2016 Thruxton to keep my TTSE company?

[dsinned]

This is yet another truly beautiful new bike from Triumph for next year.  Just might have to start saving up for one of these.

[DonTom]

Are you having a hard time resisting  those bikes you see at CalMoto?

Anyway, go for it!

You will probably want NO wind protection on your second bike. That's how I have my 1971 BMW fixed up and it's great for hot day summer rides.  That will be nice for San Jose summer rides too.

When the weather is wet and cold, I prefer the TTSE for several reasons, including ABS and traction control. But on hot summer days, I like to get the  full wind on my BMW.

-Don-  SSF, CA

[dsinned]

The Thruxton is probably a bit to "radical" for me at age 66 with me weighing an 1/8th of a ton, so I'm actually considering a new Bonneville T120.  I've always admired Triumph's Bonneville line and its classic, parallel twin engines, now with nearly double the displacement of bikes of old.  The new Bonnies have retained a lot of their traditional appeal, but still look like the best of the breed over the last five decades. 

I just recently parted with a 2004 Triumph Daytona 955i SE (all black) and loved the looks of that sport bike too; a thrill to ride with its infamous "triple howl".  That sound literally gave me goosebumps at full song!  However, the Daytona was just a bit torturous for any length of time to ride, so I sold it to a guy 20 years my junior and opted to replace it with the immensely more comfortable TTSE.

I think perhaps a new Bonneville T120 "Black" would bridge the gap nicely (sans the brown seat).  The new 1199cc, water cooled, high torque engine, TBW, ABS, and TCS are all very nice contemporary design upgrades and it even comes with 3-position heated grips "standard"!   Can't wait to see one in the showroom and/or take for a test ride.

[Verdun95]

a great looking bike anyway!

[trophied]

Thruxton's are beautiful, but I don't know if my old bones could handle the riding position for the length of time it begs to have.

[janfmiller]

Man, I was drooling over the 'old' Thruxton, this one is just too much tempation...

[dsinned]

EXACTLY, so I just put a deposit on a new (2016) Bonneville T120, probably the first to be sold by my local dealer of this particular model.  I talked to the dealership owner at length and the same sales guy who sold me my 2014 TTSE to get all the latest scoop (i.e. expected pricing, initial pre-ordered deliveries, etc). 

I was very tempted to buy a beautiful "all black" MY 2015 very retro-like Bonneville T100 that was still on the showroom floor at a great price.  However, the lure of an all new big bore Bonnie was just too great, so I decided to order one and wait my turn for earliest delivery, hopefully by next Spring.   

The dealer already has about a dozen new bikes - mostly Thruxtons - on order for other customers.   I think I'm the first customer in the queue for a new T120.  It has the same all new 1199cc parallel twin as the Thruxton, but in a slightly lower state of tune, perhaps due to a less aggressive cam.  Actual HP figures have not yet been released by Triumph for the any of the new Bonneville engines, including the new entry level 899cc used by the base model Bonneville Street Twin.

 

I believe Triumph's published torque rating on the T120 is 77.5 ft-lbs at 3100 rpm, 54% more peak TQ than the outgoing T100's 865cc DOHC T100.  The Thruxton has 83 ft-lbs; 62% more than its predecessor.  Dealer thinks the HP rating may be as much as 110!  Conservatively speaking, it probably will be about 90 to 100 HP with a higher rev range, although the T120 engine redlines at only 7000.  The new "1200" engine has a low profile DOHC head configuration and probably a higher C/R of perhaps 11 or 12:1 would be my guess.  The shared big bore "1200" engine in the new T120 and Thruxton is water cooled, supposedly good for lower emissions, higher fuel economy and most certainly better reliability.



Standard equipment on the new T120 are a water cooled, HIGH torque, 270 degree crank engine, all new 6 speed transmission, twin "peashooter", double walled, exhaust header pipes, ABS, switchable TC (with dual riding modes, road or rain), RBW EFI throttle bodies (that still kinda look like fake carbs), slip assist clutch, future proofed Euro4/5 compliance, 3-position heated grips, LED lights (including DRL headlight), center stand, low 775 mm seat, engine key fob immobilize, and dual clocks with a LCD window in each (similar to the display readouts in the TTSE).  Unfortunately, CC is an extra cost dealer installed option.  I ordered the solid jet black paint scheme, although not too many photos to base a decision on yet, but passed on the "T120 Black" engine and exhaust pipes painted matte black version, because it costs extra and would hate a new bike with a yucky looking brown seat. 

Triumph's "thank a hero" Military discount should apply if still in effect by time of actual delivery.  Actual full sale price of the bike will be 11.5k plus delivery, setup, taxes and fees.  Outgoing Bonneville T100 "Black" sticker was $9300, a really nice (sleathy) looking retro bike.  I almost bought it, but not enough power and too low tech for me.

A new Thruxton will probably cost $2500 more than the T120 Bonneville, and even more for the Thruxton "R" (Race) version.  Too much for me and I'm too old to ride a Cafe Racer, but it is still a truly beautiful design.

[twowheeladdict]

I really like the Brooklands Green Thruxton.  Test rode one a couple years ago and was turned off by what you get for the price.  Suspensions was lacking, and the engine didn't provide the character that the Scrambler engine provides.  Ended up with a V7 Café.  I may look at the Thruxton again when the new Race model comes in Green.