good quick look at the 3 bikes. you get a good look at them. you get to hear them properly which although very important most videos don't do. and you learn about their soul. thanks
I LLLLOOOOOVVVEEEEE this video. Really enjoyed every single aspect of it. You three sitting and chatting about these bikes was so natural. The editing was excellent. Thank You, MCN.
The Thruxton combines all the coolness of the classic Brit bikes of the 1960s and early 70s with a whole host of modern features. It really does eclipse the reborn Norton Commando!
I've had my Thruxton R for about 48 hours an put 300 miles on it. If you haven't ridden one (in sport mode - with the throttle pinned wide open from 3,500 to 6,000 RPM) then you don't know what I know. I thought I made a huge mistake before I found Sport mode and the open throttle. It's slides you back in the seat the same way my '98 Daytona 955 triple sportbike did. I am thrilled with the power of this bike, which I had no idea of during the lazy test ride. Come for the style, the added suspension, the steering rake, the awesome Brembos, the stunning quality of the build and jeweler's touches of detail, but stay for the thrust. I like it even better than the presenters did in this video. If you haven't ridden it like I have, then your words have no weight here.
+looseparts If your new 2016 Triumph Thruxton R 1200 HP is anything like my 1976 Triumph T140V Bonneville 750 in the handling department then you will know what I know....handling is the key to winning cafe road races on the streets not H.P. Proof, my Triumph won every cafe road race from January 10, 1977 to September 1986 - that's 10 consecutive years racing every bike on the roads of Long Island NY (think Isle Of Mann TT). I got married in September 1986 and stopped racing until 1992 when I brought out my old Triumph and raced and won against the new 1992 Kawasaki 1100 Ninja that actually hit 179 mph during our race! She also race and won against the 1992 Honda V4 1000 cc Interceptor that could do an honest 165 mph. They both had around 3 times the h.p. of my 49 h.p. Bonneville and yet the Bonneville beat them. Handling allows you to hold the highest average speed on back roads and even highway's. Yes cafe racing on super straight highways they got far ahead and I did cry, but my Triumph still caught them and beat them both. Stock my bike was 395 lbs, after I removed the heavy mufflers she was around 365 lbs. The other mod's were to remove the seat cushion to lower my C.G. and a drag bar replaced the stock handlebars after my brother's father in law drove my Bonneville into a tree in his back yard-he said he only wanted to sit on her. His eye's glazed over and he kick started her and put her into gear and ran smack into a tree 25 feet away. Anyway my mods cost $19 for the drag bars my only cost + bar end mirrors around $25. I kept the stock Dunlap K70-H tires and stock air cleaners and no engine mods. She sit's around 20 feet from me as I type this. I love my Triumph Bonneville. These day's after having defended the Triumph name with honor and now at age 66 I don't seem to have anything much to prove. Back then, everybody was purchasing fast Jap bikes and they wpould sneer at my Triumph and insult her. The mfr's from Japan were tying to put Triumph out of business. But for those then years every Jap, German, Italina sport bike that raced my English Triumph lost, so many, many men knew that Triumphs were the fastest street bike when it came to actual cafe racing on the streets. I now ride a 2015 Harley-Davidson FLHP Road King Police with the spring/schock absorber under the saddle seat. The ride is better than a Gold Wing. Sometimes and that's why I'm here, I think about street racing again. If I do it will be on a new 2016 Thruxton R. But then I remember I'm 66 y.o. and also I fought for Triumph on the streets and won for 10 consecutive years. I just don't have the feelings that I have to prove anything. So then why take risks? The roads have many more cars on them today and Triumph is still in business. They made it through the intense Jap competition and here they are selling these bikes. To be really honest, I almost think my old Bonneville at 365 lbs and 750 cc can beat anything on the back roads today. Who's to say I'm wrong? But nah, I'll leave the racing unto death for the younger men. I did more than my share. They don't need me anymore now. So I'll stay retired from street racing. Which by the way is a Nobel Sport. Good luck with your Triumph.
Since 1991 when Bloor started producing bikes I can tell you Triumph always always came up short according to every motorbike reviewer in every mag.....until now. Triumph listened.
great vid MCN! I'd happily take all three although the Thruxton would edge it by a whisker. I sat on it at the London bike show and it feels brilliant! Can't wait to try one this summer!
