Thruxton Buy New Thruxton S Or Used Thruxton R

Hey Donald, have you decided yet?
I should add, I like new, that way you can be fairly sure no one has bodged anything under the skin, though I still believe that the extra few bob is worth it for (to quote from Triumphs website)...

Launched to international acclaim, the Thruxton R is arguably the most thrilling and full-blooded sports classic you can buy today. Building on the phenomenal Thruxton foundation, the ‘R’ takes things to a whole new level with a more engaged riding position from the kicked-up back end and smaller diameter grips, plus higher specification brakes, tyres and suspension, and beautiful styling details, like the stainless steel tank strap and polished top yoke.

Whichever one you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy!!

 

It is great that you have a choice. Which ever you decide on I'm sure you will love it to bits......

 

Well you’ve had every bit of advice from owners of both.
Don’t take any notice of either and ride em and go with your gut feeling, your gut feeling rules the head.

Have fun deciding

 

Hi Donald! What a great choice to have. I had a 2016 Thruxton R and loved it! I traded it for a Speed Triple but if my garage was bigger I'd still have it. But...if you're still considering that bike be sure that it was serviced for a safety recall. The recall in the U.S. came out around Nov-Dec 2016 and was for a fuel pump sub-harness. I got my all fixed up nicely and never had issues but I'd check to be sure that there's documentation that service was completed. Good luck with your choice. Both are terrific. When all is said and done, go with your gut! And let us know what you chose please and post a pic or two.

 

Haven’t ridden an ‘S’ so unable to comment, but do own an ‘R’ & love it. The ohlins, Showa forks & brembo brakes are worth every extra penny. I would say though, if you soften the front end set up for comfort it makes a big difference when riding around on a daily basis. Handling 10/10. Power & torque (after re-map) 10/10. Brakes 10/10.
Looks 11/10

 

I own a DCT along with the T120.
As a comparison I love both machines but I have dove lots of mods to both so they work for me but in different ways as they are both very different bikes.
I like the Thruxton myself and would consider the R, but I have heard that Ohlins are a harder ride. The bonny was horrible on the front which has been changed now, something that maybe on the standard Thruxton.
My DCT has smaller wheels for better handling so both bikes now corner better.
Personally I go for a Thruxton with the most on it for the best price, there's enough out there.

 

I would say there's everything to gain and (almost) nothing to lose from test-riding both if you can. I had a three-hour test ride on a 1200 and then a two-hour test ride on a 1200R. For the 1200 the dealer charged me £10 but for the 1200R (a different dealer) he waived the fee. You might be better with two one-hour rides back-to-back - mine were two weeks apart which made it difficult to make comparisons... but I wasn't expecting to get the second ride. The riding position is identical. The engine is identical. The brakes and suspension are upgraded on the R. And the R has various bits of bling as I'm sure you know. I'm glad I got the R but while I'm riding it doesn't really make much difference - I'm not racing or doing track days. One thing I didn't like on the 1200 was having the mode switch on the right-hand switch-gear - it was really awkward to reach. Other than that, if I'm honest, it was mainly the bling that made me go for the R.

 

As far as the suspension is concerned, I had the ‘R’ shocks revalved d for softer damping and fitted harder sprints for my weight and the Ohlins cartridges in the forks have a greater range of adjustments than the ‘R’’ Showa big piston forks.

I’ve ridden both in standard form and did find the ‘R’ a little hard and didn’t ride fast oscillating bumps very well.
The standard ‘S’ on the other hand was also a little abrupt on its damping but you can only adjust the pre load on the rear springs

With the mods made to both ends my ‘S’ is simply stunning to ride ( but I would say that) but it really is soft and really controlled no pitching and diving, no bouncing off bumps just perfect

 

Around 220 pounds, no snappiness on the throttle unless I use sport, I just leave it in road mode.
As said before if you buy the ‘S’ I would recommend suspension changes but even after doing this it still works out 2k uk pounds less.

 

Not as exiting as a 636 but way better than an Africa twin.
It’s more of an in between bike, I still like sportsbikes but my reflexes and vision is not good enough for 200 bhp so the Thruxton fits the bill for me slower but handles well enough for fun

 

Go with your gut feeling it’s generally right

 

I have just purchased a 2016 R this weekend (loving it btw!), but while looking round for the right one I spoke to lots of triumph dealers about a new one and the best price I got offered for a brand new unregistered R in grey was £10500 on the road with a cheap first service and obviously the full 2 year warranty.