Triumph Thruxton 1200 (2016+) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Thruxton 1200, made from 2016.
From 2016, all Triumph Thruxton models had a high-power 1200cc engine. While Triumph calls the 2016+ base model the Thruxton, we need to call it the Thruxton 1200, to distinguish it from the earlier Thruxton 900 with the 865cc air-cooled parallel twin.
The Triumph Thruxton 1200 is based on a 1200cc liquid-cooled parallel twin that produces 96hp at the crank. The rest of the bike has also been upgraded.
Maintenance for the 2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (or the Triumph Thruxton R) is very similar, but some parts are different.
Also, generally, maintenance schedule very similar to those for other motorcycles with similar engines in the Triumph Modern Classics, like the Triumph Speed Twin, but the parts needed to service each motorcycle are different.
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What you need to service a Triumph Thruxton 1200
Even though the majority of people who own such a new motorcycle will get it serviced at a dealer, a number of people out there will be doing their own service. Maybe you just want to do the obvious and easy stuff (or maybe you’re like me, and you enjoy it). Anyway, this guide is for you!
Here’s a list of the things you need to service your Triumph Thruxton 1200. It’s mostly overlapping other than brake pads.
| Triumph | Part spec (Triumph Thruxton 1200) |
|---|---|
| Oil | Triumph recommends 10W/40 or 10W/50 semi or fully synthetic motorcycle engine oil that meets specification API SH (or higher) and JASO MA, such as Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) engine oil, sold as Castrol Power RS Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) in some countries. |
| Oil filter | Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Use Triumph part number T1218001. You can also use Hiflofiltro’s HF204RC (better than K&N these days). |
| Brake fluid | Triumph Thruxton/R motorcycles need DOT 4 brake fluid (they have a clutch cable, so you don’t need fluid for the clutch). |
| Coolant | Triumph uses Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant with a 50% ethylene glycol mix. Zerex G05 is a HOAT coolant that meets this spec. |
| Front brake pads | A popular upgrade is EBC brake pads for better bite, less fade, and longer life. The part code is FA142HH for the Thruxton 1200. See this image from the EBC brakes catalogue if you’re not sure.  |
| Rear brake pads | Use FA214/2HH (same for many Triumph motorcycles) |
| Spark plugs | NGK code LMAR8A-9. Note they’re sold individually. Make sure they’re gapped to 0.9mm with an appropriate spark plug gap tool. |
| Air filter | The part number for the air filter is T2201122. You can also use K&N part TB-1216. |
| Cable maintenance | Protect All Cable Life is a good-quality cable maintenance product. You can also use engine oil (but it’s a bit messy) |
| Chain maintenance | A good kit to have on hand is the Motul chain care kit — including lubricant, cleaners, a brush, and so on. |
Maintenance Schedule for the Triumph Thruxton 1200
The following is a maintenance schedule adapted from the manual, but made a bit easier to read.
Notes on the maintenance schedule:
- Daily checks — do these as part of the annual service, too
- Initial 500 mi/800 km check (if you haven’t gotten to it yet) — do this at the earlier of the distance or time interval of one month.
