[Sean_D]

I test rode both the Thruxton and the Bonneville when buying my first bike. In the end I liked the more upright riding position of the Bonneville a little better than the Thruxton, though I really liked the look of the Thruxton. Both bikes are very nimble, easy to maneuver, very forgiving and user friendly. They are both fun to ride without being stupid fast. If would suggest taking one for a ride if you haven’t already. You will never know until you try one out yourself

[eternal05]

Taken from the handy-dandy BBM bike info spreadsheet: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rU4QBnyJGHjHiCQAtii4KeQ&single=true&gid=0&output=html

Ducati Monster 696, 696cc, 2 cyl, L-twin, 78.8 hp, 50.6 lb-ft, 355 lbs
Triumph Thruxton, 865cc, 2 cyl, parallel, 69 hp, 52 lb-ft, 451 lbs

Monster power/weight: 0.222 hp/lb, Monster torque/weight: 0.143 lb-ft/lbs
Thruxton power/weight: 0.152 hp/lb, Thruxton torque/weight: 0.115 lb-ft/lbs

As you can see, the Monster has substantially more raw HP and a much higher power/weight ratio thanks to its 100lbs-lighter weight. It is also relatively “torquey-er,” again thanks to having the same torque figures but less weight. The main issue for a beginner with the Triumphs will probably be that extra 100 lbs. I haven’t ridden either the Monster or the Triumphs, so I can’t comment on their handling character, nor do I know where in the rev range each bike makes most of its power/torque. I have heard that the Monster line tends to have pretty grabby throttle response, however, though the same could be true of the Thruxton for all I know.

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