The 2016 Triumph Thruxton R gets some serious updates in performance with an improved powertrain and more responsive chassis.
If powerful cafe racers are your thing, the 2016 Triumph Thruxton R will steal your heart in a heartbeat. Keeping things decidedly British and attractive, the new Thruxton R gets adorned with more performance while the chassis has been comprehensively revised and also gets a new swingarm.
In addition to the new styling, Triumph has reworked on the ergonomics of the Thruxton R with higher set foot pegs, lowered clip-on handlebars with bar-end rear view mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels. Quite the stunner, the 2016 model uses the same 1200cc parallel twin engine as the Bonneville T120 but is tuned for more power and better torque delivery.
Triumph calls it High-power Thruxton spec, which adds a lighter crank, higher compression ratio and a high flow airbox upping torque to 108 Nm at 5000 RPM. You also get an assisted slipper clutch, three riding modes – Road, Rain and Sport; along with Traction Control, ABS, Ride-by-Wire among other bits. Triumph has also added a stickier set of tyres.
While the other features are also there on the regular Thruxton, the Thruxton R makes more power from the same motor. However, the changes aren’t just restricted to power output. The new Thruxton R goes absolutely bonkers and can be identified with a colour matched seat cowl, buffed steering headstock and an anodised swingarm.
Further, the suspension comes from Showa with USD front forks and Ohlins twin gas charged rear dampers. Brembo is now providing brakes with Monobloc calipers while the wheels are lighter and get wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres. With the Thruxton and the R-spec version coming later this year, the Brit Cafe Racers will make for an interesting buy in the segment which isn’t too crowded.
Triumph Thruxton R
– It is powered by a 1200cc parallel twin engine
– Comes with colour matched seat cowl, buffed steering headstock, anodised swingarm
– Brakes get monobloc calipers, Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres on offer
