The most powerful two-cylinder Triumph in the history of the brand
Triumph Thruxton RS 2020
In the middle of the last century, Triumph introduced a model called Thruxton as a racing motorcycle. Its current namesakes are absolutely modern motorcycles, which were carefully given the appearance of a café racer from the 60s. So the new Thruxton RS 2022 continues the good tradition of driving well and looking great at the same time.
To me, the Thruxton is about sporty riding in the same way that the Scrambler 1200 is about all-terrain touring. These devices perform very well in exactly what they are visually designed for, and let’s not forget that their appearance is based on the traditions of 70 years ago, and they have a chic vintage charm against the backdrop of completely modern characteristics.
Both of these bikes are eye-catching and make you want to walk around and admire them. People who are not involved in motorcycle culture can be misled by them in the sense that they may not recognize them as new motorcycles, but consider them something from the last century. But even among complete strangers these models evoke affection and interest.
Triumph Thruxton RS
Triumph Thruxton RS 2020
Triumph Thruxton RS certainly looks just as cool. But it has another nice feature: this bike rides like no other Triumph in its 118-year history. When the modified engine appeared in the 2022 Speed Twin model, everyone was wondering how it would perform on the brand’s most racing machine. And now Thruxton RS 2022 has become even more Thruxton than before!
Engine
The Thruxton RS's 270-degree inline-twin 1200cc engine receives a whole host of small internal updates and improvements, including weight reduction on moving parts resulting in a 20% reduction in inertia. This allowed the RS engine to rev even faster, and moved the redline 500 rpm higher. Triumph claims 104bhp. by 7500 rpm , which means that peak power is achieved at a rotation speed 750 rpm higher than that of the Thruxton R. Another small increase in power is provided by an increase in the compression ratio - up to 12.1: 1 versus the previous 11.0: 1. And just like the RS series triples, the Thruxton engine instantly spins up to the most torquey speeds and allows you to spin it further than in previous versions.
However, the horses are not as important as the torque. And although the thrust figures have not changed with the Thruxton R, and are also 112.5 Nm, they are available 700 rpm lower - at 4250 rpm (this is the same 700 rpm lower than on the Speed Twin). At higher revs, the Thruxton shoots out of corners like a cannon, but there's no need to rev it too hard, with 100Nm of torque available from just 2,700rpm. Of the three available driving modes, Sport gives the sharpest response to the throttle, Road softens it a little, but does not limit it, and Rain... who needs it? Kidding. It is needed if only because the riding modes not only affect the engine response, but also regulate the sensitivity and degree of intervention of the traction control: in Sport it is the least, and in Rain it significantly reduces the motorcycle’s recklessness in slippery areas.
I really like how Triumph has worked on the clarity of the throttle in its new products in recent years: it is now without jerks or dips, with a slight free stroke and complete predictability of operation. On previous versions there were complaints about gas in the sense that the actual operating range was very small, and the sensitivity in this part of the stroke was excessive, as a result the motorcycle twitched at the slightest movement of the handle. Now the revs and traction are controlled smoothly and precisely, despite the fact that I mostly kept the Thruxton RS in Sport driving mode. Road mode is better suited for city driving, because it makes the throttle even smoother, but without traction restrictions. Traction control, by the way, can be turned off completely, but ABS is now a non-disabled function due to the requirements of European legislation.
Triumph Thruxton RS 2020
Brake system
It's great to ride vigorously, but powerful traction must be balanced by an appropriate braking system. Brembo M50 radials are installed in the stock RS configuration, and in company with 310 discs, they brake powerfully and are perfectly modulated by an adjustable lever. The lever on the left handle is even easier to squeeze than before, thanks to the light-squeeze clutch. The size of the clutch itself has been reduced, allowing designers to make the engine narrower. The gears shift perfectly, the paw performs foot movements without any weakness. The 17-inch spoked tube wheels are shod with Metzeller Racetec RR, perfectly complementing the Thruxton RS's engine and braking system.
