TRIUMPH

Thruxton RS, test, price, technical sheet and first impressions

If Triumph also stands out for something of fierce competition, it is because of its firm and broad commitment to vintage, retro or, as the same brand calls it, Modern Classic. But now, in addition, the British firm confirms the greater specialization of its products with the Thruxton RS, where appropriate in the sports field, and like they did last season with the Scrambler 1200 range fruit of their recognized skills for off road despite being retro style models.
Our protagonist, Triumph Thruxton RS, is an even sportier version if it is possible that the previous Thruxton R version confirms the improvements received both in the engine and, to a lesser extent, in the cycle part. In addition to its optimized effectiveness, the Thruxton RS will now assume the full weight of the British retro sports range alone by taking over from the previous two versions, which coexisted during these last three seasons and now both Thruxton R and the catalog disappear from the catalog. standard version Something that, by the way, in addition to raising the bar of the British retro sports offer, will also facilitate the work of newspapers in the moment of having to relate the trajectory of the model in this last and current stage of the Thruxton model with the displacement of 1,200 cc .
This evolution Thruxton RS offers greater sports efficiency by increasing performance and reducing its weight.



By the way, its name has its origin in the Thruxton 500, resistance competition that was played in Britain in the first half of the twentieth century. All the models that have carried that denomination have always been inspired by the world of racing. With multiple participations and sound victories, for example, in the Tourist Trophy of the Isle of Man or in Montjuic (Barcelona), and of course in the no less mythical neighborhood races that originated what we know today as Café Racer, and whose definition perfectly describes the Thruxton RS.

TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS, CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS
The Thruxton RS takes the mechanical basis of the previous Thruxton R version but in which a series of modifications have been applied that have led to a significant improvement in the weight / power ratio by increasing the engine performance together with a weight reduction. In addition to being a model that is approved as Euro5, so its engine is even more efficient for environmental purposes.
These improvements have focused, as we say, on the one hand on the engine by increasing its performance by 8 hp; A maximum of 105 hp at 7,500 rpm is now declared for the twin-cylinder, as a result of the increase in the compression ratio and has increased from 11.4: 1 to 12.06: 1. The valves and the profile of the combustion chambers have been checked, as well as the secondary air system. The internal inertia of the engine has also been reduced by 20% - as Speed ​​Twin, a novelty of last season, has already premiered - having installed a lighter crankshaft and still has an architecture with 270 ° offset wrist; Check the balance axes and even the clutch.



Announcing an identical figure for the maximum torque of 112 Nm (11.4 kgm) than in the previous Thruxton but now available 700 laps earlier, at 4,250 rpm.
The twin-cylinder also declares reaching 500 rpm more than maximum speed, although in the units available in the presentation the red zone was still at 7,000 rpm. In addition, in the comparative graphics of performance between both engines we can see a difference of one thousand turns between the data recorded in the ignition cut. And during the test we verified that the needle was still reaching 8,000 rpm as in the previous versions. We will leave doubts about it as soon as we have the opportunity to put the test unit in the bank.
In addition, the three available driving modes: Sport, Road and Rain, have been optimized. These modify the response of the engine, as well as the operation of traction control and ABS.



Weight reduction has been another objective of the novelty. That declares a reduction of 5 kg with respect to the Thruxton R, the lightest version - which already lowered 3 kg over the standard version - and that place it below the 200 kg barrier when declaring a total of 197 kg in The empty weight measurement. This reduction has been feasible by the incorporation of the aforementioned new crankshaft and clutch, as well as having built the engine with its thinner walls, among other details.
In the cycle part the improvements have focused on reinforcing the brake system of the front train, which incorporates more effective Brembo M50 front brake calipers that replace the previous M4.32 monoblocks of the same brand and now bite some discs of larger diameter (320 mm). As well as the standard assembly of the most sporty Metzeler Racetec RR tires.

TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS, SUITABLE CHROMATIC DETAILS
The Thruxton RS inherits the frame and suspensions of the R version, are fully adjustable on both axes and are composed of the Showa BPF fork with 43 mm bars and a pair of Öhlins shock absorbers. In these the change has affected the color of the springs, which are now painted in a more discreet black color instead of the more corporate yellow of before; and in which, in addition, the famous Ö has been labeled in its interior in sight through the docks.



The tires also remain 32 spokes but now their fences are painted in black. The same color that now dominates the engine paint when it reaches its side covers and crankcases. His key of contact brings a detail painted in red, as in the most exclusive creations of the models TFC (Triumph Factory Custom). The color offer is reduced compared to the previous Thruxton, by having this new version with only a couple of color options: the already known bright black (Jet Black) and the unprecedented combination of matt gray (Matt Storm Gray and Matt Silver Ice ); and that by the way does not make any difference in price between them. Of course, it experiences an increase of the order of € 700 with respect to the Thruxton R raising its price to € 17,000. A considerable figure and will limit its marketing to those only truly interested in British coffee racer. And that will be available in Spain from next March.



TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS, EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE AND, THEREFORE, FUN
Without changes in its ergonomics, ** the position at the controls remains quite sporty but without being especially radical **. The hands are not very low but if something closed the angle formed between them, as well as having a correct separation for its purpose, which allows to dominate the front train without further notice and that at no time was nervous. Both handles allow its regulation in distance; and the one of the clutch does not offer a special hardness when operating it in spite of its extensive control by cable, when locating the cam of the engine below this one.
The position of the stirrups is in line with their intentions of enjoyment in sports plan and are aligned with the seat, so they are somewhat delayed but too much; yes, they are somewhat high with the aim of not touching with the asphalt easily their warnings. These are very small and only have the screw head and dispense with the usual rod. The seat retains its forms by way of racing collars at its rear, which makes it easier to rest on the most vertical part, for example by taking advantage of the full potential of the renewed engine thrust. Its surface is wide and does not yield too much to our weight when distributed, which favors your comfort for longer. He did not raise the slightest hint of discomfort during the entertaining day of testing.



Contact and the renewed bi-cylinder comes alive when acting on the starter switch, and that also acts as an emergency stop switch, with a discreet sound but that processes the pulse of its pistons open at 270º. Running on it the sound of leaks or the engine is very striking. Not so the push, especially in the middle regime, and that his forcefulness will not leave anyone indifferent, not because of its immediacy but because of the total force transmitted.
The change of gears we already knew and has that particular touch that does not present a special hardness in the insertions with the lever but requires decision, a gear will not get in error when rubbing with the boot, and they are always accompanied by a slight “clonck ”Confirming the insertion. The staggering between the relations is very correct, although the power of the engine allows us to make mistakes when it comes to recovering the required speed and that will resolve with a mere matter of time.



The day was presented with the wet firm in much of the route, so it was not the day to take many trusts with the asphalt. Although the Metzeler Racetec RR did not give us any fright and transmit everything that is happening under them in contact with the asphalt. As when at the exit of a turn we appreciate a slight slide in the rear train and that it did not even activate traction control (we understand that there was no difference in speed between both trains), at which time we decided to rule out the use of mode of Sport driving, with all its forcefulness when opening the gas and that gets to bother in those slight openings with the command, by the most foreseen for security purposes Rain mode, of sweeter response for the engine but that does not detract maximum performance. Changes in driving modes only require pressing the corresponding button on the left pineapple and confirming it by pressing the clutch lever. For us, with a closely impaired view, his witness in the watch box barely allowed us to see it going.



