Norton Dominator Vs Triumph Thruxton 1200 R Vs BMW R nineT: Spec Comparison

Published April 30, 2020
Views : 8506
4 min read

Three heritage classics with unique personalities and massive engines, but which one’s a better bet on paper?

The ongoing trend of neo-retro motorcycles has given birth to some pretty cool products in the past couple of years. This includes British offerings like the Triumph Thruxton 1200 R and Norton Dominator that take on the likes of BMW Motorrad with its R nineT. While the Brits dig into their cafe racer roots, the Germans enter the ring with a roadster. All three have their own distinctive personalities. What they have in common though are massive twin-cylinder engines. Question is, how do they stack up against each other on paper?

Engine:

Specifications	Norton Dominator	Triumph Thruxton 1200 R	BMW R nineT
Engine	961cc, air/oil-cooled, parallel twin	1200cc, liquid cooled, parallel twin	1,170cc, air/oil-cooled, opposed-twin
Power	80PS @ 6500rpm	97PS @ 6750rpm	110PS @ 7550rpm
Torque	90Nm @ 5200rpm	112Nm @ 4950rpm	116 Nm at 6000rpm
Gearbox	5-speed	6-speed	6-speed

Of the three, it's the Triumph Thruxton 1200 R which has the larger engine and produces the most amount of power. It even gets a sophisticated liquid-cooled engine compared to its rivals that make do with simple air/oil cooled setups.

The Thruxton makes less torque when compared to the R nineT but offers it at lower revs, which should give it slightly better drivability while pulling off the line. Same goes for the Norton Dominator.

The Norton Dominator, which is the least powerful bike on paper, also loses out on the crucial 6th gear that could have vastly improved its highway touring capabilities.

Underpinnings:

Specifications	Norton Dominator	Triumph Thruxton 1200 R	BMW R nineT
Frame	Dual-cradle frame	Tubular steel cradle	Four-part chassis with removable pillion frame
Front suspension	43mm Ohlins upside down forks, fully adjustable	Showa 43mm USD big piston forks, fully adjustable	46mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable
Rear suspension	Ohlins mono shock with remote reservoir, fully-adjustable	Fully adjustable Ohlins twin shocks with piggyback reservoir	Monoshock with adjustable, fully adjustable
Front brake	320m discs with Brembo calipers	310mm discs with Brembo calipers	320mm discs
Rear brake	245mm disc with Brembo caliper	220mm disc with Nissin caliper	265mm disc
Front tyre	120/70 ZR17	120/70 ZR17	120/70 ZR17
Rear tyre	190/55 ZR17	160/60 ZR17	180/55 ZR17

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

All three bikes feature fully adjustable front and rear suspension setups. However, Norton’s Dominator takes the cake with a set of premium Ohlins. The Thruxton comes in a close second while the Beamer settles for third in this case. All said and done, it all boils down to how reactive these suspension setups are in the real world, how easy they are to tune, and how it helps improve the bike’s handling.

The R nineT may lose out in terms of premium suspension components and may not be the best handler of the lot, but it packs the biggest brakes which should help it drop the anchor quicker. To add to this, the roadster comes with fatter tyres which should help with stability. The Dominator though, has a fatter 190-section rear tyre.

Dimensions:

Specifications	Norton Dominator	Triumph Thruxton 1200 R	BMW R nineT
Wheelbase	1400mm	1415mm	1487mm
Ground clearance	NA	NA	NA
Fuel tank capacity	NA	14.5-litres	18-litres
Seat height	810mm	810mm	805mm
Kerb weight	227kg (kerb)	203kg (dry)	222kg (kerb)

The shortest wheelbase means the Dominator should be quick to turn in and inspiring confidence. So is the case with the Thruxton R which is just 15mm longer.

The R nineT, on the other hand, sets itself as a better tourer. It comes with straight handlebars that offer a relatively relaxed riding posture as opposed to clip-ons on its rivals. The BMW R nineT’s touring capabilities are further highlighted when its larger 18-litre fuel-tank comes into play. More fuel at your disposal should keep you on the road a bit longer.

Average sized riders would also find it easier to swing a leg over the R nineT which gets a lower seat height. A seat height of 810mm (5mm more) on the other two bikes may not be a deal breaker, but it could be problematic for shorter riders.

Then there's the weight. At 227kg, the least powerful bike - the Norton Dominator - is also the heaviest, which affects its power-to-weight ratio. The BMW R nineT takes second place while the Thruxton 1200 R stands tall in first.

Price & Verdict

Norton Dominator	Triumph Thruxton 1200 R	BMW R nineT
Rs 23,70,000	Rs 12,15,800	Rs 17,80,000

(all starting prices, ex-showroom)

Each one of you may have your pick, but it all boils down to the bikes’ pricing. And in this case, it’s the Triumph Thruxton 1200 R, imported from Thailand, that offers more bang for your buck. It looks gorgeous, offers more power and premium mechanicals for the least amount of money.

The BMW R nineT also makes for one heck of a bike if you’re looking for a powerful yet comfortable ride. Bear in mind that the bike’s opposed twin engine configuration does suffer from torsional vibration, but even that has a charm of its own.

If you have money to splurge, the Norton Dominator could be your pick. In theory, it should handle better, gets better equipment to do so and has an authentic retro vibe to it.

Was this article helpful

Yes No

Add Your Comments

View all comments

RESHUL | 4 years ago Kindly check first para of umderpinnings .....its BMW producing more power....kindly make corrections 0 Reply

Prashant | 4 years ago BMW R nineT is better 0 Reply