Triumph Thruxton RS 2020 — Specifications

Can a vintage silhouette still make us shiver in the age of ubiquitous electronics and driver assistance systems? Ask the Triumph Thruxton RS, and its answer is a deep, categorical rumble. This machine is not a nostalgic toy; it's a contemporary café racer that draws its legitimacy from a glorious past, that of the 500 Miles of Thruxton, to demand committed riding. Beneath its carefully crafted retro appearance, it hides the guts of a sportbike, a detonating blend that justifies its price, approaching €17,000. For those seeking a frank opinion on the Triumph Thruxton RS, here it is: it is one of the most beautiful and demanding modern interpretations of the genre.

At the heart of the matter is this 1200 cm3 parallel-twin engine reworked for the occasion. Triumph squeezed everywhere to extract 105 horsepower and, above all, reduce engine inertia by 20%. The result is palpable: the 2020 Thruxton RS revs with a liveliness that surprises for a large twin, its torque of 111 Nm remaining accessible from 4250 rpm. It is far from the placidity of a cruiser, closer to the nervousness of a naked sportbike. Compared to a BMW R nineT Racer, the Triumph displays a sharper character, less touring-oriented. This engine is a modern mechanical fable, ready to be exploited without the meticulous assistance of overly intrusive electronics, even though riding modes are there to moderate passions.

The chassis, for its part, does not joke around. The steel tubular frame, inherited from the R, offers precise rigidity, while the Showa inverted fork and adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers transform each turn into a field of expression. The braking system, with its Brembo M50 calipers clamping 310 mm discs at the front, is of such effectiveness that it will take your eyes off the road. With a dry weight announced at 197 kg, it is not a featherweight, but its mass is well distributed. The 810 mm seat may intimidate those of smaller stature, but once on the road, the motorcycle disappears to leave room only for the dialogue between the wrist and the asphalt. As for tire pressure, it is crucial to exploit the Metzeler Racetec RR; regular checks are the secret to optimal feel.

So, who is it for? Certainly not a beginner. The 2021 Triumph Thruxton RS and its subsequent variations are machines for connoisseurs, for those who seek a strong personality rather than sterile performance. It is the motorcycle of the demanding touring rider and the Sunday track day enthusiast who loves style as much as substance. Its 14-liter tank recalls that outings are meant to be intense, not interminable. Accessories for the Triumph Thruxton RS are flourishing, but the base is already so well done that it is almost a shame to modify it.

Ultimately, trying the Thruxton RS means understanding that it is not a simple update. It is a statement. Triumph has taken the DNA of the café racer, injected it with modern technologies, and made a motorcycle with an oversized ego. It is expensive, it is demanding, but it makes each ride unique. On the used market, the Thruxton RS retains a solid value, proof of its status as a desirable object. It is not a motorcycle for everyone, and it is precisely there that lies all its charm.