First Triumph Thruxton Test

[RockHop_imp]

Yi I didnt do that right. The sales figure thing I was quoting Alphonso and questioning that statement.i did not make that statement. I dont think the CB sold as miserably as others seem to think, and I dont think Thruxtons or R9ts sold as well as others think.

It may be a matter of perspective..for Honda, lets say 5000 uniits sold world wide (and that may actually be low considering it's 6 year run and 21 or so countries that are represented just on this forum) may not be huge and would be considered by some, a poor seller. But for BMW to sell 5000 r9ts or Triumph to sell 5000 Thruxtons, I think that would be huge and considered a great seller. I'd bet Triumph sells 10 Std Bonnies for every Thruxton it sells.

I really wish mfgs would release those figures so we would know for sure, but alas they don't.

The ratio sounds about right, but I don't think it really matters. At least with the prior models, the Thruxton, Scrambler, and T120 are just cosmetic variations of the Bonneville. When comparing sales you should include the entire Bonneville lineup and not just the Thruxton, IMHO.

As a side note, talking to the local Triumph dealer, there are probably more people who "cafe" the Bonneville instead of buying the Thruxton because they want to run tubeless tires.

[the Ferret]

Yi I didnt do that right. The sales figure thing I was quoting Alphonso and questioning that statement.i did not make that statement. I dont think the CB sold as miserably as others seem to think, and I dont think Thruxtons or R9ts sold as well as others think.

It may be a matter of perspective..for Honda, lets say 5000 uniits sold world wide (and that may actually be low considering it's 6 year run and 21 or so countries that are represented just on this forum) may not be huge and would be considered by some, a poor seller. But for BMW to sell 5000 r9ts or Triumph to sell 5000 Thruxtons, I think that would be huge and considered a great seller. I'd bet Triumph sells 10 Std Bonnies for every Thruxton it sells.

I really wish mfgs would release those figures so we would know for sure, but alas they don't.

The ratio sounds about right, but I don't think it really matters. At least with the prior models, the Thruxton, Scrambler, and T120 are just cosmetic variations of the Bonneville. When comparing sales you should include the entire Bonneville lineup and not just the Thruxton, IMHO.

As a side note, talking to the local Triumph dealer, there are probably more people who "cafe" the Bonneville instead of buying the Thruxton because they want to run tubeless tires.

The ratio sounds about right, but I don't think it really matters. At least with the prior models, the Thruxton, Scrambler, and T120 are just cosmetic variations of the Bonneville. When comparing sales you should include the entire Bonneville lineup and not just the Thruxton, IMHO.

As a side note, talking to the local Triumph dealer, there are probably more people who "cafe" the Bonneville instead of buying the Thruxton because they want to run tubeless tires.
Oh I think they probably sold more Bonnies than CB's, just not more Thruxtons than CB's.

So if I'm right and the CB sold more than the (just the) Thruxton model, does that make the Thruxton a poor seller? If the Thruxton was a poor seller does it make sense for Triumph to spend most of it's efforts on making a 96 HP Thruxton with Brembos and Ohlins while leaving the std Bonnie, their "good seller" with 80 hp and std suspension?

Interesting point about the tubeless tires. My Bonnie had spoked wheels/tubed tires.

[Paulb_imp]

Kinda, yeah, but with Chinese manufacturing, it's not hard to create a run very cheaply. 'Substantial' is subjective. Windshields, cowls, slip ons and other aftermarket items are generally universal with bracket changes. Copy and reproduce a seat pan and foam and leather/ vinyl/ stitch to order is no big deal.

I don't think number sales is the issue. It's the lost opportunity for Honda to have a big stake in the most successful sector of motorcycling right now, Retro or RetroMod bikes. Say what you want, but those dusty 2013 CB's sitting in the corner of dealerships across the US for $6999 is emblematic of missed opportunity to market a fantastic bike with gusto. And to capture enthusiasts for their brand. I suppose you can tell I'm in Marketing!!!

I didn't know the CB1100 existed until I visited a Honda dealership and when I ordered one I had a 7 month wait, not because they were so popular but because so few had been allocated to the UK market. Since owning the bike I've had numerous people congratulating me on keeping my bike in such good condition - they think it is a 1970's bike! There has been hardly any marketing of this bike in the UK, its almost as if Honda want to keep it a secret.

[the Ferret]

I also wonder how Triumphs new Street Twin at $8700 (3 grand less than a std Bonnie) will cut into the Bonnie sales.. OR is Triumph hoping that it's low price will attract NEW buyers into the Triumph family which will then move up to Bonnies and Thruxtons later (sorta like Harley planned for their 500 and 750 street machines)

[jrns_imp]

Since owning the bike I've had numerous people congratulating me on keeping my bike in such good condition - they think it is a 1970's bike! There has been hardly any marketing of this bike in the UK, its almost as if Honda want to keep it a secret.
[/quote]

Interesting- same thing happens to me ...every time .. astonished at the condition I have kept my "restored" bike in...never realizing its a new bike.
which makes me wonder if I ever sold the bike-it would be a difficult process.

[RockHop_imp]

Yi I didnt do that right. The sales figure thing I was quoting Alphonso and questioning that statement.i did not make that statement. I dont think the CB sold as miserably as others seem to think, and I dont think Thruxtons or R9ts sold as well as others think.