The best face of the engine response is found in the media, starting at 4,000 rpm and up to 6,000 rpm and even beyond, where we see that the needle rises eagerly and twists to 8,000 rpm. A thousand laps above where the “forbidden” zone begins and that, as we say, when consulting the acquisition of data from previous versions, we verified that the tachometer worked the same and with a maximum registered speed of 7,330 rpm. So we are looking forward to putting this new version on the test bench to see how much the performance improvement is encrypted. By recovering with the last ratio below 2,000 rpm the male two-cylinder and snorts by not being comfortable with such a requirement but ends up demonstrating its pundonor and allows to recover the speed. Outside these extremes of use it does not transmit any vibration either in it or in any of the components of the Thruxton RS, such as in mirrors.
If we propose it, in the changes of grade we can make the front train wait just by giving a little more gas, but it is immediately interrupted by the action of the traction control. Also the departures thoroughly from standstill lighten the front train somewhat by applying that increase in power to the rear wheel.
The frame gives confidence and agility, for its configuration as a mechanic of the retro type and weight, together with an enviable stability at any speed. In curve the sensations are similar, where we can take advantage of all the performance of the enhanced front brake system, which was dosable and very mordant but, above all, did not faint at any time. Although it was not the most demanding day for them due to the wet circumstances described. In addition, the ABS does not interfere except in the strictly necessary case, that is, due to poor adhesion and excess demand with the brakes.



Without major changes announced, the suspensions work firmly but without sacrificing comfort. They do not sink to excess due to the sudden use of both the brake and the accelerator, in the front and rear train respectively. Of course, our clothing for the "full leather" occasion, in the purest Mad Max style, caused us to slip something on the upholstery of the seat; Of course, the freedom and fluidity of body movements is absolute and nothing interferes with the Thruxton RS. The vision through the mirrors is correct and only involves lowering the view somewhat, but due to the sporting position we are already crouching it does not mean the biggest setback. In addition, nothing vibrates and its situation right at the ends of the semi-handlebars favors being able to view in detail everything that happens behind our backs.
The Thruxton RS does not have any glimpse for aerodynamic protection as it comes from strict series, but it is also not the most suitable model for hunting speed records. The necessary shrunk position to be able to enjoy all its potential in some way alleviates this aspect. Logically, after a good while running the hands resent something when going in a closed position.



During this first contact we had the opportunity to carry out a consumption test, although it was not strict due to the priority of testing the novelty as intensely as possible and in the environmental conditions already described. The result after a couple of refueling was an average estimated expense of about 5.9 liters. What supposes an average autonomy of the order of approximately 250 km. On the other hand, in the table of clocks it informed an average expense that would allow to travel 51.6 miles for each gallon (imperial) of gasoline (4.5 liters), being these units of the presentation models with Anglo-Saxon specifications; and whose equivalence would be a declared consumption of 5.4 liters per 100 km.
In the most practical aspect, under your seat there is barely room for the most concise documentation, but it retains the power socket with USB format and that will allow us to charge the phone or a GPS if necessary.



TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS, UP TO 80 AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES
As usual, the degree of customization of the model without leaving the official dealer is more than considerable with the 80 extras designed for the Thruxton RS. Highlighting some accessories such as the semi-refined upper, front screen, lower semi-handlebars, different types of more open and lighter mufflers, seats, engine fenders, travel bags and a long etcetera that, of course, ** include the rear footrests to be able to take the passenger. Be careful with this because if the intention is to enjoy it as a duo, you must request in its technical file that it is approved ** for two people, since in principle the Thruxton RS comes as a single-seater.

TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS, CONCLUSION
Obviously, the Thruxton RS is a very special product and a clear example of a niche market model such as that of retro style sports or racer coffee. The adherents will not be disappointed, because of the improvements that they have incorporated and that are defined in greater efficiency and, therefore, greater fun at their controls. Although we do not suffer it, surely your engine continues to transmit all the heat or even more due to the increase in performance and efficiency that you have experienced, but in this first contact that has supposed to roll with just twelve degrees of maximum ambient temperature this Once the handicap has not been remembered and suffered in the previous versions. The price is in line with its more direct competition but since it is novelty it is somewhat higher than in those - as a curiosity, in the German market its price is one thousand euros lower than in Spain and justified by being an important place in which there are Many sales are at stake - but you have to take into account the optimization of your mechanics and that, in addition, arrives with your obligations fulfilled for the purposes of the new Euro5 regulations.

Marcos Blanco, Spain