The original Triumph Bonneville T120 was a seminal motorcycle in the marque’s history, dating production from 1959 until 1975. Built for the American market and riders who wanted something very sporty, the original T120, designed by Eduard Turner, as a big success. Whether untouched and ridden around the country, raced at the Bonneville Salt Flats, or modded a hundred ways to suit the owner, the T120 was a great machine and beloved by many riders.
When Nick Bloor purchased the defunct brand years later and began rebuilding the marque, he focused on modern machinery to separate the company from its past – technically and emotionally. However, in 2016 Triumph brought back the T120, not just the Bonneville name.
The current generation T120 is a different machine with a contrasting focus. While the original was a revvy 649cc air-cooled parallel twin pushing 46 hp at 6,700 rpm, the current model has a 1,200cc water-cooled parallel twin producing 80 hp at 6,550 rpm and 77 lb at 3,100 rpm. In T120 tune, the current motor is a flexible lusty thing with a deep throbbing engine note emanating from its chromed twin pea shooter exhaust cans. Even in stock trim, the machine sounds lovely. The engine has a 4-valve head with a single overhead cam. Modern and mellow, the engineers at Triumph have done a very nice job tuning this motor.
Beyond its performance, the T120 is a very good looking machine and received many favorable looks and comments during several stops. The chrome glistening in the sun is well done, the paint on the tank has a great finish and holds up well, and the bike has a classy stance that celebrates what is great about the sport of motorcycling. As is the norm now with modern Triumphs, the company has done an excellent job hiding many of the wires and sensors, so the bike’s lines flow uninterrupted from front to back.
Tasteful twin front disk brakes at 310mm and a single 255mm disk out back in a silver finish work well with the wire spoke rims. The front is 18 inches and the rear is a 17 inch hoop. The Pirelli Phantoms do a decent job holding onto the pavement, but I’d prefer rubber that offers more feel.
The ergonomics are very good and not just because the T120 is a standard. The bars come up at a good angle, the seat is comfortable, and the pegs are straight below. The tank is slender – even at 3.8 gallons – so your legs don’t feel like sails heading down the road. The seat height is reasonable at 31.1 inches and while not light at 541 lbs with fluids, the T120 has poise moving down the road.
The suspension does a decent job keeping things composed. The fronts are non-adjustable 41 mm Kayaba units and Kayaba twin shocks out back. Under stronger braking, the fronts dive more than I’d like and under poor surfaces the limitations of the setup become clear. However, the machine is very stable and that compensates a bit in these scenarios.
The instrumentation is very clear and the clocks up front are classy and easy to read. Two digital carve outs provide information on fuel, mileage, and other details – including rain and sport, the two rider modes. The differences, while subtle, do exist. During my day long ride, the dials were a pleasure to watch as the needles swung around and the engine note sang its song. Helpfully, the bike comes with heated grips, an immobilizer, and a center stand as standard equipment.
For shortcomings, beyond the fork dive already mentioned, the rear pegs are welded onto the subframe which isn’t great. A tip over might cause them to bend the rear subframe instead of snapping off if they were bolted on. This is a regrettable Triumph cost cutting measure. The forums talk about a very squeaky front brake, bad enough to wake the dead, and more seriously about some transmission and clutch issues with some examples. The owner of the example I tested here hasn’t had any issues and some on the forums haven’t either. But enough have to make the transmission and clutch issue something to pay attention to if you’re shopping for a T120.
On the value question, I think Triumph has a very competitive product at a bit more than $12,000 before taxes, setup fees, and add-ons. The T120 is very well put together and certainly feels worth the money. Used models have held their value well and owners – given the model’s demographic – treat them correctly.
Competitors come from a number of corners, depending upon rider preferences. For those desiring a more cruiser focus, there are a number of choices from Harley Davidson and Indian. For those wanting something a bit more sporty, the Kawasaki Z900RS and the Honda CB1000R are strong options. Finally, there are other Triumph models. This part of the market has plenty of practical and emotional options.
