MOTORCYCLE OF THE YEAR 2016 FINALIST – Triumph Thruxton R

What they have in common is that they all stood out from the two-wheeled crowd in 2016. Each scored an invite to AMCN’s annual MOTY ride, which this year took in the Great Ocean Road and some of the best scratching roads in the Otway Ranges. Saddle up…

Triumph Thruxton R

It was difficult to decide which of Triumph’s new armoury of post-modern-classic metal would be nominated for MOTY 2016. They are all sensational examples of thoughtful design, intelligent engineering and quality finishing. Not to mention bang-on funky styling. In the end, we couldn’t look past the sell-out success of the top Trump, the Thruxton R.

Although they aren’t actually sold out, there is an extremely long line of Bonnie lovers you’ll have to tuck into the slipstream of before you’ll get your own 21st-century Ton-Up fix. And we’re happy to tell you that it’ll be well worth the wait. Don’t listen to the crusty-old flat-cap wearing know-it-all who proclaims “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”. Because he’s absolutely right. They don’t. They make ’em much better.

Looking like a throwback never felt so good, or propelled you with such velocity into the future. The high-power version of the new 1200cc Bonneville motor has given the Thruxton the fruit to keep most modern bikes honest between the bends, and its rock-solid chassis, blessed with modern geometry, lets you nibble back any ground lost when the road puckers up. That chassis may be a little too firmly sprung for some – this is a café racer after all – but no one complained of a sore bum, or showed a skerrick of reluctance to jump on the Thruxton R when their turn came around. Quite the opposite.

Despite a similar lay-down stance to the 21st-century café racer ZX-10R, the Thruxton R attracted far more willingness from riders to be wedged into attack position than the Ninja. It seems that prostrating yourself as a human missile is a far more attractive proposition when you are on a road rocket you can realistically control. The Thruxton is more than happy for you to leave it in top gear and ride the tide of torque all the way from 20 to 200km/h. No surprises, just beaming smiles.

It’s a sign of the times that retro-styled modern classics have become modern enough to include electronics which aren’t yet even fitted to some current model supersport bikes. How must the poor antiquated Daytona 675 feel sitting in the Triumph showroom next to its ride-by-wire, traction-controlled retro café racer cousin?

Opinions will vary, but the truth is modern technology can be adapted to old-school styling without detracting from the theme or feel we all seem to love about these retro machines. In fact, it can enhance the experience, make it safer, cheaper to run, and more reliable. There’s also the small matter of it being a necessity to get these models through future emissions regulations. If we want our new old bikes, they are going to have to move with the times. Triumph is not only moving with the times, they are well ahead of the game. Not only that, they have released an entire new range within one year.

Second Ops

Steve Martin

I love the way the Thruxton R makes me feel. On an early morning jaunt through the back blocks there’s nothing better than the sound of the 270^o-cranked twin. It’s not a powerhouse, but there is enough to keep me happy. It’s all in the right area, in the bottom to midrange.

I loved the suspension and its capability to absorb Australia’s backroad bumps. It performed above my expectations for a bike in this sector. It can trick people into thinking it’s a genuine classic, but at the same time out-carve some much fancier machinery, and yet it still retains that old-school swagger with just enough vibes and twitches to make you feel alive. If you want a reliable bike that handles well, sounds good, looks cool, and maybe also helps to relive your youth, this is the one.

Paul McCann

Up until now, retro bikes could be forgiven for handling and performing like ‘classic’ bikes. Triumph’s Thruxton R has changed all that and established a new benchmark for imitators that will be very tough to beat.

Chris Dobie

I once believed that a true café racer needed to be a mid-capacity stripped-down bike that uses lightness to overcome its power disadvantage. My thoughts have been completely changed with the Thruxton R. A big grunty engine in a café racer does work, but only if it is done correctly, and that’s what Triumph has achieved. In the looks department, only the XDiavel S could match it in this year’s MOTY line-up. The attention to detail is impressive and, despite it having blingy suspension and brakes, the feel from the cockpit is all retro – until you twist the throttle, then it’s all 21st-century grunt.