[_WOT]

Currently I only own one motorcycle, a 2018 yamaha r1m dedicated trackbike. For a few years I thought I could be satisfied with only track riding, but I'm starting to get the itch to buzz around the streets. My first bike ever was a junky 1976 honda cb360t, but I just loved the look of the honda cafe racer. After owning a ducati monster, I fell in love with the duc vtwin, and when the sport classic models came out, that became the grail. Too many life complications to buy it when it was released, though I think I'm ready.

But man the chromed out 2023 Thruxton looks great Thruxton RS Chrome Edition

Brembo brakes, showa fork, torquey. And that exhaust burble from the inline twin sounds nearly as good as a vtwin growl.

What do you all think, is the SC still THE old school naked bike to own, despite it being basically a 15yo motorcycle? Given the rise in prices these days I'm really scratching my head. Buy an inflated old bike, which I love, or own a more modern brand new and still great looking bike for about the same cost.

Btw I also love the Norton Commando 961 Norton Commando 961. Same Icon. Different Standard. | Norton Motorcycles but it's probably way more expensive and not even released. It could be a bike that I would not regret forgoing and SC or Thruxton, but at this point it's too theoretical to wait around for.

Would love to hear thoughts

 

[Blitzen]

No question the Thruxton is the better bike. But I'd never give up my SC for a Thruxton.

 

[BOTT]

I put a 1979 T-140 gray model bike [dual discs[, thru its paces decades ago. Best handling bike I ever rode to this day. Have no clue how a duc handles, but if it's close to the Triumph or better, I'd go with the best torque, fuck handling.

I take that back. I did ride a Paso when that came out. I was surprised it dipped when cornering, meaning, you sort of clicked to another steering setting once leaned over. It was just around the block, nothing flat out from corner to corner to see what it really felt like.

 

[ducvet]

Thruxton is...
New.
should have better forks
likely rider modes , abs traction control.
Warranty
Not a plastic gas tank
more power

Sport classic is ...
Going up in value as opposed to the thruxton which will drop for the next decade or so.
bare bones bike no rider aids,fly by wire,abs,traction control.... you are in charge.
lighter weight


I would like them both so it might be a case of you needing to ride them both to decide. The thruxton has the better gas tank but both have tube wheels?
Both can sound good and both can look good.
Both have poor design rear suspension but the RS comes with good shocks (ohlins).

I would ride them both and see what you can find for a sport classic, note there are large differences between a GT1000 and a paul smart seating position. You likely could buy a sport classic spend a year on it and if you change your mind sell it for around what you paid for it and buy the thruxton.
Or
Buy the thruxton and hope the sport classic does not take another price hike while your thruxton value drops, making it even harder to spend good money on a good old bike that is getting to collector values.

 

[JACKIE TREEHORN]

Thruxton is hands down the better bike by every measurable metric. SC wins the nostalgia contest. I would say if you're going to throw a lot of miles on, the Triumph is the better deal. I've said it a bunch of times, if I had to swap out everything I own with new, they'd all be from triumph. They hit the mark on everything for me . Except for the 1290 super duke. Hot damn, that thing is evil.

 

[brutus72]

Yup , Triumph is better bike by all popular measures …. I’ve had a couple liquid cooled bikes and just find them hard to look at …. I rode a ‘72 Norton Commando combat for over 20yrs , I loved that bike , sold that to buy the black ‘09 GT1000 T , same only different & a much better bike than the old Norton , I am trying not to own another bike with a radiator , the new Norton’s have had some teething issues to say the least …. I still keep an eye on old Nortons listed …. I don’t think you would be disappointed with a well sorted/serviced SC ….

 

[simontan]

I had a Thruxton R. Sold it after buying a Sport 1000 Mono. I've somehow now ended up with 4 Sport Classics in varying degrees of customization. Definitely not the result of any kind of rational thinking, as the Triumph is better in almost every objective metric and arguably as good looking. But I just never felt much personal connection to the Triumph, and there was a problem with the Brembo-equipped Thruxtons that was really frustrating and never adequately addressed by Triumph. Google "front brake issues" and you'll find a ton of discussion about it.

I like the look and simplicity of the air-cooled DS1000 engine, and there's something about the Ducatis (probably mostly the sound) that makes them feel faster than they are.