+TenseNotDense ha ha! Thank you for those kind words... However, I must have given the wrong impression at some point! I only have one bike and only allowed one bike, so it's a constant search looking for that one bike. I had my old 865 Thruxton for 2 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a bike, and all it needed was some much needed performance! I feel that finally this is it! And with the race cowl as well?! Wow!! Tally Bally Hooooooo!! 😉 But thank you for the concern! 😉
+Captain Rambunctious With Triumph as a name, who needs a slogan? :-) Here in DK the 1200 Bonneville is priced...hold on...£20 000! All due to taxes. Otherwise I would be in line for one. But what a bike! I love it! Feels good to be right among righteous! :-) Tata!
I recently discovered, and fell in love with these XJR1300’s for their forward leaning, air-cooled, muscle bike silhouette. All the old-school brawn of the biggest air-cooled four’s of the past, dropped into a mean, aggressive, racing forward platform. None of this “muscle cruiser” nonsense for boomers with bad backs and beer guts. They only get better when they get ground up Cafe Racer builds. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed when I realized that they’ve never been brought across the pond! :’(
Can't beat the fact that the BMW is air cooled, has a single sided swing arm, and has that amazing boxer engine that has never failed adventurers around the globe on the GS bikes. For me BMW is the pick. Keeping my Duc for weekends and getting the RnineT for daily and cruising.
hedgehog- a dual seat and passenger footpegs are available as options. I had to order them to get Thrux r purchase clearance from the TOWER. I thought that was a reasonable request. They might never get installed on my bike, but the bike does have the capacity to carry two if requested.
The best of new bikes and so,so new bikes ! the test is a comparison test on the following bikes , Yamaha XSR 900, Ducati 821, KanZ800, GSRX 750, and the Thruxton !
yes, adding a disk up front, water cooled, abs/traction, bigger engine, inverted forks, brembo/ohlins all make the really New Thruxton a great bike. The 900 was so lacking I never wanted to buy one but this New Thruxton is a Winner!
The only thing i dont like is how i can pick up a 2015 xjr for what is about 4000 pounds down under and spend money on making up the downfalls like, I want more power? Lil bit of head work and some timing, boom power. Handling is just parts and tuning and it's actually a nice smooth ride compared to the bmw and triumph.
hopefully, there won't be any recalls from Triumph as it's a first year of a new model. I would go with Nine T but air cooled engine in 2016 is a little bit odd, especially for the price demanded
you will never know the true value and durability of any Japanese bike until you live in a region that doesn't have proper mechanic shops. this is where simplicity and low maintenance comes in place for the Japanese bikes.
An old XJR, with the original 106 horsepower plus the inlet pipes from the fj 1200 (115 HP) plus a new pipe (7 or 8 more HP) kicks ass And still looks stunning
Good vid but unsurprising bias from a UK test. First he says the BMW and Triumph are really close, but the Triumph just edges it. At the end he says the Triumph is the winner by a long way.
I would actually throw the Yamaha XSR900 in rather than the XJR1300. Same modern package retro look idea, smaller engine at 850 but it puts out something like 115 HP and nearly 50 Kgs lighter than the XJR1300. Even a bit cheaper
With an average for 100 bhp seem to me low powered for a 1000+ cc motorcycle, I would expect more from a big naked retro muscle bike, it should be at least 130 bhp for these type of bikes. I love the design and excellent looks of them, but I expect more power out from these machines. For a bike that delivers less than 110 bhp there are other cheaper options on the market with less weight and under 1000 cc engines which delivers the same power.
Not about peak bhp figures. Its about the power delivery, smoothness, torque, engine braking etc. You could get a 130bhp 600cc sports bike and I bet you it wouldn't suit a retro naked bike wanting to rev it to 14k to get that power.
Alex Tran Guess your only hope is to see if Yamaha make an XR300, or maybe check Honda, they have millions of models, a CB400 4 banger should be a lot of fun.
Get a used 250cc bike, like a Ninja. Ride it a year, then sell. Any bike can kill you, but learning on a 250cc engine or small bike, helps you to build the skills that you will need, eventually, to save your own life on the streets.
