The Triumph Thruxton 900 is a British motorcycle made by Triumph Motorcycles. Launched in 2004, it was named after Thruxton racing circuit where Triumph won the first three places in the Thruxton 500 mile endurance race in 1969, establishing the "café racer" era where standard production motorcycles were modified to improve racing performance.DevelopmentTriumph's designers had developed the successful Triumph Bonneville, adding clip-on handlebars and rear set controls, with a small fly-screen, a cowl for the rear seat and 'Megaphone' silencers. Instruments were faced in white and a chequered stripe completed the "café racer" look. Beginning in 2007 a new solid colour stripe was used, featuring a broad centre stripe flanked by two thin stripes.
The engine was also upgraded with new cams and pistons increased by 90 mm, taking capacity to 865 cc and power up to 70 bhp (52 kW). Unlike the original Thruxton the new version is based on, which boasted top speeds over 140 mph (230 km/h), the new Thruxton tops out at 120 mph (190 km/h).
The frame is a tubular steel cradle with a twin-sided swingarm and traditional spoked wheels, 36-spoke (18 x 2.5 inch) front and 40-spoke (17 x 3.5 inch) rear. Front suspension has 41 mm forks with adjustable pre-loading and rear has chrome spring twin shock absorbers with adjustable pre-load. Front brakes are a single 320 mm floating disc and rear a smaller 255 mm disc, both with twin piston callipers.
Triumph Thruxton Cup ChallengeIn 2005, Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. and the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) developed the Triumph Thruxton Cup Challenge at Pueblo Motorsports Park in Colorado as a “spec” class race limited to the Triumph Thruxton 900. Ted “Cannonball” Cobb, won the inaugural cup |