- [T] Some aspects (e.g. reading error codes) require professional Triumph tools
| mi x 1000 | 0.5 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | Every | 0.8 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 |
| Lubrication | ||||||
| Engine – check for leaks | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Engine oil – replace (Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T) | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Engine oil filter – replace (HF204RC) | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Fuel System and Engine Management | ||||||
| Fuel system – check for leaks, chafing etc. | • | • | • | • | ||
| Throttle body plate (butterfly) – check/clean | • | • | • | • | ||
| [T] Autoscan – Carry out a full Autoscan using the Triumph Diagnostic Tool | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Air cleaner – replace (TB-1216) | • | • | • | • | ||
| Fuel filter – replace | • | • | ||||
| Throttle bodies – balance | • | • | • | • | ||
| Fuel hoses – replace | 4 years | |||||
| Evaporative loss hoses* – replace | 4 years | |||||
| Ignition system | ||||||
| Spark plugs – check | • | • | ||||
| Spark plugs – replace (NGK LMAR8A-9) | • | • | ||||
| Cooling system | ||||||
| Cooling system – check for leaks | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Cooling system – check coolant hoses for chafing/ cracks/damage. Replace if necessary. | • | • | • | • | ||
| Coolant level – check/adjust | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Coolant – replace | 3 years | |||||
| Engine | ||||||
| Clutch cable – check function and adjust as necessary (lubricate with Protect All Cable Life) | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Valve clearances – check | • | • | ||||
| Camshaft timing | • | • | ||||
| Wheels and Tires | ||||||
| Tire wear/tire damage – check | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Tire pressures – check/adjust | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Wheels – inspect for damage | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Wheels – check wheels for broken or damaged spokes and check spoke tightness (if you have spoked wheels) | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Wheel bearings – check for wear/smooth operation | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Steering and Suspension | ||||||
| Steering – check for free operation | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Front and rear suspension – check for damage/ leaks/smooth operation | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Fork oil – replace | • | |||||
| Steering head bearings – check/adjust | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Steering head bearings – lubricate | • | • | ||||
| Brakes | ||||||
| Brake pads – check wear levels (see above for part numbers) | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Brake master cylinders – check for fluid leaks | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Brake calipers – check for fluid leaks and seized pistons | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Brake fluid levels – check | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Brake fluid – replace (DOT 4 fluid) | 2 years | |||||
| Drive Chain | ||||||
| Drive chain slack – check/adjust | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Drive chain – wear check | 500 mi (800 km) | |||||
| Drive chain – lubricate (use Motul chain paste or a Motul chain care kit) | 200 mi (300 km) | |||||
| Drive chain rubbing strips – check | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Electrical | ||||||
| All lights, instruments and electrical systems – check/adjust | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| General | ||||||
| [T] Instruments, chassis ECM (if equipped) and engine ECM – check for latest calibration | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Fasteners – inspect visually for security | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Bank angle indicators – check for wear | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Side stand/Center stand – lubricate/check operation | Day | • | • | • | • | • |
| Side stand pivot pin – clean/grease | • | • | • | • | ||
| [T] Carry out all outstanding Service Bulletin and warranty work (if you’re a mechanic) | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| Carry out road test | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
| [T] Complete the service record book and reset the service indicator (if you can) | Year | • | • | • | • | • |
* Evaporative system fitted to models for certain markets only, mostly California, USA.
General information about the Triumph Thruxton 1200
The Triumph Thruxton has always been the “cafe racer” of the family, if you pardon the over-used and vaguely defined term.
In the Thruxton, it simply means a stripped back motorcycle with a round headlight and low, clip-on handlebars. This is in contrast with other motorcycles in the range, which have higher handlebars and a more relaxed seating position.
The Triumph Thruxton 1200 continues this, but adds more motor, more brakes, and more power.
The big ticket improvement on the 2016+ Triumph Thruxton is the 1200cc engine. It’s still a parallel twin and like the earlier 865cc Thruxton EFI, it has a 270-degree crank — something now common to the whole Thruxton 1200 range, though.
The Thruxton’s 1200cc engine makes a peak of 72 kW (96 hp) @ 6750 rpm, and a peak of 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) @ 4950 rpm — over 60% more than the previous engine, with a broad spread of torque all across the rev range.
Bringing the Thruxton 1200 to a halt are 2 x 310 mm Nissin floating discs with Nissin 2-piston floating calipers. While the R has very capable brakes, the base model Thruxton 1200’s brakes are still very capable.
The base model Triumph Thruxton 1200 has fairly elementary suspension. While they’re attractive, from a good brand (Kayaba), and cartridge-style up front, the suspension has no adjustability in the forks and only adjustable preload in the rear. This is why the Thruxton 1200R is so much more capable, with its fully adjustable forks front and rear.
But the Thruxton 1200 is not necessarily a “fast” bike. Being a naked bike, it feels uncomfortable much above 140 km/h. Its gearing lets it have a top speed somewhere just north of 200 km/h or 120 mph, but few people would take it that far on a regular basis.
Certainly if you’re looking for a track weapon, the Triumph Thruxton 1200 would be fun, but given its basic suspension, and its conservative power, it wouldn’t be suitable for the fastest circuits in anything other than a recreational capacity (which, again, is really fun).
The Thruxton is an everyday sportbike that a lot of people can love, though the aggressive clip-ons and suspension aren’t for everyone.
Manual for the Triumph Thruxton 1200
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Triumph Thruxton 1200, which is available on the Triumph website, consulting other manuals to cross reference.