Hi MCN guys... I have a question which I know I am going to get called crazy for... I ask it because it has to do with the style of bikes you are reviewing here... I had only previously handled a 125cc but quite briefly and that was like 10 years ago, therefore taking a bike now I will feel like a first timer most surely. The thing is guys, that I have always wanted to have a bike especially a retro style big muscle bike, and I have let time passed and I am sort of the in the 40s crisis where you wanna do everything that you haven't done jejeje. I spotted a Yamaha XJR 1300 SP (2002) in a dealership, which is a very rare bike to find in my country, and it only has about 6.000kms. And the price is right, I don't wanna a let it pass... I guess I can take it slowly, anyway I am 43 and definitely more cautious that when I was younger... also this bike is a monster, huge and heavy but I guess than being a Naked Retro style bike makes the handling less aggressive, and is not a bike to race like a bullet but more to enjoy cruising around... my major concern is cornering or taking curves and braking since it is 240 kgs. So my idea is to buy it since I don't wanna let pass the opportunity , and take it slowly, and even if I have to enroll in some school for handling lessons I'll do it... What do you guys think...??? Is it ok to start with it, can someone get the grips of riding it even being inexperienced... or should I start with an smaller engine bike instead???
Wow all three of my favorite "classic" bikes... I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I thing BMW would be a winner for me by a very narrow margin over Thruxton. However i really, really like the XJR as well. Proper massive bike with an engine build like a tank. The only problem for me is the inline 4 sound doesn't match the style of the bike. I'd prefer a v-twin sound or parallel twin with a 270 crank like Triumph....and i hate 3 spoke wheels.
I owned a Triumph, and I loved it, lets make that clear first! But tested the Beemer and Thruxton... But what they say, is just preference... I prefer the Beemer above the Triumph! The aircooled boxer has allot more character then the Triumph has!! Way more!! And both have torque and power enough, and they both steere like rokets soo... Brits choose british, thats clear! Peace out!
The only thing about Triumph is - it's not for a tall riders, where on both Yamaha and BMW tall people will fill comfortable! Everything else just doesn't matter when it comes to comfort and I'm sure Yamaha is not for short riders at all! BMW is a golden middle here (in many other ways too)
+Alex Pol Eh, I never understood this sentiment. I'm about 187 cm tall and I'm perfectly comfortable on a Honda Rebel 250 for several hours at a time, much less something like a Thruxton. I don't have a Thruxton (my Triumph is a Street Triple R), but I have sat on it and I can't image it being a problem.
+Vinay Reddy .............No, it looks like a 60's British cafe racer, just like it's supposed to!.........www.carandclassic.co.uk/uploads/cars/triumph/6779779.jpg
You guys had all the ingredients to make this into an incredible comparison video with 3 different people. But instead we get, oh this bike is great don't you think? Yeah it is, I guess and at the end it's number one is easily the Triumph!? WHY!? This is not a review! Sure it's free, but times are changing and you guys REALLY need to step it up, you got great fucking staff.
+BarryEssex I don't understand what you are saying, they listed all the strong suits for each bike, along with why they chose the triumph as the winner, what more do you want?
The fact that the BMW's two-cylinder smaller-displacement engine makes MORE horsepower than the Yamaha's 1300cc four, is just bizarre! The Yamaha must have Huge tuning potential, in horsepower at least... Still too damn' heavy, though.
Funny that you barely had anything to say about the bike you consider the best. BMW has won in every comparison test, but what do you know, the Triumph wins in the MCN test.
This is heavily biased obviously. The Triumpth is down on performance comparing with the BMW, despite it is a generation newer. That alone should disqualify it from the first place. And that price tag is just ridiculous.
Video is still relevant today but you have to cut out the understandable Triumph fanboi'ism. For riding - Beemer by a mile, it's a LOT better on the road than the Thruxton. For looks... Triumph by a mile (pure lust). So depending on what you want you could choose either of them and be happy. If you're on a budget then the Yamaha isn't TERRIBLE... but it's not really in the same class.
Yamaha XJR 1300 used to be class beautiful nake machine. Who did it to her. That is just abused, ruined appealing motorcycle! Pure murder of art work! Only reject, dud, should be replaced, modernised but not motorcycle that is almost piece of perfection!
I'm pretty sure I'd go out of my way NOT to buy a bike with an Akrapovic system . Hugely overpriced, they want $5000 for a system on my 1299 and $2000 for a can.
