Just what is special about a thumper?

[oldjack]

Hello you lot, I've just introduced myself as I'm soon to collect my first thumper, & am itching to find out what the mystique is about this type of bike (2001 FX Vigor).

I've had a few different types of bike over the years, but I've always fancied a thumper, for its simplicity and character, plus I can see myself as ogri from the introduction to petrolheads! (what happened to those ogri stickered helmets around a few years ago?)

My question is what is so special about these bikes & why do most of you guys have more than one of them, are they addictive? Is anyone prepared to try to explain it?

Thanks, old(ish)jack

[mad4it028]

for me i love off roading all off roaders are singles thats it for me oh and the sound

[afk40]

Old jack, old john here.. how ye doin,,, so yeve finaly got yersel a thumper...... well theres a few things.. first its a single, easy tae work on if its a carb model, its got a thump, thump, thump, feeling when riding it, it has gobs o torque, especially in the 650 model, what else can a say, there will be a few after me adding to this... they look great, especially in the trail version basic an simple look, nice lines but thats in the bike ye choose... everys bike looks something tae the owner.... their a plodder,,, theres nae chance om hittin the ton an losing yer licence in a hurry an without knowing it.. as its vibey...a luv them

[phil w]

Go down the motorway on a twin or bigger and it sits smooth, go there on a thumper and it rattles your bones. Go down a B road on both and the thumper will make you smile as it punches out the bends. Its lighter slower (sometimes) but more fun, mind not to everybodies taste
Its a bit like driving a Mini.. your not going any faster , possibly a far bit slower but its the smile it brings to your face doing it. Character

[j]

Go down the motorway on a twin or bigger and it sits smooth, go there on a thumper and it rattles your bones. Go down a B road on both and the thumper will make you smile as it punches out the bends. Its lighter slower (sometimes) but more fun, mind not to everybodies taste
Its a bit like driving a Mini.. your not going any faster , possibly a far bit slower but its the smile it brings to your face doing it. Character

Second that they make you smile all day.

[Warthog]

For me it is the grin factor. Right gear, yank on the throttle and there is a distinct "pin-pulled" feeling as the bike lunges forward. Accelerating out of corners is very addictive.

I also like the bottom end grunt. Flying starts are so easy and satisfying, unlike having to clutch slip on a four.

Loads of character, nimble and cheaper to maintain on a more practical front...

[afk40]

was out on mine the day there... GREAT, fartin an bangin down the road wi a single loudish can on, it sounds liek an old army bike...as someone says above.. the smothness of a twin or a four is nice but a single does it fur me... wind on a 650 four when yer down at 30mph an ye`l get a miss kinda thing fur about 3/4 seconds then it`l start tae chug up tae a decent speed... in the single depatment.. ye have power when ye need it th esplit second ye gie it a handful.................

[Loomesy]

If you get a dommie or something similar, make sure your first ride is down one of your most twisty and favourite lanes, and it will leave you astounded!
It shouldn't do what it can do on those skinny little tyres, then should you wish to go off roading it'll do a bit of that, it'll sit at a motorway at 80 all day, touring will leave you with a sore arse but its still do-able, and all the while will return 45-55mpg, never fail to start, every ride becomes an event and you'll have a smile on your face all the time, plus watch gsxr riders disappear in your mirrors as they clatter around on their stiffly sprung, 10000000 miles an hour waste of money....

In other words....ENJOY!!!

[afk40]

well said.

[El Vencejo]

I agree with most of what's been said; but I don't think they have enough power to take on fast M-way traffic, top end acceleration just isn't there and I don't find the vibes comfortable for constant high-rev cruising.

Stick to the A's and B's.