Triumph’s new Thruxton R is a knockout. Buy one, and you’re getting a drop-dead-gorgeous modern classic with the go to match the show.
Unfortunately, yours won’t be the only Thruxton R in town: The bike is selling like the proverbial hotcakes. If you want something that will stand out, you should give Paris-based Bad Winners a call.

Shop owner Walid Ben Lamine has opened up the order book for a limited series of five truly special Triumphs, based on the previous generation Thruxton. This is the prototype, and it’s packed with enough upgrades to give the current ‘R’ a run for its money.
?Creating a clean and simple bike is not an easy thing,? says Walid. ?What I like doing the most is improving the bikes?finding the perfect geometry, the perfect setting of performance and style.?
The most obvious change is the new bodywork: Walid’s ditched the Thruxton’s bulbous tank for a custom-made steel unit, modeled on the Yamaha SR400. It’s matched to a hand-made tail section, capped off with a leather seat and sitting on a trimmed subframe.
But this cafe racer’s new clothes only tell half the story. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the normally fuel-injected Thruxton is now rocking a pair of Keihin CR35 carbs. Go even deeper, and you’ll find a homemade CDI controlling everything?giving Walid complete control over the tune.

There’s also a set of Arrow two-into-one exhaust headers, terminating in a...