Tamarit Motorcycles builds a 160-bhp Triumph Thruxton R…
In 2016, Triumph introduced the Thruxton 1200 R, the highest performance machine in the Bonneville lineup. Though it has the looks of a ’60s café racer, the 1200 R is loaded with 21st century tech, including traction control, ABS, Brembo brakes, Showa Big Piston Forks, Öhlins rear shocks, and a 96-bhp liquid-cooled “High Torque” parallel twin.
The Thruxton name harks back to the Meriden-built T120 Bonnevilles that Triumph fettled for the the prestigious Thruxton 500 endurance race in Hampshire, where Triumphs swept the podium in 1969. The good folks at MCN were well impressed with their first ride of the Thruxton 1200 R:
“More than just a styling job…a fine-handling, fast, easy to ride and above all fun motorcycle in its own right and even had a devilish appetite for skids and wheelies when you turned the electronics off.” –MCN
If the Thruxton R wasn’t enough of a weapon in its factory state, Tamarit Motorcycles have gotten their hands on one, and done some special work indeed. With more than 125 Triumph customs beneath their belts, Tamarit decided to do something they’ve never done before: supercharge the Thruxston’s “High-Torque” 1200cc parallel twin.
They used a Rotrex supercharger from our friends at TTS Performance — builders of the 382-hp “SuperBusa” we featured last year. Tamarit says the blower adds more than 60 horsepower, and the rest of the bike has been outfitted to match.
Highlights include an adaptive LED headlight that swivels through the turns, ensuring you have maximum vision at speed, along with a Zard Racing exhaust, Free Spirits intake, Kineo wheels, Heidenau K73, Motogadget lighting, and more.
The result is a 160-bhp British rocket that we’d love to ride. As the supercharged Thruxton is headed to Texas, perhaps we’ll get a chance to see it in the metal at the 2023 Handbuilt Show coming next month. For now, we’ll have to settle for photos and this sound clip of the bike running.
Below, we get the full story on the build from the Tamarit team.
Blown Thruxton R: In the Builder’s Words…
Bike number 95, “San Jorge,” stands out as being the first Tamarit to include a supercharger that boosts the engine by more than 60 hp. It will pass you in a flash.
Our added value is our specialization in Triumph neoclassic engines, which has made us the world’s largest specialist in these machines. No one has created as many motorcycles with the modern Bonneville engine, with more than 125 unique motorcycles presented on our website and about 50 that we have not presented. Our main value is the specialization and know-how we have acquired with each project.
Aesthetics / Paint
In the case of the #95 San Jorge, a combination of silvers has been chosen for the fiberglass parts, with a coffee-brown tone present in the split leather of the seat upholstery, in the upper central band of the tank, and in the hand grips. A sophisticated result that shows off the chrome and the most important modifications: the relocation of the electronics and the supercharger.
More than 160 hp
The Rotrex supercharger is the undisputed protagonist of this project — a part that has been a challenge for the workshop team. This unit offers the highest acceleration at low and medium engine speeds. Compressor speeds of up to 240,000 rpm result in superior acceleration and power delivery. Supercharger benefits include: no throttle lag, progressive power, reduced peak cylinder pressures, reduced stress on engine components, increased efficiency due to no heat build-up and reduced exhaust gas temperatures.
Specifically, this supercharger version adds 60 hp, resulting in an incredible engine with more than 160 hp. This component is legal in the European Union but can only be used in closed circuits.
Chrome / Craftmanship
For this project, a chrome plating process has been carried out on parts such as the triple tree, shock absorber, and engine. This is a chemical process that leaves the parts of our motorcycles shining like a mirror. Chroming, nickel plating, and brass plating take hundreds of hours of manual labor and craftsmanship. This process differentiates us and positions us as a premium motorcycle brand.
New Electronics and Wiring Relocation
This bike has undergone two complicated processes. The original electronics of the bike were relocated to leave the characteristic hole under the seat, and the engine control unit had to be modified to work with the Thruxton 1200R. A complicated job to execute, but it’s resulted in a bike with high technology and minimalist finish.
Gyroscopic LED Headlight
The adaptive gyroscopic LED headlight illuminates the road with great power and will not abandon you even in curves, as it is a headlight that adapts its light to accompany the movement of the handlebars, which provides greater safety. The most avant-garde lighting system on the market.
International Destination
Tamarit motorcycles know no borders and already travel the roads of half the world. We have a company specialized in international shipments that is in charge of transporting Tamarit motorcycles to their destination country. In this case, 95 San Jorge, is headed to Texas.
Other Highlights
- Among the components, a low exhaust from the Italian brand Zard, in its Racing edition, stands out.
- Both front and rear turn signals have been replaced with Motogadget versions.
- Heidenau K73 tires and chrome Kineo rims.
- At the front, we find a new front fender painted in the same color as the tank.
- New filter system from Free Spirits.
- At the controls of this Tamarit, we find a handlebar of the Free Spirits brand and new chrome triple trees. Also noteworthy are the new Puig levers in black.
Follow the Builder
- Web: tamaritmotorcycles.com
- Instagram: @tamaritmotorcycles
- Facebook: @tamaritmotorcycles
Is this thing using carburetors? Or are the throttle bodies made to look like carbs while this thing is fuel injected?
Nice machine. I’d really like to try a big British twin someday. This one stands out in being neatly done. Not particularly pretty, but it’s finished and clean. The general lines I like, but the intercooler piping and the plenum box are kinda ugly. Sometimes those parts can’t be made to look good. Kineo wheels and tire choice look great. Seat is appealing. It all looks fun, but it’s also a little brutish. Handlebars seem low and too minimalist.