Triumph Thruxton R, Track Test

It certainly wasn’t easy to pick our winners. But, ultimately, we all couldn’t ignore the fact that the Thruxton R is without a doubt one of the best motorcycle launches of 2016 – and not just in India, but globally! The entire Bonneville line-up went through a transformation at the end of last year, and when the latest version of the Thruxton was revealed, we were all smitten. Not everyone likes the café racer design, but you can’t help but appreciate how stunning this motorcycle looks in the flesh – and out on the road.

The styling and attention to detail is second to none on the Thruxton – it’s simply exquisite! Triumph has put in a lot of time and effort into this bike – something that’s evident by the sheer level of detail, and all of this creates an end product that’s truly excellent.

But, apart from its beauty, the Thruxton is also a beautifully engineered motorcycle. Triumph’s 1,200cc parallel twin engine, which is also found on the T120, is a very quick motor. In the Thruxton, it’s got a lightened crank, and is very refined thanks to a good electronics package. It’s not a rough and brute unit, instead it’s an elegant motor with bags of refinement. The acceleration is certainly a thrill, and there’s enough power for you to have an unlimited dose of fun – even on the track.

The riding stance is aggressive because of the clip-on handle-bars, so it’s certainly not advisable for long rides. But the seat still manages to be comfortable enough for daily riding. The Thruxton models also have the same dimensions and wheelbase as the Speed Triple, which has been done on purpose to improve handling. The chassis is very well balanced, and in the Thruxton R you get Ohlins shocks and Showa BPF suspension, which do a wonderful job. You also get Brembo brakes for even more sporting prowess. The R also gets traction control, three power modes and ABS as standard.

This British two-wheeler manufacturer has consistently been churning out products that redefine their class, and the Thruxton R is no different. It’ll certainly be able to convert anyone into a believer of modern cafe racers – even if you aren’t a fan of the classic design. Out of all the bikes we had at the track, the Thruxton was the fastest, the most fun, and the most beautiful – which is why it was the leader on the scoring sheet.

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