| 2009 Triumph Thruxton | | Print | |
| Written by Kenn Stamp | ||||||
| Friday, 18 September 2009 11:27 | ||||||
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  Click here for the video Historical ramblings by: Kenn Stamp Action Photos By: Kenn Stamp and Mark Frankenfield Static photos by: Kenn Stamp Riders during action photos: Kenn Stamp and Carlos Barrera Power used to be a means to an end; more power meant bigger, more comfortable bikes and winning at the races on Sunday. Sometime during the last 50 years or so power seems to have become a destination unto itself. This, of course, begs the question; “how much power do you really need?” Now I admit that I tend to be a power and speed junkie but when I sit back and look at current motorcycles I can’t help but ask myself that very question. Does 100+ RWHP actually make a bike more fun to ride on the street? If you had asked me that question a month ago I would have said yes with no reservation.  Oh what a difference 30 days can make. Ask me that same question now and I’ll respond with a heartfelt “no”. Why would an avowed power junkie suddenly give up his speed charged ways and embrace “The Cult of Lesser Power? I’ll tell you….it was a 2009 Triumph Thruxton that made me see the error of my ways. Maybe we had it right in the 60’s after all. No not the whole “Flower Child – Hippie Movement” but with the motorcycles of that era. Maybe, just maybe, a moderately powered bike, with a minimally adjustable suspension, thin tires, and brakes that work but won’t flip you over the handlebars really is the perfect street bike. Now I know that what I just wrote sounds like a less than glowing synopsis of the Thruxton but I’ll let you in on a little secret; not once did I ever ride the Thruxton without a huge case of perma-grin etched on my face. Let me explain.  When Triumph resurrected the Bonneville and morphed that chassis and motor into different looks, they decided to call this their “Modern Classics” family of motorcycles. This line of Triumph bikes are the ones that, at least visually, hold truest to those Triumphs of the 60’s and 70’s. Sure Triumph put on disc brakes and other updated components on their “Modern Classics” line (the only thing named Lucas on these current bikes would be a rider) but to see one is to immediately flash back 30-40 years. For some of us those years were before we were born yet the attraction of a simple, honest motorcycle still seems to hold us in thrall. I admit to being one of those who were too young to experience firsthand those years when Triumph made the bike that everyone wanted (before Harley Davidson took over that distinction). I didn’t even start to ride until 1990 but I’ve always been a fan of classic cars, bikes, and aircraft so I was excited about getting my little hands on the Thruxton. This, I could tell, was going to be fun.  As far as looks go Triumph really got it right. It was a lot of fun watching people of a certain age stare at the bike as I went by and wanting to talk about it when I stopped. I was also surprised by the number of younger riders who were curious about the bike. This just goes to prove that a good design knows no age limit or societal boundaries. For 2009 Triumph ditched the clip-ons in favor of a standard tube style handlebar. The bar not only looks at home on the Thruxton but also effectively raised the grips by about 2” resulting in a much less aggressive riding position. With the pegs set up and further back than its “Modern Classics” siblings the Thruxton riding position is certainly the sportiest of the family. The only issue I had was my upper legs got a little cramp in them after about 100 miles in the saddle for reasons I can’t fully explain. The seat to peg relationship felt comfortable overall so my guess is that it was just the flatter angle of the seat compared to what I am used to riding that caused the problem. |
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 23 September 2010 10:57 |