First Triumph Thruxton Test

[Paulb_imp]

Triumph Thruxton R launch report

MCN have published a full 5 page test on the new Thruxton today and give it a 5 star rating. Their only criticism was that the side stand was tricky to operate when wearing race boots !!

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

That is one good looking bike. About 10 horses on the CB, and a really quality set up.
How does cost compare in the UK?

Cheers

 

[Paulb_imp]

That is one good looking bike. About 10 horses on the CB, and a really quality set up.
How does cost compare in the UK?

Cheers

The standard Thruxton is the same price as the CB1100 and this model, the R, is £1300 more ( $1850 ) more expensive.

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Wow. That is serious food for thought for the "retro" buyer.

Cheers

 

[CB4ME_imp]

Less than 450 lbs dry and 96 hp? Sweet!

 

[alphonsus_imp]

I think this Thruxton looks beautiful and by the sounds of the early reviews, it's a great ride too.

There are similarities with the CB, but largely I think it's a different target market. The Thruxton is much more sporty, has clip-ons and aggressive riding position, no luggage options, even a pillion seat is an optional extra. To me the CB11 is infinitely more useful since it's my only bike. Having said that 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).

 

[the Ferret]

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.

 

[Capo]

I think this Thruxton looks beautiful and by the sounds of the early reviews, it's a great ride too.

There are similarities with the CB, but largely I think it's a different target market. The Thruxton is much more sporty, has clip-ons and aggressive riding position, no luggage options, even a pillion seat is an optional extra. To me the CB11 is infinitely more useful since it's my only bike. Having said that 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).

The Thruxton has all of the above, the Thruxton R is solo- oriented. As a variant of the Bonnie range, there are plenty of options for the more sedate, cruise- oriented rider.


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[Paulb_imp]

I think this Thruxton looks beautiful and by the sounds of the early reviews, it's a great ride too.

There are similarities with the CB, but largely I think it's a different target market. The Thruxton is much more sporty, has clip-ons and aggressive riding position, no luggage options, even a pillion seat is an optional extra. To me the CB11 is infinitely more useful since it's my only bike. Having said that 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).

The new Bonneville will be direct competition to the CB1100 and it will sell shed loads, the name alone will be enough to encourage many people to buy it. But I would say that I consider the CB1100 to be an honest retro design whereas the Triumph still has false carbs with a choke knob! It also has cooling fins although the factory claim the fins do actually do some of the work

 

[jrns_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).

That's an interesting point Ferret...the first thing I thought of when viewing the bike was the visual similarity to the R9T..

 

[Pterodactyl_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.

 

[Paulb_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).

That's an interesting point Ferret...the first thing I thought of when viewing the bike was the visual similarity to the R9T..

The MCN test mentions the R9T as close competition but goes on to say that the Triumph has the better (smoother) engine and has adopted more electronic trickery and thereby successfully combined a retro look with modern technology.

 

[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.

 

[alphonsus_imp]

Ferret, I don't have worldwide sales figures, but sales figures for the UK are publicly available. The UK is of course a biased market (especially towards Triumph), but still it's an indication of some sort.

In the UK, the sales figures were as follows:
CB1100 (all versions combined)
2013: 154
2014: 77
2015 (up to September): 97

BMW R9T
2014: 448
2015 (up to September): 647

So the R9T sold three times as many as the CB11, in less time, and at a much higher price.

As for the Triumph the current Thruxton is a very old model, and far inferior to the new one technology wise, and still it sold over 200 in each of the last three years:
2013: 206
2014: 261
2015 (up to September): 224

source:
HONDA CB 1100 A-D - How Many Left?
HONDA CB 1100 SA-E - How Many Left?
BMW R NINET - How Many Left?
TRIUMPH THRUXTON - How Many Left?

 

[the Ferret]

Man I wish we could get those numbers worldwide, and particularly in the US. Wonder what those numbers would look like in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Viet Nam, etc.

I am actually amazed at those numbers, particularly for the BMW in 2015.

Interesting that except for Triumph, all numbers were up for 2015 over 2014 by a good percentage. I wonder if Triumph was behind due to rumors of the new one coming out in 2016

 

[alphonsus_imp]

I think this Thruxton looks beautiful and by the sounds of the early reviews, it's a great ride too.

There are similarities with the CB, but largely I think it's a different target market. The Thruxton is much more sporty, has clip-ons and aggressive riding position, no luggage options, even a pillion seat is an optional extra. To me the CB11 is infinitely more useful since it's my only bike. Having said that 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).

The Thruxton has all of the above, the Thruxton R is solo- oriented. As a variant of the Bonnie range, there are plenty of options for the more sedate, cruise- oriented rider.


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I could be wrong, but I read this in the Visordown review:
"The Triumph Thruxton and Thruxton R both come with a single-seat unit, with no option to take a passenger unless you buy the dual seat and pillion foot-pegs, available as an accessory."


I certainly agree with you that there are plenty of options within the Bonneville range. I think the Street Twin and the T120 are both more comparable competitors to the CB, and again, I'm sure they will sell bucket loads. They are very nice bikes - but I prefer my CB

 

[Capo]

According to my dealer, 10 Bonnies are sold for each Thruxton in the US market. According to the above source, 1500 of all Bonnie variants were sold in the UK in 2014 and 1300 in 2013. You can attribute some of that gap versus the CB to the home team nature of Triumph. Some of it to consumer preference, and a lot of it to Honda for failing to capture the spirit of such a great bike, in most measures superior to all other retros, and market it appropriately.

 

[the Ferret]

Part of the reason I think the CB had good sales worldwide is the plethora of aftermarket items available...pipes, seats, fenders, windshields, luggage racks and pannier brackets specifically made for the CB 1100 (not universal). If there wasn't a substantial market for these items, aftermarket manufacturers wouldn't bother making them.

 

[Capo]

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!!!

 

[the Ferret]

well we know Honda did NO marketing on the CB and what sales there are, whether good or bad, are in spite of Honda's efforts. Lost opportunity indeed.

I have noticed that every once in awhile I get to see a BMW motorcycle commercial on reg TV.