Triumph Thruxton 1200 R Review
"The finest modern cafe racer available, if you service it properly."
Used Buyer Review
The Thruxton 1200 R is genuinely one of the best modern classics money can buy used, but go in with eyes open. That 1200cc parallel twin pulls hard from low down and sounds absolutely intoxicating through the standard exhausts — it's not fake retro noise, it's the real thing. The Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes on the R spec make it handle far sharper than the cafe styling suggests. This thing will embarrass sportsbikes on a twisty B-road. That said, check the service history religiously. Early 2016-2017 examples had some cam chain tensioner niggles and a few electrical gremlins around the instrument cluster. The riding position is aggressive — clip-ons put serious weight on your wrists on longer runs, so be honest about how far you actually ride. Also budget for tyres because those Pirelli Phantom Sportscomps wear quicker than you'd expect. Find a well-serviced 2018 or newer example with dealer stamps and you're getting a genuinely special motorcycle for serious money under what a new one costs.
Pros
Cons
You commute daily or ride pillion regularly
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