruxton (they wouldn't let me test ride it) I found it was comfortable and I didn't feel cramped or unhappy. I've been riding bicycles for so long that anything with a bit of padding and a position that doesn't immediately make me cry feels like the height of luxury! At 5'11" (180cm in Euros) I can get my feet firmly on the ground, and the bike didn't feel ridiculously heavy when stationary. The question is whether it's too much bike? I'd get a Street Cup if it was, but my fear is that I'd just end up wanting more in a few months time. Any ideas?
Hi Tommo go for what you want, just be mindful of the bike and your experience level, which it sounds like you already are
If you haven't already done so it might be a good idea to make sure you can get insurance for any bike you're looking at. Even experienced riders can struggle to get cover depending on where they live, the bike involved and their age/experience. Somewhere like the bike insurer will give you a starting point Making bike insurance easy since 2006 | The Bike Insurer https://share.google/7Y2DLDiJa0RAoQVwQ Welcome to the forum too
Only thing I would say is the leaning forward/clip on handlebar riding position can feel ok sitting in the showroom but can be hard on the back (and wrists) - I could only manage about 40mins before it affected my riding. I quickly changed to a more upright riding position, but then, I was 60 at the time! Insurance is definitely worth checking - age, experience, motorcycle size/value and postcode can all affect the price..... I use confused.com as a starting point.
As a former owner I think a TTR will be fine. I also found it very comfortable and, with tons of low down torque, it’s very easy to ride “sensibly”. Lovely engine though, and plenty of power when you want/need it.
Thanks for the info. I'm also considering the Street Cup as a "beginner" entry into the world of the Triumph Cafe Racer. I guess they won't devalue much, so if I find I'm under-biked I can upgrade later. Or at least that's what my head is telling me. My heart says "get the TR!!" Insurance is fine for both, though obviously easier to swallow for the SC! Any SC riders want to chip in?
Hi and welcome! I went straight onto a Street Triple R for my first big bike, I was aware of what it was and rode accordingly. I had ridden a 125 for about six months and put thousands of miles in, rather than straight from zero to hero, so felt fine with operating a bike and had stuff like counter steering sorted enough to be safe. For my first rides, I had it in rain mode, just to tame it down a bit until I was used to it - now it is a rare day that it is out of sport mode. As long as you don't think you're some hero straight away which it really doesn't sound like you do, you'll be grand, and having the bike you really want and which makes you smile every time you see it encourages you to get out and ride and improve; I have had the Street Triple for 5 years this year and love it just as much as I always did!
Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely not interested in heroics! Rain mode is a good idea, if only to dull the throttle response. I'll be bricking it when I first ride the thing away from the shop no matter what.
@TommoV Welcome to the family. The bike is only as aggressive as the rider. They are great machines with lovely engine and great brakes. So as you say go for it ride it carefully till you and the bike gels.
Thank you all again. I went for the Thruxton R. Delivery in a week or two. It's going to be a looooooong old wait!
Welcome to the forum. From what you’ve told us you are physically ideally sized for such a bike. Being able to flat foot it and capable of handling the weight are so important to generating confidence on the machine. As others have advised you just need to take it nice and easy at first. Time to refine techniques such as blipping the throttle whilst applying the front brake for down changes and light back brake application on slow manoeuvres to steady the machine etc.
Nice area. I'm around Fairford fairly regularly if you fancy grabbing a coffee and talking about bikes/riding
Hope you enjoy your Thruxton. If it's got several modes it might be worth putting it in Rain until you get used to it, especially if you can't resist and go out on cold slippery roads. Might be worth checking what tyres are on it as if they're full on sports tyres they take longer to warm up than more road/sports touring based ones, especially when riding in colder temperatures
I would love a Thruxton but went for a Street Cup. It's smaller and lighter but significantly for me, a lot cheaper!! However, I soon upgraded the camshaft and other bits to give it the power Triumph should have given it in the first place! Therefore power to weight ratio has moved closer to a Thruxton and certainly power to £ ratio is a lot better. (Still love the Thruxton though .) I'm sure you'll enjoy it but as others say, just take your time getting used to it.