Thruxton is a well-known racing circuit in Hampshire and following the 1969 success of a first, second and third-placed romp home for Triumph in the Thruxton 500 (a 500-mile endurance race), a series of very special racing Bonnevilles was born.

The Bonneville Thruxtons back then were essentially racers for the road with tuned engines and a pared-down style that inspired the café racing street motorcyclists of the time. Over thirty years later that essence of raw motorcycling and svelte café-racer lines is still very much a magnetic draw. Now, in 2004, a new breed of Triumph Thruxton is ready to inspire a new generation of road riders.

To create the new Thruxton 900 the Bonneville’s 790cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine was enlarged to 865cc. Then tuned with new cams, new carburettors and megaphone-style exhausts for more power and torque, everywhere. The Thruxton’s engine has a peak power output of 70PS (69bhp) at 7,250rpm. Peak torque of 72Nm (53ft.lbf) is found at 5,750rpm. Polished engine covers add to the Thruxton’s appeal, as do clip-on handlebars and rearward-set footpegs.

Revised telescopic forks and longer rear shocks (both with preload adjustment) enhance the suspension action and compliance while sharper steering geometry aids responsive handling. A fully floating front disc and twin-piston brake caliper provide powerful, yet sensitive, braking performance. The tubular steel twin cradle frame and box section swingarm are more than capable of making use of the engine’s increased power output. Finishing off the new Thruxton is a shorty front mudguard and evocatively shaped seat hump, further reinforcing the bike’s café-racer appeal.

Colour options available are Jet Black or Sunset Red, both with a chequered-flag tank graphic and silver mudguards, and both complement the bike’s clean lines. With a name that holds real magic for Triumph, from a very different era, the new Thruxton is a machine built for sheer riding pleasure. And it is as elementally beautiful now as it was then.

ENGINE
Type
Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360º firing interval

Capacity
865cc

Bore/Stroke
90 x 68mm

Compression Ratio
10.2:1

Fuel System
Twin carburettors with throttle position sensor and electric carburettor heaters

Ignition
Digital – inductive type

CYCLE PARTS

Frame
Tubular steel cradle

Swingarm
Twin-sided, tubular steel

Wheels
Front 36-spoke, 18 x 2.5in
Rear 40-spoke, 17 x 3.5in

Tyres
Front 100/90 R 18
Rear 130/80 R17

Suspension
Front 41mm forks with adjustable preload
Rear Chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload

Brakes
Front Single 320mm floating disc, 2 piston caliper
Rear Single 255mm disc, 2 piston caliper

DIMENSIONS

Length
2212mm (87.1in)
Width (Handlebars)
714mm (28.1in)
Height
1170mm (46.1in)
Seat Height
790mm (31.1in)
Wheelbase
1477mm (58.1in)
Weight (Dry)
205kg (451lb)
Fuel Tank Capacity
16 litres (4.2 gal US)

PERFORMANCE (MEASURED AT CRANKSHAFT TO DIN 70020)

Maximum Power
70PS (69bhp) at 7,250 rpm
Maximum Torque
72Nm (53ft.lbf) at 5,750 rpm

COLOURS
Jet Black / Silver, Sunset Red / Silver