This sounds more like a Triumph advert than a video. Do I guess right if I say you get advertising income from Triumph at MCN? It's the problem with these media in general, it's impossible to get honest opinions they way they're funded, totally dysfunctional.
Man I hate the word hipster, as a young motorcyclist who identifies with the retro cafe look I hear it a lot, and it doesn't feel like a compliment or an encouraging sentiment for younger blood to join the wider biking community. Although not explicitly used in the bike world, the phrase is fast becoming synonymous with any new retro motorcycle review. But I understand why some mature riders don't quite understand the new retro movement or why young riders may love it - I sure cringe at the Ducati Scrambler advertising. The last gasp of the motorcycle marketing industry spearheaded by a bunch of old men's interpretation of what's "trendy". Every launch they do in Cali makes my cringe pipes ache, a Pastiche of a generations unquantified aspirations.
Not the best video guys .feel like the fella in the middle was so bored he was going to fall of the wall .bundle of joy him .and nevise. Was dragging the words out the women. Poor poor effort!!
WOW! Credit where it's due MCN, you actually produced a proper video, and it's a good one too! More of the same please!
+Tom Ainscough What was good about it then? Put me to sleep nearly. I yawned twice.
Hey Tom. Couldn't agree more; well produced, informative, decent sound quality and, most importantly, no ghastly "music"! Top job MCN.
I own the standard BMW R NineT and its superb
good quick look at the 3 bikes. you get a good look at them. you get to hear them properly which although very important most videos don't do. and you learn about their soul. thanks
I LLLLOOOOOVVVEEEEE this video. Really enjoyed every single aspect of it.
You three sitting and chatting about these bikes was so natural.
The editing was excellent.
Thank You, MCN.
The Thruxton combines all the coolness of the classic Brit bikes of the 1960s and early 70s with a whole host of modern features. It really does eclipse the reborn Norton Commando!
I've had my Thruxton R for about 48 hours an put 300 miles on it. If you haven't ridden one (in sport mode - with the throttle pinned wide open from 3,500 to 6,000 RPM) then you don't know what I know. I thought I made a huge mistake before I found Sport mode and the open throttle. It's slides you back in the seat the same way my '98 Daytona 955 triple sportbike did. I am thrilled with the power of this bike, which I had no idea of during the lazy test ride. Come for the style, the added suspension, the steering rake, the awesome Brembos, the stunning quality of the build and jeweler's touches of detail, but stay for the thrust. I like it even better than the presenters did in this video. If you haven't ridden it like I have, then your words have no weight here.
+looseparts If your new 2016 Triumph Thruxton R 1200 HP is anything like my 1976 Triumph T140V Bonneville 750 in the handling department then you will know what I know....handling is the key to winning cafe road races on the streets not H.P. Proof, my Triumph won every cafe road race from January 10, 1977 to September 1986 - that's 10 consecutive years racing every bike on the roads of Long Island NY (think Isle Of Mann TT). I got married in September 1986 and stopped racing until 1992 when I brought out my old Triumph and raced and won against the new 1992 Kawasaki 1100 Ninja that actually hit 179 mph during our race! She also race and won against the 1992 Honda V4 1000 cc Interceptor that could do an honest 165 mph. They both had around 3 times the h.p. of my 49 h.p. Bonneville and yet the Bonneville beat them. Handling allows you to hold the highest average speed on back roads and even highway's. Yes cafe racing on super straight highways they got far ahead and I did cry, but my Triumph still caught them and beat them both.
Stock my bike was 395 lbs, after I removed the heavy mufflers she was around 365 lbs. The other mod's were to remove the seat cushion to lower my C.G. and a drag bar replaced the stock handlebars after my brother's father in law drove my Bonneville into a tree in his back yard-he said he only wanted to sit on her. His eye's glazed over and he kick started her and put her into gear and ran smack into a tree 25 feet away. Anyway my mods cost $19 for the drag bars my only cost + bar end mirrors around $25. I kept the stock Dunlap K70-H tires and stock air cleaners and no engine mods.
She sit's around 20 feet from me as I type this. I love my Triumph Bonneville.
