2016 Triumph Thruxton R track ride

Is the Triumph Thruxton R more than just a gorgeous poser? Priyadarshan Bawikar puts the R in its name to the test at the MMRT.

Published on Sep 14, 2016 08:00:00 AM

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Traction control off, Sport mode on, throttle wide open – the perfect formula for power wheelies.

Turn, turn, turn

The Thruxton R’s handling prowess doesn’t come as a surprise. After all, it’s wearing kit that’ll even leave some sports bikes jealous. At the front, it gets fully adjustable 43mm upside-down Showa Big Piston Forks (BPF) and suspension duties at the rear are handled by a pair of phenomenal Ohlins shocks, which apart from being adjustable for preload, offer rebound and damping settings as well. With Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa rubber shod on those gorgeous wire-spoke wheels, you’re looking at a bike that can really mix with the best of them when it comes to cornering.

Even though its dry weight of 203kg is nothing to write home about, the Thruxton R feels light and nimble. Flicking it through the tighter turns 2 and 3 at MMRT, and then through the kinks leading up to turn 4, it’s shocking just how quickly it changes direction. This, we suspect is down to its aggressive 22.8deg rake angle and short 1,415mm wheelbase. And through the longer turns such as the rather unimaginatively named ‘Big D’, the Rosso Corsas inspire supreme amount of confidence carrying ridiculous lean angles. But there’s more to the Thruxton than what the numbers suggest. Thanks to the pliancy of its suspension setup, it can handle the odd bumps or undulations on the tarmac easily and the handling feels very approachable.

What also helps the Thruxton R’s case on the track are its outstanding brakes, with the front getting twin Brembo 310mm floating discs clamped by a pair of Brembo four-pot radial monobloc calipers. With exceptional feel and bite, the only factors that really affect how late you can brake into the turn with the Thruxton R are your own skills, if you know what I mean.

Easy as pie

The beauty of putting laps on a track astride the Thruxton R is that unless you are absolutely on the edge, trying to set lap records, it is a very unintimidating experience. This is largely because of the bike’s relaxed ergonomics. While the posture is on the sportier side, with rear-set foot pegs borrowed from the Triumph Daytona 675 and low(ish)-slung, clip-on handlebars, you’re never in an extreme hunched-over position. This also means that riding back home after a rewarding day on the track is not going to be taxing in any way. However, this comfortable, somewhat upright position quickly turns awkward when barrelling down a long straight at very high speeds.

Best of both worlds

During our stint at the Chennai circuit, motorcycle racing champion K Rajani managed a lap time of just about 2:04, which is actually a bit slower than the time set by the KTM RC390 last year. But as much fun as it is to thrash around at the MMRT, to judge the Triumph Thruxton R purely on the basis of lap times would be doing it gross injustice. It’s a motorcycle that works brilliantly on the road and will keep you thoroughly entertained on a twisty mountain road, or occasionally on a race track. And to top it off, it has the looks to melt the heart of even the most jaded bike enthusiasts. An ex-showroom price of Rs 11 lakh might seem a bit much for what at first glance looks like a nostalgia trip. But as we discovered, under that facade is a motorcycle with a surprising depth of character and some ability that shines even on the race track.