Regarding values, I think the argument for the SCs is a little overstated because if you buy a gently used Thruxton that's already taken a major depreciation hit, you also won't lose much, if anything, when it comes time to sell. I bought my 2016 Thruxton R in 2018 with 500 miles and a lot of nice goodies on it for almost half the price of new. Sold it 5k miles later for the exact same money without much effort. The SCs may have some potential for appreciation, but that is probably more than offset by higher maintenance costs. Unless you just have to get the absolute latest model, there are way too many barely used bikes out there to justify buying brand new. That new chrome Thruxton does look fantastic though. I knew a couple of owners on the Thruxton groups who stripped and mirror polished their tanks, but a chrome one from the factory would be nice and a whole lot easier to maintain.

Lots of cool bikes in the segment these days. Have you looked at a BMW R9T or Motoguzzi? Royal Enfield also seems to be bringing in a lot of new and returning street riders because of the price point.

 

[DGJ]

I'm gonna try not to repeat what's been said above, but aside from the style of bikes - café racers - the two couldn't be more different. Kinda like saying would you rather date an english girl or an italian one.. (it's actually a fair comp..)

A stock SC handles like dog shit and has lots of heavy components on it, but it can be customized to become something truly unique and incredibly satisfying to ride. The DS1000 is an incredible motor. It's robust, it comes alive, and it's easy to maintain. The chassis... the long wheel base... and obviously the look. It's agressive and elegant at once. And you'll sink far more money into it to make it right than with the triumph.

And then the triumph.. looks great... comes with all the right gear (brembo, olhins etc..), and is a very nice looking, capable bike. but. dime a dozen. and you push the button and it's like turning on a appliance.

And as far as noise go, I think it's a matter of taste. I prefer the ducati throaty sound rather than the mechanical sewing machine sound of the triumph.

I guess it comes down to how much work you want to put into the ownership of that bike...

I love my two SCs so much, and Triumph do very little for me. But that's me.

either way, have fun!

 

[JACKIE TREEHORN]

Buy a Harley. They need the money.

 

[todcp]

I owned a 2019 Thruxton 1200. I cannot comment on the SC as it is way to tiny for my 6'4". As it turns out the Thruxton was a bit to cramped after a few thousand miles. But I sure loved the bike. One of the nicer engines I have experienced and like many of us at 71 years old I have experienced many great bikes. I replaced the CAT with an H pipe and downloaded a tune. Much less heat coming off the engine minus the CAT for here in the Florida summer. Used the stock exhaust and without the CAT it sounded perfect to me.
Have fun with the search.
A Triumph rep at a recent demo event told their new models are tubeless spoke wheels...great.

 

[simontan]

A Triumph rep at a recent demo event told their new models are tubeless spoke wheels...great.

Wow tubeless spoke wheels with the chrome tank would almost be enough to lure me back if Triumph's also fixed the mushy front brakes issue. Still no way I'd buy one brand new, but might just have to expand my search list on the classifieds.

 

[duc96cr]

Ride them both first.

 

[casor]

I have a Thruxton R and it is one of the best bikes I've ever owned. Handles, torquey, reasonably powerful, comfortable and smooth. Radial brakes. Plus, it's better looking than the SC. The only downtick :I have has since been fixed - the tube tires. The only thing it really needed was holes in the tank strap

 

[Blitzen]

Plus, it's better looking than the SC.

🤯. Obviously we can discount anything he says as the ravings of madman. Lol.

 

[ducvet]

"Regarding values, I think the argument for the SCs is a little overstated because if you buy a gently used Thruxton that's already taken a major depreciation hit, you also won't lose much, if anything, when it comes time to sell. "

I do not follow prices of Triumphs so you likely will educate me, which mid-2000's triumphs are selling for the same (or greater) price they sold for new as used bikes?

Do not expect many Ducati's to have the return on investment of a sport classic, don't ask me why people do pay what they do for them I have no clue why. Heck a Ducati 749R, 999R,1098R from the same decade still have not made it back to their original starting price yet and they are limited editions. I would be more likely to simply buy a 10 year old triumph thruxton for $5000-8000 and then have money to make it mine customization wise.