These day's after having defended the Triumph name with honor and now at age 66 I don't seem to have anything much to prove. Back then, everybody was purchasing fast Jap bikes and they wpould sneer at my Triumph and insult her. The mfr's from Japan were tying to put Triumph out of business. But for those then years every Jap, German, Italina sport bike that raced my English Triumph lost, so many, many men knew that Triumphs were the fastest street bike when it came to actual cafe racing on the streets.
I now ride a 2015 Harley-Davidson FLHP Road King Police with the spring/schock absorber under the saddle seat. The ride is better than a Gold Wing. Sometimes and that's why I'm here, I think about street racing again. If I do it will be on a new 2016 Thruxton R. But then I remember I'm 66 y.o. and also I fought for Triumph on the streets and won for 10 consecutive years. I just don't have the feelings that I have to prove anything. So then why take risks? The roads have many more cars on them today and Triumph is still in business. They made it through the intense Jap competition and here they are selling these bikes. To be really honest, I almost think my old Bonneville at 365 lbs and 750 cc can beat anything on the back roads today. Who's to say I'm wrong? But nah, I'll leave the racing unto death for the younger men. I did more than my share. They don't need me anymore now. So I'll stay retired from street racing. Which by the way is a Nobel Sport. Good luck with your Triumph.
@@PeterDad60 must have been some sloooooow bikes then dreamer
@@volt8684 he came on the internet just to lie
@@Spartansrule118 I am sorry but 60 hp vs 170hp and he won cos of the handling.
Enjoyed. Bring Emma back for more presenting - she's a natural.
Triumph always wins the MCN tests. I think they are Triumph factory youtube channel.
+alesta53
hahaha perhaps, but they do make some nice bikes :)
no the just pay them.
anything is better than BMW Nazi shite.
good one bell end
Since 1991 when Bloor started producing bikes I can tell you Triumph always always came up short according to every motorbike reviewer in every mag.....until now. Triumph listened.
Great edit on this vid glad to see the quality of the camera work match the quality of the info Neeves dishes out
great vid MCN! I'd happily take all three although the Thruxton would edge it by a whisker. I sat on it at the London bike show and it feels brilliant! Can't wait to try one this summer!
R NineT is the incarnation of perfection for this market segment for me.
Do prefer the black tank version to this all alloy one though.
I agree the RnineT is lovely, I've had lots of parallel twins, time for a change, be a used one though
I'm biased but very pleased with the outcome! Always expected it and just listen to the sound of the Thruxton R! Definitely my next bike! 😊
Oh I'm looking forward to seeing those vids! I'm sure the Thruxton is Rambunctious enough for you ;)
+Scot Wilson one hopes so! 😊
+TenseNotDense ha ha! Thank you for those kind words... However, I must have given the wrong impression at some point! I only have one bike and only allowed one bike, so it's a constant search looking for that one bike. I had my old 865 Thruxton for 2 years, by far the longest I've ever owned a bike, and all it needed was some much needed performance! I feel that finally this is it! And with the race cowl as well?! Wow!! Tally Bally Hooooooo!! 😉
But thank you for the concern! 😉
+Captain Rambunctious With Triumph as a name, who needs a slogan? :-) Here in DK the 1200 Bonneville is priced...hold on...£20 000! All due to taxes. Otherwise I would be in line for one. But what a bike! I love it! Feels good to be right among righteous! :-) Tata!
John Mård Can't you just buy it over here and ride it home?
I recently discovered, and fell in love with these XJR1300’s for their forward leaning, air-cooled, muscle bike silhouette. All the old-school brawn of the biggest air-cooled four’s of the past, dropped into a mean, aggressive, racing forward platform. None of this “muscle cruiser” nonsense for boomers with bad backs and beer guts.
They only get better when they get ground up Cafe Racer builds.
Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed when I realized that they’ve never been brought across the pond! :’(
The Triumph Truxton is spear heading this showdown by a long shot. Loving the Yamaha price point though.
it would be the Triumph for me too, but the Yam is well priced and sounds ace
Can't beat the fact that the BMW is air cooled, has a single sided swing arm, and has that amazing boxer engine that has never failed adventurers around the globe on the GS bikes. For me BMW is the pick. Keeping my Duc for weekends and getting the RnineT for daily and cruising.
And of course the British weather agrees that the British bike is the winner.
You think this is Britain??😕😂
Love that final shot. Oh, and love the bikes, too.
God I wish Yamaha would bring that XJR State-side.