In sum, the Triumph Bonneville T120 is a very good option for buyers who want a bike for classic riding at five tenths on a smart looking machine. The T120 has great pedigree and the marque’s attention to detail is impressive. The machine’s riding position is easy on the human body, making weekend jaunts or Sunday morning cruises enjoyable affairs. The chassis and suspension offer solid composure over a number of surfaces and the engine’s power and torque outputs are very well judged. The Bonneville T120 communicates classic Triumph sensibilities to the world by focusing on the elements of motorcycling that really count in a package anyone can embrace and enjoy.
Happy Riding
Very nice write up! I have a 2016 T120 that I bought new, in the same black and white scheme. Weight is a stated 524 lbs. rather than 541. The passenger pegs are bolted to the rear sub frame with the same bolts that secure the muffler brackets. The pegs are easily removed.
Nick is John Bloors’ son. John Bloor is the gent that bought and owns Triumph.
%%
Review my site :: Seo services uk prices
%%
Look into my webpage Mesothelioma Litigation salem
%%
my web-site :: olathe mesothelioma Attorney
%%
Also visit my page: mesothelioma claim
Hey this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
my homepage :: lock haven mesothelioma lawsuit
I am actually glad to glance at this website posts which consists of tons of valuable
data, thanks for providing such information.
Here is my homepage – Mesothelioma lawyer In west milton
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but
great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for great information I was looking for this
info for my mission.
my webpage mesothelioma law firm in riverdale park
%%
Here is my homepage – mesothelioma legal
%%
Also visit my homepage :: Mesothelioma Lawyer In belleview
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to
have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would
value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
My blog – Jerome Mesothelioma Law Firm
%%
Check out my page: asbestos
%%
Also visit my web-site asbestos Claim
%%
My website :: mesothelioma Claim
%%
Feel free to visit my web blog; Mesothelioma litigation Weston
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It is the little changes which will
make the most important changes. Many thanks for sharing!
My website :: mesothelioma litigation cedar lake
%%
My website: Asbestos law
%%
my web blog; Mesothelioma Lawyer
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you actually
recognize what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked.
Please also seek advice from my website =).
We could have a link exchange arrangement among us
Check out my homepage … raymore Mesothelioma attorney
%%
My website; Mesothelioma Claim brunswick
%%
Feel free to visit my web-site: Asbestos Lawsuit
%%
Here is my web page; Asbestos Litigation
%%
Have a look at my site; asbestos compensation
%%
Also visit my blog post: mesothelioma attorney burien
%%
Here is my web site … Asbestos lawsuit
%%
my homepage; asbestos Compensation
%%
Also visit my site :: mesothelioma law
%%
my page – asbestos Claim
%%
My blog post … Asbestos settlement
%%
My site … Asbestos Claim
I do consider all of the ideas you have presented in your post.
They’re very convincing and will certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for starters.
Could you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time?
Thank you for the post.
Here is my site :: mesothelioma lawyer jersey city
%%
Review my web blog asbestos Claim
%%
My web site – Asbestos Law
%%
My homepage … Mesothelioma litigation
Thanks designed for sharing such a pleasant thinking, paragraph is good, thats why i have read it completely
Also visit my web page booneville mesothelioma lawsuit
%%
Have a look at my webpage mesothelioma litigation somers point
%%
My web-site: mesothelioma Law
%%
Have a look at my web page Asbestos Legal
%%
Feel free to surf to my page; Asbestos lawsuit
Do you have a spam problem on this website; I
also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to trade techniques
with others, please shoot me an email if interested.
Also visit my blog post … mesothelioma compensation mount vernon
Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
I am confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
Here is my blog post :: mesothelioma lawsuit in la Puente
%%
Here is my homepage: Mesothelioma Lawyer
%%
My web site … Mesothelioma Legal
%%
Feel free to surf to my web page :: asbestos
%%
Here is my page; Mesothelioma law
Wow, superb weblog structure! How lengthy have you
been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The whole glance of your
web site is magnificent, let alone the content!
Stop by my blog post – Mesothelioma case spring valley
I’ll immediately clutch your rss feed as I can not to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Kindly let me realize in order that I may just subscribe.
Thanks.
Also visit my page bowie mesothelioma law firm