Triumph Thruxton R
What's your take on this...
Hi guys and girls,
Last week I went out on a test ride on a Triumph Thruxton R, from the Triumph dealer in Manchester. My intention was to purchase this Motorbike after the ride or at least order one in the colour and spec of my choice.
So, a little background on my riding. Until now I have only ridden sports bikes, mostly Ducatis, Aprilia and MV's. Italian stuff... So now I want a modern retro classic of its style, looks and the experience of a Triumph.
As I went for the ride, my first impressions were that this bike doesn't flow very well. It felt like it was dragging, I wasn't sure why this was but it felt like a deflated tyre. I carried on for a bit, trying to get used to its riding style. Eventually, I went into the service station to check the tyre pressure... this is it. 40psi at the front and 20psi at the rear. This was wrong just ridiculous. A quick google search and I corrected the tyre pressure by 36psi at the front and rear. It was as a safe option. It felt a lot better but still, there was something not right and I was about to give up!
So I pulled up outside Pret, for a Latte. Yes, a "Flat White" my answer to everything. Trying to work out why this bike didn't feel right when it was new and with top specification and quality components.
I eventually convinced myself that it just needed a suspension setup. After churning it over I decided to check the rear suspension settings. So, One side was on +10 and the other was on +1. I balanced then out to +4 on both shocks. Then I had hope again...
I did some city riding through manchester and the bike felt great. Powerfull from the lights and filtering was easy too. The engine revved up easy and the engine braking wasn't too much, unlike the Ducati racers. The gearbox was so easy and smooth. The Brembo brakes were great as we all know.
I eventually hit peak time and lots of traffic as usual. Approaching Prestwich, I went to fuel up with Momentum at Tescos. After filling the tank with only £7.05 the tank was full. But the gauge was showing only a quarter tank. Maybe an electrical fault. I then headed towards the M62. I got on, I blasted the bike as I do with my Panigale, Ducati Panigale. LOL. I got to 90 and the bike felt unstable... Like there was a problem with the headstock or something. No steering damper if that had anything to do with it. In fact awful and dangerous. I dropped the speed to a manageable 65 -70 and plodded along. I was heading towards Leeds. I got off at Halifax J23. Four junctions before as the ride were awful. Then through Huddersfield, I stopped off at Cafe Evo. NOT a Flat white. An English breakfast tea. My answer to all the problems. Then I rode home from Huddersfield through to Batley. Once I got home I had realised that there was a brake fluid leak on the front reservoir spitting on to the tank. So I had to wash it all.
The next day I spoke to the dealership, they confirmed that the was set up properly and there was nothing wrong with it but the apologised about the tire pressure. I did a casual ride back to Manchester and I felt the same experience.
Now, I really like the look of this bike and the specification. I want one for the reason of comfort and its not a super-duper screamer at 200mph. But this experience has really put me off.
I am trying to work out if they are all 1960's agricultural design with super tech bits bolted on or I went out on a duff bike.
My research shows many up for sale with very little miles and very little age. Is there a reason for this...
Someone help me on this as I can only dring so many Flat whites.
Ishmael