+Reduxalicious yes please.
Great bikes you have there, but I have been enjoying my Sport Classic for years.
hedgehog- a dual seat and passenger footpegs are available as options. I had to order them to get Thrux r purchase clearance from the TOWER. I thought that was a reasonable request. They might never get installed on my bike, but the bike does have the capacity to carry two if requested.
I wish so bad the XJR was available in the US, My 3 favorite bikes nice review.
You can't go wrong with either one....
Team #Yamaha
Excellent overview/feedback! Btw, the ending was priceless.
The best of new bikes and so,so new bikes ! the test is a comparison test on the following bikes , Yamaha XSR 900, Ducati 821, KanZ800, GSRX 750, and the Thruxton !
Very nice review, far better production value than many previous videos. I do wonder what the verdict would be if it was brand blind.
+Robert K .........The Thruxton R is being raved about worldwide on the net, not just in the UK.....Rule Britannia.
yes, adding a disk up front, water cooled, abs/traction, bigger engine, inverted forks, brembo/ohlins all make the really New Thruxton a great bike. The 900 was so lacking I never wanted to buy one but this New Thruxton is a Winner!
I've seen some poor mcn reviews, but this one was quite good. Nice to see a woman who knows her bikes too.
Question is...How deep are your pockets? XJR is ALOT cheaper, get alot for your money, i'd be well chuffed with it, better bike or not.
They never said it was bad, they were actually talking about how good it is, but the others are just better in some ways.
+heathy912 £ per kilo is the same! ;-)
HOW ABOUT A GUZZI?
The great thing about these three bikes is that thery all have their own styling. There all totally unique
Ah! I really thought that this video was made in Portugal!! Jolly Good Show!!!
The only thing i dont like is how i can pick up a 2015 xjr for what is about 4000 pounds down under and spend money on making up the downfalls like, I want more power? Lil bit of head work and some timing, boom power. Handling is just parts and tuning and it's actually a nice smooth ride compared to the bmw and triumph.
Yamaha xjr 1300 is for my the winner
love that Thruxton. going to ride it.then hopefully buy one
no Griso?
So only after everyone else follows suit, is when the XJR gets some proper attention.
I was actually at the triumph dealership yesterday looking at one of the Bonnevilles but that thrux doeeeeee
How do they compare for ergonomics?
xjr 4,500 cheeper than the bm , it will last and give least issues best value by far , it will be hard to fault, take the cash and go touring 😊.
A decent video from MCN at last! See you can do it! Good sound quality too.
Ace review. More of this kind of thing!
I'm lucky to own both a XJR 1300 and a BMW r nine T. Both great bikes.
Where was it filmed? Portugal? Great review!
That last shot must have been done where I live, Wales!
good vids lads. enjoyed it
hopefully, there won't be any recalls from Triumph as it's a first year of a new model. I would go with Nine T but air cooled engine in 2016 is a little bit odd, especially for the price demanded
you will never know the true value and durability of any Japanese bike until you live in a region that doesn't have proper mechanic shops. this is where simplicity and low maintenance comes in place for the Japanese bikes.
Anyone know what helmet these guys have?
An old XJR, with the original 106 horsepower plus the inlet pipes from the fj 1200 (115 HP) plus a new pipe (7 or 8 more HP) kicks ass And still looks stunning
Emma, can you do a vid on your kwak rebuild please?
Good vid but unsurprising bias from a UK test. First he says the BMW and Triumph are really close, but the Triumph just edges it. At the end he says the Triumph is the winner by a long way.
I would actually throw the Yamaha XSR900 in rather than the XJR1300. Same modern package retro look idea, smaller engine at 850 but it puts out something like 115 HP and nearly 50 Kgs lighter than the XJR1300. Even a bit cheaper
The new XSR wasn't out when this video was made
Yeah but the xsr900 looks pants. The xjr looks awesome in my opinion. All engine proper muscle bike look.
I had a feeling at the start of this video done by 3 English presenters that Triumph was going to come out on top :)
That's because it's the better bike.
I had the same feeling :) but am sure R nine T would win under any circumstances
Love that thruxton 😃👍
I actually think the Yamaha is the best looking but the only thing is it’s missing that interesting engine note :/
With an average for 100 bhp seem to me low powered for a 1000+ cc motorcycle, I would expect more from a big naked retro muscle bike, it should be at least 130 bhp for these type of bikes. I love the design and excellent looks of them, but I expect more power out from these machines. For a bike that delivers less than 110 bhp there are other cheaper options on the market with less weight and under 1000 cc engines which delivers the same power.
