Something of a mixed post. First of all, do all Thruxton Rs pop and spit out the exhaust on the overrun? Mine has always done this, but with some mods to the mufflers, it is now more audible. I don't believe it's worse, just more noticeable due to the slightly louder noise level overall. I know most Rs do this, but can it be eliminated? I believe Triumph did this deliberately in the mistaken belief all R owners want their bike popping and banging on the overrun like a bike with seriously bad fuelling, but I for one would prefer to do without it as it sounds, well, rubbish. Is there any way to get rid of this? Then The other day after filling up, as I rode off I noticed a whole array of warning lights showing on the dash. So I stopped and switched off, confident there was no mechanical problem and hoping a restart would fix it. But I couldn't restart the bike as the starter button was entirely ineffectual. After some time spent stabbing the button in different ways, I concluded this was an immobiliser problem and took the key out of the ignition and away from the bike. On returning and inserting the key etc, the bike started no problem. But still some lights on that shouldn't have been. So I booked it in for its first service and left it till then. The dealer stated an ECU update had been performed and that was supposed to correct a few issues like mine and indeed it has not re-occured. But... I previously used to run on the 'Road' mode all the time as I found it worked well for me and handy as it always defaults to that after being turned off. But after that service, I find the bike hesitant as I start off. It's almost as if there's a big flat spot in the fuelling as I open the throttle, but it then clears and accelerates as it should. Almost like Triumph try to soften 'Sport' mode to the 'Road' mode by simply delaying the throttle action which is not good. It's horrible in fact. So I tend now to use 'Sport' as that doesn't exhibit that problem, but it's not as good as 'Road' used to be. And there lies the rub (as someone said), it used to be better. Perfect in fact. 'Road' mode was ideal, with 'Sport' available when required. But 'Road' is now pretty horrid. Has anyone else had this problem, when a simple service included an update that obviously introduce new mapping that is simply worse than before? This was about a month ago. Has there been an update that other R owners find has been detrimental to the smooth running of their bike?
The popping and banging is due to the SAI system injecting air into the exhaust to prevent unburnt fuel destroying the cat, it isn’t Triumph’s fault, it’s to make the bike Euro 4compliant. It can be turned off, I believe using Tunecu but I’ve left mine on(Speed Triple) as I like it. Each time the bike goes in for service and it’s hooked up to the computer it has to have the latest Ecu update installed in order for the tech to complete the autoscan. If the latest version isn’t installed the autoscan cannot be completed. There have been about 7or 8 updates already this year. You clearly have some issues with a new bike shouldn’t be having, warning lights and poor running, etc. The best course of action is to let the dealer have the bike back and sort it isn’t it??
I don't think it's anything to do with that. If it was, all bikes would do it and they don't. No, I think this is thought of as a 'feature'. Indeed, you like it, but there's no need for it and I find it irritating. When I looked, TuneEcu seemed to specifically state it doesn't work on the Thruxton R. Is that wrong? Well, as I said, that's what I did and it was returned with the warning light problem fixed as it was a known issue, cured by the update. As for the fuel mapping, sounds like I need to wait for a better update from Triumph before it's worth taking back to the dealer. However, I was interested to know if anyone else has found the latest update (at this time) to be slightly worse than the original.
My "R" also "pops" quite a lot on overrun as well but after removing the cat and fitting the baffleless Remus mufflers i expected this. It doesn't have any affect on the performance of mine at all. My BMW K100 back in 1985 also displayed this characteristic after fitting an aftermarket muffler.
I get the impression they all do it (Thruxton Rs that is), even with stock exhaust. I have even heard Triumph claiming they programmed it to do so to add 'character'. Mine certainly did it from new, but I am more aware of it now with a lightly louder exhaust. I don't believe it does it any more though. Just more noticeable.
My Thruxton standard with the uk Vance and Hines pops like a goodun so it’s not just the R. my old Daytona 675r also did it in standard set up but not once a pcv was fitted just a satisfying growl. So maybe some fuelling adjustments need to be made, my guess to eliminate fuelling issues caused by the government. On another thread people are recommending Hilltop performance, personally I’ve had lots of success with Power Commanders. The choice is yours!
The Thruxton R and all the new liquid cooled motors for that matter do not have the air injection system in the exhaust. Popping is usually one of or a combination of two things. 1) Exhaust air leak 2) Overly lean mixture (Air fuel ratio) on closed throttle. Best way to get rid of it is to fit a Power Commander V and richen the mixture up slightly on closed throttle and make sure you have no air leaks in the exhaust system which is not easy with around 9 gaskets.