Unique Bikes & Auction: Thruxton 1200 Twin

By: Guy Allen, Photography by: UC Files

Date: 11.12.2023

Triumph is farewelling the Thruxton 1200 Twin.

What's happening in the world of two wheels?

it’s not often you’ll hear of a maker making a fuss about retiring a model name, but that’s what has happened with Triumph and its Thruxton nameplate.

Rather than just let it quietly fade into the distance, the company has announced a final edition, which is a 1200 in premium RS spec, with special paint and graphics. 

But first, a little background. The name emerged way back in 1965 at the Meriden factory, for the Bonneville Thruxton – a race-prepared version of the 650 T120 twin.

It took until 2004 for the plate to be revived, when it was attached to a cafe racer variant, of the Bonneville 900 platform. In 2016 it got promoted to a cafe racer version of the Bonneville 1200 series.

Triumph built up-spec versions called the R and then the RS, which featured better suspension and brakes.

Anyone who rode the R and RS will tell you they were impressive machines – not the most powerful at 100-ish horsepower, but with lovely road manners.

We must admit to being surprised to hear the company was retiring the name and no explanation has been offered. However, Triumph is in the throes of launching a whole new range of single-cylinder machines, including a line of dirt bikes with competition ambitions.

Therefore, we suspect the company has decided to rationalise its range a little, dropping nameplates that weren’t volume sellers.

The final edition runs a 1200cc fuel-injected parallel twin claiming 103hp (77kW) at 7500rpm and a torque figure of 112Nm at 4250rpm. As the numbers suggest, the performance is really about mid-range.

That’s matched to a six-speed transmission. 

The chassis runs a premium Showa ‘big piston’ fork up front, matched to Ohlins twin shocks at the rear.

Brembo supplies the braking, with radial-mount four-spotters up front, with ABS. 

Triumph has priced it at $28,100 on the road. Add close to $2000 for the accessory fairing, which we reckon is a must.

The company says volume will be low and each example comes with a certificate signed by Triumph CEO Nick Bloor. Deliveries are expected in May 2024. 

For more, visit AllMoto.com.au

MARKET NEWS

Ducati's original Hailwood replica is a great example of the fickle nature of the motorcycle market – particularly when it comes to models that the buying public is a little ambivalent about.

Launched in 1979, it was a tribute to Mike Hailwood’s 1978 F1 victory at the Isle of Man. It was an incredible result, given it was a comeback ride on a dealer-prepared 900SS and no-one seriously expected him to get a podium place, let alone a victory.

Several iterations of the Mike Hailwood Replica (MHR) were produced in 900 and 1000 (Mille) form through to 1986.

Prices have fluctuated enormously over time, and this recent sale through Collecting Cars was an eye-opener at $45,000.

From Unique Cars #485, Nov 2023

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