Then again I would buy a Enfield 650 and have another bit to play with...if you enjoy hot rodding.
Bike $6500
High comp pistons $490.00
Cam $ 210.00
Forged rods $590.00
slip ons $900.00

So for an extra $3090.00 and your labor you have a fun winter project.

 

[DGJ]

🤯. Obviously we can discount anything he says as the ravings of madman. Lol.

I mean… can’t even process it. 😱

 

[_WOT]

I had a Thruxton R. Sold it after buying a Sport 1000 Mono. I've somehow now ended up with 4 Sport Classics in varying degrees of customization. Definitely not the result of any kind of rational thinking, as the Triumph is better in almost every objective metric and arguably as good looking. But I just never felt much personal connection to the Triumph, and there was a problem with the Brembo-equipped Thruxtons that was really frustrating and never adequately addressed by Triumph. Google "front brake issues" and you'll find a ton of discussion about it.

I like the look and simplicity of the air-cooled DS1000 engine, and there's something about the Ducatis (probably mostly the sound) that makes them feel faster than they are.

Regarding values, I think the argument for the SCs is a little overstated because if you buy a gently used Thruxton that's already taken a major depreciation hit, you also won't lose much, if anything, when it comes time to sell. I bought my 2016 Thruxton R in 2018 with 500 miles and a lot of nice goodies on it for almost half the price of new. Sold it 5k miles later for the exact same money without much effort. The SCs may have some potential for appreciation, but that is probably more than offset by higher maintenance costs. Unless you just have to get the absolute latest model, there are way too many barely used bikes out there to justify buying brand new. That new chrome Thruxton does look fantastic though. I knew a couple of owners on the Thruxton groups who stripped and mirror polished their tanks, but a chrome one from the factory would be nice and a whole lot easier to maintain.

Lots of cool bikes in the segment these days. Have you looked at a BMW R9T or Motoguzzi? Royal Enfield also seems to be bringing in a lot of new and returning street riders because of the price point.

Good idea, now I'm leaning towards getting a used thruxton and modifying to taste, and still have the option of taking time to find an SC.

 

[_WOT]

I'm gonna try not to repeat what's been said above, but aside from the style of bikes - café racers - the two couldn't be more different. Kinda like saying would you rather date an english girl or an italian one.. (it's actually a fair comp..)

A stock SC handles like dog shit and has lots of heavy components on it, but it can be customized to become something truly unique and incredibly satisfying to ride. The DS1000 is an incredible motor. It's robust, it comes alive, and it's easy to maintain. The chassis... the long wheel base... and obviously the look. It's agressive and elegant at once. And you'll sink far more money into it to make it right than with the triumph.

And then the triumph.. looks great... comes with all the right gear (brembo, olhins etc..), and is a very nice looking, capable bike. but. dime a dozen. and you push the button and it's like turning on a appliance.

And as far as noise go, I think it's a matter of taste. I prefer the ducati throaty sound rather than the mechanical sewing machine sound of the triumph.

I guess it comes down to how much work you want to put into the ownership of that bike...

I love my two SCs so much, and Triumph do very little for me. But that's me.

either way, have fun!

This is totally what I feel in my head as well. I love the italian growl over the sewing machine sound.

but the triumph is growing on me, I almost feel I should give the whole english cafe racer thing a chance.

 

[DGJ]

This is totally what I feel in my head as well. I love the italian growl over the sewing machine sound.

but the triumph is growing on me, I almost feel I should give the whole english cafe racer thing a chance.

They’re great bikes for sure. Enjoy!

 

[simontan]

"Regarding values, I think the argument for the SCs is a little overstated because if you buy a gently used Thruxton that's already taken a major depreciation hit, you also won't lose much, if anything, when it comes time to sell. "

I do not follow prices of Triumphs so you likely will educate me, which mid-2000's triumphs are selling for the same (or greater) price they sold for new as used bikes?

I'm not saying a Triumph Thruxton R will ever sell for more than what it cost new the same way Sport Classics currently are. I'm saying if you find a good deal on a used one that's already depreciated to say $8-9k versus buying one new for $17k, then there's a decent chance you could still sell it a couple of years later for roughly the same price. As you've noted, it's a little crazy what Sport Classics are currently going for, so if you pay top dollar for one now, who knows if it'll continue to appreciate at the same rate or even hold at current values, especially if you actually put miles on it.