Not about peak bhp figures. Its about the power delivery, smoothness, torque, engine braking etc. You could get a 130bhp 600cc sports bike and I bet you it wouldn't suit a retro naked bike wanting to rev it to 14k to get that power.
good review mcn
Are any of these suitable for a first bike?
No
+Alex Tran Check the Motto Guzzi V7, I haven't ridden one yet or even sat on one, but it looks great and the power isn't bad for a first bike.
+Death666wish I was looking into them but the nearest dealer is 3 hours away 😕
Alex Tran
Guess your only hope is to see if Yamaha make an XR300, or maybe check Honda, they have millions of models, a CB400 4 banger should be a lot of fun.
Get a used 250cc bike, like a Ninja. Ride it a year, then sell. Any bike can kill you, but learning on a 250cc engine or small bike, helps you to build the skills that you will need, eventually, to save your own life on the streets.
Hi MCN guys... I have a question which I know I am going to get called crazy for... I ask it because it has to do with the style of bikes you are reviewing here...
I had only previously handled a 125cc but quite briefly and that was like 10 years ago, therefore taking a bike now I will feel like a first timer most surely. The thing is guys, that I have always wanted to have a bike especially a retro style big muscle bike, and I have let time passed and I am sort of the in the 40s crisis where you wanna do everything that you haven't done jejeje. I spotted a Yamaha XJR 1300 SP (2002) in a dealership, which is a very rare bike to find in my country, and it only has about 6.000kms. And the price is right, I don't wanna a let it pass... I guess I can take it slowly, anyway I am 43 and definitely more cautious that when I was younger... also this bike is a monster, huge and heavy but I guess than being a Naked Retro style bike makes the handling less aggressive, and is not a bike to race like a bullet but more to enjoy cruising around... my major concern is cornering or taking curves and braking since it is 240 kgs.
So my idea is to buy it since I don't wanna let pass the opportunity , and take it slowly, and even if I have to enroll in some school for handling lessons I'll do it...
What do you guys think...??? Is it ok to start with it, can someone get the grips of riding it even being inexperienced... or should I start with an smaller engine bike instead???
had not rode a bike for 30 years, bought a 2001 xjr a year ago done 10,000 km on it now, very easy bike to ride, just take it easy.
YOU'RE #1& HEYA0 JUGGLE CLOVER WHAT'S YOUR OPINION ABOUT TKAT 1!
Triumph the clear winner by a mile? In which universe?
+Polaroidfades ......In this one mate, every moto journalist on the planet that's ridden it loves it.
Great review 👍🏼
Wow all three of my favorite "classic" bikes...
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I thing BMW would be a winner for me by a very narrow margin over Thruxton.
However i really, really like the XJR as well. Proper massive bike with an engine build like a tank. The only problem for me is the inline 4 sound doesn't match the style of the bike. I'd prefer a v-twin sound or parallel twin with a 270 crank like Triumph....and i hate 3 spoke wheels.
Trois belles machines!!
triumph on top of the world!!
I'll take the BMW. I've had 2 GS BMWS - hooked on shaft drive., no chain to oil or adjust. Deal maker.
Exactly!
I owned a Triumph, and I loved it, lets make that clear first! But tested the Beemer and Thruxton... But what they say, is just preference... I prefer the Beemer above the Triumph! The aircooled boxer has allot more character then the Triumph has!! Way more!! And both have torque and power enough, and they both steere like rokets soo... Brits choose british, thats clear! Peace out!
Not biased. At all. Right...
The only thing about Triumph is - it's not for a tall riders, where on both Yamaha and BMW tall people will fill comfortable! Everything else just doesn't matter when it comes to comfort and I'm sure Yamaha is not for short riders at all! BMW is a golden middle here (in many other ways too)
+Alex Pol Eh, I never understood this sentiment. I'm about 187 cm tall and I'm perfectly comfortable on a Honda Rebel 250 for several hours at a time, much less something like a Thruxton. I don't have a Thruxton (my Triumph is a Street Triple R), but I have sat on it and I can't image it being a problem.
