New Triumph Thruxton RS breaks cover

THE burgeoning café racer scene has just received a new machine for the class of 2020 in the form of the Triumph Thruxton RS. The new 2020 model takes the tried and tested formula of modern go and classic glow, with the added appeal of more power, less weight and top-spec running gear too.

Like any café racer, the crowning jewel of the bike is the 1200cc parallel twin Thruxton engine. The basic architecture remains the same for the RS but the new engine produces 8hp more than before (taking it to 105hp peak), and 112Nm of torque at a useful 4,250rpm. Helping to make these gains is a higher-revving engine, with 20% reduced inertia thanks to crank modifications, a lighter clutch, balance shafts, and thin-walled covers.

As with any of Triumph’s modern classic offerings, the natural habitat of the Thruxton RS is the B-road, with Triumph putting in a lot of work to ensure the new bike does not disappoint. 6kg has been shaved off the bike’s overall weight thanks to the engine mods above and a fancy new lightweight battery.

As with the Thruxton R, the RS features fully adjustable Showa Big Piston Forks and a set of proprietary Öhlins rear shock absorbers, created especially for the Thruxton range. Braking is provided by the friction maestros Brembo, with a set M50 radially mounted calipers. New kit on the Thruxton RS comes in the form of Metzeler Racetec RR tyres, the kind of super-sticky rubber we’re used to seeing on top-flight sportsbikes.

The new Triumph Thruxton RS also features a new blacked-out look, with the glitzy finishes and covers of old being banished in favour of flat black powder coatings that match nicely with the matt-finished paint scheme.

Triumph Thruxton RS features

•             New black powder-coated engine covers, cam cover and sprocket cover finishes

•             New black Öhlins RSU springs

•             New black Thruxton side panel and sprocket cover with an integrated heel guard

•             New premium black anodised wheels

•             Unique ‘Monza’ cap

•             New Triumph triangle tank decal (only on twin paint scheme option)

•             Unique sculpted Thruxton tank

•             Stainless steel tank strap

•             Clear anodised aluminium swing arm

•             Daytona footpegs

•             22mm clip-on handlebars

•             Black mirrors and indicators

•             Twin ride-by-wire throttle bodies and unique Thruxton intake finisher

•             Gold engine detailing

Triumph Thruxton RS (2020) specs