Triumph Thruxton RS 2024 — Specifications

With the Thruxton, you enter the retro world of sporty bikes, the universe of big café racers, the madness of Joe BAR Team races and the gentlemen’s arse-dragging. A modern interpretation... no, a transposition of the English bolides that caused terror in the streets of London.

Its 1200 cc engine has found more vigor, and the passion for sport in the Thruxton R has become sufficiently pronounced to become RS. A symbol exposing the raw essence of certain Triumph motorcycles, when adrenaline flows from the forehead to the brakes. 1200 Speed Twin and 765 Street Triple design at the slider’s edge; the Thruxton 1200 RS absorbs this to refine its playground.

You don't approach this bike as a current sportbike, although its soul tends toward performance. It is in no way a Daytona, nor a replacement, nor a missile for the track. With it, no data logger, stopwatch or Alfano. To honor the low handlebars, it’s a black leather jacket, trajectories of character, and the applause of history resonating in the helmet. The Thruxton R joyfully rode in this ether, with an impeccable café racer suit of seams; becoming RS, there are only cosmetic tweaks on the surface, apt to retain the difference. Positioning its edge depth through, black undertakes the engine casings, the rim and hub of the spoked wheels, as well as the springs of the rear shocks.

The evolution to RS allows the inline twin to regain health. Already to pass Euro5, then to break with the Speed Twin, slightly hampered in terms of power due to the same engine as the standard and R Thruxton models. By increasing the compression ratio, then introducing high-compression pistons, a revised cam profile, a crankshaft with less inertia, and shifting the redline 500 rpm higher, Triumph found 8 additional horsepower. The English engine now sends 105 horsepower at 7500 rpm. This maximum will be sought 750 rpm further than that of the previous R. However, the unchanged torque of 11.4 kgm is available a little earlier, at 4250 rpm. Figures that bring the bike closer to the late BMW R NineT Racer. More watts was not the only axis of improvement. Engine modifications allowed a 20% reduction in inertia, for faster engine revs, while modifications to the clutch, alternator, magnesium valve cover, thinner engine casings, and balance shafts allowed a weight reduction. The new battery also, the brake calipers a little bit too. A result of 6 kilos is to be removed from the total mass.

The Thruxton 1200 spent time in the sport saddle to deserve its RS. More grunt and less bias. More dynamic, it will also be better calmed (if necessary) by its Brembo M50 calipers. They bite larger 320 mm discs. The tire mount also progresses with Metzeler Racetec RR tires. The rest of the chassis does not change since the R model, with its steel tubular double cradle frame, a 43 mm inverted Showa fork, and Öhlins rear shocks; adjustable everywhere, of course.

Under its retro look, the Thruxton RS has cleverly hidden its electronic assists. The three Riding Modes (Road – Rain – Sport) have been updated, each modulating the reactivity of the throttle and the level of traction control in its own way. If it annoys you, it can be disconnected. The front and rear lights are LED, as is the daytime running light. A USB socket will be appreciated by many, especially the phone. All this will nonetheless soon be forgotten by the eye when it appreciates the scent of the double needle speedometer, the superb aluminum top yoke, and the refinements enhancing the premium side of the Triumph. It’s difficult not to mark your curiosity in front of the metal strap on the tank, or the Monza-style cap, the level of finish, and the delightfully selfish configuration of this machine.

But where does this name come from, a half-unpronounceable name uttered like a piece of paper in the mouth? It’s a village in Hampshire (England), where a circuit was built on the remains of an old military airport. After a short series of 9-hour Endurances on this track, the 500 Miles of Thruxton was born in 1958 and Triumph won this first edition with a 650 Bonneville. In 1965, a special version of the Bonneville "Thruxton specification", the T120 R, was produced. It will prevail in the editions of 1965 to 1969.

This past is now inscribed in the metal of this 1200 RS. We are far from a total overhaul, Triumph having taken care to preserve the essentials while advancing the capabilities. By simplifying as much as possible, we tapped the engine, strengthened the brakes, and lightened the bike – exactly the same approach as preparing a motorcycle when you have the checkered flag in your eyes.

M.B - Photos constructeur