Looks like a good video without speaking
doesn't the triumph look like the royal Enfield continental gt
+Vinay Reddy .............No, it looks like a 60's British cafe racer, just like it's supposed to!.........www.carandclassic.co.uk/uploads/cars/triumph/6779779.jpg
The winner of my test would be a used ZRX1200. Vroom.
The Thrusty ... always !
ILL TAKE THEM BOTH, --->>Hoover Dam LOW WATER LEVEL
You guys had all the ingredients to make this into an incredible comparison video with 3 different people. But instead we get, oh this bike is great don't you think? Yeah it is, I guess and at the end it's number one is easily the Triumph!? WHY!? This is not a review! Sure it's free, but times are changing and you guys REALLY need to step it up, you got great fucking staff.
+BarryEssex I don't understand what you are saying, they listed all the strong suits for each bike, along with why they chose the triumph as the winner, what more do you want?
The fact that the BMW's two-cylinder smaller-displacement engine makes MORE horsepower than the Yamaha's 1300cc four, is just bizarre! The Yamaha must have Huge tuning potential, in horsepower at least... Still too damn' heavy, though.
Where is the XSR?
+ewganhoff Factory line...
Funny that you barely had anything to say about the bike you consider the best. BMW has won in every comparison test, but what do you know, the Triumph wins in the MCN test.
This is heavily biased obviously. The Triumpth is down on performance comparing with the BMW, despite it is a generation newer. That alone should disqualify it from the first place. And that price tag is just ridiculous.
love to test my boxer cup rep against em!
No Yamaha XSR900?!
Video is still relevant today but you have to cut out the understandable Triumph fanboi'ism. For riding - Beemer by a mile, it's a LOT better on the road than the Thruxton. For looks... Triumph by a mile (pure lust). So depending on what you want you could choose either of them and be happy. If you're on a budget then the Yamaha isn't TERRIBLE... but it's not really in the same class.
Triumph !!!!!
Yamaha XJR 1300 used to be class beautiful nake machine. Who did it to her. That is just abused, ruined appealing motorcycle! Pure murder of art work! Only reject, dud, should be replaced, modernised but not motorcycle that is almost piece of perfection!
£4000 difference between yamaha and triumph. yamaha wins for me. that money could go into aftermarket making it £4000 better than the triumph.
+Kuba M .................You aint gonna buy that Yamaha a soul or character for £4000......And it's actually £3100.
I'm pretty sure I'd go out of my way NOT to buy a bike with an Akrapovic system .
Hugely overpriced, they want $5000 for a system on my 1299 and $2000 for a can.
Bmw all the way
+paterak especially in the looks department
BMW. Better sound, better handling more HP.
This sounds more like a Triumph advert than a video. Do I guess right if I say you get advertising income from Triumph at MCN? It's the problem with these media in general, it's impossible to get honest opinions they way they're funded, totally dysfunctional.
Man I hate the word hipster, as a young motorcyclist who identifies with the retro cafe look I hear it a lot, and it doesn't feel like a compliment or an encouraging sentiment for younger blood to join the wider biking community. Although not explicitly used in the bike world, the phrase is fast becoming synonymous with any new retro motorcycle review. But I understand why some mature riders don't quite understand the new retro movement or why young riders may love it - I sure cringe at the Ducati Scrambler advertising. The last gasp of the motorcycle marketing industry spearheaded by a bunch of old men's interpretation of what's "trendy". Every launch they do in Cali makes my cringe pipes ache, a Pastiche of a generations unquantified aspirations.
The Triumph just won because it's a british review. Everybody knows the BMW is unbeatable.
not everybody I would rather have the Yamaha build quality would be much better than the other two
why don´t thay just call the triumph the triumph chelsea hipster
nice. vid :)
no CB1100DLX? Shame on you!!!
Pillion ability not mentioned at all.Not many of us can afford a solo only toy.
+Hedge hog Oh, you can carry, but I doubt they'll be very happy after more than a half-hour.
Not the best video guys .feel like the fella in the middle was so bored he was going to fall of the wall .bundle of joy him .and nevise. Was dragging the words out the women. Poor poor effort!!
Triumph. Then BMW.
great video not bad editing but the presenters are still terrible
360p :|
BMW all the way you British folks...