Suspension
Geometry and suspension remain the same as the R model. A steep 22.8-degree head angle and short 92mm trail, combined with a fairly short 1,414mm wheelbase, make the Thruxton RS nimble and nimble in corners. On our way we encountered a series of narrow S-shaped turns and long, gentle curves, and the Thruxton RS navigated all of them with ease and confidence. The only thing I want to note is that when trail-breaking, the motorcycle tries to straighten up, and you have to pull it back a little.
The fully adjustable 43 Showa fork with large pistons has 12 centimeters of travel , exactly the same as the two rear Öhlins with external reservoirs and full tuning. Thanks to high-quality suspensions, the motorcycle feels well-knit and holds its trajectory perfectly, despite its not the smallest weight - approximately 213 kg when loaded (according to the manufacturer, dry weight is 197 kg), which is 5-something kg lighter than the R version.
Triumph Thruxton RS 2020
Test drive Triumph Thruxton
The Thruxton is a fantastic weekend toy, the best rideable alternative to a Harley, the motorcycle humanist who is at odds with the numbers and charts that reflect the high utility of this device.
The Triumph Thruxton is, let's face it, a bike that doesn't make journalists' hearts skip a beat, because they prefer to ride super-fast plastics or cruisers with unhealthy engine sizes. The Triumph Thruxton is a retro style motorcycle, so it automatically wins the sympathy of the ardent "old school" supporters who remember the times when no one took fuel consumption or road safety to heart.
We are, naturally, talking about motorcycles of the forgotten Cafe Racer class. Because everyone will agree with the statement that Thruxton is their descendant. My approach when receiving the motorcycle was similar. I was sure that when I parked it somewhere in the city, the only people who would pay attention to it would be melancholy-eyed grandparents and fanatics in Triumph shirts. However, how wrong I was!
Toy
The moment you pay a Triumph motorcycle dealer for a Thruxton model, you can be sure of one thing - you've bought one hell of a beautiful motorcycle. Basically, it's a Bonneville with low handlebars and a padded rear seat, and the Bonneville is one of the sexiest motorcycles of all time. And the most attractive and beautiful detail in it is the motor. This inline two-cylinder engine is simply seductive! Muscular, dense, with vertical cylinders. Take a look at the head. You're right, it's practically a Knucklehead from Harley-Davidson. Plus, its huge cooling fins, scorched manifolds and massive lids give the impression that they were made by the ancient Greek blacksmith god Hephaestus. Thruxton is full of elements that we expect to find in it, or simply demand from a retro Cafe Racer. Spoke wheels, cut-off tail, mirrors at the ends of the steering wheel, long, thin exhaust pipes. But not everything is so smooth, in this barrel of honey there is also a spoonful of honey: an ugly protruding rear wing with lighting equipment hanging on it. It justifies the fact that you pay attention to him only when looking strictly in profile. Plus, I suspect that if it were removed and the license plate was placed “inside”, behind the shock absorbers, it would be even worse. Shocking fact - everyone loves Thruxton. Everyone stops near him, from motorcyclists riding “plastics” to sales representatives without ties and children with ADHD syndrome, that is, suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There is something unusual about him.
Cafe Racing
The driving position is reminiscent of a sports touring motorcycle. The footpegs are set back and placed quite high, the handlebars are shaped like an "M" and the handlebars force the rider to bend their spine significantly. However, the short fuel tank and long seat make it possible to take a slightly more comfortable position. This Triumph can be driven on the highway, but that's like saying you can even eat a bat. It is possible, but it is not done unless necessary. The lack of any wind protection and the low, narrow handlebar become dangerous after 160 km/h. Despite the fact that the Thruxton is a fairly narrow and slender motorcycle, getting through traffic jams on it is a problematic issue. And all because of the mirrors mounted on the ends of the steering wheel. Visibility is excellent, but they are at the same height as the mirrors on 90% of cars. But management requires habit. The whole motorcycle is short (wheelbase 1490 mm), but it rolls on, let's say, extraordinary wheels. Front – 18 inches + 100 mm wide tire; rear – 17 inches + 130 mm wide tire. The driver is shifted quite far forward, plus the sharp angle of the steering column gives the impression that the front wheel is already under his head. When you finally get used to this feeling, it seems that Truxton enters turns on its own, without any coercion.
