2024 is set to be the final year of production of the beloved Thruxton RS. Take a moment to say your goodbyes. Moving forward, Triumph’s sportiest Bonneville variant will be the Speed Twin RS, which like the Thruxton RS, features up-spec goodies like Öhlins rear suspension and Brembo M50 Monoblocks, but has a roadster-style seating position that’s friendlier to the clip-on averse. Even still, losing the Thruxton RS is a blow to those who—rightly so—think it’s one of the most gorgeous production sportbikes on the market.
That’s right, we said sportbike. Don’t let the cooling fins on the cylinder heads or the Monza filler cap mislead you; there’s nothing anachronistic about the Thruxton’s performance. Producing 104 hp at 7,500 rpm and 82 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250, the 1,200cc British twin is a charismatic road-going hot rod. Paired with a stellar chassis with sporting geometry, Marzocchi inverted fork, the aforementioned Öhlins shocks, and reasonably comfortable clip-ons, the Thruxton is a true sportbike with classic cafe racer style. Two dimensions have never done it justice: It has to be seen in person to appreciate its diminutive size and unparalleled fit and finish. Triumph calls the Thruxton RS a modern classic. We’d go so far as calling it a future icon.
The 2024 Thruxton RS starts at $16,995 for Jet Black; the Jet Black/Silver Ice version costs an additional $500. To send the Thruxton out in style, Triumph is releasing the Thruxton RS Final Edition for $17,995. Painted in classic Competition Green, it features hand-painted gold pinstripes, and includes a certificate of authenticity signed by the design team and Triumph CEO Nick Bloor.