2016 Triumph Thruxton A2 900

2016 Triumph Thruxton

The Thruxton is born of the café racer culture that dominated motorcycling in the 1960s

The café racers were built to perform, not just to look good.

Today, this 865cc parallel twin puts out a healthy 69PS with 69Nm of torque at its peak, with plenty available at low revs so you get most use out of it.

Fuelling is controlled by a sophisticated computer programmed management system for clean emissions and a smooth, predictable throttle response.

The basic format is the same as the current Bonneville, with 360 degree firing intervals, double overhead cams, eight valves, twin balance shafts and fuel injection. So you know it's a thoroughly modern engine that, despite its convincing old-school looks, easily meeting Triumph’s high standard of reliability, durability and efficiency.

Features may include:

• Sound

It's the sound and feel of the engine that matters, from the thumping thrust of the generous low rev torque to the eager high revs and the purring, even exhaust note. So distinctive to the parallel twin.

• Bodywork

We used classic 1960s paint schemes with period sports stripes and fitted a typical single-seat, or so it looks thanks to the rear cover. In actual fact a passenger can enjoy the ride on a Thruxton too.

• Handlebars

Low and narrow 'Ace' handlebars, named after London's famous Ace Café, with classic bar-end mirrors sit behind a colour-coded flyscreen.

• Instruments

Twin instrument pods sitting high on their top yoke mounting position.

• Engine

The engine and transmission has been engineered with the look of the classic Triumph twins in mind. Even the fuel injection has been moulded so you get the appearance of a pair of carburettors. And there are double overhead camshafts despite what looks like a pushrod tube at the front of the engine, just like the café racers of the 60s used to have.

All of our extensive chassis experience and technology has gone into the Thruxton’s simple tubular steel construction. Providing easy, neutral steering and exceptional balance even at low speeds.

We fitted 41mm forks and chromed rear shocks and retuned them for a firmer ride and tighter control in high speed corners. The shocks include adjustability for spring preload for carrying a passenger or to suit your riding style.

We fitted the front with a big 320mm single disc strong enough to match the sporting pedigree of the Thruxton with plenty of feedback to enhance your ride. Yet we've made it as unobtrusive as possible within the 1960s styling.

At the rear is another disc, so there’s no compromise in the Thruxton's thoroughly modern braking performance.

The wheels are wire-spoked with aluminium alloy rims, 18 inches at the front and 17 inches rear for the classic café racer look. They're lightweight too, for increased suspension performance and handling agility.

We kept the geometry similar to the Bonneville's but with a little less trail at 97mm so you get sharper steering and more urgent handling when ridden hard. But the same neutral, obedient feel during less exuberant riding, making the Thruxton a rewarding as well as an easy bike to ride.