It may be a matter of perspective..for Honda, lets say 5000 uniits sold world wide (and that may actually be low considering it's 6 year run and 21 or so countries that are represented just on this forum) may not be huge and would be considered by some, a poor seller. But for BMW to sell 5000 r9ts or Triumph to sell 5000 Thruxtons, I think that would be huge and considered a great seller. I'd bet Triumph sells 10 Std Bonnies for every Thruxton it sells.

I really wish mfgs would release those figures so we would know for sure, but alas they don't.

The ratio sounds about right, but I don't think it really matters. At least with the prior models, the Thruxton, Scrambler, and T120 are just cosmetic variations of the Bonneville. When comparing sales you should include the entire Bonneville lineup and not just the Thruxton, IMHO.

As a side note, talking to the local Triumph dealer, there are probably more people who "cafe" the Bonneville instead of buying the Thruxton because they want to run tubeless tires.

The ratio sounds about right, but I don't think it really matters. At least with the prior models, the Thruxton, Scrambler, and T120 are just cosmetic variations of the Bonneville. When comparing sales you should include the entire Bonneville lineup and not just the Thruxton, IMHO.

As a side note, talking to the local Triumph dealer, there are probably more people who "cafe" the Bonneville instead of buying the Thruxton because they want to run tubeless tires.
Oh I think they probably sold more Bonnies than CB's, just not more Thruxtons than CB's.

So if I'm right and the CB sold more than the (just the) Thruxton model, does that make the Thruxton a poor seller? If the Thruxton was a poor seller does it make sense for Triumph to spend most of it's efforts on making a 96 HP Thruxton with Brembos and Ohlins while leaving the std Bonnie, their "good seller" with 80 hp and std suspension?

Interesting point about the tubeless tires. My Bonnie had spoked wheels/tubed tires.

They haven't forgotten the Bonnie. In addition to the Thruxton and Thruxton R (Brembos and Ohlins), their 2016 models also include the Bonneville T120 and T120 Black with the 1200cc, 96 hp motor. The Street Twin (old Bonnie?) and Scrambler keep the same motor as before.

From their [url=http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/]website, click on Motorcycles on the toolbar to see the model list.

[the Ferret]

from what I have read the T120's do not get the 96 hp, they only get 80 crank hp (16% less hp than the Thruxton)

that would put Street Twin at 50 hp, Scrambler at 58 HP, T120 at 80 hp and Thruxton at 96 hp

[kmoney_imp]

I'm certain the Thruxton will sell a lot more than the CB did. It's more of a competitor to the BMW R9T (which also sold a lot more than the CB).

Alphonsus do you have any numbers to back that up or is that just supposition? I have never seen a Thruxton or 9T on the road, but I have seen 1/2 doz CB's.

Ferret, the inner city boys love those bikes (9T and Thruxtons) and I see a number of them on a regular basis. Some standard, but most Caféd. I have never seen a CB in the wild in Sydney. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Cheers mate.

Ferret, the inner city boys love those bikes (9T and Thruxtons) and I see a number of them on a regular basis. Some standard, but most Caféd. I have never seen a CB in the wild in Sydney. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Cheers mate.
They do seem to love them. When we did the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride this year though probably a third of the bikes (30/90) were Bonevilles or Thruxtons. Triumph held that neo-classic category alone for so long that I think they're going to be pretty hard to dethrone.

[Paulb_imp]

from what I have read the T120's do not get the 96 hp, they only get 80 crank hp (16% less hp than the Thruxton)

that would put Street Twin at 50 hp, Scrambler at 58 HP, T120 at 80 hp and Thruxton at 96 hp

The Street twin has fewer bhp than the old Bonneville but that's only half the story because many manufacturers, especially of retro machines, are much more interested in torque as riders of these bikes want pulling power from low revs. Triumph are making the Bonneville more of a street/tourer and are therefore sacrificing bhp for torque. I'd be happy never to see another bhp figure and just compare the torque statistics.

[the Ferret]

kmoney..how many were R9Ts?

from what I have read the T120's do not get the 96 hp, they only get 80 crank hp (16% less hp than the Thruxton)

that would put Street Twin at 50 hp, Scrambler at 58 HP, T120 at 80 hp and Thruxton at 96 hp

The Street twin has fewer bhp than the old Bonneville but that's only half the story because many manufacturers, especially of retro machines, are much more interested in torque as riders of these bikes want pulling power from low revs. Triumph are making the Bonneville more of a street/tourer and are therefore sacrificing bhp for torque. I'd be happy never to see another bhp figure and just compare the torque statistics.

Paul, I understand completely, however to motorcyclists hp is the number they look at. Just the way it is. The CB got slayed in the press and on forums because it only had 85 ish HP. No one ever mentioned the satisfying 65 ft lbs of torque from 2500 rpms up.

Whenever a bike doesn't have much HP they always mention the torque. They never quote HP for big V twins like Harleys and Indians.. it's always they have 118 ft lbs of torque (not that they have 67 hp)

at least in this country, and apparently the world over.. HP is "all that's important" when talking motorcycles.

No one knows without looking it up how much torque an H2R Kawasaki has, but EVERYONE knows it has 225 hp.