The rear suspension is no less interesting. It does not allow for a particularly sporty ride, is not technically sophisticated, and only has adjustable spring preload, but it does its job fairly well. Front fork too. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the brakes. If they are used to gently reduce speed, for example, when braking before an intersection, then they will turn out to be quite effective, will be well “dosed” and will provide a noticeable point of their action. But aggressive use of a lever or pedal will immediately reveal its rapidly depleting capabilities.
Watered down coffee
Flashes in the engine are a separate and very interesting process. Firstly, the Thruxton is powered by a fuel injection system, but looking at it, you definitely think that there are carburetors behind the engine. But at the same time there is a shifter for the pre-start enricher. This means that before starting the engine it needs to be helped (the shifter is located under the fuel tank, and not on the steering wheel - that would be too modern). The fact that the designers, having equipped Truxton with fuel injection, imitated a carburetor engine, is still half the battle. The main thing is that the engine works exactly as if it were fed through carburetors! This manifests itself in a rather sharp reaction to opening the throttle valve from a closed position. I got the impression that fuel injection was there solely and exclusively to comply with the Euro 3 standard. When the engine starts to work, the pilot is overcome with confusion. Rarely does a drive device operate so quietly that it sounds like an inline two-cylinder engine that is about to die out within a second. It is very likely that even a child in a stroller standing next to a motorcycle will sleep soundly, just as before starting the Truxton engine.
Acceleration dynamics aren't exactly mind-blowing, but in each of the five gears the parallel twin's power comes through with the expected intensity. But what happens after 6,000 rpm doesn't match the engine's dangerously soft idle. The vibrations become tiresome, especially on the steering wheel. As if in tune with this, the tachometer needle begins to tremble, probably with the same frequency as in the distant 60s of the last century...
Atmosphere in the shower
It doesn't have the technically advanced suspension, brakes, engine, nor is it very comfortable or very practical, but it transports the driver back to the 60s, to British streets full of motorcycle-riding rockers. The Thruxton is a fantastic weekend toy and the best rideable alternative to a Harley. He is a motorcycle humanist who is at odds with the numbers and charts depicting the high utility of this device. The only competitor that comes to my mind is the Ducati Sport 1000. But, rather, only externally - after all, it has a much more powerful engine and a much better chassis, but the same starting positions.
The real competitors for the Thruxton, in my opinion, are its “twins” - the Scrambler and Bonnevile. As for the engine and chassis, these are the same motorcycles, but they are more comfortable, more practical and equally beautiful, and the choice of one of them most often depends on a small impulse in the soul. Triumph Thruxton is a motorcycle that is never bought with the mind, but always with the heart. Is it worth it? The answer to this question is relative and everyone must give this answer to themselves. This car is certainly interesting, “with character”, and to put it simply, “with soul”.
Text: Lukasz Tomanek
Photo: the author and Triumph
Ergonomics Thruxton RS
I rode the Thruxton RS all day and felt no pain or fatigue in my arms, knees, back or anywhere else. I was impressed that the seemingly sporty (or so) ergonomics were comfortable for long rides. The clip-ons are fairly wide and well spaced, the footpegs aren't too high but not too close to the road (I only scraped them a couple times the entire trip), the handlebars aren't a reach to reach, and the seat is one of the most comfortable you'll find anywhere. which I have ever sat in (albeit a little narrowly). Only the shape of the tank does not quite meet expectations. Or rather, this: it doesn’t look like the ultra-ergonomic tanks of modern motorcycles in the full sense, and you can’t wrap your knees around it the way I’m used to. Here style turned out to be more important than functionality, but you quickly get used to it and it’s still comfortable to sit.
Like the R, the Thruxton RS's instrument panel consists of two dial gauges with a small LCD display in each, displaying, in addition to the usual data, driving mode, fuel level, gear and average consumption. The laconic tidy, combined with a polished yoke, a Monza-style tank cover and a brushed aluminum strip in the center of the tank, creates a charming image of a British dandy sportsman. Again, make no mistake about its classic looks: this is a modern motorcycle, and under the seat there is a USB port and a small compartment in which you can put your phone or other gadget to charge.
