I never consciously noted the similarity between motorcycling and surfing until I was trying to describe how it feels when a litre bike accelerates . The 1200 Thruxton R I owned always delivered that feeling ; a lowdown torque that grows in pulsing , explosive force , just like the feeling of inevitability as a big wave heaves up , tilts , and throws you towards the shore ( maybe that ’ s why they are called swells .) That inexorable lift and heave from the solar plexus forward . In both pastimes it ’ s addictive and thrilling . Just drier on a bike .
THE BEFORE The 1200 R is a great motorcycle , on many levels ; it looks the damn biz , but more than that , it is a rider ’ s bike , in that it rewards effort in the saddle like almost nothing else . It is not a sportsbike that will let you keep grabbing handfuls all day and will just keep giving more and more . Nor is it a tourer , because the canted forward café racer position proves tiring after a few hours , and that seat is harder than charity after 200km . But the Thruxton R rides brilliantly . Fast , and when you get your cornering right and the lean angles dialled in , it rewards your effort with sheer joy . After a few hours in the crease you ’ ll know you ’ ve ridden well ; but the fatigue is earned , and the grin doesn ’ t leave for hours . So , for me , the experience of big torque , rolling on
KIWI RIDER 37